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.
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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
465-0020-04150
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.
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Enter Applicant Information
Landowner
Daniel Sager
8775 301 Avenue NE
North Branch
MN
55056
(612)597-9117
dansager1@yahoo.com
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Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Daniel Sager
8775 301 Avenue NE
North Branch
MN
55056
dansager1@yahoo.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
No
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.0
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?No
If Yes, please explain:--
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 After the Fact 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.Relief from the 75 foot setback to allow for a dwelling with reduced setback. There is no area on the island to place a dwelling that conforms to the shoreline setback requirement. The request is for a reduced setback in which no portion is closer than 50 feet from the highest water level.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Intended use is as a non-homestead recreational property with a small and unobtrusive cabin nestled into the environment for seasonal use.
Describe the current use of your property.The property has a water oriented accessory structure on it now for storage only, measures 10 x 16 feet. I also have a 8 x 16 foot fish house on steel runners I store there, but is considered a sleeper (dwelling) and I am applying for a variance to be able to keep that on there as a dwelling. I will get a permit for the storage structure.
Describe other alternatives, if any.The only other alternative would be to keep the storage building only and remove the sleeper.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed use would be in perfect character with the surrounding neighborhood of Lambs Point and Millers Point, both of which include many well-developed properties with permanent homes and seasonal cabins. Other islands on Shagawa Lake have similar and larger dwellings on them.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Neighboring properties will not be impacted in any way by the proposed use.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.No mature trees will be removed and no excavation. The structures are unobtrusive and are earth-tone colors and fit into the natural vegetation on the island.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.A variance would significantly enhance the enjoyment and use of the property. By permitting this variance, I would expect the value of the property to go up and in turn would result in more revenue from taxes for the county.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.I want to move the setback to 50 feet instead of 75 feet. I want to be able to keep my fish house (sleeper) on the island in the summer and my storage building. Willing to maximize setback.
IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.I was unaware that a storage building and fish house needed permits.
Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.As soon as I found out it was needed I came to the Virginia Planning office to fix it.
Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.None
If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
Who performed the construction or repair work?I brought the storage building and sleeper up and pulled across the ice in 2013.
Was a survey of your property boundaries obtained?No
Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?No
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.
