Hardwick officials consider variance for storage structure in residential neighborhood

An Oct. 28 public hearing in Hardwick prompted residents and city leaders to re-examine ordinances and policies designed to promote positive city development.
Darin Prins is requesting a city variance to move in a 28-by-15-foot building on his property located at 101 E. First St. (County Road 7).
He would then expand the facility to measure 28 by 35 feet and remodel the building with a metal roof and siding.
“I just need another storage area on my property,” he said.
Because of the shed’s expanded depth, Prins approached the Hardwick City Council for a building permit as well as a variance to allow the structure closer to the rear property line than city ordinance allows.
The Oct. 28 public meeting was specifically for the variance request.
Hardwick’s city ordinance stipulates the rear yard depth cannot be less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot.
With the depth of the lot at 198 feet, Prins’ new shed would need to be 39.6 feet from the lot line. Prins is requesting the city to allow the building to be 10 feet from the lot line.
Unsure of whether or not to allow the almost 20-foot deviation from the current city regulations, council members heeded the advice of city attorney Jennifer Eisma-Reinke and spent the Oct. 28 public hearing gathering more information.
“In the 30 years I have been city clerk, this is the third one that I have had,” said Tammy Johnson. “Every time this comes up, we scramble to think what we want to do.”
A three-member board of adjustments and appeals has been formed with council member Scott Edwards and residents Alice Hansen and Jan Baustian as members.
Baustian has served intermittently on the Hardwick council since 1972, including multiple terms as mayor.
She attended Wednesday’s meeting along with council member Edwards.
The board of adjustments and appeals is charged by the city council to look at all variance requests and make recommendations to the city council.
At the public hearing, Baustian explained to Prins why she and the board want to further review his plans.
“Hardwick isn’t much anymore — compared to 45 years ago — but it is still Hardwick and we’ve got rules and regulations,” she said. “We’ve got good people here and we want to keep it (our city) looking good.”
Her first suggestion was to have the lot surveyed to establish the exact size of the property.
For decades she said the neighbors in Hardwick expanded gardens into one another’s properties. Over the years as gardens were extended and residents moved on, the exact location of property lines have become blurred.
She said many of those properties have now deteriorated and have become places where unwanted items are stored out in the open because existing ordinances have not been enforced.
“We are here to help you, because you are a neighbor; but we’ve also got rules (that everyone has to follow),” Baustian told Prins.
For Prins’ request, the adjustment board would more adequately measure the footage between his existing mobile home, the garage and his three smaller storage sheds. They will also talk with neighbors.
Prins’ neighbor, Mark Coney, attended Wednesday’s public hearing.
Coney was concerned about allowing buildings to stretch from lot line to lot line, eliminating the open buffer between his and Prins’ property to the west.
Coney was also concerned about the repairs Prins currently completes out of his existing garage.
Prins said he is employed out of town and occasionally repairs engines for others — but not at a business level.
Baustian, however, pointed to Hardwick’s ordinances for residential properties in which a repair shop cannot operate.
If Prins wanted to open a repair business in town, Johnson said the city could help find a more appropriate location. Possible financing is also available through the city, Johnson said.
The board of adjustments and appeals will bring its recommendation to the council’s next meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12.