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Waukesha Board of Zoning Appeals approves variance to allow garage at 534 Grove Street
Summary
The Waukesha Board of Zoning Appeals voted to allow a replacement 12-by-22 detached garage at 534 Grove Street to be built less than 1 foot from the lot line, citing the property's substandard lot width and a neighbor approval letter; the motion passed unanimously by the four members present.
The Waukesha Board of Zoning Appeals on 2025-03-10 approved an appeal by Jay Bowman of Classic Builders to permit a 12-by-22 detached garage at 534 Grove Street to be located less than 1 foot from the lot line, where Section 22.582(a)(1) of the city code requires accessory foundations to be at least 5 feet from the lot line.
City staff presented aerial and street photos, a certified survey and measurements showing the parcel is a substandard lot (about 48 feet wide, narrowing to roughly 44.27 feet at the rear) and that the new garage would be placed on the same footprint as a prior garage recently removed. Staff noted they had a neighbor letter approving the replacement in the same location and described topography that slopes down in the rear of the lot.
"It's gonna be it's actually less than a foot from the lot line," city staff said while describing the proposal and the relevant code subsection. Board member Kevin Riley said he was "in favor of granting this appeal just on the basis of the substandard lot," adding that the single-car structure matches neighborhood character and that the applicant had been reasonable.
During the reading of findings of fact, the board recorded affirmations that: (1) exceptional circumstances apply to this property; (2) the variance is necessary for preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights in the zoning district; (3) the request is not based solely on economic gain; and (4) the variance will not substantially detract from adjacent properties or the intent of the zoning code. The board then moved, seconded and approved the appeal; the chair stated that "all 4 passed affirmatively." Ed Ratheer was recorded as absent during roll call.
The board's approval allows the applicant to proceed with the dimensional variance granted by the appeals body; the record includes the staff presentation, the certified survey, photographs taken by staff, and a neighbor approval letter. The meeting concluded with no further action and adjournment.
Votes and next steps: Motion to approve the variance passed by the four members present (Timothy Reddick; Brian Erickson; Christine D'Angelo; Kevin Riley). The transcript does not record specific permitting steps or permit issuance timelines; any building-permit requirements or inspections remain subject to city permitting processes.
