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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/20/97 MINUTES OF THE LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE August 20, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER The Lake Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by chair Stroh on Wednesday, August 20, 1997 at 7:02 p.m. Members present: Kate Haggerty, Tom Kearney, Paul Trapp and Rick Warner. Others present were Water Resources Coordinator Lani Leichty. Members absent: Marianne Breitbach, Doug Larson and Jody Stroh. II. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING The first item on the agenda was to approve the Minutes of the meeting for July 16, 1997. MOTION BY TRAPP, SECONDED BY HAGGERTY TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 16,1997. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. III. 1997 MILFOIL TREATMENT PROGRAM Leichty presented the proposed Sediment Sampling Plan and asked the committee if they had any comments or suggestions regarding the plan. There was discussion that acquiring several more samples would help to make the soils nutrient map more accurate, especially since the cost for sample testing is very reasonable. It was agreed upon that additional sample locations would be added to the sampling location map. MOTION BY HAGGERTY, SECONDED BY WARNER TO APPROVE THE SEDIMENT SAMPLING PLAN WITH ADDITIONAL SAMPLES TO BE TAKEN ON PRIOR LAKE. IV. SURFACE WATER ORDINANCE DISCUSSION Leichty asked the committee if they had any concerns or comments regarding the current "no-wake" zone elevation of 904.0. He mentioned that the City had been receiving calls from lakeshore residents asking if anything could be done to lower the "no-wake" zone. Some residents are very concerned about lake shore erosion occurring due to high lake levels and wave action caused by boaters. It was decided that no action would be taken at this time. If the "no-wake" zone elevation was lowered there would probably be as many complaints from residents who wanted to boat versus those who wanted it lowered. ~ V. NEW BUSINESS 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ,- A. Shady Beach Trail Access: Leichty mentioned that Paul Hokeness, Parks Director, had asked for a recommendation from the Lake Advisory Committee (LAC) concerning the classification and use of this public access. It was revealed that the LAC had made a recommendation for this access at their May 21, 1997 meeting. At that meeting there was a motion to "widen the entrance to the Shady Beach Sportsman's access by removing a large tree and moving the northeast post to the northeast property corner". There was discussion as to whether or not a private use of public property agreement should be entered between the City and the Sportsman's Club. The committee agreed that since it is dedicated to the public, that it should remain open for public use. MOTION BY HAGGERTY, SECONDED BY TRAPP TO REMAIN WITH THE PREVIOUS MOTION FROM MAY 21, 1997 AND INCLUDE WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION THAT THE SHADY BEACH ACCESS REMAIN IN PUBLIC USE. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. B. Trapp mentioned to the committee that a survey is being done on Minnesota's frog and toad species. He asked if the committee would like to be involved with this survey in some way. It was mentioned that the Five Hawks School may be very interested in making this a part of their science curriculum. Trapp will contact the school. C. Warner brought up the situation that exists around the lake where waterfront areas have been dedicated to all respective lot owners in older plats. Many of these platted areas have never formed associations that set guidelines for the waterfront, and in some cases walkways, on who would be responsible for maintenance and other issues that pertain to the general upkeep of these semi-public areas. In certain cases the forming of an association now would put the riparian residents at a disadvantage in negotiating bylaws since the number of non-riparian lot owners is greater. Warner did not feel that there was equality in such instances when riparian lots are viewed by the county as lakeshore lots and taxed accordingly, even though the property lines do not extend to the lake. Also, these riparian lots have been assessed special assessments for eurasian milfoil and for the Prior Lake outlet. Situations have arisen where non- riparian lot owners expect the same privileges as riparian lot owners without accepting any responsibility of the property, in which the waterfront area was based on a 1920's dedication on the plats. It is Warner's opinion that the county and city have always looked at these adjacent waterfront lots as lakeshore lots despite the dedication in the plat. With the recent growth, both riparian and non-riparian lots are replacing small cabins with newer expensive homes. The dedication of "waterfront" is very vague in the plat description and is causing concern with lot owners in these platted areas. Realtors are telling new non-riparian buyers that docks, boatlifts, and party's can be put and/or held anywhere on the "waterfront". The end result of this kind of action could be a maze of docks and cluttered beaches, along with the disruption of lakeshore living for the riparian lot owners. In some instances non-riparian lot owners have been approaching lakeshore owners in aggressive manners and in some incidents the police have been called. The following questions arise as to what can be done in order to prevent an explosive outcry if this is not handled in an organized manner: I) Is there anything the county or city can do to preserve the quality and privacy the riparian lot owners have historically had and at the same time preserve the lake access privileges for the non-riparian lot owners? 2) Is there any limit to the number of docks that can be placed along waterfront? 3) Are these old dedications appropriate for the 1990's and beyond? 4) Is there anything that the City can do with ordinances to address this issue? Leichty said that he would talk to the City attorney to see what authority the City would have in limiting the number of docks per lot, or if the City has any authority in a situation like this. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY WARNER, SECONDED BY HAGGERTY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:53 P.M., MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, *~ Recording Secretary