Application 26-000541: Record Inquiry

Scripting is required to fully navigate this site. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Planning and Zoning: Land Use

Inquiry Results

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Duluth

Virginia

Government Services Center

320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301

201 South 3rd Avenue West

Duluth, MN 55802

Virginia, MN 55792

(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.

First Name: Field is required.

Matt

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Bailey

Address Line 1: Field is required.

12 Summit Ct

Address Line 2:--

City:

Saint Paul

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

55102

Business Phone: Field is required.

Mobile Phone:6515289010

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

matt_bailey_96@hotmail.com

Preferred Contact Method: Field is required.

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

Enter the Primary PIN and Associated PIN (if applicable) of the property to be reviewed.
PIN is found on your Property Tax Statement. For example, 123-1234-12345. Primary PIN: Parcel where Structure/SSTS are located. Associated PIN: Additional and/or adjacent property that you own or that is related to the project.
County Land Explorer: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/explorer
Property Lookup: http://apps.stlouiscountymn.gov/auditor/parcelInfo2005Iframe

Primary PIN Field is required.

387-0020-03260

Associated PINs

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.

Enter Applicant Information

I am a:

Landowner

Applicant Name: Field is required.

Matt Bailey

Address Line 1: Field is required.

12 Summit Ct

Address Line 2:--

City:

Saint Paul

State:

Zip:

55102

Primary Phone: Field is required.

(651)528-9010

Cell Phone:6515289010

Fax:--

Email:matt_bailey_96@hotmail.com

Contact Person Name: Field is recommended.

Matt Bailey

Contact Person Phone: Field is recommended.

(651)528-9010

Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.

Same as Applicant address?Yes

Name:

Matt Bailey

Address:

12 Summit Ct

City:

Saint Paul

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55102

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:6515289010

Fax:--

Email:

matt_bailey_96@hotmail.com

Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.

Is there a site address for this property? Field is required.

Yes

Site Address:95241 Meads Island, Tower, MN 55790

Is this leased property?No

Leased From?--

US Forest Service

Superior National Forest

8901 Grand Avenue Place

Duluth, MN 55808

MN Power

Shore Land Traditions

30 West Superior Street

Duluth, MN 55802

MN DNR, Area Hydrologist

7979 Highway 37

Eveleth, MN 55734

MN DNR Land and Minerals

1201 East Highway 2

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

St. Louis County - Duluth

Government Services Center

320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301

Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 725-5000

St. Louis County - Virginia

Land and Minerals

7820 Highway 135

Virginia, MN 55792

(218) 749-7103

Do you have written authorization from the leased property owner?
If Yes, you must attach written authorization form.

How is the property accessed?

Public Road

Private Road

Easement

Water

Other

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?

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.

Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?

Yes

If Yes, please explain:

House will have standard household plumbing connected to an existing well. Accessory dwelling unit will be connected to same well.

Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?

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 seek a variance from the 75-foot lake shore setback requirements contained in County Zoning Ordinance 62. Our cabin at Mead Island on Lake Vermilion was destroyed by fire on January 14, 2026. The cabin was situated approximately 4 feet from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) of the lake and had been in that location for more than 50 years. Further, the east end of the island was developed over time in a manner to support the cabin. Specifically, the area around the cabin site contains a boathouse, two sheds, three docks, a privy, electric service, a septic field, and a well. We propose to rebuild our cabin on the east end of the island, and no less than 15 feet from the OHWM. A larger setback, for example to 25 feet, would still allow us to use the site as described herein. We believe that the 15 foot proposal minimizes environmental impact (by building in the already disturbed footprint of the previous cabin and minimizing the removal of trees), but we are willing to discuss increasing the setback if required for approval. In this variance worksheet, we discuss why it would be unworkable and environmentally damaging to build on a new site, as would be required to comply with Zoning Ordinance 62 as written. We propose to build a two-story structure not larger than 50 feet in length by 26 feet in width. We would not exceed 29 feet in height from ground level (same as the prior structure). We are also proposing the addition of a mud room, not to exceed 60 square feet on the north end of the cabin. The prior cabin was a two-story structure measuring 48 feet by 24 feet. Our intent is to largely replicate that structure. We are seeking the additional 2 feet in each direction to provide construction flexibility as site details are discovered.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

We will continue to enjoy and care for Mead Island solely as a family retreat.

