|
|
Grand Marais City Councilors voted unanimously to rezone approximately 12 acres of property in Creechville from RC Recreation Commercial to R-1 Residential at the council’s Wednesday, February 22 meeting.
The vote came on the heels of a February 15 Planning Commission meeting open to the public to discuss the rezoning proposal.
Comments came from 11 people who attended the February 15 meeting, with some in favor of the rezoning request and some against it. Those who wanted the land opened for housing commented on the lack of housing in the city and county and the need to build more. Those against the proposal cited the safety of the Gunflint Trail intersection, the noise heard from truckers who have to use their jake-breaks to slow down as they wind their way to Highway 61, the impacts to wetlands, loss of views, and destruction of forest lands.
Several months ago, the city sold the property to the Cook County Housing and R Authority (HRA) for one dollar. The HRA is looking at building housing on the property, but a lot of work has to happen before anything can be, or should be, constructed on that acreage.
Council received two recommendations for rezoning in the council’s Public Open Forum from letters submitted by Mary Somnis, who serves on the HRA board, and Cook County Commissioner David Mills. Mills has owned property in Creechville for 18 years. Mills said in his letter that the citizens’ concerns should be looked at, but for now, he recommended passing the rezoning request and “looked forward to many more conversations in the process.”
While the council voted for the rezoning proposal, councilors cautioned that the new designation would only grant the HRA permission to build multi-family housing after applying for a conditional use permit. That conditional use permit will allow the Planning Commission and City Council to oversee any project proposed for that property.
The new zoning will go into effect after the legal notice is published.
Mayor Tracy Benson said, “This is an incremental step forward with lots more conversation as we move forward.”
Benson added that the city should look at other pieces of property, and City Administrator Mike Roth agreed that additional city-owned parcels could provide locations to build housing.
Lindstrom Rain Garden
The City of Grand Marais and Cook County Soil and Water has long discussed putting a rain garden at the intersection of West 4th Street and North Broadway Avenue. Planning started in October 2019.
The rain garden was proposed to stop the erosion of a 100-foot steep section of 4th Avenue West. In addition, a vegetated stormwater swale is planned to reduce erosion and protect the water quality. It is estimated that the project will remove 880 pounds of sediment and 0.37 pounds of phosphorous per year from entering Lake Superior.
The rain garden will be 30 feet by 60 feet along W 4th Street and 35 feet by 40 feet along North Broadway.
Sediment has been accumulating at that location which prevents drainage and smothers vegetation.
The rain garden is slated to be built in City-owned right of way adjacent to Josh and Stephanie Lindstrom’s property. The Lindstroms have agreed to maintain the rain garden as required by using best management practices. If the Lindstroms have questions or concerns, they can ask SWCD for assistance. Cook County Soil and Water are providing 75 percent of the rain garden cost. In addition, there will be a ten percent cash outlay and in-kind work to make up the rest of the expense to build the rain garden.
Council passed a resolution supporting the project and then passed a resolution for a second Cook County soil and Water Conservation project in the city.
Dirt Candy Designs, LLC was the low bidder at $7,783.19 to fix about 100 feet of a steep eroding section of 4th Avenue West. Plans are to build a vegetated stormwater swale to reduce erosion and protect water quality. The work is estimated to eliminate up to 880 pounds of sediment and 0.37 pounds of phosphorous from entering Lake Superior every year.
Council removed discussing the hiring of HKG to update the Recreation Area Park Master Plan from the agenda because city attorney Chris Hood wanted to review the contract before the council signed it.
Dog Leash regulations discussed.
Council discussed the city’s dog leash ordinance. Mayor Tracy Benson said she reviewed how a few other areas near the metro have written their leash ordinances. She cited examples, saying some cities say if the dog is on the homeowner’s property, it doesn’t have to be on a leash. Some towns say an e-leach constitutes a leach. Some have allowed dogs off leash when playing fetch…
Ben said he wasn’t a big fan of e-leashes. Michael Garry said he liked e-leaches but wondered, “who knows if the animal is under control?”
Aaron Carlson has had regular leaches broken by dogs and has had good luck with an electronic leash. “I would be in support of adding e-leaches to our code,” he said.
Craig Schulte said he understood people who have well-trained dogs who don’t want a leash law, but “I also understand people who come up here from areas who have leash laws.” Craig noted that the Rec Park has a leash law.
Mayor Benson talked to Sherriff Pat Eliasen and asked how many call his office received each year about dogs off-leash. He told her less than 24, but those calls also included lost dogs and other calls about dogs. So, only a few.
Roth told the council he could draft an updated dog leash ordinance based on what he was hearing: keeping the current leash law requirement, allowing off-leash on private property, allowing for some other off-leash activities (swimming in Lake Superior, fetch, etc.), and making sure to mention the off-leash dog park open for people to use.
Arrowhead Transit
Councilor Aaron Carlson volunteered to serve as the city’s liaison to Arrowhead Transit.
A letter from Arrowhead Transit manager Adam Roen requested that a city official participates in quarterly meetings.
“Our goal in Cook County is to work with local officials, MnDOT, and community people to supply the proper transportation within the parameters we have to follow,” wrote Roen.
Counselor reports
Carlson said he had met with Arrowhead Animal Rescue, who hopes the city will be build a pound. The group will help with financing. Roth said the group should be put on an upcoming meeting to discuss their plans for a pound further.
Mayor Benson has been working on getting the status of the Coast Guard building; she said the timeline for the building is “unique and unpredictable,” and “At this point, it’s just gathering all of the facts.”
The U.S. Coast Guard closed the station last fall, and the city is considering acquiring the building.
After some discussion Attorney Chris Hood said he was hearing issues with the property title. He said if there is an issue with the title, then the city should look at getting a title examination of the property. “That is really what is needed there. Then determine what the city’s legal rights are,” Hood said.
Mike Roth told Hood, “I have already opened a conversation with a title company to see what we might want and who would be the right person to do it.”
Roth also told council there is a lot of work to do concerning acquiring the Coast Guard building. “The right assumption to make is that this is very complicated to get to where we want to be.”
Leave a Reply