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Stearns County board grants variance for sunroom and deck at Great Northern Lake
Summary
The Board of Adjustment granted a variance allowing a porch/sunroom and deck lakeward of the established building line at a Fairway Shores property on Great Northern Lake, finding the project largely reestablishes a prior permitted footprint and will not increase lakeward encroachment beyond historic conditions.
The Stearns County Board of Adjustment granted a variance on Dec. 4 to allow a proposed sunroom and deck for a Fairway Shores property on Great Northern Lake to be constructed lakeward of the established building line, after staff and the applicants said the design largely follows the prior permitted footprint.
Staff noted the property was platted in 1969 and that a previous porch/deck configuration was permitted when the original dwelling was built. The current project, presented by Joseph O’Shaughnessy and representative Jessica Soldner, replaces a removed structure and incorporates the prior porch footprint. The Wakefield Township board sent a letter dated Dec. 4, 2025, recommending approval because the request would not interfere with township infrastructure.
Board members asked whether the porch and deck could be located behind the building line or shifted behind a garage to meet setbacks. Staff explained decks are treated differently for the building line calculation and that reinstating the prior porch footprint would not come any closer to the water than the previously permitted configuration.
Neighbor Alan Kerber spoke in support, calling the proposed rebuild ‘‘a beautiful structure’’ that would improve the property and saying he had no objection to the porch and deck returning to their prior dimensions. The board found the variance met the required findings, including references to ‘‘living goal number 3’’ (support housing options) and lakeshore policies cited by board members who supported the request.
A motion by George, seconded by Barry, to grant the variance passed on a voice vote. Staff advised the applicants to follow environmental conditions in staff recommendations and to coordinate required permits while maintaining impervious-surface limits.
Next steps: the applicants will proceed with construction under the conditions spelled out in the variance approval and coordinate with staff on any remaining environmental mitigation and permits.
