Grand Marais planning commission approves 7.5-foot setback variance for Hamilton Habitat lot near church playground

The Grand Marais Planning Commission voted to approve a variance that reduces the required rear setback for a Hamilton Habitat lot from 25 feet to 17.5 feet, a 7.5-foot reduction, and will forward the approval to the city council next week.

Byron Aldrich, a Grand Marais resident and a board member of the First Congregational UCC Church, told commissioners the church property — including a playground used by neighborhood children and the Northwoods Child Care program — “butts up against the rear lot line of the lot that we sold to Hamilton Habitat,” urging commissioners to consider potential impacts on children’s play areas. “It is our lot which butts up against the rear lot line of the lot that we sold to Hamilton Habitat,” Aldrich said.

Anna Hamilton, project manager for Hamilton Habitat, told the commission she had already answered neighbors’ questions in the lobby and denied concerns that the site would “look like a used car lot.” She said the organization already has a prospective purchaser for the home — a man in his early 30s with two children — and that they plan to install a fence along the rear property line to provide separation from the playground.

Commissioner Kelly asked whether the daycare and playground users were aware of a residence so close by and cautioned that child noise could prompt future complaints. Kelly noted daycare is a priority for the community and asked about snow removal and whether the new fence would interfere with maintenance; Kelly said the playground is used five days a week and asked for assurances the placement would not trigger repeat disputes.

Commissioner Ben and a neighboring resident raised questions about driveway placement and drainage. The applicant said the driveway would likely be accessed from 4th Avenue West and acknowledged an existing culvert and ditch; a neighbor cautioned that ledge rock under yards in the area can complicate runoff and drainage solutions.

During deliberations, commissioners reviewed the standard variance findings, including whether the landowner’s plight was due to circumstances unique to the property and not created by the owner. The applicant described the planned home as a 24-by-32-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath house and said the lot was purchased with its constraints in mind.

A motion to approve the Hamilton Homestead variance was moved and seconded; the commission recorded unanimous affirmative roll call votes and approved the variance. The commission noted the matter will go to the city council for further action next week.

The meeting also approved the consent agenda earlier in the session by roll call vote and then adjourned.