February 2006 Shore ReportFEBRUARY 2006
Music in the Park Dates Set
H
P�
O
O
O
cn
.�'
V
O
N
T HE "WARNIER THAN normal" weather has
been bad for ice skating, but has everyone
thinking toward the warm days of summer —that
includes the Shorewood Park Commission which
is deep in plans for an even bigger Music in the
Park series for the summer of 2006!
Last year the Commission introduced a very
popular afternoon children's program. This year
that program will be expanded into two such
events. The children's programs are around the
noon hour at Eddy Station in Freeman Park.
Tentative dates have been set for Wednesdays
June 14 and July 19. Specifics on these events
will be published in a spring issue of the Shore
Report.
The successful evening program designed for
people of all ages is also being lined up. Dates
are set for Fridays June 23, July 21, and August
18 at Eddy Station in Freeman Park. Plan now for
neighborhood events, groups of friends to meet,
and the gathering of kids and their school friends.
The playground and picnic facilities are right
next to the music site, so an entire evening can
be spent enjoying your evening in the park!
Donations toward the funding of the
Music in the Park events are welcome.
Please make checks payable to the
Shorewood Parks Foundation and
drop off at or mail to City Hall. All
contributions to the Shorewood Parks
Foundation are tax deductible and help
fund park improvements and events
such as Music in the Park.
THE
INSIDE
Cj
w
z
O
w
w
O
w
Energy Assistance .........2
Ice Safety .................2
Community Events .........
2
Council Activities ..........3
Planning Notes. . ...
... . .3
Public Hearings /Map .......4
Recycling Brochure ....Insert
Shorewood Charge on Xcel Energy Bills
M ANY RESIDENTS HAVE called City Hall
inquiring about a City of Shorewood
charge that appears on their Xcel Energy bill.
The charge is the result of City Council action
at its May 28, 2002, meeting. The City Council
authorized Xcel Energy to relocate and install
Buckthorn Removal
CITY PROJECT is underway, and homeowners
can help acheive the final goal. The plan is
to rid Shorewood of Buckthorn, a bush originally
brought from Europe to the U.S. because of its
lush green leaves and its ability to withstand
harsh winters and to grow quickly.
The same reason it was brought here in the first
place is why we are now working to eradicate it
from the area —it takes over! Buckthorn spreads
rapidly, choking out native plants in its path. To
preserve the landscape, and to keep our native
plants, the City is asking the help of homeowners
to remove Buckthorn from their properties,
replacing it with native landscaping.
To assist with the removal effort, the City
has purchased two Weed Wrenches —tools
which allow you to pull the Buckthorn from the
ground roots and all. The wrenches are available
for loan free -of- charge. Simply call City Hall,
952/474 -3236, to reserve the wrench. There is
a $20 deposit required per wrench, refundable
upon wrench return.
some underground electric distribution facilities
along Smithtown Road. This burial of cables is
part of a long term plan for utility cables within
the City of Shorewood to be underground.
To fund the project, it was decided that Xcel
Energy would charge a minimum fee on customer
electric bills beginning in January of 2006. The
S 1 per month charge can be found on your Xcel
Energy bill labeled "City of Shorewood ". This
charge will remain for a 24 -month period. If
you have any questions, you may contact Xcel
Energy at 1- 800 -895 -4999.
Meetings and
Events
2/7 7:00 PM Planning Commission Meeting
2/13 7:00 PM City Council Meeting
2/14 7:00 Pm Park Commission Meeting
2/20 HOLIDAY--Offices Closed
2/21 7:00 pry Planning Commission Meeting
2/27 7:00 PM City Council Meeting
Up -to -date information and meeting
agendas may be found on the City
web site: www.ci.shorewood.mn.us.
THE SHORE REPORT /FEBRUARY 2006
Community
Events
Minnetonka - Hopkins
Community Parent Fair
Sat., Feb. 11; 8:30 am- Noon
Hopkins High School
2400 Lindbergh Drive
T HIS POPULAR PARENT resrouce fair
includes a number of parenting and
education workshops at no cost. A non-
perishable food item to be donated to the
local food shelf would be appreciated.
Free childcare for children ages 2 -12.
Registration required by Thursday, Feb.
9. For further information and to register,
please call Karen at 952/988 -5122. Free
transportation can be arranged. Please
register in advance with JoAnne at
612/839 -1804 by Thursday, Feb. 9.
