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
660-6000-57605
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.
No
Enter Applicant Information
Landowner
Steve Wedan
14547 Alabama Ave. So.
Savage
MN
55378
(952)237-6949
Steve Wedan
(952)237-6949
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Steve Wedan
14547 Alabama Ave. So.
Savage
MN
55378
steve.wedan@me.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
4776 Breezy Point Rd.
Duluth, MN 55803
Yes
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.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:Cabin to include running water and bathrooms.
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.Our existing cabin is placed on a peninsula lot with water on 2 sides: south and east. The setback from the south shore is 155 ft. The setback from the east shore is 48 ft. Complying with both setbacks pushes a structure into the northwest quadrant of the lot which is where the driveway entrance and septic system are. We are proposing to replace the existing cabin with a new cabin anchored essentially on the same footprint, but moved back so as to be no closer than 50 ft. to the east shore.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The intended use is a year-round family cabin.
Describe the current use of your property.The current use is a seasonal family cabin.
Describe other alternatives, if any.Due to the unique shape of the lot, the existing woods and trees on the lot, the existing driveway, garage, well and septic, we believe this proposal is the only reasonable alternative.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed cabin footprint is 1,930 sq. ft. which makes it much smaller than the neighbor's house immediately to the north and similar to the west neighbor's house. The proposed cabin is smaller than most new houses in the area. The north neighbor's house is closer to the east shoreline than we are proposing, so the proximity will also not be unusual. Finally, the height of the proposed cabin is less than many houses and garages in the area.
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 any of the neighbors.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Replacing the cabin as proposed minimizes the removal of existing trees. The proposal also avoids installing a new septic system (pending certification of our existing septic system), and avoids routing a new feed line from the well. The shoreline does not need to be touched, and the building area is flat, so it does not need to be materially altered. Finally, the new cabin will be farther from the water than the existing cabin is.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The existing cabin is old and in bad shape. It was built on timbers and has a large cavern beneath it where animals live in the winter (mostly skunks and mice) when it is shut down. The new cabin will be on a slab (keeping out the animals) and allow for year-round use.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.Certificate of Compliance for septic will be obtained in May upon thaw.
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.
