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.
Wendy
Andersen
5159 1st Avenue
Duluth
MN
55803
9529390467
Wendy.j.andersen@gmail.com
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
365-6000-22620
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.
No
Enter Applicant Information
Landowner
Wendy Andersen
5159 1st Avenue
Duluth
MN
55803
9529390467
Wendy.j.andersen@gmail.com
wendy andersen
(952)939-0467
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Wendy Andersen
5159 1st Avenue
Duluth
MN
55803
Wendy.j.andersen@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
5159 1st Avenue
Duluth, MN 55803
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.No
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 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 request a setback variance to add a 14 x 16 shade roof on the south side of our house. The edge of the shade roof will extend from the house to approximately 80 feet from the lake instead of 100 feet as required. Due to the unique physical characteristics of this property (location of the house, location of Minnesota Power line, and a steep slope on the north side) it is not feasible to add a shade roof which complies with the required setback and allows us the reasonable use of our property.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We plan to continue to use our property as our residence.
We plan to use the proposed shade roof to create a functional outdoor space which provides much needed shade to the south facing house and patio area. This shade roof (which will provide shade and reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering our house) will help reduce the need for air conditioning, decrease our energy use, and allow us to add sustainable landscaping.
Describe the current use of your property.We currently use this property as our residence and use the un-shaded patio area for outdoor activities when possible.
Describe other alternatives, if any.The addition of a shade roof within the setback is reasonable in this location since no feasible alternatives exist that would not require a variance.
--There is a steep slope on the north side of the house limiting our ability to use that side for outdoor living.
--There is a Minnesota Power electrical line running across our property between the house and the lake. We cannot add shade trees due to the location of this power line.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The shade roof will fit into the neighborhood where other residents have added various outdoor living areas such as patios, decks, screen porches, and gazebos.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Neighboring properties and the use of those properties will not be impacted negatively by the proposed variance.
The variance will not affect the natural appearance of the shore from the lake.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided because:
•The stone patio under the proposed shade roof is installed with an open graded base. The patio is highly permeable with exfiltration to the subgrade—there is no runoff. Any runoff that could happen by adding the proposed roof can be collected by the permeable paving and exfiltrated to the base. There will be zero runoff to the lake.
•The addition of native landscaping will reduce the visibility of the patio from the lake and help maintain natural shoreline characteristics.
•Hydrology and natural characteristics of the riparian area will be maintained and improved by the addition of native vegetation.
•The shaded patio area will reduce evaporation from nearby plants which conserves water and allows for eco-friendly landscaping.
•The shade roof will lower our environmental impact through reduced energy use.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Expected benefits of this variance include:
•Creation of a functional outdoor space with eco-friendly landscaping
•Reduction of heat buildup inside the house by blocking direct sunlight from entering the house.
•Reduction of energy consumption and lower carbon footprint
•Continued maintenance of the natural characteristics and function of the shoreline.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.•There are unique circumstances to our property which were not created by us (steep slope and Minnesota Power powerline).
•The variance will not alter the essential character of the property and/or shoreline.
•The roof will provide shelter from the elements, but will remain open sided
•We plan to maintain and improve the natural characteristics and function of the shoreline.
•The proposed shade roof is a reasonable solution to provide needed shade on a south facing property.
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.
Wendy Andersen
Wendy.j.andersen@gmail.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
