Summary
The Village of Suttons Bay Zoning Board of Appeals met on June 11, 2025, to hold a public hearing on a dimensional variance request from Michael Sanocki for property at 379 S. Shore Drive. The agenda also included approval of minutes from a prior meeting dated June 21, 2023, which documented a separate, previously decided variance case (Crackel). No votes or decisions on the Sanocki request are recorded in the document provided.
Public Comments
Two written comments were submitted in support of the Sanocki variance request prior to the June 11, 2025 hearing. Jean-Christophe and Cynthia Deniau, owners of 372 South Shore Drive, wrote in support, stating the proposed addition would enhance the symmetry and aesthetic of the home and contribute positively to the street. Alan and Angela Harris, owners of 387 South Shore Drive (adjacent to the subject property), also wrote in support, noting that Sanocki's addition of a garage would allow the home to function better as a full-time residence and that they understood he intended to abandon his short-term rental permit if the garage was added, which they noted aligns with the Village's general goal of reducing short-term rentals. No opposing comments were included in the document.
Applicant Michael Sanocki submitted two written letters (dated May 8, 2025, and undated follow-up) explaining that the variance need stems from the shallow, unique shape of the lot and its proximity to Lake Michigan, not personal or economic hardship. He noted the existing garage had been converted to living space by a previous owner (circa 1991-1996), before his 2020 purchase, and described mitigation work he has done for flooding and drainage issues, including working with the Village on ditching. He described reducing the project scope from an original two-car garage to a one-car garage to address setback concerns, and stated the addition would support long-term retirement residency plans for himself and his wife.
Infrastructure Projects
Sanocki's submissions reference prior drainage and flooding issues at 379 S. Shore Drive, including two flooding incidents since his 2020 ownership. He stated the Village addressed the situation with appropriate ditching, and he personally performed additional grading and water mitigation work, including elimination of a driveway and an egress door to reduce flood risk. No Village action or vote on infrastructure was recorded in this document; this was background context provided by the applicant in support of the variance.
Other Business
The agenda included approval of ZBA meeting minutes from June 21, 2023, a prior case involving applicants William and Kristin Crackel at 418 N. St. Mary's, who had requested and received (5-0 vote) an 8-foot dimensional variance for a front porch. That case was fully resolved in 2023 and included in this document only as historical minutes for approval, not as new business.
Action Items
The Zoning Board of Appeals was expected to review the General Findings of Fact and Standards for Dimensional Variances for the Sanocki application and take possible action (approve, approve with conditions, or deny) at the June 11, 2025 hearing; however, the document does not record the outcome of that vote or any conditions imposed. Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore prepared the staff report and findings for the Board's consideration.