Sawyer County zoning board approves Bass Lake wetland-setback variance, 5-0

The Sawyer County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 on June 15 to approve Variance 26-001, permitting reduced wetland setbacks for a Bass Lake property (Tax ID 867, Parcel 002124000400) and requiring mitigation measures such as rain gardens and downspouts.

The decision came after a staff presentation explaining that the 2.417-acre parcel currently contains nonconforming structures and that the proposed replacement would remove approximately 550 square feet of existing house/deck and 550 square feet of existing garage from within the 40-foot wetland setback while adding a smaller new footprint. Zoning staff noted the proposed primary dwelling would be placed as close as 23 feet 7 inches to a delineated wetland boundary where the county standard is 40 feet. Staff said the net effect is a reduction of nonconforming footprint within the wetland setback (staff cited a net reduction figure of roughly 614 square feet).

Mike Mzudis, the property owner, told the board he and his wife bought the parcel in October 2025 and described the lot as having an "unusual wetland configuration" that constrains a conventional buildable envelope. "The variance request reflects the minimum relief necessary to address these physical limitations and importantly results in significant improvement in the existing nonconformities," Mzudis said.

Zoning staff, identified in the hearing as Jay, walked the board through packet maps and a color-coded buildable-area overlay. Jay described the dotted line on the map as "the 40-foot buildable area" and explained that the gray shaded areas shown on the map were existing structures proposed for removal. Staff also read a motion passed by the Town of Bass Lake supervisors recommending approval with conditions, and said 15 adjacent property owners were notified; two requested full packets but no written objections were returned.

During discussion, a board member who visited the site after heavy rain said there was "no water standing anywhere" despite delineation flags and described the proposal as moving structures further from water. Another board member questioned language in the applicant packet framing lack of an attached garage or single-story living as a hardship, calling that element a personal hardship rather than a property-based hardship; several members agreed the physical wetland pattern and limited buildable area constitute the relevant hardship.

Before voting, a board member asked that the approval include gutters and rain gardens; the motion approved the application "as presented" and specifically required rain gardens and downspouts where applicable. The board recorded findings of fact that the variance represents a minimal relaxation of the code, that required setbacks and permits must be obtained (land use, building and sanitary), and that the hardship arises from the parcel's configuration. The motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

The board also approved minutes from its March 4, 2024 meeting earlier in the session. Staff said the zoning office will walk the applicant through the permit process; the board noted the next meeting is scheduled for the third Tuesday in July (July 21). The board briefly discussed ongoing appeals, including the Johnson appeal concerning Lake Hayward (currently in briefing) and an upcoming zoning committee appeal regarding a denied conditional use permit for Oak Shores KDML LLC.