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340 Big Island - 23-117-23-32-0076
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PC Exhibit I <br />CMP Part 3B. Land Use Plan <br />LAKE MINNETONKA ISLANDS <br />Land on Big Island (including the east and west islands plus Mahpiyata Island) <br />and Deering Island has been privately owned for many decades and has been used <br />for a significant number of seasonal cottages plus a few year-round homes. The <br />islands also contain a substantial amount of public and private park land and <br />recreation areas. <br />BIG ISLAND <br />History <br />Big Island was first called Meeker's Island for Judge Bradley B. Meeker who <br />settled there in 1852. W.B. Morse purchased it in 1854 and for many years <br />thereafter it was known as Morse Island. In 1887 and 1888, two subdivisions to <br />create small parcels were platted, Morse Island Park on the most southerly point, <br />and Pleasant View on the west end. This resulted in the construction of a number <br />of individual summer homes. <br />During the early 1900's, the Twin City streetcar lines operated Big Island <br />Amusement Park on the east end of the island. The onset of World War I resulted <br />in its dismantling. This 60-acre property eventually became the Big Island <br />Veterans Camp, which remained in operation until shortly before its sale to the <br />City of Orono for parkland in 2006. <br />Hennepin (now Three Rivers} Parks acquired a 60-acre parcel near the center of <br />the island about 30 years ago, and since then acquired a few small adjacent <br />parcels totaling an additional 10 acres as they became available and as funds <br />permitted. By the early 1970's, approximately 50 mostly seasonal cabins existed <br />on private parcels on Big Island. <br />In May 1972 the Orono Village Council declared via Resolution No. 446 that "the <br />long range highest and best use of Big Island is for park purposes", <br />acknowledging that the provision of public services to the island is uneconomical <br />and unlikely to occur in the future. It was suggested that the Hennepin County <br />Park Reserve District should administer such a park. <br />The 1980 Orono Comprehensive Plan noted the same concerns, and again <br />encouraged eventual ownership by Hennepin Parks. However, the City declared <br />it would not condemn private property for park purposes, and therefore in 1983 <br />created the "RS" Recreational Seasonal Zoning District, providing development <br />standards for continued private recreational/residential use of the island until such <br />time that the slow transition to a public park is complete. The RS Zoning District <br />provides specific standards and limitations for permitted, conditional and <br />City of Orono Community Management Plan 2008-2030 Page 3B-51
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