Sawyer County Board of Appeals — Agenda Packet

1 Sawyer County Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Tuesday, October 20, 2026 @ 5:00 PM Sawyer County Board Room AGENDA a. ZOOM INFORMATION 1. To view or participate in the virtual meeting from a computer, iPad, or Android device please go to https://zoom.us/j/91511740175. You can also use the dial in number for listening only at 1-312-626-6799 with the Webinar ID: 915.1174.0175. If additional assistance is needed, please contact the Zoning & Conservation Department at 715-634-8288 prior to the meeting. b. PRELIMINARY MATTERS 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Statement of Committee and Hearing Procedure & Statement of Hearing Notice 3. Approval of minutes from September 15, 2025 c. VARIANCE APPLICATIONS 1. A Public Hearing in the Town of Bass Lake. VAR #26-008. Owners: Anton & Debbie Pfendt. Abendpost Beach 1st Addition, Lot 5, 6,7, 8 and 9, all in Block 21, S31, T40N, R08W; Parcel #002-106-21-0500; Tax ID #360, Parcel #002-106-21- 0600, Tax ID #361: and Parcel #002-106-21-0800, Tax ID #362: .069, .207 and .117 for a total of .393 total acres; All zoned Residential/Recreational One (RR-1) Application for a 60’x40’x20’ in height (2400) sq. ft. accessory structure across a Town Road (Court Oreilles Lake Road) from the primary dwelling. This is a Variance for a larger accessory structure. Variance requested as: Sawyer County Code of Ordinance-Appendix-D Section 4.26(2) (f) Conditional Use Permit #25- 052 allows for the construction of an accessory structure no greater than 1200 sq. ft. and 18’ in height within platted subdivision. Applicant requests a 60’x40’x20’ in height (2400 sq. ft. and 20’ in height, accessory structure. Discussion/Action. 2. A Public Hearing in the Town of Sand Lake. VAR #26-009. Owners: Markus & Kayla Armstrong. Victory Heights Original Plat, Lot 4, Block 2; S03, T39N, R09W; Parcel #026-179-02-0400; Tax ID #27008; .312 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreational One (RR-1). Application is for construction of an attached 17’x28’ 2-story garage with habitable living area above. This would also include a 5’x5’ covered entry way and a 16’x22’ 2-story addition and 16’x22’ deck area. Variance requested as: prior granting of Variance #98-024, was granted a reduced overall side lot line setback of 10’ on both sides for a total of 20’ overall for a 22’ x 32’ dwelling with walkout and loft. This variance would be for an expansion of that Page 1 of 121 2 existing approved setback distance. The proposed expansion would be at the same setback distance. This variance is per Sawyer County Code of Ordinances- Appendix D- Section 18.0. Dimensional requirements, would require prior granting of a Variance for reduced overall side lot line setbacks of 40’ to 20’ as per previous approved Variance. Discussion/Action. 3. A Public Hearing in the Town of Hunter. VAR #26-010. Owner: Carl Richard Marks. Part of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼; S10, T40N, R07W; Parcel #012-740-10- 1407; Tax ID #15069; 6.408 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreational One. Application is for an after-the-fact addition of a detached accessory structure, size is 30’x32’ located 48’ from the centerline of a Town Road (Twin Bay Road). The 30’ x 32’ addition is onto and existing non-conforming 24’ x 24’ garage. Variance requested as Sawyer County Code of Ordinances-Appendix D) Section 4.21(3). This would require the prior granting of a Variance for any structure located closer than 63’ to the centerline of a Town Road. Structure is located at 48’ to the centerline. Discussion/Action. 4. A Public Hearing in the Town of Edgewater. VAR #26-011. Owners: Leo & Jennifer Melchior. Village of Edgewater lots 9-11, and 24, Block 1 and Part of Government Lot 2; S27, T38N, R09W; Parcel #008-118-01-0901; Tax ID #45479; .710 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreational One (RR-1). Application is for an attached 22’x22’ (2-story) garage with owner’s suite on the second floor. Variance requested as Sawyer County Code of Ordinances-Appendix D-Section 18.4 (a) would require the prior granting of a Variance for any structure not meeting an overall side lot line setback of 40’. Request is for a 10’ setback on one side and 14’ on the other side. Previous Variance for reduced side lot setbacks in 2012 was granted. Discussion/Action. 5. A Public Hearing in the Town of Lenroot. VAR #26-012. John Knobel & James Knobel. Part of the NW ¼ of the SW ¼, Lot 5 CSM 38/240 #8753; S25, T42N, R09W; Parcel #014-942-25-3209; Tax ID #18306; .240 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreational One (RR-1). Variance requested for placement of a 10’ high fence at a setback distance of 46’ from the ordinary high-water mark of Nelson Lake. Sawyer County Code of Ordinances-Appendix B-Section 6.1 for a reduced water setback and Section 10 (2) states fences are not exempt from the 75’ OHWM setback. Discussion/Action. d. NEW BUSINESS 1. 2027 Board of Appeals meeting Dates. 2. Any other business that may come before the Board for discussion. e. ADJOURNMENT 1. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 121 3 Page 3 of 121 1 MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE SAWYER COUNTY BOARD OF APPEAL September 15, 2026 Board of Appeals Al Gerber, Chairman Laura Rusk Steve Kelsey Joe Beran Ginny Chabek Gordon Christians Jim Bassett ZONING ADMINISTRATION Jay Kozlowski, Zoning & Conservation Administrator Kathy Marks, Deputy Zoning & Conservation Administrator TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel PRELIMINARY MATTERS 1) Call to Order and Roll Call. Gerber called the Public Hearing before the Sawyer County Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 5:00 P.M. in the Sawyer County Courthouse, 10610 Main St., Hayward, Wisconsin. Roll is called finding present: Gerber, Rusk, Kelsey, Beran. And Bassett. Kozlowski and Marks are present from the Zoning office. TJ Duffy Corporation Council present. 