The Morrison County Board of Adjustment on Dec. 23 considered an after-the-fact variance for a Hoffman Beach property where staff found construction exceeded an earlier 2023 variance and permit. The board did not approve the request at the meeting after a vote on a motion to deny produced no majority.

Amy, Land Services staff, told the board that the October 2023 variance had authorized a 28-by-28 garage and a 10-by-14 entry with a basement under the entry. Subsequent field checks and plan review showed new construction replacing the attached garage with a full basement and second story and additional vaulted areas that were not included in the original authorization; staff concluded the earlier variance was void when the original structure was removed and issued a notice of violation. Survey work showed the present structure sits about 3 feet 7 inches from the road right-of-way and roughly 4 feet from the west property line, staff said.

Applicants Bradley and Joyce Lindgren, and a contractor/neighbor in attendance, described a sequence of events they said involved repeated communications with county staff, mold remediation and structural repairs that contractors recommended. Bradley Lindgren said the project changed in response to unexpected rot and mold discovered when removing roof and wall elements, and he asserted he had spoken with Land Services staff during the process.

Board members debated whether the work reflected a genuine practical difficulty (utilities access, sand subsoil requiring deeper footings) or whether the owners had effectively created expansion beyond the authorized scope. Several members said they were sympathetic to the need to ensure structural stability; others said the finished structure is substantially larger than what had been approved and warned of precedent for after-the-fact approvals.

During deliberations the board discussed possible conditions that would be required if a variance were approved: move the septics/drain field to the utility lot across the road, require a stormwater management plan approved by Land Services, and cut back the west-side eave to meet the setback. Board member George moved and Marv seconded a motion to deny the variance. The roll call showed two affirmative votes (George and Marv) and two negative votes (Clint and John); because the board did not record a majority, the chair announced the variance was not approved at this time and directed the applicants to work with Land Services on next steps.

The Lindgrens were told they may need to return with revised plans or pursue corrective steps guided by Land Services; the record shows the board did not grant the after-the-fact variance at this meeting.