Planning and Zoning: Land Use

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Duluth
Virginia
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.
 
Field is required.Joanna
 
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Field is required.Blake Smith
 
Field is required.7833 Highway 8
 
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Field is required.Culver
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55779
 
Field is required.7632289537
 
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Field is recommended.jblake95@hotmail.com
 
Field is required.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
 
 Enter the Primary PIN and Associated PIN (if applicable) of the property to be reviewed.
PIN is found on your Property Tax Statement. For example, 123-1234-12345. Primary PIN: Parcel where Structure/SSTS are located. Associated PIN: Additional and/or adjacent property that you own or that is related to the project.
County Land Explorer: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/explorer
Property Lookup: http://apps.stlouiscountymn.gov/auditor/parcelInfo2005Iframe
 
 
Field is required.400-0010-00619
 Associated PINs
 
 
Field is required.400-0010-00616
 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.

 
Field is required.No
 Enter Applicant Information
 
Field is required.Landowner
 
Field is required.Joanna Blake Smith
 
Field is required.7833 Highway 8
 
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Field is required.Culver
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55779
 
Field is required.7632289537
 
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jblake95@hotmail.com
 
Field is recommended.--
 
Field is recommended.--
 Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
 
 
Field is required.Joanna Blake Smith
 
Field is required.7833 Highway 8
 
Field is required.Culver
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55779
 
(763)228-9537
 
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Field is recommended.jblake95@hotmail.com
 Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
 
Field is required.Yes
 
7833 Highway 8
 
No
 
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US Forest Service
US Forest Service
Superior National Forest
8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, MN 55808
 
MN Power
MN Power
Shore Land Traditions
30 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
 
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
7979 Highway 37
Eveleth, MN 55734
 
MN DNR Land and Minerals
MN DNR Land and Minerals
1201 East Highway 2
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
 
St. Louis County - Duluth
St. Louis County - Duluth
Government Services Center
320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 725-5000
 
St. Louis County - Virginia
St. Louis County - Virginia
Land and Minerals
7820 Highway 135
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 749-7103
 
 
 
Do you have written authorization from the leased property owner?
If Yes, you must attach written authorization form.
 
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 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?
Field is required.No
 Is this project within 300 feet of a stream/river or 1,000 feet of a lake?
Field is required.No
 Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.
Field is required.No
 Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.
Field is required.4
 Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?
Field is required.No
 If Yes, please explain:
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 Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?
Field is required.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.
 
Field is required.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.
Field is required.I am the current owner of 7833 Hwy as of November 2017. I bought the home & land as advertised (see exhibit 1) with newly remodeled guest house as part of purchase agreement. I was notified by St. Louis County in June 2022 that the original permit of 2010 by previous owner indicated the 2nd residence would be turned into a storage building and not maintained as a residence. Per St. Louis County this is a violation of the permit. The 2nd residence was part of purchase and not otherwise disclosed by previous owner (S. Wotjyszyak) that it was agreed to be turned into a storage building.
 Describe the intended/planned use of the property.
Field is required.Bought as is- Main home is where we reside. Second residence purchased as 'guest house'. Either for friends, family, or short term rental (see listing). Our son has DOWN SYNDROME and this was a reason we purchased the property- our long term plan was to have our disabled son live 'independently' in the 2nd residence when he became of age or to have care-givers (such as family) live in residence if needed to assist with his care.
 Describe the current use of your property.
Field is required.Residence- large home is where we reside. Guest house is used as short term rental (will comply with obtaining short term rental permit once variance is approved).
 Describe other alternatives, if any.
Field is required.None- we purchased the home in 2017 as is- with no disclosure of the 2010 permit. We will not comply with tearing down the guest home- it is a fully functioning home. We purchased the property 'as is' and are disappointed with the lack of disclosure / false advertising of the seller.
 If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?
Field is required.No anticipated impact. We live on a very rural, dirt road, with minimal traffic and very few neighbors. Land to the N/E/W is all forest. Neighbor to the south will not be impacted as he is across the road.
 Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.
Field is required.No impact. Primarily hunting land with dense vegetation. Property will undergo NO FURTHER CONSTRUCTION as it was bought as is in 2017 with 2nd residence fully included already. (see listing- 'newly remodeled guest house')
 Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.
Field is required.No impact.
 Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.
Field is required.Housing for disabled son when be becomes of age. Location for family & friends to stay when visiting or assisting with care. Additional income of short term rental as needed.
 Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.
Field is required.See attachments- listing, purchase agreement, property disclosure. Any violation of the 2010 permit should be addressed with seller- S. Wotjisiak.
 IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

 
 Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.
prior seller
 Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.
prior seller
 Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.
prior seller
 If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
 
6/10/2010
 
12/31/2010
 Who performed the construction or repair work?
prior seller- construction dates for 2010 permit main house are estimate. I purchased the property in 2017. all details of why prior permit were violated are unknown to current owner
 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?
Yes
 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.
 
Joanna Blake Smith
 
7833 Highway 8
 
Culver
 
MN
 
55779
 
jblake95@hotmail.com
 I have read and agree to the statement above.
Field is required.


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