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Grand Marais City Councilors held the second reading of Ordinance 2023-02 to rezone about 12 acres of land in Creechville from a Recreation Commercial designation to a Residential District designation.
The second reading was held at the council’s March 8 regular meeting. All the counselors voted for the rezoning request brought by the Cook County/ Grand Marais Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 15 to listen to the pros and cons of the rezoning request. At that meeting, there were many comments, both in support and against the proposed change. Those who supported a housing project on the land talked about the great need for workforce housing in Cook County. Concerns from those in opposition mentioned issues with wetlands, loss of views, regard for safety for pedestrians, loss of wooded hiking areas, and the dangerous intersection at the Gunflint Trail near any large or smaller structures that might be built.
The city sold the 12 acres to the Cook County HRA, hoping the property could be used to build additional housing for the area.
Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send the rezoning proposal to the city council because the request met with the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Community Vision to develop more housing. However, before anything can be done on the property, wetland mitigation has to occur. Any development proposals must come back in front of the Planning Commission and ultimately back to the city council for a final decision.
If nothing is developed on the property after five years, the land will transfer back to the City of Grand Marais from the HRA.
HKGi was hired at the cost of $66,700 to update the Park Master Plan as recommended by the park board. The master plan was formed in 2009, and some of the projects are now complete, while some things were left off of that plan and now need to be added.
HKGi will develop up to three “illustrated concept plans.” Explored will be potential future modifications of the campground; a look at existing and possible future buildings in the park; parking and access; adjacent uses and park entries, boundaries, and potential conflicts; natural resources protection and management; recreation features including trails, sledding hill, overlooks/viewsheds, play equipment, etc. and a look at operations, maintenance, and other considerations.
Meetings will be held with the park board as well as the public to discuss any possible changes.
A good master plan will help the city get grants and Legacy funds for future projects.
Last year only one bidder gave a quote to build the Grand Marais Community Connector project that leads into the rec park from the sidewalk along Highway 61 near North House Folk School, and the bid ($515,500) needed to be lowered and was rejected. This year contractors were sought earlier in the construction season, which resulted in more offers, with the lowest coming from Global Specialties from Eagan, Minnesota, at $369,500. Council approved the low bid based in large part because of the Rec Park board’s approval. With consultant fees, materials, and testing inspections, the project’s total cost will run nearer $400,000.
The Community Connector will feature artistic themes taken with permission from the family of the late Ojibwe artist Georg Morrison whose works are featured on U.S. Postal stamps.
Council authorized the sale of a 1976 ladder truck and a 1990 f350 Crew cab pickup. The items will be sold through the state’s surplus auction website, www.minnbid.org.
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