Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morrison County Board denies Lakeshore expansion request for Waters property on Piers Fish Lake
Summary
The Board of Adjustment voted unanimously June 23 to deny Justin and Lori Waters’ request to expand a nonconforming lakeshore dwelling on Piers Fish Lake, citing shore-impact, impervious-surface and practical-difficulty concerns.
The Morrison County Board of Adjustment voted unanimously June 23 to deny a variance request from Justin and Lori Waters to expand a nonconforming dwelling at 24019 Pine View Road on Piers Fish Lake.
Land services staff described the proposal as a second-story addition, a 12-by-12 porch (previously described as a deck), a 612-square-foot dwelling addition and a 624-square-foot attached garage to an existing 816-square-foot home that currently sits 42.9 feet from the lake. Amy, the county staff member presenting the item, told the board that the property is inside the shore-impact zone and that County Ordinance section 706.1 requires a 75-foot setback from general-development lakes.
Board members questioned the size of the proposed work, impervious-surface calculations and whether the applicants had demonstrated a statutory "practical difficulty." Applicants said they wanted to retain the original cabin and avoid relocating the septic system, which they said would be required if they moved the house further from the lake.
A neighbor’s written letter of support from Robert Langanger was read into the record. During public comment, resident Tony Callhammer urged the board to allow the addition, saying the applicants had followed prior county guidance when the neighboring structures were built.
After deliberation, the board answered the six required findings in the negative, expressing concerns that the project would substantially increase the structure’s footprint in the shore-impact zone, push impervious surface toward allowable limits, and that alternatives — including building a new, compliant dwelling within the parcel’s building envelope — remained available. Chair (presiding officer), George, Clint and Greg each voted "no" on the motion; the chair announced, "the motion did not pass and your variance was not granted." The board advised the applicants to consult land services for alternatives and potential resubmission.
The board’s decision was procedural and based on the county’s findings of fact; no permits were issued.
Next steps for the Waters include discussing alternative designs with county land services and re-evaluating the site plan to reduce shore impact and impervious surface.
