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Waukesha appeals board approves 6-foot-10 stair ceiling variance for Matt Baker, denies insulation waiver
Summary
The Waukesha Board of Building Appeals approved a variance allowing a 6-foot-10-inch minimum ceiling height for the stairway at 1447 S. Grand Ave. but denied the requested R‑value (insulation) relief and a beam-height/insulation waiver; the owner may submit revised plans for relocated stairs.
The Waukesha Board of Building Appeals approved a variance allowing a 6-foot-10-inch minimum ceiling height for the stairway at 1447 South Grand Avenue and denied the owner’s request to waive R‑value insulation requirements.
Board members considered three requested variances for the 1959 home — stairway ceiling height, basement ceiling height and an insulation (R‑value) requirement — after owner Matt Baker and staff presented plans and photos showing a beam and ductwork intruding into the stair headroom. Baker described measured headroom around 75 inches and told the board he could relocate the stairs or remove ductwork to improve clearance.
“The beam’s really encroaching into the headroom,” said Matt Baker, the owner and occupant, describing the site conditions and plans to move the stair run. Staff outlined the Uniform Dwelling Code citations the appeal concerns, including SPS provisions and Waukesha code section 16.17 that allow older homes to seek variances.
Member Jason Romanescu moved to approve the 6-foot-10-inch minimum ceiling height and to deny the requested relief on the R‑value and beam-height/insulation items; another member seconded the motion. Romanescu said he was comfortable with 6-foot-10 as safe headroom: “I feel like 6 foot 10 is still a safe height, and I would be in favor of the 6 foot 10 ceiling height.” The motion passed by voice vote.
Board members and staff discussed that if the owner relocates the stairs so the headroom intrusion falls on an unfinished storage side rather than the finished area, some variance issues (for example, insulation in unfinished space) would not apply. Staff also confirmed that a revised plan for relocated stairs will require a new submittal but will not restart the variance process from the beginning.
The board’s action leaves the approved 6-foot-10 ceiling height as the allowable condition for the property; the owner was told to resubmit revised plans if he relocates the stair run so the board can review the updated layout.
