Board approves minutes, agenda and three variances; staff warns applicants about scam email

The City of Watertown Board of Adjustment conducted routine business and issued three unanimous approvals at its May 7 meeting.

Minutes and agenda: The board approved the April 9, 2026 meeting minutes (motion by "Aldi," seconded and adopted) and then approved the meeting agenda after a motion by Dargas/Darcus Johnson.

412 16th Street NE (deck variance): The board considered a variance to reconstruct a deck at 412 16th Street Northeast. Staff said that a recent ordinance amendment allows decks to be reconstructed in the same or a smaller footprint. The applicant (identified in the record as Sam Schroeder) plans a smaller footprint for the new deck; the requested rear‑yard setback would be 7 feet where 25 feet is typically required. A motion to approve the variance was made (mover recorded as "K") and seconded by Tupper; the board approved the request by roll call.

4200 Golf Course Road (front‑yard variance): Staff presented a request for an 18‑foot front‑yard setback for a covered porch addition at 4200 Golf Course Road, explaining neighboring parcel offsets create the need for a 7‑foot variance from the typical 25‑foot requirement. Owner Sue Togle identified herself during the hearing. After questions and no public objections, the board approved the 7‑foot front‑yard variance by roll‑call vote; a board member cited the lot’s offset and staff report as justification.

Open public comment — scam email warning: During open public comment, the board and staff reported that an applicant had received a fraudulent email claiming an additional $5,000 was owed for a variance fee. The board urged staff to notify prior and future applicants that the board does not solicit payment by email and to watch for scams.

All formal votes at the meeting were unanimous. No executive session was held and the meeting was adjourned.