Board approves 2-foot side-yard variance for Spirit Lake home, requires window-well cover

The Dickinson County Board of Adjustment on Oct. 27 approved a variance to allow a 2-foot side-yard setback where 5 feet is required for a West Okoboji Harbor Township property at 15824 Tradewind Drive, with a stipulation that the applicant install a cover for a new window well.

Shelley Gustin of 3 D Builders, representing applicants Richard and Glenys Hull, told the board the project would replace a small basement bedroom window with a larger egress window and a window well "for safety reasons." Neighbors voiced concerns about the tight side yard and access; Sandra Sykes said the existing 2-foot side-yard "is too tight for a lawnmower to go through" and argued a 5-foot setback remained appropriate.

Board member Douglas Westerman moved to approve a three-foot variance (reducing the required 5-foot side yard to 2 feet) contingent on installation of a window-well cover; Alex Oponski seconded. The motion passed 4-1 (Berhow, Clark, Ashland and Westerman yes; Oponski no). The board’s approval permits the larger egress window but requires the cover to address the board’s expressed safety and site-access concerns.

The approval was limited to the setback relief and the cover stipulation; no other permit or code issues were resolved at the meeting. The variance record should indicate the applicants remain responsible for securing any building permits required by Dickinson County.