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
465-0040-02140
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
Lori McNamara
240 Spring St #423
St Paul
MN
55102
(651)402-3588
ml5556log@yahoo.com
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Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
Lori McNamara
240 Spring St #423
St Paul
MN
55102
(651)402-3588
ml5556log@yahoo.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
3003 Sumpter Island
Ely MN
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?No
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.5
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?No
If Yes, please explain:--
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.We would like to build a second accessory dwelling on the property for use as additional sleeping space. The property is a 4.5 - 4.9 acre island with an existing primary structure (cabin with 2 bedrooms) and an existing accessory dwelling (guest cabin with 1bedroom). We are close to the acceptable amount of acreage needed for a second primary building.
In lieu of a variance for another primary building we are requesting a variance for another accessory dwelling on the property. Additionally, we request a setback variance to build 60 feet from a shoreline. The property is an island so the
100 foot setback on all sides is not possible in the area suitable for building. There are areas of rocky terrain and elevation (high ridge in mid line of island) that would be a challenge for building and access for use.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.The property, with the addition of the second accessory dwelling will be used as a seasonal place for family. The property will be used primarily in the summer months from late April into October. The addition of the second accessory dwelling will provide two additional bedrooms. The accessory dwelling will not have water or other plumbing.
Describe the current use of your property.The property is used as a seasonal place for family. The property is primarily used in the summer months from late April into October. The property is not rented or used outside of family members.
Describe other alternatives, if any.An option is to increase size of the current primary structure or accessory dwelling on the property as both are smaller than current guidelines. These two dwellings are natural log cabins built in the late 1920s. Adding on to either buildings would be labor intensive, costly and may compromise the integrity/appeal of the buildings. Additionally, the current accessory dwelling is closer to the lake and fairly visible from the shoreline. increasing the size of this structure would not be as visually appealing on property. It is more desirable to retain the character of these buildings on the property and build another dwelling structure.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The current buildings are brown in color and blend well with the surroundings. The location (s) of the proposed secondary accessory building will be close to the center or midpoint of the width of the island to allow maximum setback and will be in an area with tree cover.
Describe how neighboring properties and the use of those properties will be impacted by the proposed use with the variance.The neighboring properties will not be impacted by the addition of the second accessory dwelling on the property. All adjacent properties are used in a similar manner (seasonal) to this property. In addition, this property is on an island so adjacent properties have some separation.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.The building will be brown in color to align with the current buildings and be erected in a location to allow for tree cover of the building so visual impact from the lake is minimal.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The benefit to the addition of the secondary accessory building is to allow additional sleeping space for family members and reduce need for temporary structures e.g.,tents, tent platforms....
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.The property has been owned since the 1960's by current family and has been used as a seasonal retreat for the past 50+ years. It is the intent to continue to use in the same manor; retaining the integrity and appeal of the property and the current log structures. Cabin has two small bedrooms (8.5' x 9'),the guest cabin has one bedroom and we would like additional sleeping space. As stated previously we are close to the allowable acreage for a second primary dwelling but are asking to add a second accessory dwelling, not another primary 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?
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.
