Tri-County News

Notice of Public Hearing Stearns County, Board of Adjustment


A public hearing will be held by the Stearns County Board of Adjustment Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

In response to COVID-19 and pursuant to Minnesota Statute Chapter 12 relating to Emergency Management, Governor Walz has declared a state of emergency. In response to the state of emergency and in accordance with Minnesota Statute Chapter 13D.021, Board of Adjustment members and the applicant may participate by telephone or other electronic means. The meeting will be broadcast live at stearnscountymn.gov on Meetings on Demand. 

The meeting will be held at the Stearns County Service Center located at 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN. In-person attendance and comments from the Public will not be allowed to conform with MDH and CDC guidelines to minimize gatherings.

Public Hearings:

1. To consider a request from Jason and Maureen Johnson, Mound, Minn., from Section 6.2.1P Table M of the Stearns County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 to place a septic tank, lift tank, and subsurface soil treatment area that do not meet the required setback to the OHWL of Lake Maria, classified as a Recreational Development Lake. Said Ordinance requires a setback of at least 75 feet from the OHWL for the placement of septic tanks and lift tanks and requires a setback of at least 100 feet from the OHWL for the placement of a subsurface soil treatment area on lakes classified Recreational Development. Affected property: Lot 7, Tuft’s North Shore Lots, Section 5, T121N, R28W, Fair Haven Township. Property address: 5365 Brookfield Road, South Haven, MN.

2. To consider a request from Gregory and Debra Schmit, Vadnais Heights, Minn., from Sections 9.9.9A(1) and 10.1.8B(2) of the Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #439 to place a residential accessory structure less than the required structural setback to the sideyard property line and to exceed the maximum of 500 square feet allowed for accessory structures that do not need to be elevated on fill to meet the regulatory flood protection elevation for the bottom floor elevation in the Floodplain Overlay District. Said Ordinance requires a structural setback of at least 10 feet from a sideyard property line for residential accessory structures and allows for accessory structures up to 500 square feet to use an alternative method other than fill to meet the regulatory flood protection elevation for the bottom floor elevation in the Floodplain Overlay District. Affected property: .27A Part of Government Lot 4, Section 1, T121N, R28W, Fair Haven Township. Property address: 2103 Buttonbush Road, South Haven, MN.

3. To consider a request from Terry and Donna Nelson, Shoreview, Minn., on behalf of Clearwater Forest, LLP, Edina, MN from Sections 6.2.1H & 10.1.8B(1) of the Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #439 to place a residential accessory structure less than 10 feet from the principal residential structure (manufactured home) on the lot and to not meet the required finished fill elevation of 15 feet beyond the outside limits of a structure being erected. Said Ordinance requires that residential accessory structures be placed at least 10 feet from the principal residential structure on the lot and meet the required finished fill elevation extending 15 feet beyond a structure being erected. Affected property: 42.26A Part of Government Lot 4, Section 1, T121N, R28W, Fair Haven Township. Property address: 13480 Campfire Circle, South Haven, MN.

If you would like to participate in public testimony by telephone or other electronic means, please contact David Knafla at dave.knafla@co.stearns.mn.us or call him at (320) 656-3613. You may submit written testimony by emailing him by 3 p.m. on the hearing date. Written testimony may also be mailed to the Environmental Services Department, Stearns County Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN 56387.

Copies of applications and staff reports can be viewed approximately one week prior to the meeting at stearnscountymn.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx. Action taken on these requests will be available shortly after the meeting at this same website location.

This meeting is subject to change. Please sign up for automatic updates for this meeting at that same website location. Call the Department for assistance.

Barrier-free status: This meeting will be accessible to the handicapped. Attempts will be made to accommodate any other individual need for special services. Please call (320) 656-3613 or (800) 450-0852 early so arrangements can be made.

Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021.

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