Board approves Cole variances after requiring engineered stormwater solution

Crow Wing County approved a package of variances for Jeffrey and Sonia Cole to reconstruct their dwelling and boathouse near Bay Lake and to install a Type‑3 septic system, but only after the board required an engineered evaluation and solution for a long‑standing drainage problem that neighbors said has recently worsened. Staff noted the DNR advised against granting accessory‑structure height increases and expanding boathouse uses; the applicant clarified the proposed boathouse is a "story and 0.5" design rather than a full habitable second floor and described plans to raise the lower level and provide screened outdoor space.

Neighbors and township supervisors described a swale and a culvert under Brighton Point Road that now conveys more water and overwhelms an old outlet pipe; several board members and staff recommended adding a condition requiring the applicant to fund or provide an engineer’s analysis and a recommended corrective plan for the pipe/outfall and swale. After negotiating an additional condition to require an engineered stormwater solution and restricting habitable conversion of the boathouse, the board carried the motion with standard erosion, stormwater and as‑built conditions.