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Isanti County Board of Adjustment approves septic setback variances for Glennwood Shores property
Summary
The Isanti County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance allowing a replacement septic drainfield and tank closer to Florence Lake and side lot lines than county setback rules require, finding no feasible alternative on the lot and citing the system’s failure and steep lot constraints.
The Isanti County Board of Adjustment on May 14 unanimously approved a variance allowing a replacement septic drainfield and septic tank for a Glennwood Shores property to be installed closer to Florence Lake and neighboring lot lines than county rules require.
Trina Bergloff, Isanti County Zoning Administrator, told the board the property is in the Shoreland District on Florence Lake (Paul’s Lake) and that county rules require a septic drainfield to be 75 feet from the ordinary high watermark (OHW), 10 feet from side property lines and 10 feet from a township road right of way. The applicant sought reduced setbacks to replace a failing system.
Rick Weller of Maple Ridge Sewer, who represented applicant Trygve Skaar, said the existing system is failing and that “there is no other location to place the failing septic system on this lot.” He also reported the current system, installed in 1966, is a cesspool.
The board approved installing a drainfield 30 feet from the OHW, 5 feet from each side property line, and a septic tank 50 feet from the OHW. Jim Fridstrom moved the approval and Kathy Skiba seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
The board recorded three findings in support of the variance: that no other on‑lot location exists and a compliant system is necessary for the dwelling; that the lot’s size and hillside create practical difficulties in meeting standard setbacks; and that replacing the failing system would improve the property and therefore is consistent with Isanti County policy.
Zoning staff noted neighboring properties have similar setbacks and that there are currently no plans for annexation of that area into the City of Cambridge for city sewer service. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond the approved setback reductions.
The board adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
