Application 24-001523: 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.

Middle Name:--

Last Name: Field is required.

Address Line 1: Field is required.

Address Line 2:--

City:

State/Province: Field is required.

Postal Code: Field is required.

Business Phone: Field is required.

Mobile Phone:--

Home Phone:--

Fax:--

Email Address: Field is recommended.

Preferred Contact Method: Field is required.

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.

660-0029-00080

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.

David H. Johnson

Address Line 1: Field is required.

8102 Scholarship

Address Line 2:--

City:

Irvine

State:

Zip:

92612

Primary Phone: Field is required.

(714)287-8823

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:djohnson@sundew-llc.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:

David H. Johnson

Address:

8102 Scholarship

City:

Irvine

State/Province: Field is required.

Zip:

92612

Primary Phone:--

Cell Phone:--

Fax:--

Email:

djohnson@sundew-llc.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:5028 NW Island Lake Road Duluth, MN 55803

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?

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.

Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?

Yes

If Yes, please explain:

Private well.

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.

Current ordinances require structures to be set back 100 feet from the shoreline. The size and shape of the existing lot make it impossible for any structure to be built within this 100-foot setback requirement. This request is for a variance for a proposed addition to an existing cabin to be constructed 26' (25'11") feet from the shoreline.

Describe the intended/planned use of the property.

The proposed addition will enhance an existing cabin that will continue to be for seasonal use only.

Describe the current use of your property.

The property is currently used as a seasonal lakeshore cabin.

Describe other alternatives, if any.

There appear to be no practical alternatives other than obtaining the requested variance. Filling in the adjacent wetlands is not possible, and due to the depth of the lot it would be impossible to construct the proposed addition within the 100-foot setback requirement.

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

Island Lake is a 7,000-acre lake whose shoreline is dotted with hundreds of recreational and permanent homes. The proposed addition is consistent with the current recreational nature and character of the area. The presence of the NW Island Lake Road so close to the shoreline has impacted many of the lots along the road with similar 25' or less setback restrictions.

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

The proposed addition will have no direct or indirect negative impact on neighboring properties as it will fit in with the current character of the area.

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

The addition will be designed with a focus on minimizing environmental impact, including the use of erosion control measures, native landscaping, color coordination, and permeable materials to manage runoff. These efforts will ensure that the construction has minimal disruption to the lake and wetland ecosystems.

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

Enhancing the property in this way will not only benefit my family but will also positively impact the surrounding community by preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of the area. The project will include replacing the current septic system with a new, environmentally compliant system that will significantly reduce potential risks to the lake and surrounding wetlands. Additionally, the 16-foot storage building currently on the property will be removed, reducing the footprint of structures facing the lakeshore and contributing to the preservation of the natural landscape on the west side of the lot.

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

I believe some additional background and information would be helpful as this variance is considered. This property has been in the family for the past 70 years, and it holds deep sentimental value. The lot is severely restricted due to the presence of a wetlands area in the middle of the lot approximately 90 from the shoreline. The original cabin was built in 1950's. In 1997, a variance was granted to rebuild the existing cabin on the original cabin's footprint. At that time, the NW Island Lake Road was located 20 feet immediately behind the back of the existing cabin and within 15 feet of the wetland area. The proximity of the road to the cabin made it impossible to add to the existing footprint. Over time it was recognized that the location of the NW Island lake Road so close to the existing cabin created a significant hazard and potential liability. Therefore, about ten years ago, my neighbor and I, at significant personal expense, obtained permission to relocate NW Island lake Road to the north, rerouting it around the wetland area. This relocation added additional area to my lot between the lake shore and the wetlands, thus making the construction of the proposed addition feasible with a setback variance. The existing structure is now nearly 30 years old and requires significant work to meet modern standards and accommodate my family's needs. Currently, there is no garage or storage area for either a car or a boat. The current two bedrooms are small, barely able to accommodate a king-size bed, which limits the functionality and comfort of the living space. The proposed addition would provide the necessary space to make the cabin a more suitable seasonal dwelling.

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:--

Address:--

City:--

State:--

Postal Code:--

Email Address:--

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