Sherburne County board approves 42-foot setback variance for Briggs Lake home

The Sherburne County Board of Adjustment on June 11 approved a 42-foot variance from the right-of-way of 99th Ave for a new home to be built on Lot 1, Block 1 of the S and D Addition Plat Two (owners: Mark and Linda Sycks), a 0.99-acre parcel within the Briggs Lake shoreland district.

Planning staff said the proposed three-bedroom, 3,139-square-foot slab-on-grade home complies with shoreland height limits (18 feet proposed; 25-foot limit) and that estimated impervious surface coverage would be 11.5 percent (limit: 25 percent). Staff also said soil observation logs show two suitable septic locations on the lot.

Marcus Berning of Ziegler Custom Homes, speaking on behalf of the homeowners, told the board the 100-foot rear setback from agricultural land creates the primary constraint and forces the house location closer to the street. Chair Roger Johnson and Mr. Berning discussed garage floor drains; Johnson urged consideration of oil/gas collection and insurance implications, while Schneider said straight-to-daylight floor drains are permitted for typical garage use and a flammable waste trap would be required if automotive work is expected.

Steve Demeules moved and Boaz Erickson seconded approval of the 42-foot variance with two conditions: the applicant must obtain a building permit and pay associated fees, and the variance expires if not acted on within one year. The board adopted Findings of Fact answering affirmatively to applicable questions and voted unanimously to approve the variance.

The decision allows the homeowners to proceed to the permitting stage; staff will verify septic placement, impervious coverage, and other permit requirements before inspections and final approval.