Planning and Zoning: Land Use
Inquiry Results

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Duluth
Virginia
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
 
 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
 
 
Field is required.380-0010-08020
 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.

 
Field is required.No

 Enter Applicant Information
 
Field is required.Landowner
 
Field is required.James R. Prusak
 
Field is required.4882 W Pike Lake Rd.
 
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Field is required.Duluth
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55811
 
Field is required.(218)451-0830
 
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jimprusak@msn.com
 
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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.
 
 
Field is required.James R. Prusak
 
Field is required.4882 W Pike Lake Rd.
 
Field is required.Duluth
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55811
 
(218)451-0830
 
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Field is recommended.jimprusak@msn.com

 Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
 
Field is required.Yes
 
4882 W Pike Lake Rd. Duluth, MN 55811
 
No
 
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US Forest Service
US Forest Service
Superior National Forest
8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, MN 55808
 
MN Power
MN Power
Shore Land Traditions
30 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
 
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
7979 Highway 37
Eveleth, MN 55734
 
MN DNR Land and Minerals
MN DNR Land and Minerals
1201 East Highway 2
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
 
St. Louis County - Duluth
St. Louis County - Duluth
Government Services Center
320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 725-5000
 
St. Louis County - Virginia
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.
 
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 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?
Field is required.Yes
 Is this project within 300 feet of a stream/river or 1,000 feet of a lake?
Field is required.Yes
 Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.
Field is required.No
 Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.
Field is required.0
 Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?
Field is required.No
 If Yes, please explain:
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 Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?
Field is required.Yes

 
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.
 
Field is required.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.
Field is required.Construct 26' x 32' detached garage and reduce required 10' property line (sideyard) setback from 10' to 8'. My lot is 100' wide and due to the location of my existing driveway, I cannot meet 10' setback and have enough room to park vehicle in front of garage without blocking driveway.
 Describe the intended/planned use of the property.
Field is required.Detached garage for storage of vehicles, boats, ATVs, etc.
 Describe the current use of your property.
Field is required.Year-round residential lake home.
 Describe other alternatives, if any.
Field is required.Have reduced size of garage from 30' x 36' to 26' x 32' to better meet setback requirements and avoid removal of at least two 20"+ diameter white pine trees. Cannot relocate driveway without other large white pine removals.
 If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?
Field is required.Do not feel the proposed variance will detract from the character of the neighborhood and in fact would improve it by allowing for the storage of boats, pontoon, RVs, etc. rather than having them sitting out in the yard during the off season.
 Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.
Field is required.The garage is proposed along the north (Anna Buchanen) property line. The Buchanens currently have a fence along this property line, which according to my survey is located 1.8 to 2.7 feet north of the property line so the garage would still have 10'+ clearance to their fence.
 Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.
Field is required.Reduction of sideyard setback from 10' to 8' would avoid removal of at least two 20" diameter white pine trees. Construction of 26' deep garage would allow storage of boats (on trailers)) under cover rather than having them stored outside and cluttering property.
 Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.
Field is required.Adequate storage space to get boats, vehicles, ATVs, etc. under cover and out of the yard. Storage of such items in the yard, in my opinion, can be and often is very unsightly around lake homes. It also does not make for proper maintenance of such equipment.
 Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.
Field is required.I have reduced the proposed size of my garage from 30' deep to 26' deep to better meet sideyard setback. I cannot reduce depth less than 26' and have enough room for storage of boat & pontoons (on trailers) in garage.
 IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

 
 Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.
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 Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.
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 Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.
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 If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
 
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 Who performed the construction or repair work?
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 Was a survey of your property boundaries obtained?
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 Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?
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 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.
 
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 I have read and agree to the statement above.
Field is required.