Application 22-001450: 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.

Lori

Middle Name:J

Last Name: Field is required.

Melbostad

Address Line 1: Field is required.

8864 Raps Road

Address Line 2:--

City:

Cook

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

55723

Business Phone: Field is required.

16512140826

Mobile Phone:--

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

lorimelbostad@gmail.com

Preferred Contact Method: Field is required.

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

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.

250-0020-01535

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.

Lori J Melbostad

Address Line 1: Field is required.

8864 Raps Road

Address Line 2:--

City:

Cook

State:

Zip:

55723

Primary Phone: Field is required.

16512140826

Cell Phone:(651)214-0826

Fax:--

Email:lorimelbostad@gmail.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:

Lori J Melbostad

Address:

8864 Raps Road

City:

Cook

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55723

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:(651)214-0826

Fax:--

Email:

lorimelbostad@gmail.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:8864 Raps Road, Cook, MN 55723

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?

Yes

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?

Yes

If Yes, please explain:

With new home, a well will be drilled, providing fresh water from the well versus a lakewater system to the home. All plumbing will be completed by licensed contractors

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.

Request to vary from ordinance that current requires doubling of lot width so that we may add a 2nd principal dwelling in back lot. Current lot width nearly 270', but shy of the requirement of 400' for the "double" rule. Existing structure at lake would be non-conforming for Accessory Dwelling Standards, thus requiring a variance. With a large lot (7.99 acres) we have ample land and therefore our request meets acreage requirements with a variance request only for the doubling rule.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

Addition of a year-round home (homestead) to property above bluff, not in shoreline restriction area. Intend to live year-round in this home.

Describe the current use of your property.

Currently have year-round use of structure/cabin near lake-shore with limitations. Due to elevation and driveway, we use the lake-shore home (cabin) in the frozen/ice/winter months by walking down the hill or using a snowmobile and due to this driveway/elevation issue, our use of the property is very limited for several months of the year. The driveway is not useable for all 4 seasons to the existing structure/home, depending on the conditions, we can use the driveway consistently for about 50% of the year. Walking down the driveway in the off-seasons can be treacherous and would not be sustainable as we age.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

Alternatives to remodel or add-on to the current structure would allow living space but not allow for the full 4 season use, therefore alternatives are not viable options. Changes to driveway to allow for 4 season use are not an option due to elevation and layout of the lot and cabin and potential impact to the shoreland area.

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

The proposed structure would fit well, away from view from Raps road and away from the lake-shore/ shoreland. Would not interfere with current neighborhood character or lakeside appearance in any way.

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

Neighboring properties would not see an impact, would be similar to current use. Does not interfere with enjoyment or use at all with any neighboring properties with regards to use, view, or character.

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

Will follow all land use requirements. Minimal changes to landscape. No shoreline impact at all from this project. As a lover of nature, any impact to property while building will be replaced with native plants and trees. Full 2nd sewage treatment system to be installed to reduce any risk to environment.

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

Allowing year-round use in a safe and enjoyable manner, with garage attached to home, we will be able to use the property safely for many years to come versus the concerns we currently have with the elevations and the lower driveway. As stated earlier, elevation issues with current driveway down to the lake-shore cabin are a challenge in some seasons and completely unable to use in winter months. This would allow us to use the property all year-round.

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

The lot size of our property allows for the privacy and enjoyment of the lake and the wooded area and this new principal dwelling will be little impact to the property and no impact to the enjoyment of neighboring properties. Allowing us to build on the higher elevation would provide us the enjoyment of our property year-round. Building at the higher elevation (back lot area) would minimize any lake-shore change/development and protect the area. Building would be nearly be centered on the property with approx. 450' from the lake-shore, approx. 600' from the center of the road, and approx. 100' from each lot line.

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:Lori J Melbostad

Address:8864 Raps Road

City:Cook

State:MN

Postal Code:55723

Email Address:lorimelbostad@gmail.com

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