Brookings County board approves front-yard variance for proposed house at 19989 462nd Avenue

The Brookings County Board of Adjustment voted to grant a front-yard variance for a residential replacement at 19989 462nd Avenue, Bruce, South Dakota.

County staff read the application and findings of fact before the vote. Richard, speaking for county staff, said the applicant seeks to move in a ready-built home 32 feet wide by 56 feet long with the front step 71 feet from the centerline of 462nd Avenue. The required setback is 150 feet; staff called this a variance of 79 feet and said the existing house was closer to the road before current setback rules took effect. Staff identified site constraints including mature trees on the west and north sides and a drop to lowland on the south side.

Applicant Jeff Goodfellow told the board Richard’s report was complete and said, “Putting it there would be reasonable for us to hook the old sewer system up to the new house,” adding that moving the house elsewhere would add substantial expense for sewer, electrical and water reconnection. The staff reading included findings that strict application of the zoning ordinance would produce undue hardship, that the hardship is unique to the property, and that the requested variance is the minimum necessary to permit reasonable use.

Richard called the vote after findings were read; members present voted in favor and the motion passed. Staff told the applicant the written approval would be mailed and advised him to obtain the county building permit when ready.

The decision includes conditions noted in the findings (reconnection of the existing attached garage and retention of shelterbelt trees), compliance with the Brookings County zoning ordinance, and a three‑year lapse condition if the variance is not used within three years.