1. Minnesota Resort and Campground Association Fall Conference

2. Government Approvals Chad Conner, Land Surveyor
Navigating Local
Government Approvals Chad Conner, Land Surveyor

3. Presentation Outline Know what you have Define your project
Building your team
Understanding the rules
Establish your plan
Approaching the LGU
Making the Submittal Application
The Public Hearing

4. Know what you have
Resort owners are very knowledgeable of their properties.
Lake front widths, numbers of units-cabins-rooms, occupancy rates, booking dates, dock slips and what works and doesn’t work.
Available resources to gather additional information:
GIS Mapping Aerials
LIDAR Contours
Good for Planning
NWI Wetland Data
Existing Surveys
Building Plans
Previous Permits

5. Define your project Scope of Project Adding a unit
Improvements to existing facilities
Expansion or Conversion – Platting or Subdivision
Determine your level of need
Building Permit
Conditional Use Permit
Variance
Stormwater Permit
Subdivision Plat

6. Building your team Surveyor Architect Building Contractor
Accurate Existing Conditions Survey Valuable for Future
Improvements, Impervious Surfaces, Utilities
Septic System, Utilities, Bluff, Property Lines and Setbacks
Base for all future applications – eliminate the uncertainty
Architect
New buildings – Lodge, Unit designs
ADA/Health Department
Building code compliance
Building Contractor
Local regulations, familiarity with local permitting agencies/staff
Septic Designer/Installer

7. Understanding the Rules
City / County / State Offices
Land Services, Environmental services, Planning and Zoning, building department, MNDNR waters, Watershed District, MPCA
Minnesota Shoreland Management Program
DNR and BWSR developed model ordinance language
LGU’s must create land use controls for protection of waters
Local DNR provides assistance

8. Understanding the Rules (cont’d)
Local Land Use Ordinance, City Code
Shoreland Classification
Shore Impact Zone(s) SIZ
Vegetative Buffers
Tiers
Density of Units
Each has their own formulas resort, commercial and residential
Complex and require detailed area calculations for accuracy
Impervious surfaces
25% or less for new lots
Stormwater Management may allow increases
Mooring spaces
Residential PUD – Commercial Harbor

9. Understanding the Rules (cont’d)
Bluff Determination
30% Slope and 25 feet of vertical rise, toe/top definition
Stormwater Retention
Runoff storage requirements vary, SWPPP
Flood Plain
Finished floor elevations
Docking
Local or DNR regulated, relates to 1st tier density
Health Department
Accessibility
Resort Classification
Look for opportunities to benefit your plan
Allowances for pre-existing

10. Establish your plan Prepare the necessary documentation Building Plans
Site Sketch
Required for minor improvements
Detailed Survey
Existing Conditions, Bluff, Impervious
Septic System
Compliance
Design
Stormwater Runoff
Buffers
Simple / Engineered plan

11. Approaching the LGU Initial meeting to review your plan
Make LGU staff part of the team if possible, get them on board with your plan and gain their support
Be prepared to make concessions to gain staff support
Asking for more than allowed results in delays
Ask questions about concerns of the board commission
Understand submittal calendar, multiple steps/meetings

12. Making the Submittal Application
Submit a complete application including all requirements
Surveys, septic, stormwater design, photos
Prepare a statement of your plan
Prepare for the on-site visit or site walk
Obtain Letters of Support for your plan
Time of year considerations

13. The Public Hearing Prepare your statement - presentation
Thank the staff and commission for their time and consideration
Discuss your project and how it meets the intent of the ordinances
Highlight positives and describe the ways you meet requirements
Stick to the facts, opinions are not necessary
Understand the board’s concerns and address them with your statement
Answer the oppositions questions before they are asked

14. The Public Hearing (cont’d)
Expect opposition
Respond to the chair/commissioners
Keep your responses to the details that support your application
Respond to each valid concern with details of how your plan complies or addresses them
Your preparation will pay off and better your chances of approval

15. FEMA Map Updates FEMA Risk Map Program
Updated Maps More Accurate LIDAR
Updates trigger notice to lenders who are federally mandated for coverage
County/FEMA/DNR GIS maps indicate coverage
Elevation Certificate
Used to determine insurance rate
LOMA Letter of Map Amendment
Used to Remove property or structures from the flood hazard
Requires Survey Crew

16. THANK YOU MRCA!! Chad Conner, LS, VP Widseth Smith Nolting
7804 Industrial Park Road
Baxter, MN 56425