For further information, please call:
Shirley, 952 /401 -6814, or visit the web
site: http : / /Ivww.mitittetonka.kl2.mn.us/
mees /parent edlParent_fcrir.htm.
Hennepin County Library
Excelsior Branch
413 Language Learning Using
Rosetta Stone: Quick Class
Sat., Feb. 11, 11 -1 1:30 a.m.
IBRARIANS DEMONSTRATE an online
language learning program for 24
languages (including English). Rosetta
Stone allows you to practice and improve
your speaking, reading, and writing skills
in a new language from the library, home
or work!
Get Ready for the New Part D
Medicare Drug Benefit
Sat., Feb. 25,10:30 a.m.
T HIS WORKSHIP WILL help you find the
information you need about the new
Medicare Drug Benefit Plan, including
figuring out the different plans available,
and help you get enrolled.
Sponsored by Hennepin County Library in
collaboration with Metropolitan Area Agency
on Aging.
Ice Safety and Precautions
T HE EXCELSIOR FIRE DISTRICt would
like to remind residents who question
the safety of lake and pond ice during
warm temperatures in the winter months
that, regardless of temperature, ice is never
100% safe! Even with ideal conditions,
water depth and temperature /weather
conditions during the freezing cycle can
affect the ice formation differently within
areas on the same lake.
When you think of the safety of ice,
you must think of at least two things: the
thickness of the ice and the strength of
the ice. The conditions this year were not
favorable for creating thick and strong ice.
Minnesota did not get the long stretch of
below freezing temperatures with little or
no snow fall. Instead, we had snow on top
of thin ice, creating an insulation which
slows the ice forming process. Many
lakes, ponds, and streams have not had
the opportunity to become strong enough
in areas large enough to support human
activity.
There are some signs you can look
for to determine if ice is weak. Slush
weakens ice and indicates ice in the area
is no longer freezing from below. Gray or
black ice indicates that the ice has been
compromised by melting, water flow, or
other movements. No matter what the ice
looks like, always consider it risky.
For more information on ice safety,
contact the Excelsior Fire District,
952/401 -8801; Hennepin County Water
Patrol, 952/471 -1300; or go to the
Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources web site, www. dnr state. ton. us/
es/index.htmi- -click on ice Safety.
Kell. ie .Murphy- Ringare. Excelsior Fire District.
Energy Assistance Helps With Bills
A LTHOUGH WE'VE HAD some mild temperatures lately, if it is a typical Minnesota
winter, we have plenty of cold days ahead. With rising fuel costs, this can make
it very difficult for some families to make ends meet while trying to keep their homes
warm. The Energy Assistance Program can help you pay energy costs - -such as a heating
bill -- between October 1 and September 30 each year. If you qualify, you could receive
a grant to cover some of your energy expenses.
Additionally, if you receive Energy Assistance, you may qualify for weatherization
services. These services can improve your home's energy efficiency and lower your
energy bill. Furnace repair or replacement assistance is also available. For more
information contact a Rehab Specialist at 952; 933 -9639, extension 210.
Both homeowners and renters may be eligible for assistance. Renters that don't
pay their heat may also be eligible for energy assistance. Energy Assistance is given
as a grant, not a loan, and therefore does not need to be repaid. Eligibility for Energy
Assistance is calculated by looking at gross income (your income before taxes and other
deductions) for a three -month period. Your income must be at or below the following
guidelines:
Family Size"
Max 3 -mos Income
1
$4,987
2
$6,522
3
$8,056
4
$9,951
5
$11,126
6
$12,660
7
$12,948
8
$13,236
" $288 for each additional family member over eight
To apply for assistance, an application must be completed. The application can be
downloaded from wwwcapsh .org/energycissistatzce.html or by contacting CAPSH
9 AM - 3:30 Pm, Monday through Friday at 952/930 -3541.
www.d.shorewood.mn.us
Hazardous Waste
Disposal Highlights
and Telephone Guide
Hennepin County 24 -hour hotline
(612) 348 -3777
City of Shorewood
(952) 474 -3236
The following items should not be placed
in your garbage container. Please call the
appropriate contact number for disposal
options and fees, if any.
Appliances
Henn. Co. Transfer Station..
J.R.'s Appliance ...................
ARCA.... ...............................
