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Board approves oversized guest cottage on century farm with condition to remove existing dwelling when vacated
Summary
Stearns County approved a request to build a 37-by-42-foot guest cottage (exceeding the 700-square-foot shoreland limit) on a Millwood Township parcel, conditioned on removing the existing older dwelling within 90 days after that dwelling is no longer occupied.
The Stearns County Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing Irvin and Carol Herdering to construct a 37-by-42-foot guest cottage on a 12.4-acre property in Millwood Township within the Shoreland Overlay of Long Lake; the request exceeded the ordinance limit for guest cottages in area (700 square feet) and height (15 feet) but the board approved the larger cottage with a condition.
Staff said the property is A-40 and within the shoreland overlay for Long Lake (classified natural environment) and that the owners proposed the structure as a temporary secondary dwelling available while the existing older dwelling remains occupied by a relative. The application said the existing dwelling would be removed within 90 days after the relative no longer occupies it; staff recommended that condition if the board approved the variance.
Applicants said the new structure is intended to provide single-level living while the relative remains in the older house; the applicants noted they would not convert the property to permanent two-dwelling use. Millwood Township submitted a letter supporting the request.
Board members considered the seven findings and approved the variance. After the motion to grant, the board added the staff-recommended condition that the older dwelling be removed within 90 days of it being vacated by the current occupant. The board recorded votes in favor and the motion passed.
Ending: Staff will record the condition and the compliance requirement and work with the applicants when the existing dwelling is vacated to ensure removal within the 90-day window.
