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February 1999 Shore Report9 CITY • DD. CITIZEN INFORMER February 1999 Shorewood Seeks LMCC Representative T he City of Shorewood is looking for a resident to represent the City at the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission Board meetings. The term is for the year 1999. The representative acts as a liaison for the City. The LMCC deals with communication issues including oversight of the Triax Cablevision contract and local access cablevision production. All meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month, with the Executive Committee meeting once a month and the full Committee meeting quarterly. Submit a letter of interest and /or a resume by Noon, February 4, 1999 to: James C. Hurm, City Administrator City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 For more information call 474 -3236. 70 0 i U ,0 " 0 [o eople who live in the Lake 4,100 trips per day occur on Country Minnetonka area know the Club Road. Of this number, approx- intersection of County Road 19, imately 43 percent are cut - through trips Smithtown Road and Country Club to Trunk Highway 7. Road all too well. Unfortunately, the The City of Shorewood, with the aid notoriety is not a positive feature. of Hennepin County Commissioner This intersection consists of four Penny Steele, requested assistance from "legs." Traffic on three of the four legs Hennepin County to perform a study to must come to a stop to allow traffic determine if a traffic signal is warranted. southbound on County Road 19 to make Hennepin County did perform that a left turn, without stopping to continue study, and has determined that a signal on the County Road. Often times, is indeed warranted at this intersection. motorists traveling on Currently, three the County Road are Hennepin County concept plans are uncertain whether they being considered to has determined are to stop, or continue ' ' . improve the operation on since all the other that a signal is indeed and safety of the motorists of the inter- Warranted at this intersection. The first section are stopped. alternative involves intersection. This causes a great installation of a traffic amount of confusion, signal with few creates additional frustration for changes to the roadway portion of the motorists waiting to cross the intersection. Preliminary comments for intersection, and has fueled motorists this alternative have indicated that traffic making unsafe moves, which has would back up on County Road 19 to resulted in many accidents. intolerable levels. It might take two The City of Shorewood has also cycles of the light for motorists to get received several complaints about the through the intersection during periods number of vehicles utilizing the route of peak traffic. Therefore, this of Country Club Road, Yellowstone Trail alternative seems undesirable. and Lake Linden Drive as a shortcut The second alternative also includes through the residential neighborhoods to the installation of a traffic signal, the get to Trunk Highway 7. The City addition of a left turn lane on County performed a traffic study and found that Intersection - Continued on page 2 S M T W T E S FEBRUARY EVENTS W. 2 Communications Corner ................. 2 Trail News . ............................... Insert Snowmobile Reminder .................... 3 2 3 a 5 6 2/2 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 3 Shorewood Events Map .................. 4 2/8 7:00 City Council Meeting 2 13 2/9 7:30 Park Comm. Mtg. 15 16 , ; s 19 20 2/15 Holiday City Offices Closed ' 2/16 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. l 2/22 7:00 City Council Meeting LL 2/23 4:30 -7:30 Trail Open House 28 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Changes to Planning Commission.. 2 Planning for the Future & Y2K ........ 2 Communications Corner ................. 2 Trail News . ............................... Insert Snowmobile Reminder .................... 3 Council on Cable ............................. 3 Senior Center ... ............................... 3 Recycling News ............................... 3 Shorewood Events Map .................. 4 Board of Review .............................. 4 Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings - see schedule on page 3 Commu `° Corner Good News for Islanders! E ach year the City Council adopts a resolution making appointments to various commissions and representatives to organizations. An official newspaper is also chosen at this time. On January 11, the City Council decided to not only re— appoint the Sun Sailor as the official newspaper, but to make it a policy that all legal notices and other publications be included in The Laker as well. This will help to ensure that residents on Shady and Enchanted Islands will receive word of what is happening in the City. f � n May of 1998, the City Council decided to reduce the number of members on the Planning Commission from seven to five. At the January 11 meeting, the City Council voted to re- establish the Planning Commission to its original size of seven members. They also held interviews and appointed the following to three year terms, effective immediately: Donna Woodruff Laura Turgeon Tom Skram stad With these