..... (612) 348 -3777
..... (651) 454 -9215
..... (952) 930 -1700
BrushlTree /Lawn Waste
NRG Compost Site ..............
Henn. Co. Transfer Station..
Carpet
Carpet Recovery Innovations
(952) 446 -1056
(612) 348 -3777
(763) 441 -8300
Clothing and Household Misc.
Many charities accept misc, items in good condi-
tion. It is recommended that you call first.
ARC of Hennepin Cnty ............... (612) 866 -8820
Salvation Army ........................... (952) 932 -0814
Goodwill ....... ............................... (952) 935 -2760
Construction Debris
Waste Mgmt Transfer ..........
Dem -Con .............................
.... (763) 425 -2239
.... (952) 445 -1848
Electronics
Henn. Co. Transfer Station
Asset Recovery Corp.......
Abrax Systems, Inc..........
..... (612) 348 -3777
..... (651) 602 -0789
..... (952) 944 -9264
Fluorescent Bulbs /HID Lamps
Henn. Co. Transfer Station......... (612) 348 -3777
Household Batteries
Shorewood City Hall ................... (952) 474 -3236
Lawn Mowers
Henn. Co. Transfer Station......... (612) 348 -3777
Telephone Guide continued...
Lumber /Building Materials
Dem -Con ..... ............................... (952) 445 -1848
Project for Pride .......................... (612) 789 -3322
Reuse Center.. ........................... (612) 724 -2608
Motor Oil
Henn. Co. Transfer Station......... (612) 348 -3777
Super America ............................ (952) 474 -9405
Youngstedt's Goodyear .............. (952) 933 -7177
Paint
Henn. Cnty Transfer Station ....... (612) 348 -3777
Empty cans and cans with completely dried
latex paint may be put in the garbage. Leave the
cover off so your waste hauler can see that the
can is empty and dry. Put the can on top of your
garbage can.
Extra usable paint can be taken to the Hennepin
County Transfer Station and put in their usable
products section. Residents of Shorewood are
also free to take usable paint from this area for
no charge. Make sure you do not let the paint
freeze, or it is no longer usable.
Phone Books
Recycle curbside
Plastic Bags <: >:
Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods,
zz
Lakewinds
Tires
Henn. Co. Transfer Station ......... (612)
348 -3777
Hennepin County Transfer Stations require proof of
Hennepin County residency (such as your Driver's Li-
cense with a current Hennepin County address).
Please contact Hennepin County
at (612) 348 -3777 for disposal
instructions, or visit
www.co.hennepin.mn.us and type in
keyword: A -Z Guide, for a complete
list of where to dispose of hazardous
waste and hard to get rid of items.
..........
Shorewood
Recycles
A Recycling Manual
for Residents of the
City of Shorewood
Published by the City of Shorewood, 2006
Residential Curbside Program
Residents of Shorewood use a two -
sort system for recycled materials. This
means you can set out your recycling
container filled with mixed glass, metal
food or beverage containers, and all
plastic containers with a neck. Paper fi-
bers, including newsprint, office paper,
junk mail, magazines and boxboard,
should be placed in a separate paper
grocery bag.
Clean corrugated cardboard must be
separate and tied or taped in bundles
no larger than Tx 3'x 16 ".
Not accepted curbside:
(for disposal options for many items not
collected curbside, see the County web
site, www.co.hennepin.mmus, enter key-
word: A -Z Guide.)
• pizza boxes
• window pane glass or mirrors
• drinking glasses /dishes
• light bulbs
• ceramics or pottery
• batteries*
• oil*
• tires*
• scrap metal
• misc. metals, i.e., pots and pans
• plastics which contained motor oil or
hazardous waste materials*
• styrofoam
• plastic containers without a neck
Please do not use plastic bags for
bundling or recyclables will not
be picked up.
* These items should not be placed in your gar-
bage. Please see inside this publication for haz-
ardous waste disposal information.
Curbside Recycling
Material Highlights
• Boxboard includes such things as
cereal, cracker, cake and pop boxes
made of wood fiber.
• Glass, metal and plastic food and
beverage containers need only be
rinsed of food residue. You do not
need to hand wash or run these
items through a dishwasher. Labels
do not need to be removed.
• Mixed paper can include the glossy
inserts in newspapers and junk
mail.
• Plastic recyclables include all food
and beverage containers with a
neck. At this time, no other plastic
containers or plastic bags are recy-
clable.
