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.
Thomas
Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
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612-708-1646
karenpartridge99@gmail.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
308-0240-00060
308-0240-00050
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
Thomas Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
(612)708-1646
karenpartridge99@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.
Thomas Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
karenpartridge99@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
278 Handberg Point; Crane Lake, MM
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?Yes
If Yes, please explain:Project includes replacing all plumbing and pressurized water systems and adding an indoor utility room. The septic system and peat pods are owned, operated and maintained by the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District(CLWSD) and will not be directly connected to the sanitary district
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.Requesting a variance for the replacement and expansion of a non-conforming principle structure which exceeds sf and height allowed by the ordinance. Existing structure is 992sf (24‘x 36’x22’ original structure built in the 1950’s and an additional 8’x16’ added in the 1980’s) plus an approved variance for 540'sf. The proposed structure is 1800sf (36’x50’x32’). The existing building is not structurally sound to be modified and added to, due to its age and deterioration, and it is a more viable and cost-effective option to rebuild. Also, the structure does not have adequate infrastructure for year-round usage and lacks sufficient living space for our growing family. The proposed structure would utilize existing footings, make changes/updates to the infrastructure and include an indoor utility room to make this a year-round dwelling and create needed space for family members. The property contains steep bedrock slopes with limited building area and rebuilding the structure at the current location is the only viable option. The height is above the 25' allowance due to the steep bedrock slope which requires the front of the structure to be elevated.
In 2017, we received variance approval for a 540sf addition with a maximum width of 12 feet facing the lake and a structure height of 32’. We were unable to find a builder at that time. Since then, we have experienced changes in our health and our age, which require us to modify our original plan for a two-story addition. We are proposing to build a one-story structure that would extend the back wall 6' to the east, away from the lake and elevate the cabin. In addition to the approved variance, we are requesting approval for an additional 268sf on the back of the cabin (east side, opposite from the lake front) resulting in a 36’x50’x32’ structure. The proposed structure would not cause any additional shoreline exposure, and the lakeside (west) wall and south wall would remain in the exact same location as they are today.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Intend to use year-round as a family cabin.
Describe the current use of your property.Currently a family cabin limited to seasonal use due to poor insulation, plumbing, electrical and septic.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Current structure has steep slopes and bedrock on side and back of cabin so expansion is very limited. Expanding toward the lake would increase the nonconformity. Proposed expansion would not decrease the shoreline setback and is the best viable option for expansion to the structure. There are no other buildable areas on the property.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed structure will fit into the character of the neighborhood as the structure is an expansion between and towards an existing accessory structure, therefore, the distance from the adjacent neighbors, to our structure does not change. There is about 250 feet between the proposed structure and the adjacent neighbor's cabin. Many of the structures in the area do not appear to meet the current shoreline setback restrictions (including the adjacent neighbors) or height restrictions. The exterior finishes would be earth tone colors and have a cabin look and feel that would blend in with the neighbors. Most of the principle structures in this area are clearly observable from the lake, whereas our current and proposed structure is obscured by shoreline pine/fur trees. The structure will not impinge on the sight lines of the adjacent properties, as there are rock cliffs and thick woods between the properties.
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 the neighbors’ properties and how they use their properties. The proposed use will be the same as area neighbors as they are a mix of seasonal and year-round dwellings. The proposed structure will not impinge on the sight lines of the adjacent properties as there are rock cliffs and thick woods between the properties.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Little to no impact to the environment is expected. The existing and proposed structure is well screened from the lake with existing pine/fir trees and visibility will be minimal. Also, there is limited vegetation to be disturbed as the structure will be on bedrock. Stormwater runoff will not increase. All building debris will be properly disposed. Environment will benefit from a recently installed township owned septic system.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Additional space for expanding and aging family, wheelchair accessibility, indoor utility room, safer infrastructure such as updated plumbing, electrical, heating, windows and insulation would make this a year-round dwelling.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.Existing cabin is very old and needs major infrastructure improvements, many of which are beyond their useful life and are safety issues including electrical, plumbing, insulation, roof, HVAC and windows. These items will be replaced as part of this project and the expansion will provide some of the space necessary for these improvements and an indoor utility room. We are retired and this structure would allow us to age in place and use the cabin year-round. The cabin is too small for our current and future family. Our family has been coming in this area since 1946, has had land/cabin since 1959 and the intent is to keep this cabin in the family for future generations.
After recent discussions with builders, it has been determined that building is not structurally sound to be added onto due to its age and deterioration. The infrastructure of the cabin, including the roof, windows, electrical, and plumbing, would need a complete overhaul. Builders are concerned about the challenging terrain with steep bedrock slopes making it a very difficult build with limited area to build.
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.
Thomas Partridge
karenpartridge99@gmail.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
