Application 24-000731: Record Inquiry

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Planning and Zoning: Land Use

Inquiry Results

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Duluth

Virginia

Government Services Center

320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301

201 South 3rd Avenue West

Duluth, MN 55802

Virginia, MN 55792

(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.

First Name: Field is required.

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Address Line 1: Field is required.

Address Line 2:--

City:

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

Business Phone: Field is required.

Mobile Phone:--

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

Preferred Contact Method: Field is required.

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

Enter the Primary PIN and Associated PIN (if applicable) of the property to be reviewed.
PIN is found on your Property Tax Statement. For example, 123-1234-12345. Primary PIN: Parcel where Structure/SSTS are located. Associated PIN: Additional and/or adjacent property that you own or that is related to the project.
County Land Explorer: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/explorer
Property Lookup: http://apps.stlouiscountymn.gov/auditor/parcelInfo2005Iframe

Primary PIN Field is required.

380-0020-04700

Associated PINs

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.

Enter Applicant Information

I am a:

Landowner

Applicant Name: Field is required.

Pamela Wutz

Address Line 1: Field is required.

56 Howard Gnesen Rd

Address Line 2:--

City:

Duluth

State:

Zip:

55811

Primary Phone: Field is required.

(218)390-8778

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:gnesen@hotmail.com

Contact Person Name: Field is recommended.

Contact Person Phone: Field is recommended.

Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.

Same as Applicant address?Yes

Name:

Pamela Wutz

Address:

56 Howard Gnesen Rd

City:

Duluth

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55811

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:

gnesen@hotmail.com

Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.

Is there a site address for this property? Field is required.

Yes

Site Address:6263 Hwy B Railroad Grade

Is this leased property?No

Leased From?--

US Forest Service

Superior National Forest

8901 Grand Avenue Place

Duluth, MN 55808

MN Power

Shore Land Traditions

30 West Superior Street

Duluth, MN 55802

MN DNR, Area Hydrologist

7979 Highway 37

Eveleth, MN 55734

MN DNR Land and Minerals

1201 East Highway 2

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

St. Louis County - Duluth

Government Services Center

320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301

Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 725-5000

St. Louis County - Virginia

Land and Minerals

7820 Highway 135

Virginia, MN 55792

(218) 749-7103

Do you have written authorization from the leased property owner?
If Yes, you must attach written authorization form.

How is the property accessed?

Public Road

Private Road

Easement

Water

Other

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?

Is this project within 300 feet of a stream/river or 1,000 feet of a lake?

Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.

Yes

Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.

Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?

If Yes, please explain:

Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?

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.

This property was bought by 3 friends back in 1968ish. These gentlemen have since passed. In 1991 the property was divided to allow children from these families to have access and use a part of the property and the existing cabin that was left on the property from the late 1800's. It has since been taken down due to its condition and proximity to the river. In 1991 the property was zoned FAM2 and in 1995 zoned SMU2. These are some of the most restrictive zonings in St. Louis County. This area is in Grand Lake Township and in an area of limited private land ownership. There are many MPL and county leases though, some on the river. This area of the Cloquet River has 2 parcels that I could find with river frontage. Both of which, when these zoning changes were made, would never be in compliance - one does not have 600' of frontage and the other at least does not meet the acreage requirement. However, land ownership on small lake in the area was zoned differently, I am assuming to accommodate ownership. I have been actively involved with this land since the 1970's and beyond as it was my go-to place. Including paying the taxes before the division. My goal has always been to build a small remote cabin to spend time at during the spring, fall, and winter.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

3 season usage with a small cabin, a shed, shipping container, and outhouse. The big blowdown of approximately 2012 did a lot of damage to the timber on the property. We did some clearing and clean up and I worked hard to find a spot 300 plus feet from the river and with an elevation change of 20 plus feet above the river that would make an acceptable spot for a small cabin that would be secluded from the river in the summer but have a limited view of the valley and river in the other seasons.

Describe the current use of your property.

Currently I have an 8x12 shed that I have used to stay overnight in, an 8x20' shipping container I had brought in late Nov 2019, a temporary cover 8x8 and an outhouse. My goal is to allow timber to grow back and keep this property as remote as possible. With trails that are designated for foot travel. With spots to remember those that have passed before us.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

I have no other alternatives-but this project is contingent on funds, (this project started that due to age and health I would need someone to shell up a structure) and complications with zoning.

If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?

This property, if approved, would be kept as wooded recreational property. Adjoining property would be less wooded.

Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.

The neighboring properties would not be impacted any differently than they are now. We are friends and work together

Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.

I do not think there would be a negative impact, as thing are as they have been for several years. Trees are planted and trails maintained.

Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.

Positive impacts would be trees planted and trails maintained. I use the property to enjoy the wildlife and sounds of being in the woods and in nature. As stated earlier it has been my go-to place for most of my life.

Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.

I have multiple things that I could present going back my many years involving trash removal along the grade, county timber sales that came onto the property, etc... and would be willing to meet with anyone to present these.

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?

Start Date--

End Date--

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.

Submitted By:--

Address:--

City:--

State:--

Postal Code:--

Email Address:--

I have read and agree to the statement above.

I agree

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MNPLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

VARIANCE REQUEST PERMIT APPLICATION

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT