The Jacksonville City Council approved two lake-related requests at its Sept. 9 meeting: permission to build a habitable structure at 2534 Bird Road and a variance to allow a habitable structure over water at 929 County Road 3131.

City staff said both items were noticed as public hearings and reviewed at an August 28 Lake Advisory Board meeting. The board recommended approval of 2534 Bird Road unanimously (60) and recommended approval of the 929 County Road 3131 variance by a 51 vote with one member absent. Staff said no members of the public spoke in opposition to either request and no letters or phone calls of concern were received.

At 2534 Bird Road, staff said the parcel is about 7,600 square feet and meets the lake rules' threshold (section 9) for a habitable structure on land; the applicant proposes enclosing and improving an existing permitted carport and garage to create guest living quarters. Councilman McRae moved to approve the request; Councilman Rob Goen seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

For the 929 County Road 3131 request, staff described the proposal as the inverse of the Bird Road item: the applicant seeks a variance to construct habitable space over the water. Staff noted a similar variance was approved by council on Feb. 14, 2023, for a property in the Cat Creek area, and explained the proposed structure would include a bedroom and restroom facility and would extend from an existing dock that projects roughly 75 to 90 feet into the water. Staff also provided a survey showing the property sits in a cove and said sight-line impacts to neighbors appeared limited.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim McRae moved to approve the variance at 929 County Road 3131; Councilman Rob Goen seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

Staff noted both approvals followed the Lake Advisory Board recommendations and that no public opposition had been recorded during the noticed hearings.

The council action authorizes staff to proceed with permit processing consistent with the lake rules and the conditions discussed during the meeting.