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
620-0030-00070
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
David and Debra Olson
2794 E. Lismore Rd.
Duluth
MN
55804
(218)428-8316
danddolson628@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.
David and Debra Olson
2794 E. Lismore Rd.
Duluth
MN
55804
(218)428-8316
danddolson628@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
8790 W. Branch Rd.
Duluth, MN 55803
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.Yes
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:We want to add laundry area and 1/2 bath on back side of cabin (west side).
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 plan on selling our current home in Duluth and we would like to build an addition onto our seasonal cabin to make it our year-round home. We want to add an additional bedroom, bath and laundry room on the main level so that our elderly parents can move in with us when the need arises.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We want to add a bedroom, bath and laundry room to the main level of the existing cabin. This will be our year-round home. This additional space will make room for our elderly parents to move in with us when they can no longer live in their home.
Describe the current use of your property.This is currently only a seasonal cabin. It is not insulated and needs some updating to make it a year-round functional home. Our plan will only add to the value of the property and will compliment the current neighborhood and surrounding area.
Describe other alternatives, if any.If we are unable to add onto our cabin as we have mentioned above, we won't be able to make it our full-time home. We also would not be able to care for our elderly parents. Our current home is a split level and has too many stairs for them to live with us.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?Our neighbors, on both sides, have had additions built onto their cabins/homes and each is larger than our cabin. Our addition will only add 12 ft. to the north side and 10 ft. to the west (back) side. We will not be adding to the lake (east) side of the cabin. Our addition will compliment the existing structure and will not stand out or look out of place in any way. We want to make it look like the addition is original to the home.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Our neighbors to the side where our addition will be built (the north side), David and Mary Fisher, are excited for us to improve our cabin property. We have measured and will still be nearly 30 ft. from their property line. They have written a letter stating their approval (attached to this app).
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The environment will not be affected. We will not be building on the lake side and we won't have any drainage or pollution effecting the lake. The bathroom and laundry area will be on the west side (back) of the cabin by the garage. Neighbors will not have any adverse effects either.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The cabin will be usable as our full-time home. We will have enough living space for our elderly parents to live with us and we will have a bedroom and bathroom for them. This will improve the property and the design will compliment the existing area. This will be a benefit to the area.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We are asking that you please grant our request. This can be such a comfortable home. We will build a tasteful addition and this home will be in our family for many years to come. We will not abuse a variance in any way.
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.