appointments, the Planning Commission will be at full membership (seven members). The new members are joining Neil Anderson, Patrick Collins, Paula Callies, and Jeff Bailey who are already serving on the Commission. The City Council also changed the term to run from February 1 to January 31. There are many Intersection - Continued Road 19 for southbound traffic, and an additional lane to allow motorists to turn right onto Smithtown Road, or continue straight through to Country Club Road. This concept improves the overall operation of the intersection, and reduces the amount of traffic waiting for a green light. This alternative is desirable, however it does not address the short - cutting problem through residential neighborhoods to "Trunk Highway 7. The third alternative attempts to address both the safety concerns and the Short- cutting problem. Again, this involves the installation of a traffic si and realignment of the County Road. Under this concept. the County Road would be rebuilt with a curve instead of a right angle intersection. Smithtown Road` and Country Club Road would "tee into the curve as one street. This alternative dramatically difficulties when Commission terms begin at the same time as City Council terms (early January). Waiting until February gives the Council time to conduct interviews and make appoint- ments during the month of January. Thanks to Deborah Borkon for her seven years of service on the Planning Commission. She served two of her years as chair. She decided not to reapply this year. Her talent and leadership qualities will be greatly missed. The City Council also reappointed Mary Bensman and Ken Dallman, for three year terms, to serve on the Park Commission. The Park Commission also consists of seven members, including Pat Arnst, William Colopoulos, Dan Puzak, Mark Themig, and Chuck Cochran. The new Planning Commissioners will be "introduced" in the March newsletter improves the operation of the intersection while attempting to decrease the amount of cut- through traffic to Trunk Highway 7. Downsides of this plan include possible purchase or relocation of the Ton ka Bay Liquor Store due to the realignment of the intersection, and the postponement of construction until the year 2000. How is this project being funded? Both Smithtown Road and Country Club Road are Minnesota State Aid Roads. This means that the improvements being proposed are eligible to be funded by State Gasoline Tax revenue, with Hennepin County funding the largest portion of the project. Any funds expended directly by the City should bemininlal. If the prqject moves forward, when will the intersection be under construction? Many have long awaited the installation of a traffic signal at this intersection. If alternatives one or two are ft 0 ne prediction that seems a sure thing is that the Year 2000 (Y2k) millennium will affect all our lives. Many predict very negative impacts with regard to services at the turn of the century. The City of Shorewood, as well as other governmental entities and businesses, are in various stages of readiness depending on their size and the resources available to them. The City Council has formally adopted a Year 2000 Policy which outlines a plan for preparing for the millennium. The Policy Statement reads as follows: "The City of Shorewood is aware of the importance of determining and fixing the impact of the Y2k problem on City services. City staff shall make every effort possible to identify mission critical systems and implement and test fixes to these systems. Services of lesser importance, but still im- pacted, will be identified and yam; the City shall have a con- tingency plan should failure in these areas occur. All departments of the city shall work under the guidance of the City's Y2k plan." A full copy of the Year 2000 Policy is available for download on our web site at www.state.nettshorewood or at City Hall. selected, the signal can be installed during 1999. Hennepin County's financial participation will be considerably less under the first two alternatives versus the third alternative. if the third alternative were chosen, Hennepin County would fund a majority of the project. The plans that are being reviewed are conceptual only. The City of Shorewood would like your input into these concepts during two meetings being conducted at the City Hall. The City Council will be holding a public information meeting during their regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on February 8 at City Hail. The second meeting would be an Open House format, to be scheduled at a later date. Your input into these concepts are important to the ;Shorewood City Council. Please plan to attend. Drawings of all three alternatives are available far viewing lit City Hall. Citizen informer/ January 1999 Snowmobile Reminder Minnetonka Reminiscences by George Day (1845 -1937) Reprinted courtesy of the Excelsior -Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Old Names at Lake Are Recalled (continued from January) I f a tourist takes a steamer at Wayzata and makes the regular trip to Zumbra and return, it is lovely route of itself; yet he has not seen all of Minnetonka by a long shot. In order to realize the extent of the lake an excursion to Mound is necessary. From