Grand Marais city councilors approved on second reading two annexation requests Sept. 26. Both requests came from the owners of the affected properties, and both had been approved on first reading at council’s previous meeting.
The first parcel, known as the HRH tract, consists of 4.92 acres and is located west of town near the former Tomteboda property off Highway 61. It is the same land that was under consideration for development of a zip line earlier this year, but the petitioners opted to continue with the annexation process after that proposal fell through in order to facilitate any future development plans. Annexation was originally requested to simplify re-zoning of the parcel (R-1 Permanent Residential) to accommodate the zip line, which has since been relocated to a site in the city limits off the Gunflint Trail.
The second request for annexation came from Arthur and Patricia Johnson and involves 5 acres of land adjacent to the Go-Fer Cabins property on the east entrance to town. The owners believe that by annexing the adjoining parcel into the city limits, sale of the property (the cabins are already within the city’s borders) will be smoother and less complicated.
In other business:
Council heard the annual update from Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Peterson addressed topics the coalition has been working on during the last year including Local Government Aid, economic development, annexation and land use, environmental regulation, and transportation. Looking ahead, Peterson said, “There will be some challenges.”
Kristin Wharton presented information on an upcoming “Active Living” summit to be held Nov. 14 and encouraged council members to attend. The program is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle and active-friendly activities such as walking, biking and gardening. Councilors noted that they are conscious of the efforts and have promoted Active Living in the past with their decisions to include sidewalks and pedestrian routes in the designs when roadwork or other planning projects come before them.
Council gave approval for a $30,000 construction project to pave a one-block section of 11th Avenue West between Second and Third streets. The project, which will begin immediately, will be paid for by the Homestead Cooperative but carried out under the city’s auspices. The city will have ownership of the improvements and public right of way and is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Efforts to repair and re-paint the “Welcome to the Gunflint Trail” signs near the library are still being made, reported Councilor Jan Sivertson. Yarrow Korf has asked that the signs be removed from their bases and taken to his garage, where he will work on them during the winter. City Administrator Mike Roth said he would work with the city’s Street Department to make arrangements and determine if the signs can be safely dismounted.
Leave a Reply