County adopts new shore land structure setback policy

Dodge County Board of Commissioners adopted setback requirements for septic systems or construction of a dwelling considered in shore land areas at its Tuesday, June 14 meeting.
“Any time a permit or variance of any type is required for any improvement on, or use of, the property in the Shore land Overlay District to the Ordinance” the person must comply with setback requirements, Elizabeth Harbaugh, SSTS Program manager stated.
Since adopted into the ordinance the enforcement will be as follows: Any property with shore land boundary located on the property would require a septic system
compliance inspection for any permit for an improvement on the property including any
structure that would require a zoning permit.
“Recently this has been brought into question and it was requested that we bring to the Board several options for possible revisions to the rule language that is currently in the Zoning Ordinance should the Board wish for the Environmental Services to amend the Ordinance.”
This question was raised when a landowner requested to construct a greenhouse connected to his garage, said Commissioner John Allen. If he is forced to add a septic system to add this greenhouse it would cost him more than the greenhouse, Allen added.
One of three options was presented to the board, which states: Change the language to not require septic inspections when the septic system serving the dwelling or structure on property or the proposed structure is not within the shore land buffer boundary was adopted after debate.
Commissioner Rodney Peterson stated, if you live in the country you have to comply with the rules.
“I disagree,” Allen, retorted,  “it comes down to a little common sense.” This landowner is simply adding a greenhouse onto the side of an existing garage.
Option 2 does not alleviate the situation of the landowner making the request.
“These people came in to be in compliance and now we are penalizing them,” Allen stated.
With option 2, the landowner may request a variance, which will cost $600 plus a $45 filing fee.
Commissioners also agreed to extend the Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
“It has recently come to my attention that the five-year Joint Powers Agreement that Dodge
County has with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MBCA) has expired. This Joint Powers Agreement allows Dodge County Sheriff’s Office access to criminal justice data through the BCA’s Criminal Justice Data Network. This access is essential for the law enforcement operations within Dodge County,” said Matt Maas, the Dodge County Emergency Management director.
Maas is the designated authorized representative for the sheriff, according to the agreement. Chief Deputy Ryer Anderson will assist Maas on behalf of the county.