Commission recommends approval of after‑the‑fact conditional permit allowing engineered internal flood openings for lakeshore cabin

The Morrison County Planning Commission on Sept. 2 recommended the County Board approve an after‑the‑fact conditional use permit that allows internal flood‑opening elevation methods for a lakeshore cabin at 2458 Lakeshore Drive in Scandia Valley Township.

The commission found that the owner provided engineering certification that the vents and openings in the foundation meet FEMA Technical Bulletin 1 requirements and that the work includes an adequate number of openings (the engineer certified about 1,380 square inches of opening area compared with the 775 square inches required in the staff report). Commissioners noted the applicant removed blocking mechanisms from the openings and that the work was complete by the agreed deadline.

Why it matters: The property is within the mapped floodplain and the dwelling is nonconforming for shoreline setback. County floodplain standards generally prefer fill to elevate the low floor 1 foot above the regulatory flood elevation, but because of the home’s proximity to the lake — and after repeated communications and changing standards since 2020 — the owner employed an engineered alternative: elevating the structure and providing flood vents that allow water to flow through the foundation during a flood event.

Applicant statement: Owner Dale Meshuga said he raised the structure after ice jacking damaged the foundation. He told the commission the repairs involved contractors and that he and his family have lived primarily in Florida since 2016; he said the alterations resulted from a combination of emergency measures and changing permit guidance. “We have lived for 9 months out of the year in our legal residence of Florida since 02/2016,” Meshuga told the commission while explaining delays in paperwork and correspondence.

Staff and engineering review: Land Services staff said the owner submitted a licensed engineer’s acknowledgment that the internal flooding design complied with FEMA Technical Bulletin 1 and that the county’s shoreline specialist will verify removal of an unpermitted shed and deck referenced in county enforcement letters. The commission clarified those outstanding violations are being pursued separately and that the conditional use permit decision pertains to the engineered flood openings rather than to other unpermitted structures.

Public comment: A neighbor, John Z. Marsh, spoke in support of the applicant, calling Meshuga “a very honest person” and noting familiarity with the family.

Next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to the Morrison County Board on Sept. 9 for the final decision. Land Services will continue to verify that outstanding shoreline violations (the shed and deck) are addressed where there is nexus to enforcement.

Ending note: The commission approved the conditional use permit on the basis of the engineer’s certification and FEMA guidance; other enforcement matters on the property will be handled through separate county review.