
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
300-0400-00120
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
Landowner
Jacquelyn M. Paaso
5116 North Tischer Rd.
Duluth
MN
55804
(218)525-2208
jodi@fischerlegal.com
Jodi Paaso Helmer
(218)391-5359
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Jodi Paaso Helmer
6055 Howard Gnesen Rd.
Duluth
MN
55803
(218)391-5359
jodi@fischerlegal.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
2393 West Cabin Circle, Makinen, 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.
Yes
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:Drilled well and mound system
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.
The builder who built garage in 06/2008 built at around 130 ft. from the lake vs. the 150 foot setback that was the zoning at the time, as well as what he submitted on his building permit application to the county. Depending on how the county is determining the setback from lake, we ask for 82 foot setback because that would put us back 53 ft. from the setback of the old cabin. SFD 38X32X30H
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.
Year-round family cabin.
Describe the current use of your property.
Seasonal family cabin.
Describe other alternatives, if any.
None
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?
It will fit because Bob Marxen at 2389 W. Cabin Circle was granted a 75 ft. setback to build his house, but yet with water levels in 2016 the prow of his house is 57 ft. from the water which is an 18 ft. difference. Based upon the 1991 evaluation, existing cabin is 47 feet from shoreline and proposed 52 feet back from existing would be 100 ft. from shoreline calculation of 1991.
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. Cabin at 2391 West Cabin Circle would impact our view of the lake due to us being set back 100 ft.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.
None
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.
The benefits will be that our family can use the property year-round, including my 47 year old handicapped daughter.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.
None
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.