Describe the current use of your property.

Mead Island has been used as a family retreat, up to the aforementioned fire.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

We have carefully examined all options for meeting the 75-foot setback requirement in Zoning Ordinance 62, and all present serious practical difficulties and environmental concerns. Moving the cabin site 75 feet to the west would require the destruction of one existing structure (shed) and permanently prevent access to the existing septic field and well, as well as our proposed guest cabin site (Park Model Cabin). Moving the cabin 75 feet to the northwest would prevent access to the existing well and potentially also the septic field. In addition, this site includes a relatively steep hill, and so building a cabin there would require extensive excavation and tree clearing, with both actions increasing future erosion potential. And finally, this site would prevent the siting of the proposed guest cabin. Moving the cabin farther west (on the other side of the septic field and potentially as far as the west end of the island) would present many practical difficulties. It would render the current supporting infrastructure (boathouse, two sheds, three docks, a privy, electric service, a septic field, and a well) essentially worthless, and the cost of moving and replacing everything would be prohibitive. It would also be much more environmentally disruptive. In addition, the shoreline at the west end is steep and not well suited for water access. Finally, any other potential building sites are not viable due to extensive wetlands south of the existing developed area.

If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?

With this variance, we seek to restore the property to the same use for which it has been long used – family recreation. Virtually all properties in the area are used in the same manner and many existing structures are situated close to the shoreline.

Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.

This variance request would move the cabin back from its historical location while minimizing the environmental and neighboring property impact by protecting 100+ year old white pines to the greatest extent possible. Visual impact of the new cabin will be minimal with natural materials and neutral colors being used.

Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.

The construction made possible by this variance will minimize grading and vegetation removal. All alternative building sites would have greater potential for erosion and other environmental harm. Further, because the fire site is heavily disrupted already, building in as much of the existing footprint as possible will minimize further impacts on the site. In conclusion, the resources that the OHWL Setback seeks to protect - water quality and shoreline habitat – would be at greater risk of harm with development on an alternative site that meets the 75-foot setback requirements.

Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.

This variance will allow the continued enjoyment of this property for our family in the most favorable way, both from environmental perspective and landscape perspectives. The variance will allow us to minimize the need to remove 100+ year old trees, including several old growth pines, based on consultation with a professional forester. And, as we already need to restore the area of the previous cabin footprint, this variance will leverage that work and reduce the need for additional excavation, particularly on the hill northwest of the cabin site, which would worsen runoff potential.

Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.

To further explain our building proposal: We seek a variance allowing for a 15-foot setback from the OHWM. We expect to rotate the cabin slightly so it is parallel to the shoreline and move it approximately 8-10 feet to the north to minimize the need to remove trees behind the structure. This location will be outside of the flood plain. Based on discussions with the Onsite Wastewater team and septic designers/installers, we plan to construct a compliant septic system which expands the existing field system and increases the size of the septic tanks. We are applying for a slight increase in cabin size with this application to allow for the addition of a mud room and potentially slightly larger footprint. We also seek a land use permit for a guest cabin – specifically a Park Model Trailer (Lancaster Log Home) that will comply with all site, septic, and setback requirements. In summary, our intention with this variance application is to be in harmony with the County’s land use plan and zoning ordinance. In addition, we intend our application to align directly with the definition of practical difficulties in Minnesota Statute 394.27: “"Practical difficulties," as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by an official control; the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; and the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.” We propose to use the property in a reasonable manner similar to that of other properties in the area and its prior use. Our plight was caused by a disastrous fire along with a site developed over decades to support recreational use. Our proposal is specifically designed to protect the essential character of the County and Lake Vermilion by minimizing erosion risk, protecting legacy trees, and reusing the site damaged by fire.

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?

Start Date--

End Date--

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.

Submitted By:Matt Bailey

Address:12 Summit Ct

City:Saint Paul

State:MN

Postal Code:55102

Email Address:matt_bailey_96@hotmail.com

I have read and agree to the statement above.

I agree

Return to Search Results

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MNPLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

VARIANCE REQUEST PERMIT APPLICATION

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT