In a recent meeting of the Stearns County Board of Adjustment, a request from Alex Evavold on behalf of KPH Enterprises LLC was discussed, seeking multiple variances to construct a new residential dwelling on a property located at 19482 2 Rivers Road, Avon, Minnesota. The proposed structure, measuring 3,233 square feet, would be situated within the shoreland overlay district of 2 Rivers Lake, which is currently listed as impaired due to mercury levels.

The request involves significant deviations from existing zoning ordinances, including setbacks from the centerline of the road, the ordinary high water level of the lake, and distances from neighboring structures. Specifically, the proposed dwelling would be less than 63 feet from the centerline, less than 30 feet from the road right-of-way, and less than 100 feet from the lake's high water mark. Additionally, the plan includes a subsurface sewage treatment system that would not meet the required distances from occupied structures and property lines.

During the meeting, board members expressed concerns regarding the size of the proposed dwelling, which is nearly three times the size of the existing structure on the property. The existing home, built in 1973, is in disrepair, prompting the applicants to seek a new build that accommodates their family needs, including space for grandchildren.

Several community members voiced their opinions, with some supporting the request while others raised concerns about potential drainage issues and the impact on the floodplain. One neighbor highlighted worries about the construction's effect on their shallow well and the overall drainage in the area, which has a history of flooding.

The board discussed the implications of granting the variances, noting that while the property could be rebuilt to its existing footprint without needing variances, the proposed plan would require multiple deviations from the established zoning regulations. The board also considered the potential for a two-story structure as an alternative to reduce the footprint and associated variances.

Ultimately, the board closed the public hearing without a request for a continuance, indicating a desire to proceed with the findings of fact regarding the application. The outcome of this request remains pending as the board deliberates on the implications of the proposed construction against the backdrop of local zoning laws and community concerns.