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.
Patricia
VAjgrt
5060 Otter River Road
Duluth
MN
55803
--
pattyvajgrt@msn.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
660-0150-00210
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
Mark R Ekeroth and Patricia A Vajgrt
5060 Otter River Road
Duluth
MN
55082
(612)269-6605
mark.ekeroth@acuity.com
Patty Vajgrt
(952)836-4000
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Mark R Ekeroth and Patricia A Vajgrt
5060 Otter River Road
Duluth
MN
55082
mark.ekeroth@acuity.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
5060 Otter River Road, Duluth MN
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?No
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.4
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:3/4 Bath is being added as part of the Addition
While we are adding a bedroom in the addition, we will not be adding to the total number of bedrooms as 1 of the existing will be converted to a Laundry room.
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.a. The current structure (29' x 43') is not set back enough from the shoreline, requiring a variance for an addition.
b. Our desire is to live here in our retirement years with the addition of living space (Primary Bedroom with ¾ Bath Ensuite and Mudroom) with an attached garage. (note: an existing bedroom will be converted into a laundry room).
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.As of August 15, we have relocated here full time to spend our retirement years here at the lake.
Describe the current use of your property.Up until August 15th, it was used a year-round recreational property visiting most weekends.
Describe other alternatives, if any.No alternatives within our budget. (tearing down, moving it then adding on etc)
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?a. Otter River Road has transitioned to primarily full-time residents, with the intention of living on the property full time, this fits in quite well with the character of the neighborhood. Being onsite full time will afford us to keep a well maintained and visually appealing property consistently and not just on weekends we are here.
b. The finished addition will be less square footage than most of the residents on the road.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.a. We don’t see any change in how neighboring properties will be significantly impacted. If anything, it will become more secure with more full-time presence in the area.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.a. The lakeshore will not be modified from what it is today (natural).
b. Minimal Impact to existing green space. The addition will be located primarily over an existing driveway.
c. Natural ground cover w/o use of fertilizer of which we do not intend to change those habits.
d. Existing color scheme blends into the landscape. We intend to use those on the new addition as well.
e. We have and will continue to plant trees annually (St Louise County Tree Program)
f. Development activity will follow the local environment safety protocols
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.a. While the current cabin fit our needs on a part time recreational basis, living full time requires some modifications to address safety, convenience, and comfort in our retirement years. For instance, the garage is for safety considerations especially during the winter months, the Master Bedroom addresses not only comfort but also convenience in the event of short term or even long-term disability. Having a mudroom while a convenience is also a safety consideration to keep tripping hazards isolated and out of the way.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.a. In summary, this property has been in the Ekeroth family over 60 years. Mark’s parents were one of the first lease holders and the first to live full time on the road.
b. It’s where we want to live full time and enjoy it with our kids and grandkids creating traditions for years to come. We have evaluated many avenues, all out of budget. This one checks most of our boxes and stays within budget and is not ‘over the top’ for the surrounding properties.
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?Yes
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.
Patricia Ann VAjgrt
5060 Otter River Road
pattyvajgrt@msn.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
