Board denies Waters' lakeshore expansion, cites shoreline and impervious-surface concerns

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment denied a variance request from Justin and Lori Waters to enlarge a nonconforming dwelling on Pierce Fish Lake at its June 23, 2026 meeting.

Amy with Morrison County Land Services told the board the Waters property is located within the shore impact zone and does not meet the 75-foot setback for general-development lakes; the dwelling's closest point to the lake measures 42.9 feet. The applicants proposed multiple additions (a second level, a 612-square-foot addition, a 624-square-foot attached garage and a 12-by-12 porch now described as enclosed). Amy said the applicants must remove roughly 380 square feet of existing impervious surface to meet impervious-surface limits.

Board members repeatedly questioned whether the applicants had demonstrated a property-specific practical difficulty. "It's a pretty large ask," the chair said during deliberations, noting the request entailed four separate variance requests and would expand a small, nonconforming footprint in the shore impact zone. Board members discussed alternative sites within the property's building envelope and raised stormwater and nitrate concerns for Fish Lake. After answering the six required finding-of-fact questions in the negative, the board voted on a motion to approve the Waters request; the roll-call vote was 0–4 and the motion failed. The chair advised the Waters to consult Land Services about alternatives and possible resubmittal.