Board denies lakeshore expansion for Waters, grants two other variances

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment met June 23, 2026, and denied a request by Justin and Lori Waters to expand a nonconforming dwelling on Pierce Fish Lake while approving two separate variance requests for different applicants.

Chair opened the meeting and the board heard three major variance requests. Amy from Land Services told the board that the Waters property sits inside the shore impact zone and within the 75-foot lakeshore setback; the proposed work would add a second story and multiple additions and would increase impervious surface unless about 380 square feet of existing impervious area were removed. The board voted on the required finding-of-fact questions and answered them in the negative, and a motion to approve the Waters request failed on a roll-call vote. "It's a pretty large ask," the chair said during deliberations, noting multiple variances and shoreline protections the ordinance intends to preserve.

The board next considered a request from Alex Lang for permission to use a type 3 (mound) septic system because soils on his 11.33-acre parcel showed only 4 inches of separation from the seasonal high water table; state guidance requires 12 inches for a type 1 system. After site-visit discussion and no public comment, the board answered the finding questions in the affirmative and granted the variance; Land Services will process permits when Lang submits the septic design and house square footage.

Finally, the board granted a road-right-of-way setback variance for Darren Przabella to replace an existing manufactured home with a slab‑on‑grade house sited 28 feet from the road right-of-way where 40 feet is required. The proposal removes a previously encroaching deck and aims to keep the new structure in the existing footprint to avoid wetlands and conflicts with utilities.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the Lang and Przabella variances and to deny the Waters request. The chair advised the Waters applicants to consult Land Services about alternative approaches and possible resubmittal.