09-23-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9,2002 PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS—DAVE RAHN, REPRESENTATIVE None. . PUBLIC COMMENTS John Larson and John Jemey from the Lafayette Ridge Homeowners Association were present. Mr. Larson stated that Lafa^tte Ridge consists of 20 homes, 15 in Minnetonka Beach and 5 in Orono. The association shares common interest in the development, including 800* of lakeshore. When they bought their houses, they were told the lakeshore would be developed with docks for the homeowners. 16 slips were installed, leaving 4 homeowners without lake access. Because the Orono portion of the development has no lakeshore, those homes are without slips or dock usage. The fifteen Minnetonka Beach homes were given slips and designated class A homes. One Orono home was given a slip, the other 4 have been termed class B homes without lake access. Although the Orono homes have no rights to use the docks or beach, the homeowners association votes to charge the entire development for lakeshore related expenses, so Orono homeowners arc paying for improvements they aren’t allowed to use. Mr. Larson stated he wanted the docks distributed equitably. Sansevere asked Barrett if the City could become involved. Barrett responded that Mr. Larson and the others should find a private attorney to represent their rights. Because no agreement with the City was being breeched, the City should not set a precedent of getting involved in private claims. Sansevere asked if they had contacted the LMCD. Nygard asked what the LMCD allowed for slips. Mr. Jemey stated the LMCD allows 1 slip per 50 ’ of lakeshore. Murphy asked Larson what his main complaint was. Larson replied that it was the way slips are alienated, and the way the association treats the Orono residents. He stated there is an article in the declaration stating it could not be changed for 20 years and only then with a 75% vote. It s been over 20 years, but 75% of the association is slip-owners and won’t vote for any equitable changes. Some slips are not being used by the owners, and they rent them out. Mr. Larson estimates the value of a slip to the homeowner’s prooertv is about $80,000. ^ Sansevere stated he did not believe the City could help them. White suggested they may find relief in how the lot was advertised at the time of sale—as a lakeshore property. Moorse sUted that when the subdivision was done, Orono and Minnetonka Beach had