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
475-0010-01290
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
Todd Major & Melaine Wilson
6711 McArthur Road
Sagniaw
MN
55779
(336)703-8548
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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.
Todd Major & Melaine Wilson
6711 McArthur Road
Sagniaw
MN
55779
tmajor30@gmail.com
Site Information
If there is no site address, the application will be forwarded to 911/Communications to assign one.
Yes
6711 McArthur Road
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?No
Is this project adding a bedroom?
Include home, garage, and accessory dwelling.Yes
Total # of bedrooms on property after project completion.6
Does this project include plumbing or pressurized water in proposed structure?Yes
If Yes, please explain:The property will be hooked up to the second septic system and running water.
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 land is located in District 2 which requires 17 acres per parcel and allows one principal dwelling and one accessory dwelling. I am in a position that my mother needs assistance because of her degrading health. My mother and brother have moved to the property where I live with my family. He is helping with my mother's needs but the primary structure is too small and they are capable of living in their own spaces at this time. My brother has a small accessory dwelling on the property and I intend to add a small dwelling for my mother that will afford her privacy and assistance from family on a daily basis. I am asking for a variance to allow two accessory dwellings on the property.
Describe the intended/planned use of the property.I am asking for a variance to allow two accessory dwellings on the property. The buildings are premanufactured log buildings. One is on site and I need to add a second for my mother. A second septic for the two accessory buildings is already on the property and approved for a two building. The two structures won't burden the septic any more by being two separate buildings.
Describe the current use of your property.My property is currently residential and contains my homestead, which is approximately 4800 square square feet. My property contains one accessory dwelling where my brother is currently living.
Describe other alternatives, if any.It is important for the dignity and privacy of my family to be able to reside in separate places but be close to each other. The only alternative is to make one of the other structures much larger but the underlying structure of the log building was not made for easy expansion and it would be quite expensive to add an addition onto my home. The log structures are more economical because they are one size fits all and they provide dignified living form my family members who can be independent.
If approved, how will the proposed use, with the variance, fit into the character of the neighborhood/area?The proposed use would fit into the character of the area because it does not expand the use beyond small scale residential use. The Forest Agricultural Management District is intended to promote recreational use and a low level of development. The structures are small and cabin like which fits the area much better than a very large primary structure, which would create an urban environment on the property. The small, cabin like use of the structures fit into the rural setting.
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 proposed use with the variance. Whether one of the structures was enlarged or a small structure added does not impact the other properties. The small number of occupants would be on the property with the same level of traffic. The same septic and well would be used.
Describe how negative impact to the local environment and landscape will be avoided.Negative impact to the local environment and landscape will avoided because the structures means that the land itself is minimally impacted compared to construction of a larger structure or enlargement of a current structure.
Describe the expected benefits of a variance to use of this property.The variance allows less impact to the land itself which is beneficial to a Forest Agricultural Management District property. Additionally, it would greatly benefit the quality of life of my mother who will be able to live independently for longer and live very close to family.
Include additional comments that will clarify your request for the Planning and Community Development staff members and the Board of Adjustment.The addition of a small pre-manufactured log building will benefit my family immensely with much less impact on the land than expansion of an existing building. The septic is ready for use and the cabin can be moved onto the property as soon as the variance and permit are approved.
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.
