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.
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
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
660-0029-00790
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
PLANTE, DEREK
5325 ROOSEVELT DR
HERMANTOWN
MN
55811
(218)730-3325
DerekPlante26@gmail.com
--
--
Mailing Address Information.
This address can default from the address you selected. If the values defaulted are not correct, please enter the correct information.
PLANTE, DEREK
5325 ROOSEVELT DR
HERMANTOWN
MN
55811
DerekPlante26@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
4782 Breezy Point Rd
Duluth, 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?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.5
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:New home build
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 are asking to have our new house built in the same place as our current home/cabin, the current home/cabin is a 70' which is closer than the ordinance of 100'. So although the placement of the new house and existing cabin isn't changing we are requesting variance distance to the lake at 70' to the closest inlet of the shoreline.We are also requesting as part of our variance with the promise that we don't plan to use as living quarters a 10' X 12' addition to the existing garage for an outside shower/bath. Also requesting that the garage addition also reduces the shoreline setback to 75"
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.We plan to make the new dwelling our permanent home.
Describe the current use of your property.I have used the property for both my home from 1994 when I purchased it until 2008 when we built a home in Hermantown, since that time we have used it as our summer cabin.
Describe other alternatives, if any.There are no alternative plans for the property.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?If approved, we will build our new home in the same relative position as the current home. It will fit appropriately with the character of our neighbors as the new structure will be relatively the same size as the surrounding homes. Our closest neighbors are currently the same distance or even closer to the shoreline than we are, meaning we wouldn't look out of place in regard to our neighbors. We plan to use dark or natural colors to blend in with the natural landscape. As we are now, we would like to have our place be inconspicuous from both the lake and 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 usage won't be impact by the use of this variance as we aren't changing the distance from where the current structure already exists.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.We will be able to avoid the negative impact of the local environment and landscape as the area we will build on will already be clear of trees and other landscaping therefore any tree removal will be minimal. I believe that there will be less impact than if we were to move back/away from the shore as we would have to clear mature trees to make it work.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The expected benefit of this variance will help us situate our new build in a familiar place that will also allow us to minimize any tree removal from the property.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.We really don't want our new place to be any closer to the water than where we have always been. We like the idea that we have yard space between the house and the lake shore. We also like that the house is set back far enough from the lake that it really is inconspicuous to boats and others using the lake, at the same time not being too close to the road. Our intention to add a small structure to the existing garage is to reduce the wear and tear of outdoor activities on the new house, by adding an outdoor shower and toilet.
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.
