[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5986646,"mediaKeyId","5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585","parentId",5774716,"title","Board denies Schafer’s variance to build 30-by-30 accessory structure near Knauss Lake","audioSeconds",3903,"startMs",3417000,"endMs",7320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585&start=3417&end=7320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585/thumbnail_3417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5986646/Stearns-County/Minnesota/Board-denies-Schafers-variance-to-build-30-by-30-accessory-structure-near-Knauss-Lake","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5986646-65eec4ebb887b3104010c8b787da2073/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079050&Signature=FQO0Mvrn~E7ffJBssD3fyLjuBEU4PHgt31xSBvpnOalQPp~1Z9UW5NrV~FDK2olOAo92U6aYDs5GaRJpaOxWwAy5bRFWLMXU1PTGkBo5inzLqreBnymf5hPCzsDCicj4RRfVUN45i5hbd1muqmAGR9m-LWioX6ODluZb95~lDKmaUNf7RNl3cOc7aU8tfcviwsaKTp8g1B4Wh9qgEfgvhPQ46F88eCAtIifJvE8BmTyTAhbrMbbPpEYb1R~vujjBZ587nJ30a6~Zo5KOGf6Gko~cHj-lMyMTwq0mVg2oxzKDJ3XSpaH1~DmzTlAjmDK6PAQOzyYtkJcVZDt~h~pEqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stearns County","date","2025-09-12T13:29:45Z","article","The Stearns County Board of Adjustment denied a variance request from Alexander Schafer that would have permitted a 30-by-30 detached accessory structure at 66.19 feet from the ordinary high-water level of Knauss Lake and allowed the property to exceed the county's 900-square-foot maximum accessory building area.

Environmental Services staff told the board the lot is 12,472 square feet (0.29 acres) in R-1 zoning, a riparian parcel on Knauss Lake (a recreational-development lake listed for excessive nutrients). The county’s lake-setback standard for accessory structures is 100 feet; the applicant asked for a 33.8% deviation. Staff also reported the proposal would exceed the accessory-area limit by 346 square feet (38.4% deviation), because an existing 346-square-foot boathouse is counted toward the parcel’s accessory maximum.

A neighbor and a local construction professional who assisted the applicant spoke at the hearing. Dale Guggenberger, who prepared drawings and met county staff on the applicant’s behalf, told the board Schafer needs a larger garage to accommodate a work truck and that the proposed building would be sided and shingled to match the house. Neighbors testified in support, saying the larger garage would allow vehicles off the road. Staff noted alternatives: reduce the accessory size to 554 square feet, remove the boathouse (which staff cautioned could require significant shoreline work and restoration), or deny the request.

Board members considered water-resource policies in the county comprehensive plan and the importance of shoreline protection. Several members said the lot is small for the proposed accessory size and raised concerns about setting a precedent for accessory structures close to the lake. Member George moved to deny the variance; the motion was seconded and the board voted to deny the variance.

Staff noted that if the applicant removed the boathouse, the square footage available for a new accessory structure would increase, but removing the boathouse could require substantial shoreline work and a separate permit. The denial means Schafer will either need to reduce the proposed accessory building area or pursue other options consistent with shoreland and accessory-area standards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Adjustment - 11 Sep 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Adjustment denied a variance request to allow a 30-by-30 accessory structure 66.19 feet from Knauss Lake (100-foot requirement) and to exceed the county’s 900-square-foot accessory limit, citing water-resource and neighborhood character concerns.","taxTitle","Stearns County, Minnesota","taxId",3766,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5986650,"Board of Adjustment upholds appeal, lets Mueller property modify building envelope without CUP",1851,1639000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585&start=1639&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585/thumbnail_1639000.jpg","/articles/5986650/Stearns-County/Minnesota/Board-of-Adjustment-upholds-appeal-lets-Mueller-property-modify-building-envelope-without-CUP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5986650-383aa41d56af4f24f62b044d11de2f19/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079050&Signature=jpsgCdK129Jv2cS55XPKbYFKaYEqIY1DfpNTQuQijxUpIRQCCejDto26REBLJkBPV7CX2sKDKZezQL1oLy-wvgCt9tvyOiPuA2-zW-ou0Je-TLZrScHnh1kPG6BduRyMexPo63nePhhauy1xdVerxUNMJu5IwW27ojwOMmksLHQTZQjmDzieGbOJX2SCSWgzf72adgPryK3AG-SkF2boiMmhoTa8eWzLpQpw-3LmWLmunw-x0FGkFmzbn6tdc5Q5jjiGOmAgbRaRbJ-CC~k99V5atVQE06S8t2oTNAS6kyps2H7AzTvPY1kMcBzoDK2ANNmu-GAL-csE6nz820cqdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stearns County Board of Adjustment on a September evening upheld an appeal from Susan Muller (trustee of the Susan Muller Revocable Trust) and reversed Environmental Services’ June 16, 2025 administrative decision that a conditional use permit (CUP) was required to place a proposed accessory structure outside an established 2-acre building envelope.

The board found the county’s reading of Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance 4-39 — specifically the application of section 7.33.1 governing when a CUP is required for an expansion of a building envelope — to be not clearly applicable to the Mueller request. The board concluded the county’s interpretation was ambiguous and voted to uphold the appeal, allowing the property owner to pursue the accessory structure under the county’s by-right process rather than via a CUP requirement.

