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
465-0020-02550
465-0020-02420
465-0020-02520
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
Landowner
Todd & Stephanie Coursolle
515 Lake Ave
Birchwood
MN
55110
(651)231-2340
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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.
Todd & Stephanie Coursolle
515 Lake Ave
Birchwood
MN
55110
(651)231-2340
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Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
No
No
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.1
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 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 to vary the setback from lakeshore requirements to 75 ft. Our property is configured in such a way that a 100 ft setback would prohibit the construction of even the very small cabin we have planned. A 75 ft setback would allow the construction of a 20 x 24 single level cabin with minimal tree removal.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We are planning to use this property as a weekend cabin.
Describe the current use of your property.This property is currently vacant with no structures. Up until December 2014, it was part of a larger parcel including joint shoreline between Burntside and Little Long (including several buildings) and several islands.
Describe other alternatives, if any.(no response)
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed structure as planned on this island to be less noticeable than the other lakeshore structures in this area of the lake. If built as planned it should not be significantly visible to anyone on the shore or passing by on the lake. Log construction with natural logs, earth-tone roofing and trim is planned to blend in to the heavily wooded island. The style of the cabin is modest and intended to mimic an early trappers cabin similar to other, older cabins on the lake.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.There should be no impact to neighboring properties. The cabin will be natural earth-tones and is planned to be hidden from view. The size of the planned structure does not support large groups of people.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The planned location of the structure is in an area with a small natural clearing that minimizes the need to cut down live trees. Paths to the structure from the shore will follow natural gaps in foliage whenever possible. This request is an effort to maintain some level of privacy from passing boats, and to reduce the visible impact of the building and maintain the natural look of the island.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Minimized removal of live trees as a result of this location. THe variance allows a small structure to be placed on this island and will allow us to enjoy this area for years to come.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We have a long history with both the Ely/Burntside area and the BWCAW. We have an extremely respectful approach to the surrounding natural resources and this request is designed to maintain the look and feel of this island while still allowing us to have a small vacation cabin. We are willing to comply with all survey, testing, or other requirements as appropriate. As this parcel was recently split, it does not have a PIN. The associated PINs listed below are the PINs representing the remaining pieces of the original parcel.
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.
I have read and agree to the statement above.
