Planning and Zoning: Land Use
Inquiry Results

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Duluth
Virginia
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.
 
Field is required.Eric
 
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Field is required.Burckhardt
 
Field is required.4667 Hitchcock rd
 
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Field is required.Orr
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55771
 
Field is required.2187808696
 
2187808696
 
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Field is recommended.eric@cookbuildingcenter.com
 
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
 
 
Field is required.425-0060-00170
 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.

 
Field is required.No

 Enter Applicant Information
 
Field is required.Landowner
 
Field is required.Eric Burckhardt
 
Field is required.4667 Hitchcock rd
 
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Field is required.Orr
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55771
 
Field is required.2187808696
 
2187808696
 
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eric@cookbuildingcenter.com
 
Field is recommended.--
 
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.
 
 
Field is required.Eric Burckhardt
 
Field is required.4667 Hitchcock rd
 
Field is required.Orr
 
Field is required.MN
 
Field is required.55771
 
(218)750-7187
 
2187808696
 
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Field is recommended.eric@cookbuildingcenter.com

 Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
 
Field is required.Yes
 
4667 Hitchcock Rd, Orr, MN 55771
 
No
 
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US Forest Service
US Forest Service
Superior National Forest
8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, MN 55808
 
MN Power
MN Power
Shore Land Traditions
30 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
 
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
MN DNR, Area Hydrologist
7979 Highway 37
Eveleth, MN 55734
 
MN DNR Land and Minerals
MN DNR Land and Minerals
1201 East Highway 2
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
 
St. Louis County - Duluth
St. Louis County - Duluth
Government Services Center
320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 725-5000
 
St. Louis County - Virginia
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.
 
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 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?
Field is required.Yes
 Is this project within 300 feet of a stream/river or 1,000 feet of a lake?
Field is required.Yes
 Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.
Field is required.No
 Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.
Field is required.3
 Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?
Field is required.Yes
 If Yes, please explain:
Addition would be a remodel / repositioning of the kitchen / dining area. There is already indoor plumbing in the kitchen that would now be repositioned into the addition.
 Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?
Field is required.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.
 
Field is required.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.
Field is required.Requesting a variance from the county shoreline setback requirement to allow construction of a 16' x 18' addition to the existing single-family dwelling. The existing dwelling was constructed prior to the current shoreline setback ordinances. Due to the location of the shoreline and lot configuration there is no location on the property where an addition could be constructed to be in compliance with the shoreline setback requirement.
 Describe the intended/planned use of the property.
Field is required.Single family, owner-occupied dwelling. The addition would consist of a kitchen / dining room reposition / remodel.
 Describe the current use of your property.
Field is required.Single family, owner-occupied dwelling.
 Describe other alternatives, if any.
Field is required.None unfortunately.
 If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?
Field is required.The addition would maintain the character of the existing dwelling which is similar to the homes in the neighborhood.
 Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.
Field is required.The proposed addition will not adversely impact neighboring properties or their use. The project maintains the existing residential use, scale and character of the home. The addition will be added to the non-lake side of the home, so it will not impede on the view from the shoreline.
 Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.
Field is required.The proposed addition would have minimal impact on the already developed property, avoiding any additional encroachment towards the shoreline as it would be on the road-side. The addition would preserve existing vegetation and shoreline buffers while maintaining natural drainage patterns. The project would not result in significant grading, tree removal or adverse impacts to water quality or shoreline character.
 Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.
Field is required.Granting the variance would result in a modest improvement to the existing dwelling that would allow for functional living space consistent with surrounding properties.
 Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.
Field is required.There was a question of a potential setback issue for the north property lines on the original application submitted, but we have since retained Mark Weir from Trenti Law to handle the abandonment of the right-of-way on the north property line, which would then eliminate any setback issue. We were also made aware that our covered roof area that was added to the front of the dwelling being constructed without a permit. We were not aware that the overhang installed approximately 12 years ago required a building permit as there are no walls. The overhang was built to give us shelter from the elements at the front door entrance to the home. We are requesting after the fact variance approval for this as well.
 IF YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A PERMIT VIOLATION, PLEASE ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

 
 Describe your reasons county zoning ordinance requirements were not followed.
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 Describe your effort to comply with the ordinance and to obtain a land use permit and/or other required permits.
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 Describe any substantial investments, construction and/or repairs made to the property before you discovered you needed a variance.
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 If there was construction or repair, on what date did it begin? What date did it end?
 
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 Who performed the construction or repair work?
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 Was a survey of your property boundaries obtained?
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 Prior to the construction or repair work, did you speak with anyone from the Planning and Community Development Department?
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 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.
 
Eric Burckhardt
 
4667 Hitchcock rd
 
Orr
 
MN
 
55771
 
eric@cookbuildingcenter.com
 I have read and agree to the statement above.
Field is required.