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
465-0087-00110
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
Brad and Connie Wick
17 Industrial Ave
Duluth
MN
55808
(218)390-2217
Connie Wick
(218)393-0860
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Brad and Connie Wick
17 Industrial Ave
Duluth
MN
55808
(218)390-2217
ggwick50@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
2447 Passi Rd
Ely, MN 55731
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.Yes
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.3
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:none
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.Set back from lake, height taller than 20 feet, more than 700 sq. ft.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We would like to construct a 30'x40' garage in the NW corner of the property. It would meet the setback from our property line on that side next to the public boat landing, and would provide us a structure to add privacy to the traffic at the landing. The garage would have a second story and would be used as a sleeping area with 3/4 bath and storage. The main floor of the garage would have 12' walls to allow for tall boats (pontoon) or possible light equipment (skid steer) along with our vehicles. Our current idea for the structure would show it having 10/12 or 12/12 pitched roof with the slope starting from the top of the 12' garage walls and possibly two dormers facing the driveway. Second floor sleeping area would be for family when they visit.
Describe the current use of your property.Seasonal family cabin at this time, we will eventually make our year-round home here and we need the garage space close and adjacent to the main dwelling on the property.
Describe other alternatives, if any.None, due to the large rock ledge to the east of our access road. The ledge runs from behind the cabin, south to the Passi Road, so it is not feasible to construct a garage there. There is also a large rock outcropping behind the main cabin, and a steep incline up to the west side of the property, so building a garage off the Domich road access would mean we would have to drive down and around from the garage to the cabin and that is not feasible. It would also require an additional expense to build a road into that area, and install a separate septic system.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?It will fit nicely with what other property owners have done, which are very similar to our request. There are other garages with sleeping areas along the Passi Road, close to the roads/property lines, and within the 100 foot lake setback. Even though we are requesting to build within the lake setback, the trees and brush in that area down to the lake will block the view of the structure from the lake. We plan to do a nice job with colors and design, and have it blend into the other neighboring structures.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.There will be no impact to the neighboring properties, as the structure will be far enough from the road and behind trees to block the view. The visitors to the boat landing may see the back side of the structure in the spring and fall before green up.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.With this proposed construction site, and the close proximity to the existing septic system, there would require minimal excavation to connect, therefore, resulting in less disturbance to the landscape. As far as the environment, the proposed site is primarily alder brush, black spruce, aspen, and other vegetation, not including mature pines. Building at this location would not require extensive excavation, and would be much easier on the environment than trying to build anywhere else on the property.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The expected benefits of the variance would be that our family will have a space to stay that is well constructed, with water and sewer properly disposed of. Also, with a garage large enough to store our boats and other equipment, that eliminates the need to store those things outside, which is a visual eye sore, and can clutter up the property/shoreline. As our primary residence, we are going to have visitors, and the existing cabin is too small (1 bedroom) to accommodate visitors. We built a larger septic system back in 2011, knowing that we would need more sleeping space.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We are seeking just to build a garage with a sleeping room and storage above. As we transition this property to our primary residence, we need the garage for our vehicles and boats. We don't wish to construct a 3rd structure just as a bunkhouse, so it makes sense to combine sleeping space with the garage. This proposed site will not be visible from the lake, and will fit perfectly with close proximity to the cabin, and to the existing septic system. Our request is similar to what other property owners have built in this area. Thank you for your consideration.
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.
I have read and agree to the statement above.