Mound you pass out of the lower end of Cook's Bay into Black Lake, then through a channel into Harrison's Bay, West Arm, and through Jennings into Crystal Bay, which is the entrance to the North Arm. Then comes Maxwell's Bay and Stubbs Bay. Returning, you pass into the Lower Lake below Big Island. This is a very interesting trip and gives one an idea of the magnitude of Minnetonka. But I started in to call attention to changes made in names of different points on the lake. Orono Point used to be called Starvation for the following reason: It was said that Fred Jennings, an early settler, was cast away on this point, and thinking it was an island, stayed there three days before he found out it was a part of the mainland. Arcola used to be Holmes Point, and Minnetonka Beach was Holmes Bay. Spring Park was Byers Bay, Casco was called Carmen's Point, and Phelps Island was Noble's Island. Many of the names have been changed for the better. Pretty little Spray Island, which lies off the Edgewood shore, once rejoiced in the unromantic name of Hog Island. N ow that we actually have snow, it's a good time for a reminder of some of Shorewoods' snowmobile reglations. For a full copy of all regulations, contact City Hall at 474 -3236 or visit our website at: www.state.net/shorewood. ♦ Snowmobile operation is allowed from 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday. Curfew time is extended to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. ♦ The speed limit within Shorewood is generally 10 m.p.h. when near a pedestrian or skier on the LRT Trail and on the acceptable area for street riding. Otherwise, a maximum 20 m.p.h. speed limit is permissible on the LRT Trail. ♦ Persons may operate a snowmobile on the street side of the plow ridge, and must be driving in the direction of traffic. The Police Department does patrol the City on snowmobile. Officers will take action on every violation observed which may include impounding snowmobiles depending upon the violation observed. Call 911 to report incidents involving snowmobiling. A Brilliant Idea! rd you know that efficient fluorescent lights use only a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last longer, reducing the amount and toxicity of solid waste? Fluorescent lights also release a smaller amount of mercury into the environment because they use less energy to produce the same amount of light. "Winter Park Wonderland he Excelsior Volunteer Fire Department has commissioned a second edition oil painting entitled "Winter Park Wonderland" which features the historic Excelsior Amusement Park. A limited number will be available for purchase as a fund- raising item for the Fire Department. Call 612 -401 -1954 prior to 2:00 p.m. on February 20 for more information. • • City Council meetings can be seen on Cable Channel 8 at the following times: February 8 Meeting Wednesday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. Friday February 12 at 10:00 a.m. February 22 Meeting Wednesday, February 24 at 5:30 p.m. Friday February 26 at 10:00 a.m. A He arty Februaiy to AIV February at the Center The Southshore Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on Noon meals, programs, building rental, transportation and senior issues and to make reservations, call the Center at 474 -7635. Choosing Hearing - Be a smart consumer. Find out what to look for in making hearing aid purchases and have a free hearing test on Thursday, February 2. To register for the class and schedule a hearing test appointment, call the Center. Valentine Party - Tuesday, February 9, 12:00 Noon for lunch and musical entertainment. Reservations are needed by February 4. A suggested cost is $4. Senior Driving Class - on February 8 and 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Those needing the 4-hour refresher class will only need to attend the February 8 session. Class size is limited. Reserve a spot by calling AAA toll free at 1- 888 - 234 -1294. Travelogue and Tea - Join Helen McNulty as she leads a travelogue on Friday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m. Travel northern and western Spain and visit the "Paradors." The cost of $3 includes tea and treats. Call the Center to reserve. One -on -One Computer Training - Individual instruction is available for general computer usage and how to use e-mail and the Internet. Times will be arranged between trainer and participant. Suggested cost is a donation. 3 Citizen Informer/ January 1999 0 ce upon a time ... In 1991, the Shorewood Park Commission assembled a plan that identified a number of trail segments through- out the community. Over the past eight years, only a few of the identified trails were actually built. In late 1997, the Park Commission and City Council reviewed the issue of trails and decided to investigate the community's interest in the topic through a number of public forums. More recently ... On February 19, 1998, the Shorewood Park Commission hosted a community meeting that focused on establishing a vision for the City with an emphasis on the role of parks and trails in attaining the identified vision. Meeting participants overwhelmingly indicated that parks and recreation were important to them. Freeman Park and the LRT trail were frequently mentioned as "favorite places." Collectively, the group thought that preservation of high quality natural resources, staying out ahead of regional trail planning, establishing a network of pedestrian and bike trails and increasing opportunities for youth were extremely important. The Survey Says ... Following the public forum, the Park Commission and City Council decided to conduct a survey of the community to further gauge public opinion on trails. A random survey of 300 households was conducted with an accuracy of ±5.5 %. The results of the survey reinforced the comments offered by those in attendance at the public meeting. Overwhelmingly, residents supported the establishment of trails in the city. Sixty -seven percent of the respondents felt that trails should be either the top priority or the second priority for recreational development in Shorewood. Only 12% opposed providing trails in the community. Decision Resources, the firm that conducted the poll, offered the following additional conclusions: ♦ There was strong support in concept for a trail system in Shorewood. Only 3 % of the community saw no major positive benefits from trails in the community while 51 % saw no negative consequences from trails. ♦ Siting of any specific trail links will be critical and will need to be carefully undertaken. The Citizen Review Group ... Upon completion of the survey, the City Council appointed a 19 member Citizen Review Group to further examine the trail issue. The Citizen Review Group was made up of Shorewood residents from all parts of the City. Meeting in three sessions in July of 1998, they focused on a variety of trail issues including property impacts, safety, and planning/design. When asked if Shorewood should continue its efforts to establish a local trail system, the Citizen Review Group unanimously answered yes. Further, they recommended that the City formalize the establishment of trails as a goal of the community. Most importantly, the Citizen Review Group suggested that the City establish a unique, grass roots process for identifying trail alignments, completing required planning and design activities and implementing construction. The Next Step ... A public Open House on February 23rd is an important component of the grass roots approach. What do you think? 11'e really want to know. $� ­ by the Southshore Community Center any time between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 23rd and be an important part of the trail process. Park Commissioners, Council Members and will be on hand to answer your questions, provide information, and more importantly to listen to your comments and ideas. Please attend this informal Open House on the 23rd to discuss your thoughts, ask questions, see visual displays and discover more about the trail process. The Cir1 pf Sharelvoocl aritiE:•ipatesct strong � parnrershil? With � C07/litlnf2lt}' IrtC'nZl7Ei'S with euch, step along the cis. trt.fact, there will be literal walks together with Park Coni III issiorlers, staff WId nt %is;hhczrs as 4ve all take a closer look at soriie of the pasiibiliti s this spring. Please watch for more iilfornlation and plan to parttclpate ill the i ° " Tivil 4Wks. " Looking Ahead � Trail segments �vllich pans the tests o f trail 8 ivalks and liei,�'hbor et�t hs�tiott, uitd � therefore have potential for coilstrttction, will be CU/YslClert' . {l CLipaCd linprovernew Project wid again brought before res'idems bi design ideas and consideration. For Your Review ... With a very high level of citizen participation in mind, the Shorewood Park Commission has composed a goal for the trail process, plus objectives and policies for reaching that goal. These proposed statements are a living document, waiting for your comments and suggestions. Goal Statement e City shall establish an interconnected system of trails to enhance Sh ewood's sense of community by accommodating the safe movement of p strians, bicyclists and other non - motorized modes of travel. Objectives ❖ Shorewood trails will provide safe connections to points of interest in and around the community and will be linked to trails provided by Hennepin County and adjacent municipalities. ':• Trail segments will be implemented on an incremental basis consistent with an overall plan. Policies ❖ Trail planning and design efforts will involve the general public with an emphasis on residents and business persons located adjacent to trial alignments. :• Shorewood will establish development standards for the construction of trails and maintenance standards and programs to ensure safe conditions. ❖ Trail segments shall be established within parks to provide connections between various facilities and to accommodate recreational usage. ❖ Priorities for the funding of the construction of trails shall be established on the basis of safety concerns, funding conditions, and neighborhood acceptance. ❖ Shorewood will explore all funding sources including outside grant funds for the construction of trails providing that such funding sources accommodate local needs and design criteria. V Shorewood will cooperate with other jurisdictions including the school districts and Hennepin County in providing a trail system that meets local and regional needs. ❖ Shorewood will work with other