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Commission approves Sorensens’ boathouse rebuild with move‑back and height limits
Summary
Christopher and Krista Sorensen received approval to reconstruct and enclose a boathouse accessory structure subject to moving the front wall five feet farther from the ordinary high‑water mark and capping height at the existing structure’s elevation, plus stormwater management conditions.
Christopher and Krista Sorensen sought a variance to rebuild and enclose a water‑oriented accessory structure on parcel 89190539 in Ross Lake Township. Staff described the existing boathouse footprint and explained the variance was required because the project expands the foundation footprint toward the bluff.
Several commissioners expressed concern that replacing the foundation and enclosing the lower portion constituted an expansion of use and volume. One commissioner said, "It's not just rebuilding the existing foundation; it's a scrape and double," expressing concern about increased usable interior area. The applicant told the board he would work with wastewater/stormwater controls and said he did not intend to increase height.
To reach consensus, the commission negotiated a compromise: the front wall would be moved roughly five feet back from the ordinary high‑water mark (a 12‑foot variance from OHW in the motion), stormwater management would be required, and the reconstructed boathouse could not exceed the existing structure’s height. The motion to approve the variance with those conditions passed on a voice vote.
