09-21-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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PC Exhibit D MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PiATURAL RESOURCES CENTRAL REGION 1200 WARNER ROAD SAINT PAUL,MN 55106 851-259-580Q MN�►NR September 9,2015 Ms.Melanie Curtis Planner City of Orono P.O.Box 66 Crystal Bay,MN 55323 Re: Proposed vacation of a portion of Lake Street at 4775 North Shore Drive,PID:07-117-23-32-0022 Dear Ms. Ctutis: Thank you for seeking input fram the Department of Natural Resources regarding the proposed vacation af a porkion of Lake Streefi adjacem to the property addressed 4775 North Shore Drive in Orono. Your letter was forwarded to me to review and provide comments as required by M.S.4I2.851. Lake Stree�t,was dedicated in the 1887 plat"Berquist&Wicklund's Park"wiEk�.the following language; "...donate and dedicate to the public useforever al!the srreets and avenues thereon shown." M.S.412.851 indicates that `1Vo vacation shall be made unless it apper�s in the interesr of the public to do sa" In response, "The commissianer must evaluate: (1) the proposed vacation and the publac benefits to do so; (2) the present and potential use of the darrd for access to public waters; and (3)how the vacation would impact corrservation of natural resources." The DNR has reviewed the proposed vacation of Lake Stxeet abutting the public waters of Lake Minnetonka in the city of Orono,and we offer the following comments: Lake Minnetonka is a designated public water of the state of Minnesota ptoviding unparalleled water recreation for the citizens of Minnesata. D'vR surveys show Lake Minnetonka is one of Minnesota's most popular bodies of water for boafiing. Cl�anging recrea#ional trends or increased popula#ion could result i.n a need for additional or improved pablic access to the lake. It is also important to recognize that public access includes activities like shore fishing,hiking, soenic overlooks,end winter access,in addititm to launching and docking boats. The written request from the applicant states their intentions of expanding the living area,adding a traznway,and reducing hardcover on the property. Reducing hazdcover would be beneficial to the Minnehaha Creek watershed,and the increased property value may benefit t�ing authorities. While reducing hardcover would have public benefits,vacating Lake Street may not be required to do so. Additionally,vacating the road does not require implement�ion of the proposed public benefits,nor does it bear on any f�re landowners with different intenHons. This portion of Lake Street is currently part of a naturalized corridor along the lakeshore,including the county road right-of-way to North Shore Drive. Vacating this right of way would reduce public access to mndnr.gov � PRI NTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CONTA[NING A MINIMUM OF'f 0%POST-CONSUMER WASTE. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.