05. Proposed Zoning Map Amendment - Big Marine Lake Lots1 | P a g e
Date of Meeting: May 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: T.J. Hofer, Consultant City Planner
Re: Proposed Zoning Map Amendment Multiple Properties on Big Marine
Lake
Staff recently received an application from Wayne and Ruth Clasen for their property at 19453
Manning Trail North to allow for a variance to construct a dwelling that would encroach into the
side yard setbacks. The property is currently zoned Rural Residential General (RR-G) and is
located to the north of the Bliss Addition.
After reviewing the initial application, staff believe a variance is not the most appropriate
solution to the claimed practical difficulty. Instead, the property, along with the six similar
properties around it, should be rezoned to the Rural Residential Neighborhood zoning district.
The proposed structure by the would appear to result in a structure that meets all
dimensional standards of the Rural Residential Neighborhood zoning district, thereby
eliminating any need or request for a variance.
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Rural Residential General v. Rural Residential Neighborhood
The Rural Residential General (RR-G) zoning district is established to provide for principal
residential use with estate or large-lot development patterns.
(UDC) also notes that RR-G, includes lot or parcel configurations that are generally unplatted,
including mostly non-riparian land.
The Rural Residential Neighborhood (RR-N) zoning district is established in the UDC for
1,000 feet of a lake with a public waters designation that were
historically platted or divided into smaller lots for seasonal use.
of these lots have transitioned into year-round use. The RR-N zoning district is closely tied to the
standards established in the Shoreland Management Regulations (Shoreland Ordinance).
Generally, both zoning districts allow lots that are approximately two acres, however, the RR-N
district includes numerous lots that do not meet this standard, and the RR-N district and
Shoreland Ordinance have minimum lot sizes of 40,000 sq. ft. for existing lots.
Based on the characteristics and purposes of these districts, staff believe that the properties
depicted below should be rezoned to Rural Residential Neighborhood.
These parcels include PIDs 2903220320004, 2903220320005,
2903220320015, 2903220320016, 2903220320017,
3003220410004, and 3003220410005.
Notably, PID 3003220410003 (the large parcel that is connected
to the lake via a ~16 ft. strip of land) is excluded from this based
on the parcel fitting closer to the purpose statement of the RR-G
zoning district and its riparian access being based only on the
~16 ft. strip of land.
DISCUSSION
Staff have prepared the following questions and discussion points for the City Council to
consider:
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Does the Council agree that the parcels appear to be consistent with the purpose
statements of the RR-N zoning district?
As six of the parcels are separated from the larger area of RR-N zoned parcels by PID
3003220410003, the Council would need to consider if the rezoning would fall under the
definition of spot zoning. These considerations generally include:
o Does the Council believe that the rezoning would be supported by a rational basis
that relates to promoting public welfare.
o Does the Council believe that the rezoning would establish a use classification
inconsistent with surrounding uses and creates an island of nonconforming use
within a larger zoned district?
o Does the Council believe that the rezoning would dramatically reduce the value
for uses specified in the zoning ordinance of either the rezoned plot or abutting
property.
COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council should discuss the proposed rezoning of property. As part of this preliminary
discussion, the Council need not establish findings related to the actual approval of the rezoning
but should discuss the general intent and purpose of the zoning district, and if the rezoning is
reasonable.
If the City Council believes that the proposed rezoning has merit, they should recommend the
rezoning to the Planning Commission to be heard at a public hearing, and for the Commission to
consider the request and establish findings of fact.
As the rezoning would impact seven properties that total 7.57 acres, the property owner of the
seven properties would need to be notified per state statute, as well as other landowners within
1,320 feet of the property in question per local ordinance and other reviewing entities such as the
Department of Natural Resources.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council discuss the proposed rezoning of property. If Council finds
merit in the proposed rezoning, staff recommend initiating the rezoning.
Attachments
A. Location Map