December 9, 2024, Public Hearing: Jacob and Gina Skluzacek Variance

Jacob and Gina Skluzacek are requesting a variance to reduce the required road setback from 30 feet to 17 feet for their proposed single family home on the combined Lots 7 & 8 Raven Stream, which is located in section 32 of Helena Township.  The property is zoned Urban Expansion Reserve Cluster (UER-C) as it is located within the Helena Township – City of New Prague Annexation Area per their 1978 agreement.  Under the agreement any variance request is reviewed by the Joint Annexation Board to make a recommendation to Scott County.  The applicants previously applied for a variance in 2021, which was recommended by the annexation board and approved by the Board of Adjustment on May 10, 2021.  The variance was not utilized within 1 year, so the variance approval expired in 2023 after a 1-year extension.

The Skluzacek parcel was originally platted as Lot 7 and Lot 8, Raven Stream back in 1964 before many current standards for setbacks, DNR Shoreland, and septic systems.  After review with the County the applicants were advised that Lot 7 (northern lot) would likely not be buildable due to the DNR Shoreland 100 foot structure setback to Raven Stream; and the septic setback is 75 feet to the stream.  The site also has topographic challenges due to Raven Stream and drainage on the east side of the property.  The applicants combined the two parcels into one lot when they purchased the property, which is what was also done with the other properties on the Pearl Street cul-de-sac to give the parcels more room for buildings and septic.

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