• Corrugated cardboard should be
clean with no food or oil contamina-
tion. It must be broken down and
bundled into bundles no larger than
3'X 3' X 16" or it will not be picked
up.
If you have questions about
your recycling, or would like to
report a missed pick -up, please
call Waste Management at 1 -800-
450 -9378.
Curbside Recycling Schedule
Shorewood recycling pick -up is every
Wednesday on the Mainland and every
Thursday on the Island. Bins should be
placed curbside by 7 AM.
Missed Pick Ups
If your recycling is placed curbside by 7 AM
and the pick -up is missed, please call Waste
Management at 1- 800 -450 -9378.
Schedule Changes
The following holidays will affect recycling
pick -up in 2006:
Memorial Day
June 1, 2006
Mainland
June 2, 2006
Island
Independence Day
July 6, 2006
Mainland
July 7, 2006
Island
Labor Day
September 7, 2006
Mainland
September 8, 2006
Island
Thanksgiving
November 24, 2006
Island
Christmas
December 28, 2006
Mainland
December 29, 2006
Island
New Year's 2007
January 4, 2007
Mainland
January 5, 2007
Island
For more information on recycling in
Minnesota, and what you can do to help
reduce the use of landfill space, visit
one of the following web sites:
http: / /www,co.hennepin.mn.us, Keyword: Recycle
http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/index.cfm
hftp://www.greenguardian.com
http://www.earth9ll.org
THE SHORE REPORT /FEBRUARY 2006
HE PAST YEAR Was the
second consecutive
year in which the Planning
Commission operated with a
relatively light agenda. The
Commission has not recently
confronted contentious
property development
proposals or such difficult
issues as cell tower installations. Partly,
that dearth of potentially controversial
projects is due to sheer chance, but it
is also a reflection that Shorewood has
become a mature residential community.
There is very little open land left for large
housing developments and the City's
business districts are relatively small in
both size and scope. Nevertheless, the
City hardly stood still. Residents and
businesses continued to place the standard
workload of small subdi vision proposals,
requests for variances, and applications
for conditional use permits in front of the
Commission.
Prominent issues handled by the
Commission in 2005 included:
• Review of the City's regulations
governing signs — The Commission
felt it important to update the City's
sign ordinance in light of recent court
decisions limiting a community's
authority to control signage. In recent
years, several cities have come out on
the wrong end of expensive litigation
when their sign regulations were found
in conflict with First Amendment rights.
The changes to Shorewood's sign
ordinance were focused on business
signs and were designed to clarify
the number and sizes of signs that
businesses are allowed to display.
• Elimination of the G2 zoning district
— The City's zoning code has several
different commercial districts. The
districts are largely distinguished
by the types and intensities of the
businesses allowed to operate in
them. The Commission felt that the
C-2 district, designed for auto - oriented
businesses, was outmoded. Only one
area of the City was zoned C -2 and
the Commission believed that this
area should change to residential
when the existing business
eventually departs. The uses
allowed in the C -2 district
that continue to be deemed
appropriate were moved
to the C -3 district, which
covers general commercial
activity.
• Large subdivision
proiects — The Commission heard
two proposals for relatively large
developments. The first was a proposal
to build thirteen single - family houses
on a large tract of undeveloped
land off Smithtown Road near Lake
Virginia. The second was a proposal
to combine four properties near Manor
Park on which were situated existing
houses, remove the houses, and rep] at
the property into nine single- family
lots. The former project represents
an increasing rarity in Shorewood
because there are so few undeveloped
properties remaining. The latter project
is more likely the future of Shorewood
development as developers combine
large single - family properties with
small houses and then subdivide to
build larger, new houses.
Consideration of variance criteria
— Perhaps the most difficult issues
that the Commission encounters are
requests for variances. As the name
implies, a variance is a request from a
property owner to allow an exception
to the City's rules governing how
a property is developed. The most
common variance request is to allow
construction of a structure inside
of a setback area (that is, to intrude
on mandated open space between
neighboring properties, streets,
wetlands, etc.). Certain strict conditions
must be met before a variance can be
approved. The C olnmission considered
expanding those conditions to include
consideration of the community
benefits that new construction might
provide. After substantial discussion,
the Commission declined to include
those additional criteria out of concern
for their highly subjective nature.
