01-06-1992 Council Minutes Hearing Maxwell Bay Lake Access

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•j PUBLIC HEARING HELD REGARDING DNR'S PROPOSED LAKE ACCESS ON MAXWELL BAY ORONO CITY COUNCIL - JANUARY 6, 1992 Callahan opined that the LMCD's long -range development plan which was recently adopted by the LMCD and approved by the Metropolitan Council addressed the matter of 700 car parking around the lake with access points, and regardless of what is mentioned in the written portion of the plan, there was a great deal of discussion about that program-and its concept during the course of the development stage. He felt that the plan provides, that the acquisition of access points on the lake to meet the 700 car parking spaces would be the subject of a program which is to be developed and coordinated by the LMCD. He noted that the DNR had signed off on the long -range plan, and in earlier days, even had input on it. Callahan stated, that at the time the plan was developed, the representatives of the cities with an interest in this area of the plan were told that the LMCD and the DNR had reached some understanding as to what was meant by the 700 parking space requirement. Thereby, the DNR and the LMCD had agreed that since the first studies had been made, that the LMCD would devise a plan for the lake and work with surrounding communities to arrive at a comprehensive solution to this problem. The current activity with the DNR has been spurred by an individual wanting to sell his house and the-DNR appeared to be an available source of money. Callahan felt that the LMCD should go to the DNR who they had reached some compromise with in the past, and redefine the plan for the lake in regards to the parking around the Lake., Goetten explained that the Council is taking this issue every seriously and called for an executive session to be held following the next scheduled Council meeting. Mayor Peterson noted to the public that the Council is on their side with regards to this issue. She stated that she felt the purpose of the DNR was to help preserve, not destroy, the-natural resources. She felt the .proposed access is a very costly venture. She felt that problems will be compounded by adding boat density to the lake and traffic problems on surrounding roads. Jabbour introduced Gene Strommen, Executive Director of the LMCD and Duane Marcus of Wayzata, Board Member.of the LMCD. Jabbour explained that in Minnesota the. DNR is charged with managing its resources, the MPCA is ..responsible for disasters, and there is not an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect, the environment. He. noted'.that the LMCD should be charged -with this responsibility. 3