Board approves Joan Swenson variance to rebuild deck at 16595 Shoreline Drive

The Dickinson County Board of Adjustment on May 28 approved a variance request from homeowner Joan Swenson to rebuild a deteriorated deck and remove a tree at 16595 Shoreline Drive in East Okoboji Beach Township.

Swenson told the board the deck had deteriorated and that one of the trees on the south side of the house is dead; the tree the deck is currently built around is hollow. She asked to rebuild the deck within the same footprint and to remove the hollow tree and to replace a cracked retaining wall. Swenson said she received approval from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for replacing the retaining wall, noting the current wall encroaches by about one foot on land the DNR controls.

Planner Megan Kardell and board members asked clarifying questions about the scope of work. Board member Alex Oponski confirmed that a sidewalk, not an extended walkway, was planned on the side of the house. Chair Jeff Ashland asked for correspondence and public comment; none was offered. Oponski moved to approve the variance and Kirby Berhow seconded; the motion carried 4-0 (Ashland, Berhow, Oponski, Wills).

No conditions beyond the variance were recorded in the meeting minutes. The board took no public testimony in opposition during the hearing. The board then proceeded to its next agenda item.