Application 26-000557: 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.

Alyssa

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Hawn

Address Line 1: Field is required.

1019 Oakwood Road

Address Line 2:--

City:

NEWPORT

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

55055

Business Phone: Field is required.

Mobile Phone:651-528-9072

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

alyssahawn1@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.

625-0011-04000

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.

Alyssa & Jeff Hawn

Address Line 1: Field is required.

1019 Oakwood Road

Address Line 2:--

City:

NEWPORT

State:

Zip:

55055

Primary Phone: Field is required.

(651)528-9072

Cell Phone:651-528-9072

Fax:--

Email:alyssahawn1@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:

Alyssa & Jeff Hawn

Address:

1019 Oakwood Road

City:

NEWPORT

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55055

Primary Phone:(651)528-9072

Cell Phone:651-528-9072

Fax:--

Email:

alyssahawn1@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:3123 County Road 904 Babbitt, MN 55706

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:

The current home has a well and our request doesn't change that there will continue to be a well and pump in the new structure.

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.

The existing home is located on a narrow peninsula on Joseph Lake, with water bordering the property on three sides. This unique site condition creates significant constraints that make full compliance with county setback and zoning ordinances impractical. Our variance request is twofold. First, we are requesting permission to rebuild the home on its existing footprint. The current structure was hand-built by my father more than 70 years ago, constructed in sections over time. As a result, there are substantial concerns regarding the integrity of the existing foundation, which was also built by hand. Multiple contractors have expressed uncertainty about its structural soundness. In addition, the home does not meet current building or safety standards. The plumbing, electrical systems, and walls were installed by an unlicensed individual, and the basement lacks required egress windows. Rebuilding on the existing footprint with a new, code-compliant foundation would allow for proper egress, modern electrical and plumbing systems, and an appropriate heating source. These improvements are necessary to make the home safe and usable for our family. Second, we are requesting approval to shift the proposed new foundation approximately seven (7) feet toward the access road/driveway. This adjustment would move the home farther away from the lake on the western side, thereby reducing the structure’s proximity to the shoreline. We believe this modification aligns with the intent of the ordinance by increasing the setback from the lake where possible. We understand that the county may allow an additional 200 square feet to be added to the home, provided that this expansion occurs in the direction of the access road rather than toward the lake. Any additional square footage would be located away from the shoreline, further minimizing environmental impact.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

The property has served as our family home and gathering place for more than 70 years. Following our mother’s passing, ownership of the property transferred to our family, and we intend to continue using the home as a seasonal lake home and family cabin, consistent with its historic and longstanding use. In its current condition, the home essentially has only one legal bedroom. While additional sleeping areas exist in the basement, they do not meet current safety or building code requirements. The stairs and height of the basement are not to current standards. The basement lacks required egress windows, and the age and condition of the stairs, ceiling height, electrical system and heat source raise considerable safety concerns. Our intent is not to change the use of the property, but rather to improve safety and habitability so the home can continue to function as a family gathering place for future generations. Any improvements would maintain the residential, low impact nature of the property while bringing the structure into greater compliance with modern safety standards.

Describe the current use of your property.

The property is currently being used as a lake home/cabin.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

After discussing with several contractors we don't have any other feasible alternatives.

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

If approved, the proposed use of the property with the variance will remain fully consistent with the existing character of the surrounding area. There is no anticipated change in how the home is used; it will continue to function as a family lake home. The structure will remain a single-story rambler, consistent with the style and scale of the current home and nearby homes. The primary purpose of the project is to bring the structure up to current building and safety codes, including modern electrical, plumbing, and life safety standards. These improvements will enhance safety and functionality without altering the residential, low impact character of the surrounding area.

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

The proposed variance will have no impact on neighboring properties or their use and will maintain the existing residential character of the area.

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

Negative impacts to the environment and landscape will be minimized by rebuilding primarily on the existing footprint and shifting the structure slightly away from the lake. Any additional area will be located toward the access road, increasing setbacks from the shoreline. All work will comply with erosion control, runoff management, and vegetation protection requirements to preserve water quality and the natural character of the area.

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

The primary benefit of the requested variance is the ability to construct a safe, functional, and code-compliant home that can continue to be used by our family for many years to come. Rebuilding would allow us to replace outdated and potentially hazardous building components with modern systems, including electrical, plumbing, and heating utilities that meet current safety standards. In addition, the project would allow for the removal of older materials, thereby improving the overall health and safety of the home. The variance would enable us to preserve the longstanding residential use of the property while significantly improving safety, livability, and long-term sustainability in a manner consistent with the character of the lake and surrounding properties.

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

Our family has a deep, multigenerational connection to the land we own and Joseph Lake, and it is very important to us to preserve and responsibly enjoy this property for generations to come. We value the lake and understand the limitations and responsibilities that come with owning lakefront property. We are not requesting approval to build a large or out-of-scale structure. We thoroughly explored the option of renovating the existing home. However, after consulting with multiple contractors, we were advised that renovation is not feasible—and potentially not possible—due to the age, construction methods, and structural condition of the current building. Our request is intended to allow us to construct a modest cabin-style home that provides safe, code-compliant living conditions, including multiple bedrooms where family members can sleep safely. This project is about maintaining the longstanding residential use of the property while addressing safety, structural integrity, and practical limitations created by the site’s unique location. We believe our request is reasonable, minimizes impact on the lake, and aligns with the overall intent of the county’s zoning and shoreline ordinances.

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:Alyssa Hawn

Address:1019 Oakwood Road

City:NEWPORT

State:MN

Postal Code:55055

Email Address:alyssahawn1@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