Commission approves variances and hardcover permit for new house at 18965 Lake Avenue amid neighbor concerns

The Deephaven Planning Commission on April 21 recommended City Council approval of variances and a conditional use permit for a proposed new house at 18965 Lake Avenue after hearing neighborhood concerns about a shared driveway easement and stormwater impacts.

Planning Director Pat Smith described the request by applicants Tim Jones and Angie Hauth: the plan seeks a one-foot encroachment into the west side yard setback and a 3.1-foot encroachment into the east side yard setback, and would raise effective hardcover to about 30.1%. The applicants described an existing shared driveway easement (six feet on both sides) and said they intend to pave both portions and install nine-foot garage doors to ease access. The plan includes an infiltration trench sized at 4 feet by 12 feet by 3 feet, providing 43.2 cubic feet of treatment (staff said 42.8 cubic feet is required).

Neighbors voiced specific concerns: Dian Schwarze (neighbor at 18945 Lake Avenue) said she worried about property value and proximity; Gary and Deb Nelson (3830 Talton Place) pressed for clarity on stormwater impacts to their rear yard. Commissioners debated whether to condition approval on moving the house west. Chair Petersen made a motion with that condition, but the motion to require a westward move failed for lack of a second. The body then approved a recommendation to the City Council allowing the variances and CUP, with a strong encouragement that the applicants consider moving the house a few feet west to increase separation from the neighbor.

What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for final action. The record indicates continued coordination among applicants, neighbors and city staff on driveway access and stormwater mitigation.

Sources: Deephaven Planning Commission minutes, April 21, 2026; attributions are to the speakers recorded in the minutes.