Planning commission recommends denial of seven shoreland variances for Chavez Sunfish Lake parcel

The Lake Elmo Planning Commission on Jan. 27 voted to recommend denial of seven shoreland and bluff variances sought by Joe and Joan Chavez for a parcel abutting Sunfish Lake.

City planner Sofia told the commission the parcel is about 11.2 acres, with roughly 1.37 acres lying above the ordinary high water mark, is zoned Village Low-Density Residential with a shoreland overlay, and would receive access and utilities through the Northstar Second Edition development once that phase receives city council approval. Sofia said staff found the application met only one of the four statutory variance criteria and recommended denial. She said other agencies — the city engineer, the landscape architect and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — also recommended denial, citing premature grading, erosion and water‑quality concerns.

The variances before the commission included a reduction of the ordinary high water level (OHWL) structure setback from the required 150 feet to 120 feet, a request to build within the city’s 30-foot bluff setback and multiple requests related to construction and clearing within bluff and steep-slope impact zones, grading within the shoreland overlay and subdivision/lot-creation variances…