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.
James
Schuette
3680 Alan Syverson Dr
Barnum
MN
55707
2183893335
jr@idealhomesmn.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
370-0035-00030
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
Contractor
James Schuette
3860 Alan Syverson Drive
Barnum
Minnesota
55707
(218)389-3335
jr@idealhomesmn.com
James Schuette
(218)389-3335
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
James Schuette
3860 Alan Syverson Drive
Barnum
Minnesota
55707
jr@idealhomesmn.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
12909 Sturgeon Rd
Side Lake, MN 55781
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.The homeowners want to attach a 2-car, 26'x24' garage to the new home that has already been approved and is being built. With the tight lot size, and location for the new holding tank septic (which has a very specific location on-site due to the neighbors well to the North), the garage will need to be 10ft from the South property line in order to fit on the site.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The property will be the owners full time residence in 2025, when the project is completed.
Describe the current use of your property.The existing cabin that was originally on the lot has been torn down and the new home is being built so there isn't really a current use to note as no one can live on the property as it sits now. It was a secondary, seasonal residence previously.
Describe other alternatives, if any.We have explored multiple options and with the size of the lot and proximity to all items that need to be accounted for in placement for the home, etc. There is no other means to fit the garage. Also, the home is a modular structure that has already been built and is at the factory ready to deliver. This limits us as to where the garage will attach.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?Other than it being a new structure whereas most in the neighborhood are older, it will fit right in with the character of the neighborhood and also bring added value.
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 neighboring properties.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.With the proposed garage only encroaching the 15' side yard setback by 5ft, and we will take precautions for soil erosion and during the construction process, grade is fairly flat but there will be no negative impact to the neighboring properties from rain water. Also, no additional tress will need to come down for this to be built.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.This will allow the homeowners the opportunity to have a garage, as attached or detached, with the site size, there is no other logical location for one. It will benefit the look of the neighborhood and likely increase tax revenue.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.In all, we are only looking to encroach the side yard setback by 5ft to a total of 10ft from the property line. With being in the home building industry, in most cases, the side yard setback is 10ft or even less in some cases. With that said, we feel our request is reasonable and we are hopeful that the committee will agree and approve our application. 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.
James Schuette
3680 Alan Syverson Dr
jr@idealhomesmn.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
