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April 2005 Shore ReportApril 200 INSIDE Park News .................. 2 Planning Notes ........... . 3 Council Activities ........... 3 Senior Corner ............... 4 Recycling /Environment ..... 4 Hydrant Flushing ........... 4 Severe Weather Awareness.. 5 Juvenile Curfew............, 5 Vehicle Break - Ins............ 5 Spring Trimming ............ 5 Community Events.......... 5 Road Weight Restrictions.... 6 Public Hearings /Map........ 6 Local Board of Review April 18 R ESIDENTS WHO HAvE questions regarding their property valuation notice, or wish to discuss the estimated market value for their property, are asked to call the Hennepin County Assessor's Office, 612/348 -3046. If you are not satisfied after discussing the information with an assessor, you may appeal your valuation at the Local Board of Review. The Shorewood Board of Review is scheduled for Monday, April 18, at 7 PM in the City Council Chambers. Anyone who is unable to attend on that date may retain their right to proceed to the County Board by submitting their objection in writing to City Hall prior to April 14. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the City of Shorewood Finance Department, 952/474 -3236. E Spring Clean -Up May 21 d M ARK YOUR CALENDAR and think clean! The Shorewood Spring Clean -Up is scheduled for Saturday, May 21. Specific details will be provided in the May issue of the Shore Report, and will be available on the City web site, www.d.shorewoodmn.us. This year, no yard waste will be accepted. Residents are encouraged to compost their yard waste. Complete compost information is available online at www.greenguardian.com. For additional information on yard waste disposal, see page 4.7.1 Shorewood Liquor Supports City S HOREWOOD LIQUOR has been a part of the City of Shorewood for over 30 years. As a City owned store, profits from the two local liquor stores end up right back in the community. Each store carries more than 500 varieties of wine. Employees are knowledgeable about the products, and can make recommendations to meet your needs and budget. A wine list of staff recommendations is available in the City Receives Award T HE CITY OF SHOREWOOD has received the Certificate ofAchievementforExcellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This award is presented to the City in recognition of its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. There are 32,070 municipalities nationwide with populations under 10,000, and only 274 of these (less than 1 %) qualified to receive the award. The award was presented to Bonnie Burton, Finance Director /Treasurer of the City of Shorewood. stores, and may also be found on the City web site, www. ci.shorewood. mn. us. Each Monday, customers 62 and older receive 10 percent off all non -sale wine and liquor. On Tuesdays all customers receive 10 percent off all non -sale wine. Case discounts are available every day. Shorewood Liquor stores are located at 19905 Highway 7 (Waterford Mall), and 23670 Highway 7 (Shorewood Village Shopping Center. Store hours are 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday. For more information about Shorewood Liquor, including special sales, wine trivia, and staff selections, visit the City web site.N Meetings 'an'd Events 4/5 7.00 PNn Planning Commission Meeting ! j ('it ii �Ac stir g �Y ` s I ?:J AI J I tOS 3, 1G" A Of )dc,'S c?`L auallaf)I C_)i bty SL'E`b s,i f c3ftcr thf_:y are 31.?.'?.tOVe'Y THE SwR, RFPuRT /APRIL 2005 Parks dews Music in the Park Schedule Change UE TO A CONFLICT with the Fire Fighters Dance in July, the City of Shorewood has rescheduled the July Music In the Park performance to July 8. A revised schedule follows: Concert Schedule June 10, 6:30 PM Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs June 22, 11:30 Am Ms. Catherine Children's Concert DATE CHANGE July 8, 6:30 PM Big Walter and the Groove Merchants August 12, 6:30 PM Barbary Coast Dixieland Band All concerts will be held in Freeman Park at Eddy Station. The concession stand will be open for the evening concerts, serving brats and snacks. Come early to stake out a spot to <' enjoy the concert! Music in the Park �{ is underwritten by generous donations from businesses and private individuals within the community. If you would like to help underwrite this community event, your tax - deductible contribution can be made through the Shorewood Parks Foundation in care of City Hall.M Sue Davis, Chair Park Commission Park Shelter Reservations R ESIDENTS MAY Now reserve Park .Shelters for the summer season by contacting City Hall, 952/474 -3236. Park Shelters are located next to several local playgrounds and ball fields and make a great spot for birthday parties, team picnics and family reunions!