The Stearns County Board of Adjustment approved a combined after‑the‑fact variance for three structures on a Rice Lake property in Eden Lake Township and attached a condition limiting future replacement or renovation of the water‑oriented accessory structure.

Environmental staff summarized the application from Jeff Olson, trustee of the Jeffrey M. Olsen Trust: the owners requested that (1) a 1,249‑square‑foot residential dwelling be allowed to remain 7.7 feet from the side property line (the ordinance requires 10 feet), (2) a 24‑by‑24 residential accessory structure remain 3.5 feet from the side line, and (3) a 10‑by‑12 water‑oriented accessory structure remain at the property line (0 feet). Staff said Eden Heights was platted in 1973, the tract contains about 17,261 square feet (0.39 acre), and county assessor records show construction permits issued in 1998 for the principal dwelling, garage and water‑oriented accessory structure. The staff report noted the current impervious coverage was 29.3% and the owners proposed removing impervious surface to reach 24.9%. Staff also reported Eden Lake Township granted road‑setback variances and that certified subsurface sewage treatment systems were documented as compliant in June 2025.

Jeff Olson addressed the board and described the small water‑oriented shed as movable: staff noted the shed sits on concrete blocks and that the certificate of survey shows the structure essentially at the property line. Olson said he had spoken with his neighbor and that the neighbor had no objection: “Yeah. The neighbors are fine.”

Board members discussed whether to decide each structure separately or combine them; several members recommended handling all three in one motion given their age and the township variances. During deliberations board members also discussed a condition proposed by staff and board members: the water‑oriented accessory structure should be required to meet the county setback if it is renovated or replaced. After back‑and‑forth about whether ordinary maintenance should trigger the requirement (board members distinguished “maintenance/repair” from “renovation/replacement”), the board adopted a condition stating the water‑oriented accessory structure must be moved to meet the setback if it is renovated or replaced; routine maintenance and minor repairs were described by the board as allowed without triggering relocation.

John moved to include the condition and Rob seconded. Following that, John moved to grant the combined variance; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

Staff cautioned the board that, because current county rules do not require a permit for water‑oriented accessory structures 150 square feet or smaller, the county may not be notified if the owner later replaces the shed in the same location unless the owner seeks a permit or a neighbor complains. Staff said the condition will still appear on the variance record and will be enforced if a future permit application triggers review.

The staff report emphasized the property sits in the Shoreland Overlay District of Rice Lake and that Rice Lake is listed as impaired for sulfate. No written opposition from neighbors was reported in the staff packet.

Board members instructed applicants to work with environmental staff on following up and to note the conditional nature of the variance for the water‑oriented structure.