St. Louis County Board of Adjustment Denies Variance Request
for ISD 2142Â’s New South SchoolDistrict will re-examine site plan as design and construction of the school proceeds
Virginia, Minn. (July 13, 2010) – The St. Louis County Board of Adjustment on Tuesday denied a variance that would have allowed the St. Louis County School District (ISD 2142) to exceed the amount of impervious surfaces allowed by ordinance for the school district’s planned New South School site in New Independence Township.
St. Louis County ordinance allows coverage by impervious surfaces – such as buildings, parking lots and other surfaces into which water cannot be absorbed – of up to 10 percent of a property’s size. County staff had recommended approval of a variance allowing up to 17.5 percent impervious surfaces on the 77.5 acre school site. The Board of Adjustment voted 4-2 to deny the variance, but added that the denial was “without prejudice,” encouraging the school district to re-examine the design plans to reduce lot coverage.
“We’re disappointed in today’s denial, because the St. Louis County Planning and Development Department carefully studied our plans, including the in-depth Storm Water Prevention Plan we created specifically for this site,” said ISD 2141 Board Chair Bob Larson. “As we proceed with construction of this school, we will be working with our architects and professionals so we will meet the county’s requirements and the conditions of the approval we received last week from the Planning Commission.”
As part of their discussion, the Board of Adjustment also asked the county attorney to clarify her recent denial of an appeal from the group opposed to the plan for construction of new schools in ISD 2142. This appeal was filed by Tim Kotzian, Clerk/Treasurer of Tower.
For more information about ISD #2142, including site plans for the new schools, visit www.isd2142.k12.mn.us.
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