ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT
Government Services Center
Government Services Center
320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301
201 South 3rd Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 471-7103
(218) 471-7103
VARIANCE REQUEST PERMIT APPLICATION
Your Contact Information.
If the information is not correct, you may need to update your contact information using the 'Maintain Contact Information' option once you have filled out this application.
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
General - This application is used to apply for a Land Use Permit. Applicants will need to attach the appropriate worksheet(s) in order to process. Incomplete applications will be returned. Note that the 'clock' does not begin until after payment has been processed for the application. For more information, see our website at:
www.stlouiscountymn.gov/BuildingStructures
355-0020-00130
Is this application being submitted for a Rehearing?
If this application is being submitted because a previous Variance Permit application was denied or disapproved, please select Yes.
--
Enter Applicant Information
Landowner
Fred & Cynthia Soberg
11779 West Side Drive
Wright
MN
55798
(412)327-7313
cindy.soberg@gmail.com
--
--
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Fred & Cynthia Soberg
11779 West Side Drive
Wright
MN
55798
cindy.soberg@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
11779 West Side Drive
Wright MN 55798
No
US Forest Service
US Forest Service
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
MN DNR Land and Minerals
MN DNR Land and Minerals
St. Louis County - Duluth
St. Louis County - Duluth
Government Services Center
320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301
St. Louis County - Virginia
St. Louis County - Virginia
Do you have written authorization from the leased property owner?
If Yes, you must attach written authorization form.
How is the property accessed?
Enter Project Information.
If you answered 'Yes' to any of the questions below, it is required that you submit a copy of a septic permit to construct or certificate of compliance approval or municipal/sanitary district approval when applying for a land use permit.
Is this project on a parcel less than 2.5 acres?Yes
Is this project within 300 feet of a stream/river or 1,000 feet of a lake?Yes
Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.No
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.2
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:Kitchen with plumbing
Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?No
VARIANCE REQUEST WORKSHEET
A variance allows the use of property in a manner otherwise forbidden by a zoning ordinance by varying one or more of the performance standards such as lot size, setbacks, etc.
Variances from official zoning controls are defined under Minnesota Statutes 394.27 and require the landowner to prove that the property could not otherwise be used or enjoyed in the proposed way by complying with ordinance requirements and that there will be no negative impact on surrounding properties.
It is advisable that you discuss your request with Planning and Community Development staff prior to submitting the application. Approval or denial of your request is dependent on the justification you provide in answering the questions on this application. For more information, please check our website at: www.stlouiscountymn.gov/VarianceRequired
VARIANCE REQUEST INFORMATION
Complete this form along with the Land Use Permit Application
What kind of variance request is this?
If this is a Variance After the Fact, you must answer additional questions below.
Variance Request
Describe what you are varying from and the situation that makes it difficult to comply with county ordinances.
If your proposal includes a structure, please also list the length, width and height of the structure.We request to waiver from the requirements of the zoning ordinance which allows additional construction of 20 square feet with a variance allowing us to rebuild our 60 year old family cabin with a 122 foot addition on the backside away from the lake from the existing foundation. This would change the direction of the roof peek which would be about 25 feet (limit 20 feet) above the lowest point on the foundation and would add 360 square feet of space.
The proposed addition provides much needed space for a more accessible bathroom and bedroom and a more functional kitchen. A clean straight addition efficiently adds usable space with a single roof line and improved handling of roof water and drainage. The new roof would replace poor inferior construction: an original flat low slope roof covered by another steeper roof. The new roof fits in well with the slop of neighboring cabins.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The proposed construction is requested for reasonable use of the property. As retired professionals, our intention is to live at our lake cabin in Minnesota from late May through September and to contribute to our hometown communities in the area of ministry and counseling. Our hope is for a cabin which allows for handicapped individuals to comfortably walk or use the toilet facilities, bedrooms, large enough to comfortably change sheets on a queen or double size bed and a functional kitchen.
Describe the current use of your property.In retirement, we are beginning to spend summers at the cabin. As such, we are more aware of things like a double bed wedged against three walls and water drainage that needs to be improved.
Describe other alternatives, if any.A consideration in our request is a shed situated on the lakeshore of our property. We would be willing to relocate the shed away from the water for the sake of the variance, therefore
preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the lakeshore and property from further erosion by planting in that site.
A straight addition of 6.6 feet across the back would be within the 200 square feet, but would not be very usable space.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?Granting the variance will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood nor negatively affect neighboring property values. The steeper roof slope will better fit in with others, the addition itself will hardly be viewable from the lake, and a single full addition will look complete. The adjoining properties’ rooflines are above ours; one is significantly higher. See photos.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The impact of this construction will enhance the neighborhood, maintaining or increasing property values. Their lake views will not be obstructed since the construction is behind the cabin and the roof line is not in their line of sight.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We contend that a full addition across the back of the cabin along with appropriate provision for drainage will significantly improve water and drainage issues by funneling water to the sides of the cabin, reducing wetness and mosquitoes behind the cabin. The roof line will simplify the landscape and allow water flow to both sides of the property and not be trapped behind the cabin. Being here during significant times of rain, we have become more aware of drainage issues. We believe this plan will preserve and protect the land along with steps we take for landscaping.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The plan will give needed summer living space for two persons, improve the roof and water flow, keep the addition simple and clean in appearance for neighbors. The spirit of this variance is in the public interest, improving accessibility in a less cramped situation with better appearance and function.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.The cabin was built by my father in 1959 directly beside the lakeshore (see photo). It was moved back from the lakeshore in the late 1960's to a solid concrete foundation. The small bathroom added in the l 980's (which includes a toilet, 18" sink and 30" square shower stall) severely compromised the kitchen/dining area and cut the small back bedroom in half.
However, by adding the bathroom, we were able to eliminate the outhouse.
IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.--
Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.--
Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.--
If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
Who performed the construction or repair work?--
Was a survey of your property boundaries obtained?--
Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?--
By submitting this application, I certify and agree that I am the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of the above property, and that all uses will conform to the provisions of St. Louis County. I further certify and agree that I will comply with all conditions imposed in connection with the approval of the application. Applicants may be required to submit additional property descriptions, property surveys, site plans, building plans, and other information before the application is accepted or approved. Intentional or unintentional falsification of this application or any attachments thereto will make the application, any approval of the application and any result invalid. I authorize St. Louis County staff to inspect the property to review the application and for compliance inspections. Furthermore, by submitting this application, I release St. Louis County and its employees from any and all liability and claims for damages to person or property in any manner or form that may arise from the approval of the application or any related plans, the issuance of any resulting permit or the subsequent location, construction, alteration, repair, extension, operation or maintenance of the subject matter of the application.
If your name, contact information or email address have changed, you should update your contact information in the portal by selecting 'Maintain Contact Information' at the top of this page.
I have read and agree to the statement above.
