Planning commission approves rooftop deck permit for 168 Shorewood Drive

The Detroit Lakes Planning Commission voted to approve a nonconforming use expansion permit to allow a rooftop deck on an existing water-oriented accessory building at 168 Shorewood Drive. The commission moved the recommendation forward to the Community Development Committee and said the council will consider final approval.

Larry, a city staff member, told the commission: "There's a request that has been made by Mauna Sota LLC to enlarge a nonconforming use by adding a rooftop deck to an existing 10 by 20 foot water oriented accessory structure." He said the proposal is not a variance, that the feature is consistent with neighborhood character and that staff had not received any complaints from neighbors.

A resident who grew up on Shorewood Drive described maintenance concerns from long-term boathouses: "So I grew up on Shorewood Drive, and we had a boathouse like that. And the railing broke, rotted. We never replaced it, then we couldn't get on top of it without getting in trouble." Commissioners discussed upkeep and neighborhood compatibility but noted no formal objections had been filed.

Committee member (S2) moved to approve the nonconforming use expansion permit; the Chair (S1) seconded. The commission voted in favor (ayes), and the Chair declared the motion carries. Larry said the item "will be September 8 at 11:30" at the CDC meeting and that the council would take it up later that evening at 5:00 in the chambers for the final decision.