Steve Jost

The Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment meeting began with the approval of the agenda, including the addition of the election of officers for 2026. A public hearing was held regarding requests from Amy Gilchrist for variances related to the construction of a dwelling addition, porch, and garage addition. Key concerns involved side lot line setbacks, road setbacks for the garage, lot coverage, and the expansion of a dwelling served by a holding tank. The commission ultimately voted to table the request pending receipt of a new survey and investigation into switching to a septic system. The minutes of the previous meeting (December 9, 2025) were approved. The Zoning Administrator reported on a withdrawn application concerning converting a detached garage into living space and discussed proposed amendments to the fee schedule. Further discussion included the interpretation of zoning ordinance and building code definitions differentiating decks and patios, and whether to establish a policy regarding dwelling expansions on holding tanks. Finally, Al Guck was elected as Chair and Steve Niklaus as Vice Chair.

The meeting addressed several public hearing requests requiring variances. The first involved requests for reconstruction of a dwelling near Indian Lake, concerning variances for side lot line setbacks and proximity to the Ordinary High Water (OHW) mark, as well as building and impervious coverage limits. After discussion and modification of the proposed deck size, variances were ultimately approved with specific conditions regarding setbacks, coverage limits, and erosion control measures. A second hearing involved variances for constructing a detached garage near Sugar Lake, focusing on setbacks and impervious coverage. Variances were approved with conditions, including maintaining total impervious coverage under 25% and removing existing structures. The final hearing concerned a dwelling addition variance due to a zero-foot side lot setback; the commission approved a reduced setback of seven feet with conditions related to fire-resistant materials and stormwater management.

The meeting involved a public hearing concerning a request for variances related to the expansion of an existing dwelling. The proposed expansion included attaching a detached garage to the house with an addition and constructing a second story above the garage. The variances addressed setbacks from Cedar Lake and a side lot line, as well as increases in building and impervious coverage. The commission debated the coverage limits and set specific conditions for approval, requiring the applicant to remove existing impervious surfaces to meet coverage limits (no greater than 15.4% building coverage and 27.0% impervious coverage), submit a revised site plan, and provide a comprehensive stormwater management plan before September 1, 2026. Other items included tabling the review of amendments to the Wright County Fee Schedule and tabling a discussion on the interpretation of zoning ordinance definitions for decks and patios.

The meeting addressed several requests related to property construction and modifications. Key discussions included variances for the reconstruction of a dwelling, construction of a dwelling addition, relocation of a water-oriented accessory structure, and construction of a detached garage. The commission considered issues such as setback requirements, impervious coverage limits, and compliance with floodplain regulations. Decisions were made on approving variances with specific conditions to ensure erosion control, stormwater management, and adherence to building and zoning requirements.

The agenda includes public hearings for requests related to construction projects, such as a dwelling addition and deck replacement, and the construction of a new dwelling. Discussions covered variances, building coverage, septic systems, and retaining walls. The agenda also includes a hearing for operating a vacation rental and the reconstruction of an existing dwelling. Other business includes a zoning administrator's report and updates to ordinances.