HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: dock/watercraft storage P�'0INNFT0,
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• LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERh*jjaN DISTRICT
o � 23505 SMITHTOWN ROAD,SUITE 120-SHOREWOOD,MINNESOTA 55331 •TELEPHONE 95W-0789•FAX 952/745-9085
1%,�RLAiION O\S�P a(JARryfj4ybeck, EXECUTIVE DIREC FOR
�i 11 x•77 2011
March 14, 2011 CITYOFOROIVO
Gerald and Diane Carlson
2496 Old Beach Road
Orono, MN 55391
RE: Site #618, Lafayette Bay
Dear Gerald and Diane:
In the summer of 2010, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) staff conducted
lake-wide inspections of dock and watercraft storage on Lake Minnetonka. Your residential site
was identified as one that was potentially not in full compliance with one or more LMCD
Ordinances. The LMCD Board of Directors has opted to pursue a course of education and
voluntary compliance for all sites so identified. The intent of this letter is to provide you with
relevant and current information to allow you to assess your dock and watercraft storage
configuration, and to take steps to bring them into compliance, if necessary, during the 2011
boating season and beyond.
Your location was identified as one that had five or more restricted watercraft stored at your
site at the time it was inspected. In order to legally store the same number of restricted
watercraft that you had in 2010, a multiple dock license would be required. LMCD staff would
be happy to discuss the possibility of obtaining a multiple dock license for your site. If it is
determined that you do not qualify for a multiple dock license, you will be told the reasons why
and will be asked to reduce the number of watercraft being stored at your site in 2011 and
beyond.
The LMCD website and staff are resources you can use to help answer any questions you
have about the Ordinance details or the voluntary compliance process. Chapter 2 of the
LMCD Code, "Regulations of Structures within the Lake," is the relevant Chapter in answering
those questions. To assist you, copies of various sections of this Chapter are enclosed for
your review, which can also be found on the LMCD web site at htti)://www.Imcd-org/pacies/Chapter2.htm.
The following is offered to help summarize the general rules and regulations:
What is a restricted watercraft?
A restricted watercraft is defined as any boat or vessel for use on or stored on the public
waters on the lake except for unrestricted watercraft. An unrestrictedwatercraft is defined as a
boat or vessel that is:
1) 16' or less in length and unmotorized; or
1) 16' or less in length and which uses a motor of 10 horsepower or less; or
2) 20' or less in length and unmotorized, and propelled solely by human power.
`* Web Page Address: http://www.Imcd.org • E-mail Address: ImcdO)Imcd.org
To protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka.
Gerald and Diane Carlson
March 14, 2011
Page 2
Most personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, or similar) would qualify as a restricted
watercraft (due to horsepower). A sailboat longer than 16' (motorized or un-motorized) would
also qualify as a restricted watercraft.
How manv boats can I store?
LMCD ordinances regulate the number of restricted watercraft that may be moored or docked
within a Dock Use Area (Section 2.01) at a residential site. In summary, Section 2.02 provides
for:
• The General Rule is one restricted watercraft for each 50' (1:50') of continuous
shoreline; without reference to the owners of the watercraft being residents of the
site (Subd.1); or
• Unless a greater number is allowed by the 1:50' General Rule, up to two restricted
watercraft may be moored or docked at a dock or mooring facility on a residential
site in existence on August 30 1978; without regard to the owners of the watercraft
being residents of the site (Subd 2); or
• If the 1:50' General Rule cannot be met, up to four restricted watercraft may be
moored or docked at a site, provided a number of conditions are followed. One of
these conditions includes all restricted watercraft must be owned and registered to
the residents who live in the one single-family residential structure on the site (Subd
3; a-c).
Residents should check with their city for any additional storage restrictions.
The LMCD is requesting your cooperation in taking the time to understand the rules and
regulations and maintain your site within those regulations. Repeat inspections will be
performed in 2011. Therefore, your prompt attention and cooperation is appreciated. Further
violations, or non-communication documenting otherwise, will be turned over to the LMCD
prosecuting attorney.
I welcome your call to answer any questions you may have or to receive any documentation
that would document compliance of the watercraft storage. I can be reached at 952-745-0789.
Sincerely,
J
Emil Heiman
Y
Administrative Assistant/Code Enforcement
Enclosures: LMCD Code Excerpts
Cc: City of Orono LMCD Board Representative
City of Orono Representative