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Board denies request to convert storage shed into guest cottage on Lake Francis
Summary
The Board of Adjustment unanimously denied Tina Hansen’s request March 12 to classify a converted storage shed on her 17,785-square-foot Lake Francis lot as a guest cottage, citing lot-size rules, DNR opposition and Bradford Township’s objections.
The Isanti County Board of Adjustment denied a variance request March 12 from Tina Hansen to recognize a converted storage shed as a guest cottage on Lake Francis.
Deputy Zoning Administrator Holly Nelson told the board the property is on Lake Francis, a General Development Lake, and that the applicant’s lot measures 17,785 square feet — well under the 40,000-square-foot duplex-lot standard used by the ordinance to allow guest cottages. Nelson said the existing structure began as a permitted storage shed/fish house and was later converted; the office learned of the conversion through a complaint.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ area hydrologist, Craig Wills, submitted a letter opposing the request, saying the county should not establish a precedent that allows guest cottages on undersized lots. Bradford Township also sent a letter saying it strongly opposed the request because of limited lot area, the small building footprint and proximity to the septic holding tank. Neighbor Eric Mills submitted a letter objecting to intensifying residential use on constrained lots.
Tina Hansen told the board she sought additional sleeping areas because the primary dwelling is small. Board member Jim Fridstrom said he did not support the request given the lot size, and the board adopted three findings to deny: the proposal was not in harmony with official controls given the small residential lots in the area; the situation was self-created by the property owner; and the lot is less than half the required size for a guest cottage under county policy. The motion to deny was made by Jim Fridstrom, seconded by Kathy Skiba, and carried unanimously.
The denial leaves the structure classified as accessory (storage/fish house) rather than an additional dwelling or guest cottage; the applicant did not receive approval to connect a separate dwelling unit to the existing septic.
