Morrison County board denies LaVern variance request for lakeside dwelling

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment voted unanimously May 12 to deny a variance request from the LaVern family to replace an existing lakeside mobile home with a larger dwelling and to place a septic system at the wetland boundary.

Land Services staff member Amy opened the hearing with a summary: "Mr. Chair, this is a request for a variance to place a dwelling within the setback to the lake and wetland and place a septic system within the setback to the wetland." The application sought approval for a building footprint up to 30 by 90 feet (2,700 sq ft), a proposed 50-foot lake setback (75 ft required), a 14.2-foot wetland setback (25 ft required), and a septic system with zero feet of wetland setback.

Board members spent more than an hour questioning applicants and staff about site constraints, stormwater, septic review, and the building footprint. Board member Marvin summarized the board’s concerns before the vote: "I don't believe it is," when asked whether the request is in harmony with the Morrison County Land Use Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. After answering the statutory criteria by roll call, a motion to approve the variance was made and seconded. The roll-call vote on that motion recorded all five members voting against approval and the motion failed.

During public comment, a nearby resident, Hannah Hollingcamp, asked the county to confirm that changes would not worsen flooding for lower properties on Green Prairie Lane: "I would just want reassurance that it's not going to flood out the neighbors in this process." Amy and board members noted that if fill is brought onto the site to raise the lowest floor, stormwater controls and a management plan would be required and that stormwater could not be discharged directly to the wetland.

After the denial the Chair told the applicants the decision applied to the request as presented and advised them to schedule follow-up meetings with Land Services staff to address the board’s findings. As the Chair stated, "This is a denial tonight for this variance request."