In a recent government meeting, the Stearns County Board discussed an after-the-fact variance request from property owners Jennifer and Bill Buckentin, along with Rebecca Linz, concerning their property located at 26487 County Road 50, Coal Spring, Minnesota. The request involves retaining a 28 by 40-foot attached garage and replacing an existing deck, both of which are situated within restricted distances from Big Fish Lake, classified as a recreational development area.

The applicants are seeking to keep the garage, which was built in 1976 without a permit, and to replace a 12 by 16-foot deck that has deteriorated and poses safety concerns. The current zoning ordinance mandates that structures must be located at least 50 feet from the ordinary high water level of the lake and the right of way of major roads. The property is also part of a shoreland overlay district, which adds further restrictions.

During the meeting, it was noted that the applicants were unaware of the garage's unpermitted status when they purchased the property in November 2022. They acknowledged knowing about the deck's size exceeding its permit but expressed the need to replace it to align with the patio door's access.

The board's discussion highlighted the historical context of permitting practices, indicating that past oversight may have contributed to the current situation. The staff emphasized a shift towards rectifying such issues through after-the-fact requests, aiming to ensure compliance with modern regulations.

The applicants also proposed a plan to reduce impervious surface coverage on their property from 26.2% to 24.5% by implementing permeable pavers, which aligns with environmental considerations, especially given that Big Fish Lake is listed as impaired for mercury and fish.

No objections were raised from neighboring property owners or relevant authorities regarding the variance request, indicating a potential path forward for the applicants as they seek to resolve the compliance issues associated with their property.