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.
Michael
Overas
813 Hamilton Dr
Duluth
MN
55811
6512246141
overas2@yahoo.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
380-0082-00060
380-0087-00040
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
Michael Francis Overas
813 Hamilton Dr
Duluth
MN
55811
6512246141
--
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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.
Michael Francis Overas
813 Hamilton Dr
Duluth
MN
55811
overas2@yahoo.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
5974 Fish Lake Shores Rd
Saginaw, Minn. 55779
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?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 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.I would like a variance to add an unattached deck on a bluff which is over the 30 degree of slope allowed by the county. This is a micro lot on Fish lake and only feasible space to build it.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Would like to use some of the available space which is currently unusable due to slope below the bluff.The deck will provide usable outdoor space for cabin users and the only available space to add a deck is over a portion of the slope below the bluff.
Describe the current use of your property.A micro lot with a seasonal cabin constructed in the 60's.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Due to the size of the lot there's no alternative site on property.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?Properties on either side already have decks which ours would be very similar. Would be using brown treated lumber which will match nearby stairs down to the lake
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Will have no impact on neighboring properties as we are a proper distance from property lines and their view won't be affected at all
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We actually will be protecting the bluff from erosion by covering 12 feet of bluff by decking along with 12 feet of the slope over which the deck will stand
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Again the slope below the bluff is unusable due to the grade and this would allow us to use some of that space which is limited due to lot size.The expected benefits are that this would allow the family cabin users a safe,expanded level space for outdoor use.The current usable outdoor space is only approx 20'x20'.This variance would also protect the integrity of the bluff by covering 12' of bluff with decking protecting it from erosion.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.In the mid to late 60's Minnesota Power offered these lots to be leased if cabin built within 1 year. Our cabin like most up there were built in the bluff zone before many of the regulations we have today were instituted.Because of the size of the lots and where the cabins are the deck we'd like to build doesn't align with the bluff ordinance which is in place now because we are just over the degree of slope allowed.
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.
Michael Francis Overas
overas2@yahoo.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