& Spring Gardening for Water Quality T HIS MONTH, the Park Commission heard a presentation called Linking Land Use to Water Quality, given by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The folks at Minnehaha Creek tell us that our yard care practices can have a direct impact on water quality. You might not think of the average suburban yard as a major source of water pollution, but it can be. Phosphorus from exposed soils, grass clippings, and fertilizers, toxic compounds from cars and lawn chemicals, and bacteria from pet and goose waste are just some of the pollutants that sit waiting for the next rainstorm, when runoff carries them from your yard to area lakes, streams, and wetlands, threatening water quality. But your gardening and landscaping choices can make a difference. In fact, good landscaping can be great for water quality. Did you know that a plant's root depth is generally equal to the height of the plant above the ground? Deep- rooted plants like perennial wildflowers and grasses break up compacted soil and help water soak into the ground, keeping pollution out of the lake. Once in the ground, many pollutants are broken down by bacteria in the soil or used by plants. In contrast, typical lawns have shallow roots over compacted soils, causing increased runoff. Lakeshore lawns that are mowed to the water contribute to shoreline erosion because the deep- rooted native plants that previously held the shore together have been removed. This is why we see so many retaining walls on area lakes. And lawns do very little to filter runoff on its way to the lake. Finally, lawns mowed to the water attract Canada Geese, which contribute their own kind of pollution to your yard and area waters. This is because geese love being able to see the water. They avoid shorelines where the vegetation is higher than their eye level because predators may be hiding in those plants. So consider planting to protect water quality. Here are some specific things you can do: • Plant a rain garden with native plants in a low spot in your yard (for more information go to www.greeninstitute.org/ GSP /programs /storm water/ raingardens.htmo. • Direct downspouts away from hard surfaces and into the yard or rain garden. • Use only zero phosphorus fertilizer on your lawn. It's the law. • If you choose to use weed killers and other pesticides, do so carefully and dispose of them properly. • Keep shorelines as natural as possible to filter water on its way to the lake, provide habitat for Lakeshore critters, and deter geese. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has developed a book, Lakescaping for Water Quality, and a cd -rom, Restore Your Shore, to get you started on landscaping for water quality. Check its web site, wwwdnrstate.mn.us1 ecological services /pubs aquatics.html, for more information; or contact Julie Westerlund at the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (Westerlund @minne hahacreek. org or 952/471 -0590) on how you can garden for water quality.T Julie Westerlund Park Commissioner Dog Park Public Meeting Scheduled T HE NEXT Pui3mc meeting of the Carver County Park Commission on the Minnewashta Off -Leash Dog Park will be April 13 at 7 Pm, at the Chanhassen Rec Center. Some preliminary design options for the park will be discussed. The public is encouraged to attend. M 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 SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST CAN BE FOUND AT IVIVW.LMCC- TF.ORG. CLICK ON CHANNEL 8. YOU MAY ALSO GET PLAYBACK TIMES BY CALLING THE LMCC OFFICE AT 952/471 -7125. www.ci.shorewood.mn.us 2 THE SHORE REPORT /APRIL 2005 Planning Commission Notes T HE TOPIC OF variances has been a recurring theme in this space over the years. That's appropriate, as the most difficult issues that the Planning Commission regularly encounters are variance requests by Shorewood homeowners. What is a variance? Quite simply, it is an exception from the City's rules that regulate how owners can use their property. The most common variances relate to setbacks. For example, the City's zoning code states that all single- family residential homes must be at least 10' from the side -yard property line. A property owner wishing to place part of the primary residence or an accessory structure (such as a shed or garage) closer than 10' feet from the side -yard property line will have to apply for a variance. The Commission will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding a request. Varriance Approval By law, the Commission is required to determine that three criteria are met before recommending that the City Council approve a variance. • Undue Hardship. The owner cannot make "reasonable" use of the property without the variance. (Importantly, cost considerations cannot constitute a hardship.) • Uniqueness. The particular situation must be highly unusual and not be created by the current (or previous) property owners' actions. • Suitability. The variance must not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. Although there can be considerable subjective elements to the decision, these criteria require yes /no answers. A variance request must satisfy all of these criterion or it should be rejected. Typically, hardship is by far the most difficult criteria to establish. Nevertheless, the Commission strives to apply the ordinance language in a consistent manner. One dilemma that confronts the Commission is that variance requests sometimes involve changes to the property that positively affect the community, yet the variance may not be able to satisfy the necessary criteria. For example, a property owner may have substantial hardcover (e.g., pavement or structures). That excessive hardcover may have existed before the current ordinances went into effect, thus the current situation is "grandfathered ". It is in the City's best interests for the property owner to