Attorney Julie Nagorski, representing the applicant, told the board the Muellers had worked with staff during design of the original envelope and that the current request is a modification of the envelope’s shape rather than an expansion of area: \"What the Mullers want is permitted under the ordinance. What is not clear is why the County believes that it is not,\" she said. Susan Muller, the trustee, described the property as maintained and agricultural and said the proposed shed is needed for equipment storage; she told the board she did not intend to convert the structure to a commercial use.

Environmental Services staff, represented in discussion by Director Shelly Benson and technical staff, said the building envelope process exists to keep buildings concentrated and preserve agricultural land and that county practice since 2007 has been to require a CUP when a property seeks to do something outside of an established envelope. Benson told the board that a CUP, if granted, remains with the property and that the department applies the ordinance to require CUPs for changes.

Board members debated whether the applicants sought an \"expansion\" as defined in the ordinance or a \"modification,\" and several members said the ordinance wording could be clearer. After discussion, George (board member) moved to uphold the appeal; Barry seconded. The board voted to uphold the appeal, reversing the department’s determination. During voting the board recorded one dissenting vote; Environmental Services will need to process the project consistent with the board’s ruling.

The board did not set new conditions; the ruling means the department’s June 16, 2025 decision is vacated for this parcel and the applicants may proceed under the applicable permitting pathway without first obtaining a CUP, subject to all other permit standards and agency reviews noted in the staff report.","The board reversed Environmental Services’ determination that a conditional use permit was required to move a designated 2‑acre building envelope; the board found the department’s interpretation ambiguous and upheld the landowner’s appeal.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5986655,"Stearns County board approves after-the-fact variance for Hulsingers' attached garage",1208,512000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585&start=512&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774716-f3e988d9a9fc2dd3c6b7988d0c211585/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/5986655/Stearns-County/Minnesota/Stearns-County-board-approves-after-the-fact-variance-for-Hulsingers-attached-garage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5986655-d0e743a1aca69819d1e1b975983c4517/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079050&Signature=K08QOvdndDIum~Bs6UbmRIJxiqNDazxCE9u~GHOfclb6qjs0e3Hwq3dPYWnzMg30iwmAAX7lAS9gBDsqKYvkb2BQU6eFAL0I145NtkOtvvBpkEnsUW~q8-CdliPumQdNqwSVJBM4ZD6PjOsFUGZjfjQIB-Nf6xXMZ-E1umKP60L9CKvjw5CHGAiVojR3IxSgIXQLvZVJEzByHfym5~51iJof53p59fPVWLivDE~vbVhw40tCX1B9mx1dnuGdv0sisZL6Gy0LZqu~dCXCfCgXoWmAZJDF3dO-iz4ebMkdJ-7QZejlGM9Rn-fhk-qHnDv7RzpmaaJ22nlJ7hB3tT~kKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stearns County Board of Adjustment on a September evening approved an after-the-fact variance allowing Thomas J. and Diana Holsinger to keep a 22-by-35-foot attached garage built in 1984 that sits 5.5 feet from the side property line, short of the required 10-foot setback.

Board members said the hardship of forcing the owners to remove or alter the garage outweighed the county interest in enforcing the 10-foot side-yard standard under the Stearns County Land Use Ordinance 4-39. The board voted to grant the variance after staff confirmed there were two written comments in support and that the applicants had applied for a construction site permit for a separate addition that cannot be permitted until the unpermitted garage is resolved.

The issue came to the board as an \"after-the-fact\" request: the applicants told the board they had lived at the parcel since 1984 and believed a permit had been issued for the garage but no permit record exists in the county files. Environmental Services staff reported the garage is 5.5 feet from the property line, representing a 45% deviation from the 10-foot requirement, and that the parcel is 2.45 acres in the R-1 zoning district on Creagle Lake, a recreational lake listed for mercury in fish tissue.

At the hearing, Diana Holsinger said the property abuts a common outlot owned jointly by subdivision residents and that the error likely arose because past owners or neighbors relied on a fence line rather than the legal property line. Environmental Services Director Shelly Benson explained that the outlot is owned in fractional interests by all 14 lots in the Weekman's Farm Dale Estates plat and is typically not developed unless all owners agree.

Board members went through the required variance findings and answered each question in the affirmative, including whether the proposed use is allowed in the R-1 district, whether the variance is in harmony with official controls, whether the need is unique to the property, and whether the variance would preserve the essential character of the locality. Member Michael moved to grant the variance and Barry seconded; the motion passed and the board approved the request.

The county noted the applicants would need to add the existing garage to the construction site permit they have submitted for a 16-by-20-foot addition and likely pay an after-the-fact fee. Staff also said the proposed addition meets setbacks and could be permitted once the unpermitted garage issue is resolved. No formal conditions beyond the permitting process were recorded in the board minutes.

The decision allows the Holsingers to proceed with obtaining the required permit records and to add the garage to their current construction-permit application, resolving the county's record-keeping gap while keeping the existing structure in place.","The Stearns County Board of Adjustment granted an after-the-fact variance allowing an attached garage built in 1984 to remain 5.5 feet from the side property line, reversing permit noncompliance after board members found removing the structure would be unreasonable.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board denies Schafer’s variance to build 30-by-30 accessory structure near Knauss Lake

Board of Adjustment upholds appeal, lets Mueller property modify building envelope without CUP

Stearns County board approves after-the-fact variance for Hulsingers' attached garage