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.
Donna
Ohman
10492 Waltz Rd
Kabetogama
MN
56669
--
612-518-7686
donnaohman3@gmail.com
Any
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
402-0060-00100
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.
No
Enter Applicant Information
Landowner
Donna and Jeff Ohman
10492 Waltz Rd
Kabetogama
MN
56669
(612)518-7686
donnaohman3@gmail.com
Donna Ohman
(612)518-7686
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Donna and Jeff Ohman
10492 Waltz Rd
Kabetogama
MN
56669
donnaohman3@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
10492 Waltz Rd
Kabetogama, MN 56669
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.Yes
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.5
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:plumbing and pressurized water from lake filtration system or delivered city water in cistern
Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?Yes
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.Proposed structure:
Length 36 ft on SW side and 46 ft on NE side
Width 40 ft
Height 28 ft
Variance Requests:
1. Variance from the 400 sf limitation for additions to non-conforming structures. We are asking for 752 sf, this will be our permanent full-time residence.
2. Variance from the 15 ft property line setback, we ask for a 12 ft setback on the rear corner near setback to property line. The current structure sits at an angle on the lot, and the proposed front corner near setback to the property line is 21 ft 6 in, while the rear corner near setback is 12 ft.
3. Request variance from the 25 ft maximum height requirement, asking for 28 ft height. This is so we can include a loft level and realistic ceiling height on both levels.
4. Request variance from the 75 ft lakeshore setback from the ordinary high water mark. For addition of sunroom next to the open deck, this will bring the setback for that corner of the building to 62 ft.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The proposed structure with the addition, on our property, will become our permanent full-time residence.
The other structure on the property will be overflow cabin for guests, and garage space.
Describe the current use of your property.Our property currently has two cabins, and one garage.
We are currently living full-time in cabin 1, the 680 sf cabin that is attached to the garage.
The current use of the cabin (building 3 in the Property Details Report) that is proposed for the addition, is a guest cabin.
Describe other alternatives, if any.We have evaluated alternatives and don't have any. The sewer line and grinder situated between the two current cabins prevents connecting the two cabins, and prevents expansion to the east of this cabin with the proposed addition.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed use with the variance will allow our home to continue to fit nicely into the neighborhood and area. On the point we live on, it is all resorts, seasonal cabins, winterized cabins, and year round homes. We intend to keep the cabin-y feel on the exterior of the proposed structure.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The neighbor next to us to the west is the closest to our structure. Their view will not be obstructed by our addition. We have discussed with them, and we do not see any impact with the proposed use with the variance. The neighbor to the east of us would not be impacted at all.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The slightly larger footprint, including the extra 3 feet into the side setback, will actually make the cabin more uniform, thereby making it more aesthetically appealing to neighbors. The added loft and extra 3 ft variance in height requested will allow us to make the front view from the lake, with many windows into the peak, very appealing. It will look like a nice cabin that belongs on this lake. Reducing the East corner lake setback to 62 ft doesn:t have negative impact on the environment and will be close in line with the west corner that is at 66 ft. Steps will be taken during construction to avoid negative impact to the environment and landscape.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The added space that this variance affords us will allow us to create a main level master bedroom that will be large enough for us to use as we continue to age. We have entered our senior years so having main level bedroom is vital. We can have wider doorways, accessible baths, and enough space for our children and their families to stay with us since this will be our full-time home.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.This original cabin was built in the 1930s, and is quite small and laid out such that the space is not useable for us full-time and with our extended family. the extra footprint we are asking for the main level is the only way we can expand this because we cannot go to the east.
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.
donnaohman3@gmail.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
