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
465-0110-00090
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
Other
Kirsten Cherrey
1794 Jefferson Avenue
St. Paul
MN
55105
(651)895-0172
kirstencherrey@gmail.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.
Kirsten Cherrey
1794 Jefferson Avenue
St. Paul
MN
55105
kirstencherrey@gmail.com
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.0
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:n/a
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.A land survey completed by Bear Island revealed we are unable to build on the property due to the bluff set back and the road setback. The road is deemed a "collector" road, which requires an 85 ft setback. We are requesting a variance allowing us to build to a 50ft setback, which is similar to the requirement of a "platted" road.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.If a variance is granted we intend to build on the property and use the cabin as a vacation home, as we enjoy the town of Ely, fishing and recreation on Shagawa, and access to the nearby boundary waters.
Describe the current use of your property.Currently, this is not our property, as we have signed a purchase agreement, but not yet closed on it. Our decision to close on the property is contingent on obtaining a variance to build. The land is currently used by sellers for camping and water access.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Our purchase is dependant on the ability to build.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?We intend to build a log or northern style cabin on the property with a theme around minimalizing obtrusion and maintaining a natural look on the property. We plan to source construction services and materials locally wherever possible.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.Neighboring properties would not be impacted by the proposed variance. The neighbor to the right has a yurt and lower in elevation, and the neighbor to the left has a property lower in elevation than where we intend to build. There is not a home behind the property, as this would be part of the property we aim to purchase.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We are requesting a variance allowing us to build to a SOft setback, which is similar to the requirement of a "platted" road. To ensure there is a limited impact to the environment and landscape we will not request a variance to build closer to the bluff and will maintain the 30ft setback. We do not intend to build by the shoreline but use this for family activities. We love the bluff that the property offers and think it only accentuates the charm of Shagwa:1.ake:1 We are requesting to build to make sure this property only adds to the charm of Shagawa Lake, not take away nature, harm the environment, or ruin the landscape.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Benefits include our purchase of the property, development of the land using locally sourced construction services and materials wherever possible. Additionally, we aim to drive thousands of dollars of revenue a year to local shops, restaurants, outfitters, etc. Our aim is to utilize the property to enjoy the beauty of Northern MN, and show our friends and family everything St Louis County has to offer.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.My husband and I are looking to purchase property on Shagawa lake. We fell in love with XXXX Grant McMahan Blvd, Ely, MN, which is for sale. The current owners intended to build on the lake, but never went through this process. We would love to be apart of this beautiful lake, so close to the boundary waters, but ultimately we can only do so with the requested variance on the collector road setback requirement.
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.
