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<br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • Division of Ecological and Water Resources <br />1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN, 55106 <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br />Ecological and Water Resources Division <br />Central Region Headquarters <br />1200 Warner Road, St Paul MN 55106 <br /> <br />June 5, 2019 <br /> <br />Katie Larsen <br />City Planner <br />City of Lino Lakes <br />600 Town Center Pkwy <br />Lino Lakes, MN 55014-1182 <br /> <br />Re: Variance Application for 6650 Enid Trail <br /> <br />Dear Ms. Larsen, <br /> <br />Thank you for the opportunity to review the impervious surface variance application for 6650 Enid Trail <br />in Lino Lakes, MN. <br /> <br />As impervious surface coverage increases, the rate and amount of runoff and pollutants entering public <br />waters increases. When runoff from impervious surface coverage is not addressed, pollution increases <br />and the diversity of aquatic life is reduced. Regulating the amount of impervious surface allowed is <br />important for all areas where development occurs in order to limit the amount and maintain the <br />quality of water that runs off and into lakes, wetland and rivers. In the protection of water quality, the <br />management of rainwater on individual lots is one of the most important tasks local governments can <br />undertake. <br /> <br />Variances to shoreland ordinance standards are an important tool for balancing property rights with <br />the public’s right to clean water and healthy habitats. However, variances to shoreland standards <br />should be rare and only for exceptional situations. The variance criteria in Minnesota Statutes must be <br />used for determining these exceptional situations. Note that ALL five variance criteria must be satisfied <br />to approve a variance. These five criteria are: <br /> <br />• Is the variance consistent with the comprehensive plan? <br />• Are there unique circumstances to the property not created by the landowner? <br />• Is the variance in harmony with the purposes and intent of the ordinance? <br />• Will the variance, if granted, alter the essential character of the locality? <br />• Does the proposal put property to use in a reasonable manner? <br />