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
365-0010-02250
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
Other
Arrowhead Design & Drafting
4102 Minnesota Ave
Duluth
MN
55802
(218)590-9467
ben@arrowheaddesign.us
Benjamin Potter - Senior Designer
(218)590-9467
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Magnus & LeAnne Widen
6582 Fredenberg Lake Rd
Duluth
MN
55803
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Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
6582 Fredenberg Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55803
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:compliance inspection attached
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.We are seeking a shoreline setback variance. Our existing home is very close to the shoreline. We propose to remove that structure and build a new home that is 75 ft back from the shoreline. The existing subsurface sewage treatment system is on the Northwest corner of the lot and has been inspected and found to be compliant. However this causes a hardship to build a home that will fit between septic system and the 100 ft shoreline setback.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We intend to live in a new home on this lot year round.
Describe the current use of your property.We recently purchased the property, which was used as a year round residence, or had that potential.
Describe other alternatives, if any.One alternative is to apply for a replacement variance. The existing home is 40 ft from the shoreline. This alternative will limit the size of a new home to the current sq footage plus 400 sq ft. Apparently this replacement variance would allow us to build much closer to thô€€’ shoreline. However, building closer to the shoreline is not our intention. We simply want a modest home between the existing septic and the shoreline. Another alternative is the do a shoreline average, which is 88 ft. However the Septic and drain field create a hardship for building.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed use of our property with a variance will be very fitting for the residential neighborhood. With a 75 ft shoreline setback, our home will be generally slightly further back from the shoreline than the neighboring homes. Our modest home will blend into the neighborhood like a piece of sand on a beach.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Our existing home is 40 ft from the shoreline; causing an obstruction to the line of sight for both our neighbors to the North and South of our lot. The proposed home and 75 ft setback will improve the impact to the neighboring properties.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The existing home is 40 ft from the shoreline, and the proposed home will be 75 ft from the shoreline, thus improving the water run off from the existing home. During construction we intend to use a silt fencing along with hay bails to lessen the impact of soil erosion. We will follow the Minnesota DNR recommendations for shoreline plantings to lessen the environmental impact on the lake.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The expected benefits of the shoreline variance will be a new home that is placed between the existing sewer treatment system and the 75 ft shoreline setback. The environmental benefits to the new home and variance is removal of the existing home that is 40 ft from the shoreline.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.The goal is to build a new home and lessen the impact on the environment by removing the existing home. The architecture of the new home will modest, and use the existing natural sloping lot with a walk-out lower level.
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.