reduce the hardcover (thereby producing less unfiltered water runoff into our lakes and streams). Suppose the owner proposes to reduce the hardcover substantially (perhaps by removing pavement) in exchange for being granted a variance to build a deck that modestly encroaches on the setback areas. The Commission might view this situation as a desirable tradeoff, yet if the variance criteria are not met, its hands will be tied. Code Changes Considered The Commission is considering recommending changes to the City Code that would allow such tradeoffs to be taken into account. The changes would allow the Commission to consider benefits to the City involved in the granting of the variance, regardless of whether the traditional variance criteria are finally satisfied. While there are obvious advantages to such a proposal, there are subtle but important downsides to it as well. Importantly, it would interject a large degree of subjectivity into an already difficult decision process. Exactly how large the benefit to the City would have to be to warrant granting the request is unclear. Further, one resident with exactly the same variance request as another may be treated differently, depending on what they have to "trade" in terms of existing problems on their property. A public hearing will be held on this issue on Tuesday, April 5, 7 PM, at the Shorewood City Hall. Residents' comments are welcome.LiJ Jeff Bailey, Chair Planning Commission 0 Since the last newsletter, the City Council: • Approved the 2005 Work Program/ Goals and Priorities. Resolution of the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department issues remained one of the highest priority items on the list for the year, as well as discussions on improvements for the City Hall. building. • Held a Public Information Meeting regarding the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. Approved an Ordinance Amendment to the Shorewood Zoning Code regarding signage. The Amendment now allows time for a business to have its permanent sign constructed and provides a temporary sign permit process in conjunction with a permanent sign application. • Heard a report from Joyce Flury, Program Coordinator for the Southshore Community Senior Center, about activities for the year 2004. • Made appointments to the Park Commission. Congratulations to Judy Farniok and John Moonen on appointment to the Park Commission for three -year terms. • Recognized the service of former Planning Commissioner Ann Packard. • Adopted a resolution declining to adopt a Smoke -Free Ordinance. Hennepin County has adopted an ordinance prohibiting smoking in food establishments beginning March 31, 2005, and will be responsible to enforce its ordinance. • Approved a request for temporary parking restrictions on a portion of Birch Bluff Road east of Grant Lorenz. www.ci.shorewood.mn.us THE SHORE REPORT /APRIL 2005 Co im Berner will present "Tribute to the Legends" on Friday, April 1, following the noon luncheon. Jim tells the stories behind the music and sings the songs of the 50's through the 70's with a smooth baritone voice in the styles of Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Elvis, Roger Whittaker and many more. Call the center to make a reservation by Wednesday, March 30. The cost is $4 for lunch and the program. T he Southshore Center Attic Sale will be held on April 7, 8 and 9. A preview night will be held on Thursday, April 7 from 6 to 8 Pm. Admission is $5 per person and includes appetizers and beverages. The general public sale will be on Friday, April 8, from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday, April 9, from 9 Am to 1 PM. Craft items and handmade bird houses will also be sold. Items needed for the sale include quality household items, vintage clothing, jewelry, collectibles, books and furniture. Upholstered items, current clothing, large appliances and TVs are not accepted. Items can be brought to the Center Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. rilled Pork Chop Dinner will be served at the Center on Sunday, April 10, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Tickets are available at the Center or at the door on the day of the event. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 10. Craft items will also be for sale. A AA will offer a 4 -hour senior safe driving class on Friday, April 22 from 9 AM to I PM. To register call AAA toll free at 1- 888 - 234 -1294. The cost is $18. The Southshore Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road, Shorewood. The office is open daily from 8: 30 Amto 4 PM For more information or to register for classes call (952) 474 -7635. Recycling News Yard —Waste Disposal T HE CITY WILL NOT accept or collect yard waste (leaves, grass, brush) as part of its Spring Clean -up Day on Saturday, May 21. Options for yard waste disposal include contacting your garbage hauler for information on the type of yard waste it will accept, the services of�rcd,' and the fees for this service. Resido nts may choose to haul their yard Nvaste t a drop -off location. One nearby drop -off Compost Bins For Sale H ENNEPIN COUNTS iesldciitt once again have an opportttttzty tp btty a compost kit, including a Ompost bin,' kitchen bucket, and informati 4;` .. Hennepin County's Envirolxik: Services Department will host two compost bin distribution events: Saturday, location is NRG in St. Bonifacius. 