Deuel County approves two variances and recommends replat amid lot constraints

The Deuel County Board granted two variances and recommended approval of a replat to resolve site-specific practical difficulties on small or nonconforming lots.

The board approved a variance for Richard Dean Bartz to construct an approximately 8-by-23-foot addition above an existing basement storage area at Bostic Beach. The existing house sits about 4.5 feet from the side property line and about 29 feet from the established normal high-water mark of Lake Cochrane. The board found the addition would not increase the existing encroachment or height and approved the variance unanimously.

The board also approved a variance requested by Rebecca Baker and Joshuah Amland allowing a 28-by-28-foot garage addition and replacement of a smaller shed with a 12-by-20-foot shed in Westside Acres. Due to an undeveloped cul-de-sac, driveway location and lot configuration, the applicants could not meet front and side yard setbacks; field measurements place the garage about 8 feet from the cul-de-sac and the new shed about 3 feet from the side property line. Adjacent property owners were contacted and raised no objections.

Planning Commission members recommended approval of a replat for Robert and Brenda Chamberland to transfer roughly a 10-by-80-foot strip between Lots 22 and 23 in Grabow Second Addition to allow construction of an accessory shed near the residence. Jay Grabow recused himself from the plat discussion and vote for conflict of interest; the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners passed with four ayes and one abstention.

The board closed the meeting after administrative items and directed zoning staff to pursue enforcement on an unpermitted structure reported in the Bemis area.