Board of Adjustment approves reduced-setback variance for Laun Drive property

The Marquette County Board of Adjustment approved a variance May 29 allowing a dwelling to be built at a reduced setback on Lot 18 of Assessor’s Plat No. 1 in the Town of Mecan (property address listed as W177 Laun Drive). The board voted 3-0 to grant the variance under Sec. 8.0.8(C) of the Marquette County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62 (Comprehensive Zoning). Individual board member votes were not specified in the transcript.

Applicant Kent Fish requested relief from the county’s standard lot-line setback, arguing the platted lot width of 40 feet creates an unnecessary burden and that the existing home is uninhabitable. The Chair summarized application materials and the board reviewed video evidence and application details. Diane Thompson of Laun Drive spoke in support of the request; the transcript records no in-person or remote opposition during the hearing. The board cited the lot’s constrained dimensions and the public benefit of replacing an uninhabitable dwelling and bringing the septic system up to current code standards.

In its findings the board noted the proposed replacement would maintain a 75-foot setback to the waterline, consistent with applicable shoreland ordinance standards. The action was recorded as approval by a 3-0 vote; the record supplied to the board did not list individual roll-call votes for the motion.