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.
Thomas
Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
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karenpartridge99@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
308-0240-00060
308-0240-00050
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
Thomas Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
(651)454-0330
karenpartridge99@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.
Thomas Partridge
2354 99th St E
Inver Grove Heights
MN
55077
(651)454-0330
karenpartridge99@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
278 Handberg Road
Crane Lake, MN
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?No
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.3
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:Project includes replacing all plumbing and pressurized water systems and adding a indoor utility room. Furthermore, the new septic system and peat pods will be owned, operated and maintained by the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District (CLWSD) and will not be directly connected to the sanitary district.
Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?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.
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.Requesting a variance for an addition to a principle structure where current ordinance would not allow an addition to the nonconforming principle structure, as the original cabin was built in the 1950s and had an addition in the 1980s. The existing structure does not have adequate infrastructure for year round usage and lacks sufficient living space for the growing family. The proposed addition would make changes/update to the infrastructure and include an indoor utility room to make this a year-round dwelling and create needed space for family members. The variance is for a 12' x 45' x 32' addition and 2nd level to an existing 24' x 45' x 24' principle structure. Finished principle structure would be 36' x 45' x 32'. The height is above the 25' allowance due to the 2nd level addition and the ledge rock slope which requires the front of the structure to be elevated. The addition will replace an existing deck that is 12' x 22'. The addition is an expansion towards an accessory structure and will not encroach upon the lake or property lines. Current structure has steep ledge rock on side, front and back of cabin so cannot expand on those sides.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.Intend to use year-round.
Describe the current use of your property.Currently limited to seasonal use due to poor insulation, plumbing and septic limitations.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Current structure has steep ledge rock on one side and back of cabin so cannot expand on those sides. Expanding toward the lake would increase the nonconformity. Proposed addition would not decrease the shoreline setback and is the only option for expansion to the structure.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed addition will fit into the character of the neighborhood as the addition is an expansion between and towards an existing accessory structure, therefore, the distance from the adjacent neighbors', to our structures does not change. There is about 250 feet between the proposed structure addition and the adjacent neighbor's cabin. Many of the structures in the area do not appear to meet the current shoreline setback restrictions (including the adjacent neighbors'). The exterior finishes would be earth tone colors and have a cabin look and feel that would blend in with the neighbors. Most of the principle structures in this area are clearly observable from the lake, whereas our current and proposed addition to our structure is obscured by shoreline pine/fur trees. These improvements will not impinge on the sight lines of the adjacent properties, as there are rock cliffs and thick woods between the properties.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.There will be no impact to how the neighbors' use their properties. The proposed use will be the same as area neighbors as they are a mix of seasonal and year-round dwellings. Again, these improvements will not impinge on the sight lines of the adjacent properties as there are rock cliffs and thick woods between the properties.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Little to no impact to the environment as there are no trees between the structures where the addition would go. Also, there is limited vegetation to be disturbed as there is a lot of ledge rock. Environment will benefit from new septic system to be installed. This new septic system and peat pods will be owned, operated and maintained by the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District (CLWSD). The existing structure is and addition will be well screened from the lake with existing pine/fur trees and visibility will be minimal. Slight increase of 12' x 10' to non-impervious surface as a result of the addition, because, addition is replacing an existing deck and remaining area is exposed ledge rock.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Additional space for indoor utility room, updated plumbing, electrical, heating, windows, insullation and septic to current code would make this a year-round dwelling. An application is on file with the CLWSD and the county to allow upgrade of the septic system. Approval of the ISTS by time this document is received is expected. There should be a letter on file from Robert Scott, chairman of the CLWSD board, to that effect.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.Existing cabin is very old and needs major infrastructure improvements which are beyond their useful life including electrical, plumbing, insulation, roof, decking, HVAC and windows. These items will be replaced as part of this project, part of the addition (the new indoor utility room) will provide some of the space necessary for these improvements. Cabin is too small for current and future family. Our family has been coming in this area since 1946, has had land/cabin since 1959 and the intent is to keep this cabin in the family for future generations. We are approaching retirement and plan on using the cabin year-round.
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?No
Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?No
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.
Thomas Partridge
karenpartridge99@gmail.com
I have read and agree to the statement above.
