HomeMy WebLinkAbout082196 wkshpAugust 21, 1996
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Don Rye - Planning Director
Dave Wuellner
Planning Commission Lake Tour
On Tuesday, August 20, The Prior Lake Planning Commission spent four hours touring the
city from the vantage point of our largest asset, the lake. Similar to the tour we did last year,
we spent the time looking at various planning issues, existing problems, and future potential
opportunities. Those present for the tour were:
Dick Kuvkendall
Tony Stamson
Tom Von Hoff
Dave Wuellner
Connie Carlson
The issues brought to light during the tour were as follows:
- Lakeshore setback: The issue of lake shore setback was discussed from the standpoint of
values. The question was posed as to why was there a requirement of 75 feet from the lake?
Is it an environmental issue, or is it an aesthethic one? The consensus of the ~oup was that
of aesthetics, namely the value of trees and ~eenspace along the shoreline. The beauty, of
more remote pristine lakes further north in Minnesota is enhanced with the preservation of
treelines between development and the lakeshore. Prior Lake mav wish to consider a trade-
off in the future, whereas closer setbacks may be more palatable with the inclusion of a
planting or landscaping plan that provides for screening on the lake side.
Conditional Use Permit Review- Green Heights Lake Club: The observation was made
that although Green Heights is operating under a Conditional Use as a restaurant, they are
also actively involved and promoting their alternative use as a marina. The dockage for
Green 'Heights has been significantly increased in the past year, thereby expanding their side-
business as a provider of dock slips for non-riparian users of the lake. This needs to be
reviewed.
- Perrier Residence Lakeshore Problem: It was noted that the Perrier family on Inguadona
Beach Circle have recently "improved" their lakeshore by driving 6 to 8 foot-tall iron
buttresses into the lake at the water level. We looked for the presence of anti-aircraft guns or
missile silos but sighted none. This recent property, improvement is extremely improper and
ugly and needs to be removed immediately.
- Low-Water Improvement: It became clear to the commission members that the two bays in
the lake that underwent dredging operations during past low-water years, Mud Bay and
Gateway Shores, were dramatic improvements and si~ificantly enhanced the value of the
land on Prior Lake. Other areas that could also be similarly enhanced were identified, and
the point was made that it would benefit the city, improve these areas and make them more
developable. The areas identified were Boudin's Bay and the swampy bay near the end of
Shady Beach Trail. It was noted that Boudin's Bay was significant, too, in that it was one of
the few commercial sites on Prior Lake, and deserved closer study. It was also discussed that
a financial mechanism should be in place now to pay for the dred~ng operations in these
bays during the dD'-years.
- Lake Use Planning: The issue of land use planning should perhaps extend to lake use as
well. If the lake is our largest asset and the "center" of our communi9,, why shouldn't the use
of the lake fall under own xving as ~gell? Discussions in this area included that of making the
lake a designated park, thereby ~ving the city. the jurisdiction to regulate its use (similar to
that of Lake Calhoun). While this issue is still nebulous, a think-tank discussion of its
possibilities would be fun.
We appreciate the opportunity, for the commission to make this tour. We fbund it to be a
valuable experience and and eye-opening one as well. We also appreciate the dinner.
Respectfully,
David Wuellner