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 and cost escalation prevented timely construction. Outcome: variance granted.

Wabotov LLC (30212 Lilac Road, Collegeville Township): The board approved two variances for a proposed new lakeside dwelling and an altered garage roofline on Big Watab Lake, finding the projects would maintain a residential character and reduce long‑term shoreline impacts when combined with proposed mitigation. Environmental staff asked applicants to replace hard driveway surfacing within the private road easement with permeable material; the board approved a mitigation condition and directed the applicants to coordinate a shoreline mitigation or planting plan with county environmental staff, including a referral to staff member Nick Newman. Outcome: variances granted with a mitigation condition.

Store of Saint Anna (37215 County Road 9, Avon Township): The board approved a variance to allow an enlarged roadside sign (proposed 72 square feet, 16 feet tall) for the Store of Saint Anna. The board’s deliberations weighed local business visibility and county sign standards for rural town sites; alternatives discussed included rezoning the parcel to commercial or reducing the sign size. Outcome: variance granted.

Steve and Pam Clopock (Big Birch Lake, Millwood Township): The board approved a variance for a residential dwelling to be constructed closer to the township road and to replace a holding tank with a septic system further from the shoreline; staff said the applicants moved the footprint back from the lake and submitted a compliant septic design and a Minnesota Department of Health variance for a shallow neighbor well. Outcome: variance granted.

Gary and Donna Anderson (Horseshoe Lake, Munson Township) — multiple after‑the‑fact items: The board heard three after‑the‑fact requests — two small sheds and an enlarged lakeside deck — and a new three‑season porch proposal. Members concluded several findings were not affirmative for the unpermitted sheds and the enlarged deck, noting the structures did not meet current shoreland setbacks and were constructed without permits. The board denied the after‑the‑fact variances for the two sheds and for the enlarged deck and also denied the proposed three‑season porch. Staff advised owners that a reduced on‑grade patio or other corrections would be options consistent with setbacks. Outcome: after‑the‑fact sheds denied; after‑the‑fact deck denied; porch denied.

Joel and Marcy Soli (Lake Koronis, Painesville Township) — multiple after‑the‑fact items and a proposed addition: The board considered a complex package of after‑the‑fact decks, landings, a covered structure, an existing detached garage the applicants proposed to remove, and a new 1,074‑square‑foot attached garage/dwelling addition to be sited near an existing septic soil treatment area. For several after‑the‑fact bluff‑zone decks and landings, the board concluded the applicants had not met required findings and denied variances where answers to the findings were negative; for other elements that predated official controls or where the board found unique lot history, the board allowed certain after‑the‑fact elements to remain. The proposed attached addition (to replace the detached garage) was approved subject to standard permitting and the applicants coordinating with staff on septic proximity and site work. Outcome: mixed — several after‑the‑fact bluff/shore items denied, some existing elements granted, and the new attached garage/dwelling addition approved with conditions; applicants were instructed to work with county environmental staff to document and permit the approved work and to remove or remediable items where denial was ordered.

Board procedure and follow‑up: For approvals where environmental mitigation was recommended, the board required applicants to work with county environmental staff (staff member Nick Newman was named) to prepare a mitigation or planting plan for shoreline or bluff impact zones. For denied after‑the‑fact items the board directed owners to remove or alter the structures to come into compliance and noted options such as on‑grade patios (under the 12‑inch threshold the county treats as patios rather than decks).

Selected quotes from the meeting (verbatim)

• "When I can see a hole in your septic, I know it's time that it's gonna fail," Ronald Bundy said, describing the condition that prompted the Bundys' replacement system request.

• "We did everything — the 50‑foot high‑water mark, septic system — we followed all of the rules," an applicant for the Shady Lane variance said in explaining the decision to move the new house farther back from the lake and replace a holding tank with a septic system.

• "If it becomes in disrepair, it can't be replaced in that location without coming back in front of you," staff said when the board discussed conditions for after‑the‑fact structures.

What happens next: Applicants granted variances were directed to file necessary permits and, where required, to meet mitigation conditions with county environmental staff. Property owners denied after‑the‑fact variances were told they must remove or alter the structures to meet current setback rules or pursue other allowable on‑grade options. Several items involve follow‑up inspections or a requirement to submit mitigation plans before final permits are issued.

Votes at a glance (outcome and short notes)

- Adams Family Trust (Lot 3, Coronas Park, Lake Koronis) — Variance to allow residential addition and screen porch within private road setback: granted (replacement septic design provided). - Ronald and Martha Bundy (Sauk River) — Variance to replace subsurface sewage treatment system in existing footprint: granted (Type 3 system, MDH involvement). - Shane and Tiffany Himsel (Avon area) — Deck setback variance near septic tank: granted (applicants previously permitted house/deck; patio alternative explained). - Wabotov LLC / Laverick (Lilac Road, Big Watab Lake) — Variances for new dwelling and altered garage roofline: granted with mitigation condition (work with Nick Newman for shoreline plantings; permeable driveway required). - Store of Saint Anna (County Road 9) — Sign variance (72 sq ft, 16 ft tall): granted (board noted business visibility needs; rezoning alternative discussed). - Steve and Pam Clopock (Big Birch Lake) — Dwelling variance and septic replacement (holding tank to septic): granted (township and MDH variances noted; proposed setback improvements from lake). - Gary and Donna Anderson (Horseshoe Lake) — Two after‑the‑fact sheds and an enlarged lakeside deck: denied; proposed three‑season porch: denied (board found multiple required findings not met; on‑grade patio offered as alternative). - Joel and Marcy Soli (Lake Koronis) — Mixed outcomes: some after‑the‑fact bluff/shore items denied; some existing elements allowed to remain where they predated controls or where staff found unique lot history; proposed attached garage/dwelling addition (1,074 sq ft) approved with conditions (permit and septic coordination required).

Who spoke (selected)

- Amy Sherpin, Chair, Stearns County Board of Adjustment (chairing the meeting) - Jamie (environmental staff), Stearns County Environmental Services (staff presenter) - Jill Adams and Michael Adams, applicants (Adams Family Trust) - Ronald Bundy, applicant (Bundy septic request) - Shane and Tiffany Himsel, applicants (deck variance) - Dustin Laverick / representatives for Wabotov LLC, applicants (Big Watab Lake project) - Kelly and Gordon Catford, applicants (Store of Saint Anna sign) - Steve and Pam Clopock, applicants (Big Birch Lake) - Gary and Donna Anderson, applicants (Horseshoe Lake) - Joel and Marcy Soli, applicants (Lake Koronis)

Documents and authorities referenced

- Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 4‑39 (setback and shoreland provisions cited frequently) - Stearns County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance No. 4‑22 (septic setbacks and Type 3 system references) - Minnesota Department of Health (septic variance authority and clearance cited for several septic items)

Ending: Board members repeated that owners with denied after‑the‑fact items must consult county staff about removal or remedial options; several approved applicants were directed to follow up with environmental staff on mitigation plans. The Board scheduled the next meeting for 2025‑07‑10 and adjourned.