Commission denies Bodine garage variance amid bluff and setback concerns

The Crow Wing County Planning Commission denied a variance request from Mark and Elizabeth Bodine to construct a garage that would eliminate or greatly reduce required road and bluff setbacks on a property adjacent to Island Lake Road. Staff noted the township objected and that the requested deviations would, in effect, remove the 35‑foot road setback and a 30‑foot bluff setback.

Board members expressed concern about precedent and liability—particularly potential impacts from snowplowing and future road widening—and emphasized the county’s intent to protect bluffs and shorelines. One member said she could not support building a new structure into a bluff and the motion to deny passed by a 3–1 vote. The board referenced findings of fact that support denial and will record the decision in the permit file.