Board approves 30‑foot lake setback variance for Goodrich Lake addition

The Crow Wing County Planning Commission Board of Adjustment on Nov. 20 approved a variance to allow additions to a dwelling on Goodrich Lake to be located 30 feet from the ordinary high water mark where the shoreland ordinance requires 75 feet.

Staff (Nicolette) read the application for property at 36855 Bonnie Lakes Road: two additions (a north addition of 4,435 square feet and a south addition of 384 square feet), a relocated/modified deck, and proposed impervious coverage of roughly 3 percent. The request was described in the staff report as a 33‑foot setback; the board and agent clarified the critical corner measures 30 feet because of the lake’s curvature. "33.5 is the existing structure from that corner to the ordinary high water on Goodrich," the agent explained; staff and the agent emphasized the proposal maintains the existing building line and will not move the structure closer to the lake overall.

Agent Kevin McCormick (Land Design Solutions) and staff said the project would retain and improve the septic system location compared with the current condition and that township comment recommended approval. Staff advised the board that the state standard for septic setbacks to a general development lake is 50 feet, while Crow Wing County’s shoreland setback for this lake is more restrictive (75 feet), and that the proposed drain field would be 40 feet from the lake but that the new placement moves the drain field farther from the lake than the existing location.

Board members reviewed proposed conditions and findings of fact, moved to approve the 30‑foot lake setback variance with the staff conditions, and carried the motion by voice vote. The applicant and agent were reminded they must obtain required permits from Land Services before construction begins and that any future changes to size or location would require Board approval.