Stearns County Board of Adjustment approves several shoreland and septic variances, denies multiple after‑the‑fact requests

The Stearns County Board of Adjustment on June 12 considered a full agenda of zoning and septic variances for lakeshore and rural properties across the county, granting several requests and denying others in after‑the‑fact hearings.

The board granted variances to allow replacement septic systems where state and county setbacks could not be met, approved several decks and dwelling additions after staff review and a mitigation commitment in at least one case, and denied multiple after‑the‑fact structures and a proposed three‑season porch where board members found the changes were not consistent with county controls.

Why it matters: The board’s decisions affect shoreline setbacks, septic protections for impaired waters, and what property owners may leave in place after unpermitted work. Several properties considered in the meeting lie on lakes or river segments listed as impaired; the board cited soil, bluff and shoreline policies and required applicants to work with county environmental staff when mitigation was appropriate.

What the board decided (summary of notable items)

Adams Family Trust (Lake Koronis, Painesville Township): The board approved a variance to allow a proposed 832‑square‑foot residential addition and a 320‑square‑foot screen porch within the private road easement setback on Lot 3, Block 1, Coronas Park. Staff noted the existing dwelling already sits closer than the current 30‑foot setback; the applicants submitted a replacement septic design and materials showing the proposed work would not increase impervious coverage. The applicant Jill Adams described the project as adding bedrooms and living space to accommodate family visits. Outcome: variance granted.

Ronald and Martha Bundy (Sauk River, Leesock Township): The board approved a variance to replace a failing subsurface sewage treatment system in the same footprint as the old system where floodway and wetlands limit other siting options. Environmental staff said the designer will install a Type 3 system (excavation, removal of contaminated soils and three feet of washed sand per state code) and that the township and Minnesota Department of Health have been involved. Ronald Bundy described visible deterioration of the septic tank and the practical need to replace in place. Outcome: variance granted to allow the replacement system in the existing location.

Shane and Tiffany Himsel (Avon area): The board granted a variance to allow a 10x25 deck closer than required to an existing septic tank (the deck would be about 1 foot from the tank). Staff explained that patios built on grade do not trigger the same setbacks but that anything more than 12 inches above grade is treated as a deck. The applicants said the deck had been part of earlier plans and their previous contractor delay…