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Planning commission approves a slate of variances and exceptions, including temporary shed requests and lakeshore setbacks
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Summary
The commission approved multiple variances and exceptions on accessory buildings, setbacks and small lakeshore modifications, and voted to allow three backyard hens; several items were routine approvals while more complex proposals were continued for technical review.
Kosciusko County’s planning board approved a package of routine variances and exceptions at its recent meeting, granting petitioners temporary or permanent relief for accessory structures, small setback exceptions and similar land-use requests.
Key approvals included:
- Justin and Catherine Dwyer (exception 202640): the board approved a temporary placement of a portable shed on a vacant lot for five years (petitioners said the shed meets setbacks and will support property maintenance while they plan a home). Commissioner (speaker 5) moved for a five-year allowance and the board approved it.
- Michael Rohrer (variance 202664): the board approved a variance to formalize a recorded legal description that yields a lot width of about 84.3 feet; Rohrer told the board the description dated to 1984 and the variance simply legitimizes an existing mobile home footprint.
- Brian and Christine McMahon (variance 202665): the board approved a variance to allow a modular house to sit about 4 feet from side property lines after the contractor described constraints and alternative model sizes.
- Casimir Kosileski (variance 202668): after the petitioner flipped the home orientation to meet the road setback, the board approved a variance only from the water's edge (deck-to-water setback adjusted to roughly 27.1 feet).
- Tom Morton (variance): a small enclosure to house pool and irrigation pumps was approved; the applicant showed email support from an adjacent neighbor and the board approved the request.
- Kathleen Tierney (variances 202673/202674): the board approved a pergola/pavilion setback variance and permission to combine two lots so there can be two residences on a single tract, with required recorded covenants that the parcels not be sold separately without further process.
- Peggy Arnett (variance 202680): the board allowed a recently placed shed to remain about one foot from the side property line and required the usual after-the-fact permit.
- Henrichs (variance 202675): the board approved a lakeside deck within 11 feet of the water's edge for a house previously granted a variance; members noted other nearby homes have similar features and approved the change.
- Sam Parensford (exception 202646): the board approved permission for up to three hens (no roosters) on an accessory lot with conditions: max three birds, coop maintenance and 10-foot separation from neighbors.
Most of the approvals were voice votes recorded in the meeting; the board reiterated that all approvals require the appropriate building and after-the-fact permits where applicable.
