12-04-1974 Council Meeting Minutes with PC

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MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 4 , 1974 Pa�e 35 residential areas from the visual blight and traffic hazards which have been generated by the present B-2 uses. The Comprehensive Plan noted and the Council adopts the policies of the Department of Natural Resources, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District as they relate to the use of Lake Minnetonka and the protection of the shore land along the lake. The Comprehensive Plan recommends that these B-2 areas be restored to green belt status, using native trees and shrubs, to depth of 75 feet from the sho�eF�line, in accordance with the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District standards. The recommended steps to improve the relationship of these lakeshore commercial sites to the surrounding residential uses and to the lake itself include: 1) the re-establishment of shore land vegetation to a depth of 75 feet from the shoreline; 2) the screening of the buildings and materials in the area from the public road and adjacent residential uses by means of appropriate new plantings of the trees and shrubs; 3) redesignation of approved uses in the lake shore commercial areas to give priority to services such as boat docking, repair and engine service; 4) classification and control of the density of boat storage so as to be consistent with the land available and to comply with the boat density regulations as promulgated by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District; 5) stop the development of B-2 uses on vacant property or other property used for non B-2 uses. The Council and the Planning Commission Members present felt th�t the excessive stripping of trees and other vegetation from the land has in many cases become total and directly affects the shore land erosion and lake water quality. All limnological studies consistently refer to the fact that the strip- ping of the lakeshore vegetation results in the poor water quality and poor condition of the lake. Moreover, the real estate values of nearby residential properties are adversely affected by the develop- ment of B-2 commercial uses. The Council noted that it would be desireable to retain the natural shoreline as ungraded, unfilled and unexcavated, with its native trees and vegetation undisturbed. However, it was noted that most of the B-2 areas are already completely developed for B-2 uses .