2) Statement of Board and Hearing Procedures and Hearing Notice. Those wishing to speak will be afforded the opportunity provided they identify themselves. Gerber gave order of submitting files to BOA, taking testimony, and making a decision. He requests orderly procedure and gives appeal deadline. The Public Hearing Notice was published as a Class 2 Notice in accordance with Chapter 985 of the Wisconsin Statutes in the Sawyer County Record and Sawyer County Gazette. 3) Minutes from previous meeting. Motion to approve the August 18, 2026 minutes by Rusk, second by Kelsey. All in favor. VARIANCE APPLICATIONS a) A Public Hearing in the Town of Bass Lake. VAR #26-006, Owner: Mark Johnson Trust. Part of Government Lot 1; S22, T40N, R09W; Tax ID #3520; Parcel #002-940-22- 5107; 5.89 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreational One (RR-1). Application for construction of a 105’ sq. ft. deck area outside of the existing footprint area located 14’ at the closest point to the ordinary high-water mark of Windigo Lake, with approval of the variance an existing 128’ sq. ft. deck area would be removed also at 14’ to OHWM. This would result in a 23’ sq. ft. decrease of the deck area but would be a relocation to a different area not within existing footprint. Variance requested as per Sawyer County Code of Ordinances-Appendix B-Section 6.1(1) would require prior granting of a Variance for any structure closer than 75’ to the OHWM that is not listed as an exempt structure. Kozlowski reads the application, staff report, Town recommendation, and opinion letters. DNR letter was sent via email to all members and read. Mark Johnson, owner speaks in favor of the application. No other comments. Discussion by Board. TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel advises. Discussion held. TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel Page 4 of 121 2 advises .Discussion held. Motion by Berans to approve the application. 1) Removal of existing deck and replacing with new deck is within the spirit of reducing the non- conforming deck. 2) The impacts are minimal to the existing vegetation and lake area.3) A minimal relaxation of the existing code. 4) No harm to public interest. 5) Due conditions that are unique to the property. TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel advises. Second by Rusk. TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel advises. Discussion held on the motion. Gerber amends motion to add verbiage that unique conditions apply because of close proximity to the lake. Berans accepts the Amendment. Gerber amends motion stating there is no harm to public interest. The property is far situated from existing neighbor or roadways. There is no access issues or site Variance issues anymore. The proposed addition would not increase any of those concerns. Berans accepts that amendment to his original motion. Rusk seconds the amended motion. Amended motion passes 5 to 0. b) A Public Hearing in the Town of Draper. VAR #26-007. Owner: Douglas & Jane Bell. Part of the NW ¼ of the NW ½, Lot 3 CSM 2/325 #424; S04, T39N, R0W; Tax ID #6360; Parcel #006-439-04-2206; .470 total acres; Zoned Residential/Recreation One (RR-1). Application is for placement of a detached 24’ x 24’ garage, 26’ x 26’ with eaves, on the Southwest corner of the property. The proposed detached accessory structure is to be located 19’ from the centerline of the private driveway easement on the West edge of the property. Variance requested as Per Sawyer County Zoning Ordinances-Appendix D- Section 4.21 (6), the setback for Private Driveway Easements shall be 30’ from the centerline of the private driveway. Applicant is requesting a reduced centerline setback of 19’ from the centerline. Kozlowski reads the application, staff report and Town recommendation. No opinion letters returned. Discussion held. Doug & Jane Bell, Owners speak in favor of the application. Discussion with Board, Kozlowski and Owner. No other comments. Discussion by Board. Tom Berg, neighbor speaks in favor of the application. No other comments. Discussion by Board, Kozlowski and TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel advises. Motion by Kelsey to approve the application. 1) Hardship is present because of limitations to the lot and setbacks. 2) The circumstance is beyond the control of the applicant. The situation and unique property lines existed previously. 3) The hardship limitation of setbacks, unique physical features. 4) Very little or no buildable area. Steep slopes. The alternative location would be more adverse to the lake and to the property. 5) There is no harm to public interest. Supported by the neighbor that has rights on the easement is in favor and it will not adversely impact his ability or any safety for emergency to get access to his property. So there is no harm to public interest. Gerber seconds the motion as presented. No discussion held. Motion passes 5 to 0. NEW BUSINESS a) Discussion by Board, TJ Duffy, Corporation Counsel and Kozlowski. b) Kozlowski lets the Board know of how many cases in October. c) Any other business that may come before the Board for discussion. None ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Rusk, second by Gerber. All in favor. Minutes prepared by Kathy Marks, Deputy Zoning & Conservation Administrator. 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