Laserfiche WebLink
• <br />U <br />Resolution No.' 994 <br />Page 6 <br />28. The expansion of the commercial dockage facilities by <br />commercial marinas has directly and adversely affected the'lakeward <br />access for adjoining residential properties. That expansion has also <br />resulted in congested dockage and off -shore buoy facilities which <br />have created a visual blight upon certain areas of Lake Minnetonka. <br />29. The new emphasis upon showroom sales has been accompanied <br />by immense increases in the number of watercraft, trailers, and parts <br />stored on land as part of inventory for sale with the accompanying <br />on -land zoning problems. These functions could be better handled in <br />the normal commercial zones of the City of Orono without adversely <br />affecting the important environmental resource belonging to the public <br />generally. The general expansionofcommercial marina operations <br />along the*shore of Lake Minnetonka has been accompanied by the excessive <br />removal of trees and natural vegetation to allow for increased storage <br />areas, parking and buildings, thereby creating a public harm by <br />increasing surface water runoff and pollution hazards, flooding of <br />neighboring properties, siltation into the lake and a general decrease* <br />of the water quality of Lake Minnetonka. <br />30. The general expansion of commercial marina operations <br />along . the lake. and the operation- of those facilities from dawn to dusk <br />and -later, seven days a week, creates continuous noise, litter, dust, <br />garbage, traffic congestion and parking problems fo"r the adjoining <br />neighborhoods. These marina facilities and the activities attendent <br />thereto have become visual blights in residential areas, general <br />public nuisances and a constant source of numerous complaints by <br />adjoining landowners. <br />31. The lease or rental of dockage on public waters or <br />space upon land for summer season storage of boats for private <br />individuals is not a permitted or a conditional use authorized in <br />any zoning district within which the commercial marinas are located. <br />32. The rental to private individuals of dockage is therefore <br />and has always been an illegal use of property by the commercial <br />marinas and at best can only be considered to be a legal nonconforming <br />use. The City Council, recognizing the common practice of dockage <br />rental in the past, has issued licenses for a reasonable number of <br />nonconforming slips subject to reasonable performance standards <br />established by Chapter 73 of the Municipal Code. <br />