Morrison County Board of Adjustment denies LaVergne family variance for lakeside dwelling

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment unanimously rejected a variance request from the Gerald & Rose LaVergne Trust to build a nonconforming dwelling at 21251 Green Prairie Lane during its May 12 meeting.

Chairperson Brent Lindgren opened the public hearing and planning staff member Amy Kowalzek entered the application materials into the record, including Sections 706 and 1103 of the Morrison County Land Use Control Ordinance, aerial and lake photos, a survey and site plan, two renderings of the proposed home, stormwater and landscape plans, eight site photos and staff report materials. Kowalzek said 57 neighboring property owners were notified and one written comment had been received in advance; the Board conducted an on‑site inspection on May 8.

Applicant Dave LaVergne told the board the family was still deciding on a final house design and said the lot "is higher than the surrounding area," adding they had "lost land over the past 50 years." Board members pressed for specifics about which setbacks were not being met and whether the requested structure footprint was necessary given a limited buildable area.

Kowalzek summarized key technical constraints: the lake setback would be 50 feet, the setback to a home, deck or covered patio would be 14.2 feet, and the septic setback to the wetland was listed as 0 feet in the submittal. She said the property is not within the floodplain but that the bottom floor of any home must be three feet above the ordinary high‑water level and that stormwater "cannot be discharged to the wetland." She also noted that a camper on site would require a permit if used more than 16 days in a calendar year, and that building on the lot would require adding fill and implementing a stormwater control plan.

During public comment, resident Hannah Hollenkamp said she feared that approving variances on the lakeside lot "seems to flood out someone else's property," and noted the adjacent road sits at lake level. The applicant responded that "the water flow from our property would not change." Kowalzek reiterated that any construction would need a stormwater plan and controls to address runoff.

Following discussion, board member Clint Kathrein moved to approve the variance request; George Sandy seconded. The motion failed with all members voting nay. The board closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.

There was no new or old business. The board then approved the minutes from April 28, 2026, on a motion by George Sandy, seconded by Clint Kathrein. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

The Board's denial means the LaVergne applicants would need to revise their plans or pursue alternative options that meet county setback and stormwater requirements before returning with a new application.