Jeff Bailey; Chair
Plar:ning Commission
Council Activities
Since the most recent newsletter,
the City Council has:
• Set the 2006 regular City Council
meeting dates for the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month beginning at
7 PM at City Hall.
• Established May 20, 2006, as Spring
Clean -Up Day.
• Approved the concept to plan for
a City Hall building not to exceed
approximately 12,000 square feet. The
time -frame for further planning and
construction for City Hall improvements
will be made at a later date.
Approved the arbitration panel for the
funding allocation issue for the South
Lake Minnnetonka Police Department
( SLMPD). Persons on the arbitration
panel were recommended by the City
attorneys of the SLMPD member cities.
The panel will consist of three retired/
former judges /justices.
• Reviewed and accepted the draft
Drainage Problem Area Report. The
final report will be presented for
approval at the January 23 City Council
meeting. The report is available for
review at City Hall and on the City's
web site, wwwei.shorewood.rnn.us.
For complete City Council
minutes once they are
approved, visit the City web
site, www. ci. shorewood.
mn. us; go to Meeting
Minutes.
Council on Cable
THE LAKE MINNETONKA CABLE COMMISSION
(LMCC) PROVIDES LOCAL CABLE ACCESS
SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD. CITY
COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST ON CABLE
CHANNEL 8.
A COMPLETE LIST OF TIMES SHOREW'OOD
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST CAN
BE FOUND A'1 1VW;V.L, TI'.0R(;. CLICK ON
C14ANNEL 8.
YOU MAY ALSO GET PLAYBACK 'rTML'S BY
CALLING THL•. LMCC orrlCL AT 952/471-
7125.
www.ci.shorewood.mn.us
Council Members
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #30681
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Woody Love, Mayor; Christine lizee, Ward 1; Laura Turgeon, Ward 2; Paula Callies, Ward 3; Martin Wellens, Ward 4
City Administrator: Craig Dawson ••• Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHORE REPORT BY EMAIL: CITYHALLQCI.SHOREWOOD.MN.US
Happening
W1 P1: Ward 1, Prednct 1
W1 P2: Ward 1, Prednct 2
The following items are on the February 7, 2006, Planning Commission Agenda:
1. The property owner of 27695 Island View Road is requesting approval of a variance and conditional use permit
to rebuild a single - family dwelling on a substandard lot. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 Pm.
2. Shorewood Village Shopping Center, Inc., is requesting a text amendment to the Zoning Code that would
allow child day care facilities in the C -3, General Commercial Zoning District, as a permitted use. A public
hearing is scheduled for 7:15 Pm.
Planning Commission agendas and approved meeting minutes may be found on the City web site,
www.ci.shorewood.mn.us. Meeting minutes are found by clicking on meeting minutes. Agendas are
found by going to meetings and events and then clicking on the agenda date you need.
THE SHORE REPORTIFEBRUARY 2006
Map Descriptions
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS • 1956 -2006
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
SHOREWOOD, MN 55331
(952)474.3236 FAX (952)474.0128
Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM
c
E
a x
o
0
Cq
0,' in
z
0 r~
Z
U
},
u
s
0
, ;
W
Council Members
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #30681
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Woody Love, Mayor; Christine lizee, Ward 1; Laura Turgeon, Ward 2; Paula Callies, Ward 3; Martin Wellens, Ward 4
City Administrator: Craig Dawson ••• Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHORE REPORT BY EMAIL: CITYHALLQCI.SHOREWOOD.MN.US
Happening
W1 P1: Ward 1, Prednct 1
W1 P2: Ward 1, Prednct 2
The following items are on the February 7, 2006, Planning Commission Agenda:
1. The property owner of 27695 Island View Road is requesting approval of a variance and conditional use permit
to rebuild a single - family dwelling on a substandard lot. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 Pm.
2. Shorewood Village Shopping Center, Inc., is requesting a text amendment to the Zoning Code that would
allow child day care facilities in the C -3, General Commercial Zoning District, as a permitted use. A public
hearing is scheduled for 7:15 Pm.
Planning Commission agendas and approved meeting minutes may be found on the City web site,
www.ci.shorewood.mn.us. Meeting minutes are found by clicking on meeting minutes. Agendas are
found by going to meetings and events and then clicking on the agenda date you need.
THE SHORE REPORTIFEBRUARY 2006
Map Descriptions