Variance approved for Yeager house addition where lot constraints limit build options

The Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Board approved a variance for Michael Yeager to construct a residential addition on a property in Brockway Township where the parcel’s layout, a private shared driveway and an on‑site septic system limit expansion elsewhere.

Staff reported the Yeager tract is about 1.2 acres, zoned R‑1 and not in the shoreland overlay; the existing dwelling was constructed prior to official controls. Staff said the proposed addition would increase impervious coverage from roughly 8% to 9% and would represent a 47% deviation from the required 30‑foot setback to the private road center line. The subsurface sewage treatment system was not affected and had been certified; Brockway Township and property owners within 500 feet were notified and no correspondence opposing the request was reported.

Homeowner Michael Yeager explained the property has a private shared driveway and that he cannot expand to the east, west or south because of the septic and other constraints; he described the proposal as a 14‑foot outward addition on the north face to add bedroom and living space for a family of five. Yeager said his septic was designed to accommodate an additional bedroom and that the plan would replace a decades‑old system if necessary.

Board members framed the request as a constrained, reasonable expansion that would not change neighborhood character; staff reported majority affirmative findings on the variance criteria. The board approved the variance on a motion by Rob, seconded by Dave. After the vote staff confirmed majority yes votes for all findings of fact and indicated the applicant could proceed with permitting.