Board grants after‑the‑fact shoreline lot‑width variance after septic found compliant

The Clay County Board of Adjustment granted an after‑the‑fact variance to the minimum lot width for a Shoreland District structure after planning staff reported the property’s septic system passed inspection.

Planning staff member Matt told the board that environmental health inspected the system and “did say that it is compliant,” though the applicant must still pay inspection and installation permit fees. The board opened the public hearing, received staff findings, reviewed the Shoreland criteria and the county land‑development standards, and discussed the standard conditions staff recommended.

The board’s findings concluded the variance is consistent with the Clay County Land Development Code and the comprehensive plan, and that the requested relief represented the minimum variance necessary to address the demonstrated practical difficulties. The approval included conditions requiring the applicant to obtain all applicable after‑the‑fact zoning, building, septic, shoreland, and floodplain permits prior to further work.

The chair called the motion, the board voted in favor, and the variance was granted.