Board approves Smiths’ addition with stormwater condition after bluff setback dispute

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment voted 4–1 to grant a variance for Kevin and Kathleen Smith to add a two‑story 20‑by‑37‑foot addition to their Sullivan Lake home, subject to a condition that a stormwater plan be submitted to and approved by Land Services before issuing permits.

Amy, land services staff, said a bluff determination identified a 30‑foot setback requirement and that the north corner of the existing house sits 26.7 feet from the top of the bluff, making the structure nonconforming. The applicants said the proposed addition is located on the side of the house away from the bluff and that they will remove certain impervious areas so total impervious surface remains at or below the 25% limit, though some removal quantities were not specified in the original application.

Board members who viewed the property noted extensive retaining walls and landscaping. Several members said the 3 feet 5 inches shortfall from the bluff setback was modest relative to the lot’s size and the applicant’s prior actions to mitigate impervious surface; one member (George) expressed concern about potential overdevelopment given the house would grow by roughly 30–35 percent.

Concerns about erosion and runoff prompted the board to require that a stormwater plan be submitted and approved by Land Services and soil and water authorities at permitting; Amy confirmed stormwater controls and best management practices are already conditions of the permit. After discussion, the board answered the six statutory variance criteria in the affirmative except for one member’s hesitation on reasonableness, then approved the variance 4–1.