Board denies patio/fire‑pit variance at Grand Pines Condo; orders removal, offers restoration options

The Sawyer County Board of Appeals denied Variance 26‑004 for a 180 sq ft flagstone patio and fire pit at Grand Pines Condo Unit 1 by a 5–0 vote and amended the motion to include the town’s findings of fact.

Mike Barnes, the property owner, said the flagstone patio and changes to grading and steps had reduced erosion toward Little Round Lake and that the before‑and‑after photos showed improvement. Staff responded that the patio and paver area meet the county definition of a structure and therefore must meet the 75‑foot shoreline setback; because the primary dwelling is already within the shoreline setback, exemptions for open‑sided structures do not apply.

Board members discussed alternatives such as replacing flagstone with pea gravel (which staff treats as fill) or artificial turf and considered whether those options would still constitute regulated fill within 35 feet of the ordinary high‑water mark. The board concluded unnecessary hardship was not demonstrated and voted to deny the variance. Staff said the zoning/conservation department will issue an order for correction requiring removal of the patio area and will work with the owner on restoration options and a timeline; staff indicated a fall deadline for removal and follow‑up correspondence would be mailed to the owner.