10-22-1991 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1991 Page 3 Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, reviewed the three ponds that were not added to the shoreland ordinance because of their size. They included Little Twin Lake located in Heavenly Hills, and ponds in the Westwood and School View 1st subdivisions. He stated that these areas won't be requi red to comply wi th the shoreland setback regulations because it would eliminate lots that already exist. Richard Gruys of 22347 Monroe Street stated that he was planning to do some logging of trees on his property and also questioned whether the farming of this land was grandfathered-in and how the shore land ordinance would affect him. Mr. Rohlf stated that the grandfathered-in agricultural use would be allowed to remain, but that any expansions of these types of uses would need to comply with the shoreland standards. As far as logging was concerned, clear-cutting was prohibited under the new standards. Mr. Gruys further stated that Little Twin Lake was four to five times bigger than the pot hole that was located on his property and he felt that his pond should also be considered one of the optional lakes. Gary Schmitz explained that in classifying water bodies, the size of the basin may go beyond where the actual water lies, therefore, even though the one lake looks smaller on the surface it may have a bigger basin. Mr. Gruys was also concerned with the County ditch (Trott Brook) and questioned whether the City was going to maintain Trott Brook to see that it doesn't flood. He was also concerned with the beavers in the area. Dale Homuth stated that on any State protected watercourse, the landowner is responsible to keep it open. The DNR does not have funded money to maintain these brooks. Tom McNair of 22175 Grant Street questioned how the new shoreland ordinance would affect previously platted lots along the Mississippi Ri vel' as far as buildability. Steve Rohlf stated that as long as all setbacks could be met, existing legal lots of record would still be considered bui ldable as long as a conforming septic system could be placed on the lot. Ms. Szklarski added that the Mississippi River is protected under a separate ordinance titled the "Wild and Scenic River Management Ordinance." Lou Bown of 1596 Stillwater Avenue, St. Paul stated that they owned lake cottages on the Elk River at the end of Waco Street and also questioned if they were grandfathered- in. Mr. Bown further stated that they have been restricted from adding on or expanding to their buildings. Mr. Rohlf stated that they would be restricted from building in that location because of the floodplain ordinance. He stated that Mr. Bown's structures were grandfathered-in with limitations on building or expanding. This is separate from shoreland regulations. Bill Christian indicated he was concerned with a 40 acre parcel on County Road 33 and Quincy as to whether the trees could be cut wi thin 1,000 ft. of the water. Ms. Szklarski stated that some trees can be cut but no clear cutting would be allowed on the site.