Cook County Board of Adjustment approves variance for 10-by-12 accessory structure at Freiburg Shores

Cook County Board of Adjustment members voted to approve a variance that will allow a property owner at Freiburg Shores to place a 10-by-12 accessory structure within the road setback, the board decided during its meeting.

Planning staff presented the request as a variance from the road-setback requirement to place the small shed 42 feet from the center line of Wesley Lane — which equals 0 feet from the platted road right-of-way — on Lot 4, Block 1 of the Freiburg Shores first edition plat. Planning staff said the parcel is 0.19 acres, contains the septic mound that serves the neighboring residence, meets impervious-surface limits and has no wetlands driving the need for relief. "This is a variance request for relief from the road setback to place a 10 by 12 accessory structure at a reduced road setback 42 feet from center line or 0 feet from the road right of way on Lot 4 Block 1 of the Freiburg Shores first edition plat," planning staff said.

Staff told the board the application was legally noticed in the Cook County News Herald on Oct. 17 and that 13 letters of notification were mailed to adjacent property owners, county departments and the DNR area hydrologist; staff reported no written objections and no technical memos were received during the public comment period. The county highway engineer, Robbie Hass, contacted staff and indicated no objection to the structure’s proposed location, staff said.

Applicant Karen Bridal, who identified herself for the record as representing the Karen Crita Revocable Trust at 116 Wesley Lane, said the property has been in her family since 1970 and that placing the small structure would support her plans to live on the property full time in retirement. "The property has been in my family since 1970," Bridal said. "I'm happy now that I retired this year to be able to live up here all the time and make good use of it. So this will help."

Board members asked procedural questions about whether existing small sheds would be removed; the applicant confirmed they would. Staff clarified that accessory structures under 160 square feet are ordinarily exempt from a land-use permit but that exemption does not apply when a variance to setbacks is sought. Staff therefore recommended, and the board agreed to add, a condition requiring that a land-use permit be issued before placement of the structure. Staff also advised conformance with Minnesota Rule 7080 and Cook County septic requirements as a condition of approval.

A board member moved to approve the variance "in light of the facts provided by staff" and the recommended conditions; the motion was seconded. The board voted three in favor, none opposed, and the chair declared the motion approved. Staff told the applicant a memo describing next steps would be sent the following day.

The variance approval is subject to the conditions adopted by the board, including issuance of a land-use permit before construction and compliance with Minnesota Rule 7080 and Cook County septic requirements. No other public comments were recorded during the meeting, and the board adjourned following the vote.