Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Wakefield — The Wakefield planning commission voted Monday to approve a garage variance for Kent Leach, who owns property on the corner of Hill Street and Ahola Avenue.
The vote occurred directly after a public hearing, and the matter now will be referred to the city council.
City Manager Rob Brown and Commissioner Marco Movrich both voted no, and members Marsha Vestich and Dion DelFavero were absent.
After the session, Brown told the Globe that, before voting, he would have liked more time to clarify details.
Movrich said afterward that he would have rather tabled the issue and addressed it again after further research.
According to city officials, Leach’s total property is 45 x 257 feet. A related diagram shows that his current house is 26 x 30 feet, and he plans to add an attached 26 x 26 foot garage, along with a 12 x 26 foot addition between the house and garage. He already has a separate 12 x 18 foot garage.
One of Leach’s neighbors, who asked not to be named, said the addition raises concerns regarding loss of view from his property, as well as potential flooding that could occur due to the encroachment on his land.
Leach said the pending new garage he plans would have a 26.5 degree angel roof pitch to allow snow to fall from a metal roof that slants toward the limited space expected between the new structure and his neighbor’s property and house.
The city reported Wednesday that, when complete, Leach’s new structure would be five feet from his neighbor’s property line and 10 feet from his neighbor’s house.
Movrich advised either reducing the roof pitch or adding gutters to move collecting water, but neither suggestion was acted on.
“We don’t have an ordinance saying anything about view,” said Mayor John Granato, who also added that the city doesn’t control water flow on private land ditches.
The mayor suggested the neighbors work out their issues together.
Movrich said he was glad to see the two neighbors having a polite discussion about the issue after the session.
Granato told the council that housing inspector Bruce Saari had reviewed Leach’s plans to be sure they met code requirements, but Saari had not yet signed off on the plans.
Leach said he was anxious to start the project so that construction could be completed this year.
