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Marshall County BZA swears in new member and unanimously approves six zoning requests with conditions
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Summary
At its March 30, 2025 meeting the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals swore in Caleb Coffel and approved six cases — including home workshops, towing/storage, an event permit, and setback variances — attaching conditions for signage, drainage-board approval, shared-easement documentation and event traffic and hours.
The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals convened March 30, 2025, swore in a newly appointed member and approved six zoning requests and variances, each by unanimous vote.
The board administered the oath to Caleb Coffel, who was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to complete an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2026. The presiding official said, "You're official," after the oath was completed.
Regina McLean — home workshop (BZA01) Staff presented a recommendation to approve McLean's request to run a beauty salon out of a 16-by-48 shed behind her home at 7002 Plymouth Port Trail, citing adequate setbacks, tree-line screening and minimal traffic impact. McLean said the shed currently has "no electricity, no water" and that she would obtain necessary permits after receiving zoning approval. The board approved the special use and added conditions limiting permanent signage; members discussed a small on-building sign and settled on a 16-square-foot maximum and operating hours through 7 p.m. by motion and unanimous voice roll call.
Timothy White — towing and storage lot (BZA02) Timothy White sought approval for a 100-by-200-foot towing and vehicle-storage lot for Tim's Towing at 17351 Fenwick Road. Staff noted a prior variance at a different location and recommended approval with conditions. The board — after neighbor testimony in support and written correspondence from a former commissioner — approved the application but required that any portion of the storage lot located in a drainage easement receive explicit approval from the county drainage board or be shifted outside the easement. White said typical vehicle stays would be "3 to 5 days".
Norman & Barbara Miller — workshop expansion (BZA03) The Millers requested expansion of a manufacturing/workshop for hay elevators and conveyors; staff said the full facility would total roughly 9,200 square feet after expansion and recommended approval with TRC conditions. The board approved the expansion but added a requirement that the recorded easement enabling a connected driveway be documented (or the lots be combined) to secure shared access for semi traffic and future operations.
June Stall / Chicago Pontoon Park — special event (BZA04) A tenant operating under the name Chicago Pontoon Park sought approval for a one-time outdoor boat and pontoon show at 7809 Redwood Road. Presenter Vernon Chermileski said he reduced the event’s scope (no alcohol tent, no stage) and moved it to an earlier weekend; he said he was limiting hours to 8 a.m.–10 p.m. each day and would rely on volunteers and coordination with the sheriff's office for traffic control. Staff recommended approval with conditions to restrict egress and traffic patterns (right-turn egress onto US 30 and routing traffic south on Redwood) and to cap hours; the board approved the event with those stipulations.
Deborah and Randy Sikowski — front-yard setback variance (BZA05) The Sikowskis requested a variance to reduce the front-yard setback from 30 feet to 15 feet at 16018 Cook Lake Trail to site a modular home. Staff cited topographic constraints and the site's prior residence (a dwelling destroyed in a 2019 explosion) and recommended approval. The board granted the variance, recording a unanimous vote.
David Ayers — attached garage setback variance (BZA06) David Ayers requested a reduction in front-yard setback from 50 feet to 30 feet to allow a 28-by-36-foot attached garage aligned with his existing house at 9955 Gumwood Road. Staff noted the house predated the zoning ordinance and recommended approval. The board approved the variance; members said the addition would improve the appearance of the frontage.
Votes and next steps Every case discussed at the meeting passed on recorded roll calls with all present board members voting in favor. Several approvals carried conditions requiring further approvals or documentation: drainage-board sign-off for any work in drainage easements (Tim White), recorded easements or lot combination for shared drive access (Miller), limits on event egress and hours (Chicago Pontoon Park) and a cap on signage size and hours for the McLean home workshop. Staff noted the board may revisit compliance issues at the next scheduled meeting, and the board set its next meeting for April 14, 2026.
Why it matters Local zoning approvals determine whether small businesses, workshops and temporary events can operate in residential and agricultural areas. The board’s conditions aim to balance business activity with drainage protections, traffic safety and neighborhood character.
What to watch next Staff said it may return one or more items for noncompliance with conditions at the April 14 meeting; applicants required to secure drainage-board approval or recorded easements will need to follow those processes before full implementation.
