Application 25-000859: 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.

May

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Yang-Her

Address Line 1: Field is required.

309 143rd ave nw

Address Line 2:--

City:

Andover

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

55304

Business Phone: Field is required.

6122065870

Mobile Phone:--

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

yangm247@gmail.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.

405-0010-04090

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.

May Yang-Her

Address Line 1: Field is required.

309 143rd ave nw

Address Line 2:--

City:

Andover

State:

Zip:

55304

Primary Phone: Field is required.

6122065870

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:yangm247@gmail.com

Contact Person Name: Field is recommended.

May Yang-Her

Contact Person Phone: Field is recommended.

(612)206-5870

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:

May Yang-Her

Address:

309 143rd ave nw

City:

Andover

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

55304

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:

yangm247@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:8614 Kelsey Whiteface Road, Kelsey, MN 55724

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:

Kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower

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 After the Fact 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 new owners seeking to bring a previously logged and unmanaged parcel into compliant, seasonal residential use. Since acquiring the property, we have made significant investments, including a permitted septic system, a deep well, and preparations for electric service. We were unaware that the existing gravel driveway exceeded impervious surface limits and believed it was compliant due to its long-standing presence and prior use for logging access. We are committed to resolving any outstanding issues and are working closely with county staff and environmental professionals to ensure that our use of the property aligns with all applicable standards. We respectfully request your approval to move forward with responsible, low-impact development that is consistent with the character of the area. In addition to planning carefully for future use, we’ve taken action to restore and care for the land. The previous owner left behind large amounts of deadwood and debris from past logging operations, which likely impacted the habitat near the entrance. We hired a local contractor to clear and clean the area, reducing fire risk, improving aesthetics, and allowing for the natural landscape to recover. These efforts reflect our long-term intention to steward the land thoughtfully and in harmony with its natural surroundings.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

The property is intended for seasonal recreational use. We plan to place a 1-bedroom park model RV on a gravel pad, install a movable sauna, add a small wrap-around deck, and a gravel parking pad. The property will be used primarily by our family, with the possibility of occasional short-term guest use in the future, pending approval.

Describe the current use of your property.

Currently, the property includes the existing gravel driveway and newly installed infrastructure: a permitted 1500/500 septic tanks and a deep well installed in fall 2024. Two weeks ago, a path was cleared to allow Lake Country Power to install new electrical service. No structures have been placed yet, and no additional impervious surfaces exist beyond the driveway and utility-related improvements.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

There are no practical alternatives that would provide safe and functional access. The buildable area of the parcel is set back from the public road, and all feasible paths would require similar or greater impervious surface. Reducing or relocating the driveway would eliminate access to the septic and well systems, which have already been legally installed. Constructing a new route would increase environmental impact, making the current path the least disruptive and most practical option.

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

The proposed seasonal use is consistent with the area’s rural and recreational nature. The surrounding parcels are wooded and low-density, with a mix of undeveloped land and seasonal cabins. Our planned improvements are modest, unobtrusive, and screened by existing vegetation, preserving the natural character of the land and neighborhood.

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

There will be no negative impact on adjacent properties. The parcel is over 7 acres in size with natural screening on all sides. The driveway runs through a wooded corridor and does not come close to neighboring homes. Our planned seasonal use will not generate noise, traffic, or visibility concerns for neighbors.

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

We are working with St. Louis County staff to determine if a wetland delineation is required. If any impact is found, we are fully committed to compliance through restoration or mitigation. In addition, after purchasing the property, we took initiative to restore an open area near the front that had been left unmanaged by the prior owner. The site contained large piles of dead trees and debris from prior logging activity, which likely disrupted the natural habitat for years. We hired a local contractor to responsibly clear the debris and improve the health and appearance of the land. These actions reflect our commitment to minimizing environmental impact and improving the ecological condition of the property. Looking forward, we are committed to enhancing the ecological value of the property. We plan to partner with the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog—a nationally recognized bird conservation group just 10 minutes from the property—to establish a bird-friendly habitat that supports migratory species. Our goal is to integrate the land more meaningfully into the local ecosystem through intentional landscaping, native plantings, and educational signage. We view this property not just as a seasonal retreat, but as a space that can positively contribute to biodiversity and environmental stewardship in northern Minnesota.

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

This variance would allow reasonable and functional use of the property, enabling us to proceed with low-impact, seasonal development. It would legalize an existing, essential driveway and support responsible land stewardship without compromising the ordinance’s intent. Without the variance, the property cannot be accessed or used as intended, despite significant investments already made to bring the site into compliance.

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

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 Date10/28/2024

End Date12/31/2024

Who performed the construction or repair work?

JBN Inc installed Septic and cleaned up wood debris, Peterson Drilling installed Well, True North Excavating cleared path for electrical line

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?

Yes

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:May Yang-Her

Address:309 143rd ave nw

City:Andover

State:MN

Postal Code:55304

Email Address:yangm247@gmail.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