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.
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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
488-0060-00090
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
Helen Mongan-Rallis
1135 So. Lake Ave.
Duluth
MN
55802
(218)393-7457
Helen Mongan-Rallis
(218)393-7457
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Helen Mongan-Rallis
1135 So. Lake Ave.
Duluth
MN
55802
(218)393-7457
hrallis@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
7610 Barrs Lake Rd.
Duluth, MN 55803
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?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.No
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.1
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:Project includes the addition of a bathroom with toilet, shower, sink.
Is this project connected to a municipal or sanitary district system?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.
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.The existing cabin was built approximately 70 years ago 43 feet from the lake and 4 feet from neighbor's yard. Our proposal to extend the back side (side furthest from the Lake) thus requires a variance to the shoreline and side yard setback. (Note: Because the cabin is built at an angle to the side yard, the addition would be away from the neighbor, not closer.) See diagram.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The current structure is a seasonal cabin with a non-compliant outhouse. We intend to continue to use the cabin as a seasonal cabin, but instead of installing a holding for a new outhouse, we would like to have the cabin extended to incorporate a bathroom with indoor plumbing (and remove the current outhouse, which is about 4 ft from the property line). The holding tank would serve the indoor plumbing.
Describe the current use of your property.Seasonal cabin with non-compliant outhouse.
Describe other alternatives, if any.The only other alternative would be to install a holding tank for a new outhouse built further from the property line (and have the outhouse sit on top of the holding tank). Due to the narrow size of the lot, with all but the front part (where the cabin currently sits) very low with the only open area being the driveway, there is no way to install a septic mound.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The cabin rear wall will extend 6 feet and the new addition be painted and designed to match the rest of the cabin. Thus the changes will not significantly alter the external appearance (and the cabin will continue to fit in with the northwoods lakeside cabin neighborhood). Both neighbors have seasonal cabins. Also, the rear (where addition will be) is not visible from the lake or the road.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The neighboring properties and their use will not be negatively impacted at all by the variance. The positive impact will be the removal of the current outhouse from the edge of the property which will be a visual improvement and also eliminate the outhouse smell.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The cabin extension will be on land that doesn't have any trees or other vegetation (other than grass). There will be no negative impact to the local environment. (The positive impact will be removal of outhouse to be replaced by bathroom in the addition and holding tank.)
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.Removal of non-compliant outhouse and odor from outhouse. The grey water from the kitchen sink will now go into the holding tank as will sewage from indoor bathroom. The new addition will have a foundation, thus stabilizing the entire cabin structure (which currently is built on support beams and jacks). The extension will also increase the size of the existing bedroom.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We purchased the cabin last fall (2017) and thus have to bring the outhouse or indoor plumbing into compliance. As we approach retirement in the next few years, we would like to have indoor plumbing. Both neighbors (on either side of the cabin) are very supportive of our proposed changes to the cabin.
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?--
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.
I have read and agree to the statement above.
