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.
David
Meierhoff
700 Valley Drive
Duluth
MN
55804
2183102616
david.meierhoff@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
660-6000-55900
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
Robin Meierhoff
4998 NW Island Lake Road
Duluth
MN
55803
(218)310-5977
robin.meierhoff@charter.net
David Meierhoff
(218)310-2616
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Robin Meierhoff
700 Valley Drive
Duluth
MN
55804
robin.meierhoff@charter.net
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
4998 NW Island Lake Road
Duluth, MN 55803
Yes
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:The water line that feeds the cabin from the well enters the cabin under the existing porch.
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 previous owners consumed the one-time addition (expansion) to a nonconforming structure. The addition they built was not properly constructed. It lacks an adequate foundation and is not insulated, causing extensive damage due to water intrusion from ice dams. We would like to remove the previous addition and replace it with a full-width addition (18' x 32' x 14' high).
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We purchased the property as a cabin and intended to make it our primary residence once our children graduated from school.
Describe the current use of your property.We use the cabin as our primary residence. We moved to the cabin earlier than anticipated due to the pandemic.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Given the damage caused by the lack of insulation, we can no longer use the existing addition during cold weather and may have to remove it completely. If we are not approved to re-build, we may have to remove the addition and sacrifice the square footage.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?Nearly all our neighbors use their properties as primary homes. The addition will allow us to use the property as a primary home, as well. This requested variance/addition will allow us to use our property as our neighbors use theirs and will not impact the character of the neighborhood/area.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The addition we are proposing will not impact our neighbors in any way. Our cabin is shielded from our neighbors by fairly dense woods, and the proposed addition will not increase the footprint of our cabin.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Given the relatively small size of the proposed addition, we will not require any large equipment or major excavation. We will hire a licensed contractor and follow all requirements to reduce any environmental impact.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Approval of our variance will allow us to fix a serious existing problem caused by faulty construction. It will also allow us to shift our existing kitchen (currently in our living room) to the area now occupied by the previous addition. The proposed addition will also allow us to improve the entrance to our cabin (currently the existing kitchen).
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We recognize the existing zoning rules that limit the property to a single addition. If the previous owner followed standard building practices and standards, we would not need to remove/replace the previous addition. Moreover, since the previous addition was only half the width of the existing cabin, we would appreciate permission to rebuild an addition that was properly constructed and allowed us to improve the entry to the cabin and allow us to have a reasonable, functioning kitchen.
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.
David Meierhoff
david.meierhoff@gmail.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
