STURGEON LAKE TOWNSHIP - RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE TO LOCATE A HOME 16 FEET FROM THE REAR PROPERTY LINE

STURGEON LAKE TOWNSHIP
PINE COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-12
RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE TO LOCATE A HOME 16 FEET FROM THE REAR PROPERTY LINE

WHEREAS, Joseph Burns owns the following described property (“Property”): 
 
That part of the northeast 1/4 of the southwest 1/4 of Section 35, Township 45, Range 20, Pine County, Minnesota, described as follows: commencing where the south line of the northeast 1/4 of the southwest 1/4 intersects the right of way of Minnesota State Trunk Highway 61, said point being the point of beginning; thence north along the east right of way line of said State Trunk Highway 61 right of way line 175 ft, thence east at right angles 250 feet, thence south at right angles 175 ft more or less to south line of the northeast 1/4 of the southwest 1/4, thence west along the said south line to the point of beginning. 
 
            WHEREAS, Joe Burns has applied for a variance to allow the construction of a home 16 feet from the rear property line instead of 50 feet from the rear lot line as required by Sturgeon Lake Zoning Ordinance Section 15.04; and
 
            WHEREAS, the Property is in the Agricultural zoning district; and
 
            WHEREAS, the Property is smaller in area than is currently allowed under the Townships Zoning Ordinance, but its square foot area is grandfathered in under the Zoning Ordinance; and
 
            WHEREAS, the smaller lot size presents a practical difficulty to using the Property in a reasonable manner similar to other properties in the neighborhood; and
 
            WHEREAS, the Town Board finds the use of the Property for a single family home sixteen feet from the rear of the property to be a reasonable use of the Property; and  
 
WHEREAS, the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the Property not created by the landowner as a power line bisects the Property in a location where a house would normally be able to locate and which would otherwise not necessitate a variance; and
 
WHEREAS, the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality as the neighboring property to the south contains a principal building that encroaches on the side setback for the Agricultural District;
 
WHEREAS, the Sturgeon Lake Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed variance;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Sturgeon Lake Township Town Board does hereby approve the variance request to allow a home to be constructed 16 feet from the rear lot line of the Property. 
 
APPROVED this 11th day of July, 2024 by the Sturgeon Lake Town Board.
 
 
STURGEON LAKE TOWNSHIP BOARD
 
 
_____________________________
Chair
 
 
_____________________________
Clerk