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Board approves Schillers’ variance to relocate accessory structure out of township right‑of‑way
Summary
Stearns County approved a variance to relocate an existing accessory structure currently encroaching into Ulster Road right‑of‑way and to allow a 560‑square‑foot addition, with township support noted in the record.
The Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Board voted to grant Michael and Janelle Schiller a variance to relocate an existing 936‑square‑foot residential accessory structure that sits partly in the Ulster Road right‑of‑way and to authorize a 560‑square‑foot addition closer than the required 30‑foot setback to the township road.
Staff told the board the 1.19‑acre parcel lies along the Mississippi River in Brockway Township and is in the R‑1 zoning district. The assessor’s records show a 2,379‑square‑foot dwelling and a 164‑square‑foot deck were built in 2007 by a previous owner, and staff reported an existing accessory structure was placed without a permit in 2021. The proposal would relocate the existing 936‑square‑foot structure to 0 feet from the right‑of‑way edge (removing it from within the road ROW) and would add a 560‑square‑foot accessory structure located 14 feet from the Ulster Road right‑of‑way. Staff reported existing impervious coverage is about 14% and proposed coverage would rise to about 15.5%.
Homeowner Michael Schiller, who gave his address as 5214 Ulster Road, told the board the addition is to provide additional garage space for vehicles. A Brockway Township official speaking in their township capacity told the board relocating the building out of the right‑of‑way was an improvement and that Ulster Road is a low‑traffic, dead‑end road with a 30‑mph limit. Staff reported the subsurface sewage treatment system was certified compliant in April 2025 and that Brockway Township and property owners within 500 feet were notified.
Board members discussed doing the two requests together and agreed. The board concluded the proposal would correct a structure that was partly in the ROW and that the relocation plus addition would maintain neighborhood character. Staff reported majority affirmative findings for the variance criteria, and the board voted to approve the combined request on a motion by George, seconded by Mike. The motion passed and staff recorded the finding as majority yes for all findings of fact.
The record notes the applicant agreed to remove the older unpermitted shed when constructing the addition and that a compliance agreement exists if the variance were denied. The board did not add further conditions at the hearing.
