Ltr to realtor re useof property

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. Big Island Vets Camp Buildability Analysis January 27,2005 Page 3 Orono's shorela��d preservation ordinances include hardcover limitations and prohibitions on tree removal. Far instance,for all lakeshore properties,all trees within 75 feet ofthe shoreline and greater than 6 inches in diameter must be preserved. Because the Vets Camp property is a particularly unique property with unique natural features and nah�ral vistas,it would be reasonable to expand these lilnitations as necessary to allow for the level of preseivation desired by the City. Access Management.By its verynature,access to Big Island is severely limited. There are no roads that connect the Island to the mainland. Virtually all platted rights of way on the Island were dedicated to the public use in tlle 1800s,before motorized vehicles existed. The platted rights ofwayprovide internal circulation on the Island,and serve to provide access to the few interior non-lakeshore lots as well as those existing lakeshare lots with topographic impediments to direct lake access. The use ofmotorized vehicles is prohibited on the Tsland,per City Council action in 1971,and signs were posted on the Island shortly thereafter. The basis for the ban on motor vehicles includes the lack ofability of the City to provide adequate police/fire/emergency services;the lack of City ability to mainiain and plow roads;and the lack of the need of the public to use motorized vehicles on the Island. The City has not formally opened any of the existing rights of way to vehicular traffic,although it has been involved in maintaining certain access points to their historic level of improvement,to provide for the minimum access needs of Island l andowners. Exceptions to the ban are made for construction and property maintenance needs. In addition,the prohibition serves to preserve the natural character of the Island,and to protect the Island from the negative impacts of motorized vehicles.Because the City cannot easily monitor or maintain the condition of the roads on the Island,and because the use of motorized vehicles on the Island cannot be adequately monitared or regulated,the prohibition is a very important consideration in the future planning and layout ofproperties on the Island. The creation of new roads as a result of development should be avoided. Each newly created lot should have direct usable access to the lake,without having to cross another lot. Environmental Review While the Vets Camp property is not within a mandatory category for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW)under Miimesota Environmental Quality Board(EQB)Rules Chapter4410,it also is not in an exempt category. Because the site has a significant history of commercial,public and sem.i-public uses,and still contains historic vestiges of those uses;and because the property contains high ground overlooking Lake Minnetonka,suggesting potential past uses by native Americans;there is a high potential that the City Council would honor a qualified petition for an EAW if presented with such petition. Potential developers of the site should be prepared to complete the EAW process.