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
488-6000-31000
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
Other
Rod Saline
3296 N Little Alden Lake Rd
Duluth
MN
55803
(218)391-5815
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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.
Rod Saline
3296 N Little Alden Lake Rd
Duluth
MN
55803
rod@engwalls.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
3296 N Little Alden Lake Rd
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.Yes
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.3
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?No
If Yes, please explain:--
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 After the Fact 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 are requesting a variance to the 150' setback. The shape of our lot - pie shaped - almost predetermines the only place to build our accessory dwelling. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: We are asking for a variance to allow us to leave an old pump house, built in 1987 (now we call it boathouse and to leave a small deck surrounded by trees that was built in 2011. We are trying to bring all buildings, etc into compliance with county zoning rules. [Moving shed beyond the 150' set back as well]
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.An accessory dwelling bunkhouse... 16x26, 416 sq. ft with a screened porch 16x12, 192 sq. ft for a total of 608 sq. ft. Used primarily for grandchildren & their parents throughout the summer & fall primarily. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: We would like to continue to use the boathouse 8'x10' to store life jackets, canoe and kayak paddle. We would also like to continue to use the deck which is our shade spot to enjoy a warm summer day in the coolness of the shade.
Describe the current use of your property.The current use is residential. We live on the property. It is a 2 bedroom home with a 3 season porch on the front. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application:Current use is residential. 2 bedroom home with a 3 season porch on front.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Can't come up with any because of the shape of our lot and the small nature of the 1.46 acres of land. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: I don't think there are any good alternatives- a) the garage would be 250' away and up the bluff on the lake. b) there would not be an area similar with a view & proximity to family activity.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?We believe it will absolutely fit into the character of the area. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: we believe both are consistent with the lake nature of Little Alden.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.We believe there are enough trees that neighboring properties will be minimally affected. Gary & Jason Gaselle, lot line is next to our building and they are ok with our plan. No other neighbor could see the proposed accessory dwelling. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: Would not be impacted as the pump house has been part of the property since 1987. The deck is not very visible from the lake and would not change the impact.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.If we can build where we propose, there will be the absolute least impact. No trees would need to be removed. The slab foundation would be slightly above the current level grade. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: If we are allowed to leave them, there would be not environmental or landscape impact.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Increased RE tax for county, city, and schools. Benefit to our family experience. From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: To allow us to enjoy what we have been using for a number of years.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We would welcome a site visit to show the appropriateness of a variance From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: blank
IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: boar house was built as a pump house in 1987. Deck - I did not realize a small deck needed a permit. Sorry!
Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: With the application for a variance for our boat house, it became apparent from Don Rigney of planning & zoning that we were not in compliance. Started immediately through this process to try to remedy.
Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: costs of lumber for the deck. Purchase of the pump house (boat house) in the property purchase in 2010!
If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
Who performed the construction or repair work?From the new Variance After-the-Fact application: Deck- me, Pump House, original owner of the dwelling
Was a survey of your property boundaries obtained?Yes
Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?No
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.
