Roaming Shores board approves multiple property variances, including dock setback and larger garages

The Roaming Shores board on the evening agenda approved a series of property variances and permit confirmations, including a reduced dock setback at 1504 Morning Star and multiple requests to build detached garages larger than the village's historic 900‑square‑foot limit.

The most immediate action was approval of a variance for 1504 Morning Star, where the lot narrows to about 43 feet at the lake. Applicant Joe Mlay said Roaming Shores maintenance director Randy Rubble advised moving the applicant’s finger dock north to avoid blocking a ravine and to preserve stormwater flow. "We applied for this variance because we were told to by Randy Rubble," Mlay said, adding that both adjacent homeowners supplied letters supporting the request. The board opened public comment, received no objections, and approved the variance.

Board members also approved several detached‑garage requests above the village's prior 900‑square‑foot single‑floor limit. Zoning staff noted a pending ordinance that raises the single‑floor allowance to 1,200 square feet; applicants asked for modest increases above that in a few cases. Mike Camelli told the board his small, slab‑on‑grade house leaves no practical way to add an attached garage and asked to build a 1,320‑square‑foot detached garage for workshop and winter boat storage. Mark Alstead, a neighbor, spoke in support. Zoning staff said they had no objections and the board recorded three affirmative votes to approve the request.

A larger and more detailed application from Mark and Jen Al asked permission for a detached structure the parties described in total as about 2,184 square feet (1,200 first floor; 744 second floor; 240‑square‑foot pavilion). Zoning staff said the property’s topography — a pronounced gully — limits options for attaching the structure and that approval should require an affidavit barring future conversion of the second floor to habitable space. Zoning presented the affidavit requirement as a standard condition to prevent the second floor from becoming living quarters; as zoning put it, the village will require "an affidavit declaring that he'll never have habitable space in that area." The board approved the structure with conditions, including that affidavit and limits on the pavilion/attached elements.

The board also treated a 1,200‑square‑foot garage application at 514 Rock Creek as a formality after a recent ordinance change; the board confirmed the application so the permit could be issued. Separately, the board approved a refund of a $250 variance application fee to an applicant who had submitted duplicate applications after the code change; the refund passed by a 3‑1 vote with one board member opposed.

What the board required and what remains to be done

- 1504 Morning Star dock setback: variance approved; neighbors had provided written support. No further board action recorded. - Mike Camelli garage (1,320 sq ft): zoning had no objections; variance approved by recorded affirmative votes. - Mark and Jen Al detached structure (total ~2,184 sq ft): approved with required affidavit that the second floor will not be used as habitable space; board discussed driveway changes, pavilion treatment and future lot consolidation risks. - 514 Rock Creek garage: confirmed as a ministerial permit matter following ordinance change. - Refund of duplicate variance fee: $250 refund approved, 3‑1.

The board discussed aesthetic considerations, driveway reconfiguration and the village’s enforcement challenge of ensuring affidavits are honored. The meeting concluded with informal remarks and adjournment.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting)

- 1504 Morning Star dock setback: approved (recorded yes votes: Committee member Joe, Committee member Michelle, Committee member Robert; public comment: none opposed). - Mike Camelli garage (1,320 sq ft): approved (recorded yes votes: Committee member Joe, Committee member Michelle, Committee member Robert; one board member voiced desire for different sizing but the motion passed). - Mark and Jen Al detached structure (~2,184 sq ft): approved with conditions including affidavit barring habitable use of the second floor (recorded yes votes: Committee member Joe, Committee member Michelle, Committee member Robert; Committee member Trish voiced objections to some elements). - Refund of duplicate variance fee ($250): approved 3‑1 (Committee member Joe, Committee member Michelle, Committee member Robert yes; Committee member Trish no).

The board did not set specific additional deadlines in the meeting record. Permit issuance and affidavit language will be handled by zoning staff before final permits are released.