952/ 446 -1056. Again, a fee will be charged for this service, and residents will need to call drop -off sites for hours of operation, fees and more specific information about acceptable items. Phones numbers for the two garbage haulers that are licensed to Mlot we service in Shorewood are: BFI, and Waste Management, 800 45p- 1 )378, r Recycle Old TVs and Computers B EGINNING JULY 1, 200 it will be illegal to place any electronic product containing a cathode ray tube (CRT) in the garbage. CRT's, found in many televisions and computers, contain up to eight pounds of lead per unit. They can cause serious health issues. There are many options on how you can dispose of your old electronics. For information, see the following web sites: www.greengaurdian.com, or www hennepin. us (keyword search: electronics). Instructions and no- charge options are available. If you do not have internet access, please contact Hennepin County Environmental Services, 612/ 348 -3777, for additional information.S Hydrant Flushing Begins In April T HE SHOREWOOD Public Works Department will flush fire hydrants during the month of April. Exact dates are not yet available, but they will be posted on the City web site, www.ci.shorewood.mn.us. Residents are reminded that when they see flushing occurring in-their area, they might notice discoloration and rust particles in the water at home. If you notice this discoloration, let the water run on cold only until clear (an outside faucet works best). The discolored water is caused by iron and manganese. These two minerals are found naturally in water, and deposits settle into the watermains. The water is only discolored —it is still completely safe for drinking. Residents should refrain from washing light colored clothing during this period if possible, as the rust can stain clothing. M I www. ci. shore wood. mn. us Severe Weather Awareness Week S WARMER WEATHER approaches, the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) reminds you to be aware of the increased potential for weather dangers such as thunderstorms, lightning, and tornados. Severe Weather Awareness Week is observed from April 18 -22, 2005. Please visit the Chanhassen office of the National Weather Service at www. erh.noaa.gov/Mpx for additional information. CS Juvenile Curfew Law Enforced S WE DRAW NEARER to warmer weather, the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) would like to remind kids and parents that the Hennepin County Curfew law must be observed, and will be enforced by the SLMPD. The law dictates the following by age: -Under 12 - 9 PM weekdays, 10 PM Friday and Saturday • 12 to 14 — 10 PM weekdays, 11 PM Friday and Saturday • 15 to 17 —11 PM weekdays, midnight Friday and Saturday Exceptions are as follows: The juvenile is accompanied by a parent /guardian or other responsible adult, is engaged in lawful employment or is going to or from work, is involved in an emergency situation, is going to /attending /returning from an official school, religious, or other activity sponsored and/or supervised by a public entity or civic organization, is on an errand at the direction of a parent/guardian, or is on the boulevard or sidewalk abutting the property of the juvenile's residence. The complete ordinance can be viewed on -line at www co.hennepin.mn. us. Click on "Ordinances" under the "Reference" section and go to ordinance 16. E Vehicle Break -Ins Reported T HE SOUTH LAKE Minnetonka Police De p artment (SLMPD) has seen a significant increase in reports of break - ins to vehicles recently, particularly in church parking lots during afternoon and evening activities. The thieves have been smashing car windows to gain access. The common denominator in these incidents is that each vehicle had valuables, such as a purse, wallet, cell phone, or gym bag, in plain sight. The SLMPD urges you NOT to leave valuables in your car; take them with you or leave them at home. If you must have valuable items in your vehicle, hide them in the trunk, or somewhere out of sight, BEFORE you reach your destination. Thieves will often watch potential victims as they park, and can see when items are being "stashed" in the trunk or under the seat. Spring Trimming S THE WEATHER GETS warmer and residents eagerly head outside to clean up the yard for the upcoming summer, the Public Works Department reminds you to trim bushes and remove landscaping items around fire hydrants and water meters. The fire department needs easy access to all fire hydrants during an emergency, and any rocks or bushes that might have been placed around the hydrant can slow the process. Even a few seconds can make a huge difference! The water meters outside the home are read quarterly, and a good sight line is required to get an accurate reading. Many residents place bushes and plantings in front of the meter to shield it from view, but trimming to allow meter reading is required. 5 ,. _, . ,i Rtvu�r!r1.