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
560-0010-00420
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
Other
Lake Vermilion Houseboats Inc.
9482 Angus Road
Tower
MN
55790
(218)753-3548
kyle@vermilionhouseboats.com
Kyle Colbert
(218)753-3548
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Lake Vermilion Houseboats Inc.
9482 Angus Road
Tower
MN
55790
kyle@vermilionhouseboats.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
9482 Angus 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?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.6
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:Water and bathrooms for shop and employee living quarters.
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 varying from shoreline setback. The shape of our property doesn't allow enough room for a shop of this size without a variance. Voyagaire and Ebel's Houseboat operations both have 50x100 foot working shops with 20 foot doors and peaks of 25 to 30 feet. I'm using their shops as a reference for the size of my intended shop.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The current property is used to rent houseboats on Lake Vermilion. That is the intended future use of the property. I need to be able to maintain and update my fleet in the off season. With the harsh environment of northern Minnesota I need a shop big enough to shore two houseboats, additional equipment and living quarters for my staff.
Describe the current use of your property.The property is currently used to rent houseboats on Lake Vermilion.
Describe other alternatives, if any.This is the second variance worksheet I have filled out and have had two meetings with the Planning staff at the Virginia office. I was advised by Planning staff that this would be the best option for my property.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?If approved, our property would be much more organized, updated and eye-appealing to neighbors, guests and drive-by traffic.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.None of our neighbors' views of the lake will be affected. I see no impact to our neighbors' properties or how they use their properties.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Proper drainage will be upheld with the new construction and rock will be used to avoid erosion and filter run-off.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.With variance approval, we will be demolishing a building on the property that was denied variance and improperly built in 1981. I will be able to update my fleet, build a new office/gift shop and provide a better working environment for my employees. Which will lead to more revenue, creating more local tax money and better employee wages.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.My wife Joy and I purchased Vermilion Houseboats on 5/17/17. We are looking at this as a 30-year project with hopes that our kids will buy the business from us. We want a property that we are proud of, employees are happy to work at, and guests that keep coming back every year! That spend money locally!
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.
