02-17-2005 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

02/17/2005 10: 16 FAQ BSC CORPORATE / IP FAX (¢ 003/004 the safely of its residents due to the potential for increased boat traffic,and most readily apparent, the negative impact on the natural scenic beauty of this lake!! The site plan that 1 saw shows that the developer is requesting 61 watercraft mooring spaces — that's more than one for each unit in the entire development. This is ridiculous„ right?!! It is also contrary to the Pequot Lakes ordinance and to the DNR shoreland standards, both of which state: "The number of spaces provided for connnuota beaching,mooring or dockirW of watercraft Must not exceed one far each allowable dwelling emit or site in the first tier." At the very least, this ordinance and DNR restriction must be adhered to. Also, because the lake to the east of the PUD has much emergent vegetation and many littoral wetland qualities, the Planning Commission should require a lake suitability assessment before determining where and how docks should be placed, as well as how many should be allowed. As alluded to above, I am also concerned about the possible misrepresentation of the true nature of this development. If it is truly, a"resort," will it be staffed appropriately, and will there be the services required to maintain it effectively? Who will inspect the books to make sure that the units are being rented? Who will audit the information to assure that the books accurately reflect what is going on, i.e.,that the property owners are not simply borrowing names of relatives, etc. to create the appearance of compliance with their covenants? What has happened at Tnterlachen Resort is a classic example of allowing maximum density in the form of commercial zoning and ending up with a situation where you have a ridiculously high number of properties that are essentially being used as single-owner residential properties. This is very unsettling given the fact that the covenants agreed to by the property owners can not be enforced or rogulatcd by any government agency_ it is my opinion that, as a community, it would be extremely wise for us to be diligent in preventing a situation like this at all costs. Development patterns along our lakes have changed over the past 30 years. It is no longer enough to uphold and enforce the minimum standards! With this increasing development,there are more and more activities impacting northern Minnesota's waters and I am counting on the members of the Planning Commission to set high standards in making a determination regarding (he application made by Wilderness Resort Villas,LLC. 1 respectfully request that this application be tabled until you, as a Planning Commission, and members of the public have access to all the informatisn still lacking at this time, and time to discuss it at a public hearing. The time for this is before approval of the prelirninary plat, not after. Thank you for your altcntion to this matter. Sincerely, �1�� -rs*e� Q• Yom! Katherine A. Utter 5592 Lady Slipper Drive Pequot Lakes,MN 56472