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
387-0435-00060
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
Landowner
Robert Minkema
1548 CR 24
Long Lake
MN
55356
(612)386-5459
bob.minkema@gmail.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.
Robert Minkema
1548 CR 24
Long Lake
MN
55356
bob.minkema@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
4239 Nelson 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.No
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.3
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.We are seeking a variance to build a detached 14 x 22 single-story garage. In our planning, we were able to find a space that we believed met the current setback requirements. We used the edge of the existing road for our measurements and were deliberate about adding additional allowances due to the irregularity of the road. When we applied for a building permit, our request was denied. A map was included in the explanation for the denial. Once we had the county's map, we were able to understand why our request was denied. The existing road is different from what appears on the aerial view. Compliance is difficult to achieve on this private dead-end road due to the irregularity of the road and right-of-way. In some parts the road is very narrow with significant drop-offs on both sides.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Seasonal cabin
Describe the current use of your property.Seasonal cabin
Describe other alternatives, if any.The garage could be placed in front of the cabin. This however would make it difficult to back out of the garage without the risk of backing over a steep drop-off.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?We believe that the proposed garage would fit nicely into the eclectic character of this neighborhood. Our cabin is surrounded by a wide variety of different homes and cabins. Two doors down is an expansive, bright white home with four garage stalls and a perfectly manicured lot. Next door is a seasonal cabin with a more naturally preserved yard and a detached garage that appears to actually touch the roadway. On the other side of us is a much smaller cabin on a mostly cleared, level lot.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.We believe that the proposed garage will have a positive impact on the neighboring properties. If anything, we believe that the proposed site will provide greater safety for all residents on Nelson Road. The proposed placement of the garage would allow us to back-out and turn around on your own property rather than backing onto the narrow road with steep drop-offs. The dead end road does not offer much safe turnaround space, which means that some personal properties get used.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The site we have chosen is the furthest from the lake. Construction on the proposed area will not involve removal of trees or landscaping.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.We chose the proposed location for the garage because it would provide a safe way to enter and exit the garage while also allowing an area to safely turn around without using others' personal property. The proposed garage would allow us to store items that otherwise would clutter the property. The garage will be furnished to match the new log siding on the cabin giving an overall improved appearance.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.In proposing this site we've taken into consideration ways to maximize safety and minimize potential for detriment to the environment. We strongly believe that this project will positively impact the area.
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.
