Application 26-000104: 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.

Michael

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Heiman

Address Line 1: Field is required.

PO Box 356

Address Line 2:--

City:

Ely

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

55731

Business Phone: Field is required.

218-235-3491

Mobile Phone:--

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

mheiman@northerngeoseptic.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.

629-0010-04190

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.

Daniel Houle

Address Line 1: Field is required.

3060 Echo Trail

Address Line 2:--

City:

Ely

State:

Zip:

55731

Primary Phone: Field is required.

(218)235-0413

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:danielghoule@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:

Daniel Houle

Address:

3060 Echo Trail

City:

Ely

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55731

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:

danielghoule@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:3060 Echo Trail Ely, MN 55731

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 proposed dwelling will be an owner's residence and have pressurized water.

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.

We respectfully request a reduction in the required shoreline setback between the proposed dwelling (three-bedroom owner’s residence)and the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) of Big Lake. The required setback for a recreational development lake is 100 feet, and a variance is requested to allow a setback of 50 feet to accommodate the proposed owner’s residence. The proposed location of the owner’s residence is on the western portion of the property, where property boundaries and the shoreline limit the available area for development. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the proposed dwelling location, as well as the existing property layout and site constraints.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

The property will continue to operate as an existing resort consisting of twelve (12) rental cabins and six (6) campsites. The owner proposes construction of a single, three-bedroom owner residence to allow for on-site management and maintenance of the resort. The residence is intended for owner occupancy only and will not be used as a rental unit. Providing a dedicated owner’s residence allows the resort to operate more efficiently by eliminating the need for management staff to occupy an income-producing cabin and supports the long-term viability and stewardship of the property. No expansion of rental units is proposed under this variance.

Describe the current use of your property.

The property is currently used as a seasonal resort consisting of twelve (12) rental cabins, six (6) campsites, and an outfitting business. The first cabins were built on the property in 1926 and the property began operation as a resort in 1936. No owner's residence currently exists on the property.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

The proposed location for the owner’s residence is the most viable option on the property. Other undeveloped areas are constrained by the septic replacement area, a recently installed solar array, and future parking expansion. Given the existing resort layout, shoreline limitations, and required setbacks, the proposed location represents the most reasonable placement. The requested variance is the minimum necessary to allow reasonable use of the property while remaining consistent with existing development patterns and minimizing impacts.

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

If approved, the proposed owner’s residence will be consistent with the established character of the area. The surrounding area is defined by existing resort and lakeshore development, including multiple structures on the subject property that predate current shoreline regulations. The proposed residence is similar in scale and use to existing cabins on the property and will not alter the overall use or character of the site or surrounding area.

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

The proposed owner’s residence, with the requested setback variance, will not negatively impact neighboring properties or the use of those properties. The residence will be owner-occupied and will not increase the number of rental units, campsites, or overall activity on the property. The proposed dwelling does meet the required property line setbacks. The proposed shoreline setback is consistent with the existing cabins on the property that were constructed prior to current regulations. As a result,the proposed residence will not introduce a new or incompatible use, nor will it alter the character of neighboring properties.

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

Negative environmental and landscape impacts will be avoided through preservation of the shoreline impact zone and proper wastewater management. The proposed owner’s residence will maintain a minimum 50-foot shoreline impact zone buffer and will utilize a holding tank system with an identified, suitable soil treatment area. If approved, the dwelling will be permitted through St. Louis County Planning and Zoning, and construction will comply with applicable county requirements and best management practices for erosion control and site stabilization. No expansion of existing shoreline development is proposed.

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

The variance allows construction of a single, owner residence to support on-site management and maintenance of the existing resort. This enables reasonable use of the property while improving overall economic stability of the resort, allowing for long-term stewardship without increasing the number of rental units, or campsites. Providing a dedicated owner’s residence allows the resort to operate more efficiently by eliminating the need for management staff to occupy an income-producing cabin and supports the long-term viability and stewardship of the property. No expansion of the resort, increase in rental units, or increase in shoreline intensity is proposed.

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

The requested variance represents the minimum reasonable deviation necessary to allow construction of an owner’s residence. The proposed setback is consistent with the existing development pattern of the property and maintains the shore impact zone. Approval allows reasonable use of the property while maintaining environmental protections.

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:Michael Heiman

Address:PO Box 356

City:Ely

State:MN

Postal Code:55731

Email Address:mheiman@northerngeoseptic.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