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.
Jody
Schultz
29467 Robinson Rd
Grand Rapids
MN
55744
2183264451
jody@cnconstruction.xyz
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
370-0110-00060
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.
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Enter Applicant Information
Contractor
CN Construction, Inc.
29467 Robinson Rd
Grand Rapids
MN
55744
2183264451
jody@cnconstruction.xyz
Jody Schultz
(218)244-6055
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
CN Construction, Inc.
29467 Robinson Rd
Grand Rapids
MN
55744
jody@cnconstruction.xyz
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
12626 Whispering Pines 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.3
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:A new well will be drilled and will have a pressure tank located inside the new structure, which will be connected to the plumbing for the house.
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 need the new structure to be at the same shoreline setbacks as the existing structure and deck currently are at, which is less than the 50' shoreline impact zone setback. The hill and road in the back of the property do not allow a new structure to be placed further back.
We would also need the Right of Way setback to be at 0' for the new structure. It is impossible to meet the 15' requirement and still build a new structure that can fit on this lot. You will see on the attached survey that the existing structure is located within the Right of Way.
Lastly we need to vary from the 20' height requirement if new structure is less than 50' from the shoreline. The height of the new structure to the tallest peak from grade will be 31'-3". In order for the homeowners to build a 2nd level on the new structure, there is not a way to keep this height less than 20' due to the grade elevation on the property. See attached Site Plan and Elevation for the new structure sizes.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The homeowners plan on removing the existing cabin and building their permanent home in its place. They can't keep the existing cabin because it is not large enough nor is it structurally sound to add on to, plus the electrical needs to be upgraded. They realized they need a new structure with a solid foundation to make this their forever home.
Describe the current use of your property.The homeowners currently use the existing cabin as a cabin only and not as a year round home.
Describe other alternatives, if any.There are none. With the deteriorating foundation of the existing structure it is no longer advisable to work with the current structure.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The beach front is where the homeowner grew up with his parents and Grandparents cabins right next to each other. The proposed new structure with the variances has been carefully considered to not disrupt the character of their beach neighbors in any way and has been discussed thoroughly with them.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The homeowners do not foresee any impact on the neighbors use of their properties. Please keep in mind that their family cabin is next door to the North of this property and is used by the homeowners 3 sisters and the 3 cabins to the south of their property are owned by lifetime friends and 3 other siblings.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We would construct foundation walls along the back of the new structure where the hill impacts it and also construct a retaining wall long the rest of the back of structure at the bottom of the hill to avoid any erosion issues.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.It will enable the homeowners to make this their permanent home.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.From the above comments we hope you realize that this beachfront area is comprised of family and dear friends who have grown up together on this beach. They all recognize the difficulty the homeowners have in any building project in order to stay within all the current zoning regulations due to the steep hill in the back of all their properties. They all feel the new structure will fit nicely into their beachfront's positive image.
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.
Jody Schultz
29467 Robinson Rd
jody@cnconstruction.xyz
I have read and agree to the statement above.
