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
387-0095-00050
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
David Debevec
8576 Spring Park Road
Mountain Iron
MN
55768
(218)966-1020
ddebevec@ulland.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.
David Debevec
8576 Spring Park Road
Mountain Iron
MN
55768
ddebevec@ulland.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
3367 Breezy Point Road
Tower, MN
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.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:Three bathrooms, one full, one 3/4, one 1/2. Water to be supplied from a well.
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.A. Setback from the lake. The building will be back 25 feet from the ordinary high water level.
i) The location of existing compliant septic tank and mound.
ii) Ledge rock and outcroppings limit the areas that can be excavated to install a septic tank and appurtenances.
iii) The current building location has been removed from FEMA's floodplain map.
iv) The proposed well location requires minimum setbacks of 35' from water and 50' from septic system
B. The 20 foot height limitation: The home will be 25' in height on the lake side and 30' in height on the road side.
i) A crawl space is required on top of the ledge rock at the front of the home.
ii) The home is designed to have a small footprint which requires increased height.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Single family year-round residence.
Describe the current use of your property.Seasonal, recreational residence
Describe other alternatives, if any.Attempt to relocate the septic tank and the mound into the replacement area. It would be challenging to find an alternate location to bury the septic tank.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed location replaces the existing cabin that has been in its current location since the 1950's. We believe the proposed location to be the most desirable location on the property. The proposed location and footprint maintains the current character of the property with little impact on the lake and side yard screening.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.We don't anticipate any impact on neighboring properties beyond noise related to construction activities.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We will use best management practices to control runoff and adverse impacts during construction activities. Additionally, rain gardens will be incorporated into the final landscape design to control and treat water runoff from the roof and hard surfaces.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Approval of this variance will allow the property to transition from a season residence into a year-round home.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.The existing cabin is a single-story 2-bedroom structure with a half bath. It is 24 feet wide by 20 feet deep. The replacement structure will be a two-story 3-bedroom structure with 2 1/2 baths. The new home will maintain the current 24 foot width but extends an additional 16 feet on the road side. The lot has a number of rock outcroppings and shallow ledge rock throughout most of the property. The current location of the septic tank and drainfield was necessary because of the constraints imposed by the bedrock.
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.
