City council grants two conditional use permits

Two conditional use permits (CUPs) were approved at the Grand Marais City Council’s July 12 meeting.

Following the recommendation of the planning commission the request by Linda, Russell, and James Petersen to rent their residential property located at 21 W. 3rd St. to “3-8 unrelated persons on a monthly basis or longer,” was green-lighted by council. Previously the Petersens had rented the house for short term vacation stays but that was ruled out of compliance with city zoning.

In its recommendation to the council the planning commission stated, “The use conforms to the land use or comprehensive plan of the city,” and “The use is compatible with the existing neighborhood,” among other things.

A small cabin on the Petersen property behind the home is currently being rented on a monthly basis.

There was no opposition to the request at a public hearing held July 5 to discuss the matter.

The Petersens plan to rent the house to North House Folk School, which will use it for residential lodging of apprentices for 18-24 months at a time. Two apprentices will move in this year, with two more arriving in in six months.

A second conditional use permit by Josh Lindstrom requesting a variance from his front yard setback to add a roof overhang of 15 feet from the property line was okayed. This is the only modification to the house requested by Lindstrom.

The planning commission noted the addition of eaves “was a desirable maintenance project.”

Lindstrom’s house is located at 319 N. Broadway. The planning commission cited several reasons to ask the council to grant the CUP to Lindstrom because, “The addition of larger eaves to the structure to improve drainage is reasonable. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. The structure was constructed in a non-conforming location prior to the adoption of the zoning ordinance, and, the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential characteristics of the locality. The neighborhood has single family residences with similar setbacks.”