Board denies planter boxes and roof expansion but approves stairs for 2903 Borg LLC boathouse

The Walworth County Board of Adjustment on March 12 acted on a multi-part petition from 2903 Borg LLC and applicant Nick DePietro concerning a boathouse on a Delavan Township parcel. The board denied proposed planter box walls within the 75-foot shore yard and denied enlarging the boathouse roof beyond the existing envelope, but approved replacement stairs that will sit outside the existing building footprint.

Board findings stated there was not a unique property limitation or unnecessary hardship to justify planter box walls inside the 75-foot shore yard; the board characterized the proposed flower-box walls as primarily aesthetic and inconsistent with shoreland zoning intent. The replacement stairs were found to be a necessary repair, permissible as railings are allowed, and the relocated stairs were judged consistent with ordinance intent. For the roof enlargement the board found no unique hardship, determined the roof could be replaced within the current envelope, and cited that a larger roof would add impervious surface and conflict with shoreland goals. The Town submitted a letter of support and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources submitted a letter of opposition to the planter box walls.

The minutes record a motion by Vice-Chair Elizabeth Sukala to deny the planter box walls (seconded by David Held) with a 3-0 result; a motion by David Held to approve the stairs (seconded by Elizabeth Sukala) carried 3-0. A motion relating to the roof expansion is recorded as denied in the board findings; the minutes also contain a duplicate motion line that appears contradictory and was treated in the minutes as failing for the roof expansion. The board’s actions reflect separate rulings on each requested element rather than a single omnibus approval.