-��,�i_ 2005 c ommunity Eve Excelsior Library Used Book Sale Friday, April 8, 4 -8Pnn Saturday, April 9, 8 Ann -2Pnn H eld at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Rd. 19. Bargain hunters and book lovers: the Friends of the Library will hold a sale of hundreds of adult and children's fiction and nonfiction books in hardcover and paperback, as well as AV materials. Celebrate the Cities Day Monday, April 11, Noon Southshore Center T HE SOUTHSHORE ADVISORY Board and the Friends of Southshore invite all residents to lunch for Celebrate the Cities Day! The five cities served by the Southshore Center include Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay. The lunch cost is $3 and reservations should be made to the Southshore Center, 952/474 -7635, by Thursday, April 7. Southshore Center Volunteer Recognition Wednesday, April 20 V OLUNTEERS AT THE Southshore Center will be honored at a brunch on Wednesday, April 20. There are over 150 volunteers that donate time to the Center and its programs. For more information on the brunch, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact the Southshore Center at 952/474 -7635. Excelsior Fire Fighters Relief Association Dance S PRING IS ON its way and the Excelsior Fire District's Annual Dance is just around the corner! Make a date with the Excelsior District firefighters on Friday, July 15, 5 PM- midnight. At 8 PM, dance the night away to the Whitesidewalls Rock -n -Roll Revue. Watch future editions of the Shore Report for more information! www. ci.shorewood. mn. us Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM Council Members 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 This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. Happening in the City? W1 P1: Ward 1, Precinct 1 W1P9-War,lI Pr inrr9 1. The owners of 5215 Howard's Point Road are requesting approval of a Conditional W 8,000 EIGHT RESTRICTI (in excess of Use Permit to allow total accessory space over 1200 square feet in a bi -level attached pounds on any single axle) garage. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 PM. are placed on local streets through April 2.A Conditional Use Permit will be considered for the reconstruction of the Badger 30. This measure is taken each year in Well House building and parking lot improvements at 5745 Country Club Road order to prevent serious damage and (city property near Badger Field Park). A public hearing will be held at 7:15 PM. destruction of City streets. Exceptions are made for necessary vehicles, such 3. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 PM to consider rezoning the property located as school buses and garbage trucks. at 25575 Smithtown Road (Lake South Automotive) from C -2, Auto - Oriented Exceptions are not made for vehicles such Commercial, to R -1 C, Single- Family Residential. as moving trucks, delivery trucks and 4.A sketch plan of potential development at 27975 Smithtown Road will be construction equipment. Please remind reviewed. any delivery personnel or workers on your property of the restriction so smaller trucks can be used as necessary. Streets There are no changes for recycling collection are posted with allowable limits. See the City web site for a complete listing. due t0 holidays In April! Please call City Hall if you have any questions, 952/474 - 3236.& THESHORERFPCAT1APRIL 2005 Planning Commission Public Hearings R The following items are on the April 5, 2005, Planning Road Restrictions Commission agenda Through April 30 CITY OF SHORE WOOD PRESORTED 5355 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD STANDARD �.. �.. SI°1QIt,EW¢JOQ, MIS 55331 U.S.POSTAGE PAID (952)474.3236 FAX (9 52)474.0128 PERMIT #30681 9 .6 1" Public Works (95 2) 401.1637 MINNEAPOL.IS, MN Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM Council Members 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 This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. Happening in the City? W1 P1: Ward 1, Precinct 1 W1P9-War,lI Pr inrr9 1. The owners of 5215 Howard's Point Road are requesting approval of a Conditional W 8,000 EIGHT RESTRICTI (in excess of Use Permit to allow total accessory space over 1200 square feet in a bi -level attached pounds on any single axle) garage. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 PM. are placed on local streets through April 2.A Conditional Use Permit will be considered for the reconstruction of the Badger 30. This measure is taken each year in Well House building and parking lot improvements at 5745 Country Club Road order to prevent serious damage and (city property near Badger Field Park). A public hearing will be held at 7:15 PM. destruction of City streets. Exceptions are made for necessary vehicles, such 3. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 PM to consider rezoning the property located as school buses and garbage trucks. at 25575 Smithtown Road (Lake South Automotive) from C -2, Auto - Oriented Exceptions are not made for vehicles such Commercial, to R -1 C, Single- Family Residential. as moving trucks, delivery trucks and 4.A sketch plan of potential development at 27975 Smithtown Road will be construction equipment. Please remind reviewed. any delivery personnel or workers on your property of the restriction so smaller trucks can be used as necessary. Streets There are no changes for recycling collection are posted with allowable limits. See the City web site for a complete listing. due t0 holidays In April! Please call City Hall if you have any questions, 952/474 - 3236.& THESHORERFPCAT1APRIL 2005 Planning Commission Public Hearings R The following items are on the April 5, 2005, Planning Road Restrictions Commission agenda Through April 30