Free meeting summary
Clay County Grants Variance for Garage Construction Despite Prior Denial
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting, the Clay County Board of Commissioners approved a variance for Michael Ward, doing business as Benchmark Builders, to reduce the road centerline setback for an attached garage in Barnesville. This decision comes after a similar variance request was denied in 2020. The landowner, Kyle Schmidt, plans to convert the existing detached garage into part of the house and build a new one 66 feet from the road centerline, a 27% reduction from the standard 90-foot setback required for local township roads.
During the discussion, it was clarified that the property is located in the Pearl View Estates Subdivision and is zoned for agricultural general use. The main challenge cited was the lack of suitable space on the property for the garage due to existing utilities and lot boundaries. The county engineer confirmed that the proposed construction would not impede road maintenance or snow removal due to the slow speeds on the road.
The board found that the variance met the necessary criteria for approval, as the construction would not alter the essential character of the locality, and the practical difficulties were unique to the property. Neighbors were notified, and no objections were raised. The approval included a condition that the garage must maintain a minimum distance of 66 feet from the road centerline.
County Council Officials:
Paul Krabbenhoft, Ezra Baer, Jenny Mongeau, Kevin Campbell, David Ebinger
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Meeting Type:
County Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
09/16/2025
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Recording Published:
10/22/2025
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Duration:
20 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Clay County
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Towns:
Alliance Township, Barnesville, Barnesville Township, Comstock, Cromwell Township, Dilworth, Eglon Township, Elkton Township, Elmwood Township, Felton, Felton Township, Flowing Township, Georgetown, Georgetown Township, Glyndon, Glyndon Township, Goose Prairie Township, Hagen Township, Hawley, Hawley Township, Highland Grove Township, Hitterdal, Holy Cross Township, Humboldt (Clay), Keene Township, Kragnes Township, Kurtz Township, Moland Township, Moorhead, Moorhead Township, Morken Township, Parke Township, Riverton Township, Sabin, Skree Township, Spring Prairie Township, Tansem Township, Ulen, Ulen Township, Viding Township
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