Building and Driveway permits are required in Lent Township.

Permits are required for new construction, remodels and other projects involving structural changes. You must also obtain permits for exterior maintenance such as roofing, siding, window and door replacement. Plumbing, heating, air conditioning and septic permits are necessary whether the work is done by the homeowner or a contractor. Your building or driveway project will be inspected to ensure that it meets all state and local building codes and property line set-backs. If you are not sure if you need a permit, call the clerk and ask. Projects done without the proper permits may be red-tagged and/or charged double permit fees.

To obtain a building or driveway permit application, or for questions about completing the application, please contact the Town Clerk. Applications may also be printed from the permit menu in the upper right corner of this page, but the original signed copy must be submitted to the clerk along with the application fee. An incomplete application will not be accepted. Permit fees are accepted as check or cash payment only.

Electrical inspections are done by state inspectors as regulated by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Lent Township does not issue permits for, nor regulate wells, except for the minimum required separation from a septic system. Further information regarding water and wells may be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health, Wells and Water Division.

Building Department

The Building Department consists of Jack Kramer, Building Official; Jennifer Haskamp, Planner/Zoning Administrator; and Laura LeVasseur, Town Clerk. They are committed to providing the highest quality services to residents and permit applicants through timely and comprehensive plan reviews during the application process and thorough inspections at the time of construction.

Jack Kramer is a licensed Building Official and Septic Inspector. He has an Associates of Science degree in Building Inspection Technology. Jack has 32 years of experience and currently works for eight northern suburb communities. The Building Inspector is very accessible for construction questions and accommodating when scheduling inspections. Please contact Building Inspector, Jack Kramer at 651-351-5051.

Jennifer Haskamp, the Township Planner will be available to the public by appointment only. Please contact the Township Clerk if you have any questions about this.

Land Use Permits are required to allow specific types of development. There are certain uses of land or types of businesses that may have an impact on their community. These uses are carefully reviewed through the land use permit process. Land Use Permits authorize a use and set conditions for its establishment and operation. Land Use Permits can be required for a number of reasons, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The site's zoning
• The proposed use
• The amount of grading or vegetation removal
• Inability to comply with ordinance requirements

Land Use Permit Process

The typical Land Use process begins with the applicant completing and submitting an application with all required documents from the checklist. The application is reviewed by the Town Planner before a public hearing is scheduled. The Town Planner issues a staff report to the Planning Commission. Notice of the public hearing is published in the official newspaper; the applicant and adjacent property owners are notified. The Planning Commission hears the application proposal and makes their recommendation to the Town Board, which then hears the application proposal and staff report. The Town Board makes a decision to approve or deny the request. After compliance with the approved Town Board conditions, the applicant may begin the building permit process.

The Lent Township Planning Commission meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Lent Town Hall. Other special meetings will be posted as needed. Meetings are open to the public.

The Planning Commission is an advisory committee appointed by the Lent Town Board of Supervisors. The basic responsibility of the Planning Commission is to see that existing land is used in the very best interest of the Township as well as the landowner. The Planning Commission meets for the purpose of discussing subdivision and land development applications, ordinance review, and providing guidance and issuing recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission's role is critical to ensuring that all development occurring within the township adheres to the community's zoning and land development ordinances and meets the spirit of Lent Township's Comprehensive Plan.

To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda, call the Lent Town Clerk at 651-462-3009, one week in advance of the meeting.

The Planning Commission encourages community feedback in the public hearings as part of the process for adoption of each ordinance. All public hearing notices will be published in the Post Review and posted at the town hall posting board. Notices may also be found in the Public Notices on the home page of this website.

Planning Commission members:

• Conrad Christianson - Chairperson
  
• Phil Carlson - Vice Chair
• John Stewart - Secretary
• Randy Koivisto - Member
• Mike Willcoxen - Member
• Don Bilunas - Member

Jennifer Haskamp, Lent Township's Planner/Zoning Administrator assists the Planning Commission by providing thorough research and concise information to aid the Commission in their decision making.

Jennifer also helps applicants through the process of various land use issues. Jennifer Haskamp is available to the public at the Lent Town Hall from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on the second Wednesday of the month.

Jennifer has earned her Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and her Bachelor of Architect degree from the U of M. Ms. Haskamp has spent most of her career as a consultant working directly with municipalities, regulatory agencies and land owners. She has served as the lead facilitator and project manager on several complex planning projects that have ranged from standard daily planning activities to large scale comprehensive planning and redevelopment efforts. She brings design experience, including graphic design, free hand drawing, and urban design skills. Ms. Haskamp is committed to helping communities plan for their future, and creating meaningful plans that are implemented and enforceable.