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Planning commission denies large setback variance for Lakes Premier Storage, approves limited conditional use permit
Summary
The Crow Wing County Planning Commission denied a 60% setback variance sought by Lakes Premier Storage Deerwood LLC but approved a conditional use permit with conditions that require meeting 100‑ft setbacks or acquiring adjacent land before building. Staff and commissioners said the proposed building sizes created the need for the variance.
The Crow Wing County Planning Commission on Oct. 16 denied a request from Lakes Premier Storage Deerwood LLC for a 60% variance to the county's 100‑foot commercial setback and then approved a narrower conditional use permit that allows construction only if required setbacks are met or if adjacent property is acquired and a boundary line adjustment is recorded.
Nicolette of Land Services read the applicant's requests: a variance to allow structures with a 40‑foot setback where 100 feet is required, and a conditional use permit for a 7,200‑square‑foot storage building (nine 20x40 units) and a 14,400‑square‑foot storage building (15 units). Commissioner John O'Jeary said the required findings for a variance were not met and that the need for the variance appeared to be “created by the property owner's desire to have” more building area. The motion to deny the variance passed on roll call with a majority of commissioners voting in favor.
After denying the variance, commissioners and staff discussed changes to the CUP conditions so the applicant could proceed in a more limited way. The commission added language requiring any approved structure to meet all required setbacks; staff removed variance‑specific language from the findings of fact. The commission then approved the CUP with those conditions on a subsequent motion, and staff confirmed the permit will become null and void if the parcel's commercial zoning changes or if state licensing (when required) lapses.
Why it matters: The commission's decision preserves the county's setback protections while allowing the applicant a path to build within the ordinance if they either reduce the building footprint or secure adjacent property and complete a boundary line adjustment. The action also signals close scrutiny of requests that appear driven by a desire for additional floor area rather than demonstrated site constraints.
What's next: The county will finalize conditions in the permit record and the applicant may pursue acquisition and a boundary line adjustment to meet the 100‑foot setback requirement before constructing any additional building.