area communities to investigate the establishment of a trail network that could provide connections to points of interest and environmental features including continuous access around Lake Minnetonka. :' Shorewood will work with other area communities to investigate the establishment of bicycle and mass transit linkages that would serve bicycle commuters. The regional trail could provide access to a transit hub with busses that can accommodate the transport of bicycles. you are unable to attend the February 23 Open House, please offer feedback in any of these ways: ♦ Leave a recorded message on The Shoreline (474 -3236, Ext. #1) with questions or input about what you've read here. Please mention your name and number and indicate if you would like a return call. ♦ Send us a letter: City of Shorewood OR Fax: 474 -0128 5755 Country Club Road OR Shorewood, MN 55331 E -mail: cityhall @shorewood.state.net ♦ Speak with a Park Commissioner: Call City Hall (474 -3236) and ask for a return call from Pat Arnst, Mary Bensman, Chuck Cochran, Bill Colopoulos, Ken Dallman, Dan Puzak, or Mark Themig °��4 — LN- MINNETONK TRAIL CONNECTIO I KM L L CONNECTION 7Uorr ORORO MY Or 9ioSER00 - 0 * CONNECTING POINTS I= PARKS /OPEN SPACE " Alap ue to widespread public interest, the City of Shorewood is in the process of examining trails. Lines which have been placed to show various travel routes throughout the City are a collection of ideas based on input over the years and through various sources. (Many of those sources were mentioned on the front of this flyer.) The markings indicate only ideas. T his is not a dr a wing ofa trail purr ftv Shorewood. It is a drawing of hor°ewood an rr ary of it *s possibilities. Only six of the potential trail segments have been identified for consideration at this time. Trail development will be a gradual, community led process which responds to the needs of residents within neighborhoods and throughout the City. The Park Commission and City Council are interested in your thoughts both about the possible routes and the six potential sites. EXISTING TRAILS e - PRIORITY ROUTE Some Possible 0 itestions •� POTENTIAL ROUTE What will trails look like? The design (off- street or on- street), size, construction materials, and other details will be considered on an individual basis. Again, such decisions will be driven by neighborhood preference and suitability to the area. Some examples of options will be on display at the Open House on February 23. What will trails cost me? The City has been allocating dollars to a trail fund for years. That money can be used for construction and for matching dollars from grants, etc. The Park Commission will be exploring other sources of outside funding, as well. Direct charges or assessments are not planned for residences which are near or adjacent to a trail segment. What is the intended use of these trails? Trails are to be utilized by pedestrian and bicycle traffic (non - motorized travel). Shorewood ordinances allow snowmobile travel on the Regional Trail only, or the street side of the plow ridge. i I N ORT� Not to Scale File Name: M: \Shorewood \97 -45 \Sheets \Trlllxl'. ®M Hoisington Koegler Group Inc W Creative Solutions for Land Planning and Desig; Statement o ' .0 t ,a he Shorewood City Council and Park Commission recognize that rodents have a substantial interest in establishing a trail system in the community. As a result, both groups are committed to establishing and carrying out an on -going process that with continuing public involve- ment, will identify opportunities and address concerns resulting in the construction of trails where deemed appropriate by the community. Reviewed and adopted by the City Council on September 28, 1998 Reviewed and adopted by the Park Commission on October 13, 1998 The City of'Shoreivood anticipates o strong parlatership avith corrtrlaaraity rnetatbers t 'ith each step along the "'. aa'. In.fact, there Will he literal tivalks to, ether ti•ith Park Cotrtrarissioners, staff and neighbors to Svc tall take a closer loot at Sonic of the possibilities this spring. Please �vatch for rttore infortnat mi and plan to participate in the :`Trail Walks. " Looking heacl Trail se which pass the tests of trail ,talks and neighbor evahtration, and lht'refor'e hare' potential o' 1 crnaAtrttiction, `ill be considered a. Capital Intprovetnent Project urad again brought bcf we residents fpt' desi,,tt ideas and consideration. For Your Review ... With a very high level of citizen participation in mind, the Shorewood Park Commission has composed a goal for the trail process, plus objectives and policies for reaching that goal. These proposed statements are a living document, waiting for your comments and suggestions. Goal Statement e City shall establish an interconnected system of trails to enhance Sh ewood's sense of community by accommodating the safe movement of p strians, bicyclists and other non - motorized modes of travel. Objectives ❖ Shorewood trails will provide safe connections to points of interest in and around the community and will be linked to trails provided by Hennepin County and adjacent municipalities. ❖ Trail segments will be implemented on an incremental basis consistent with an overall plan. Policies ❖ Trail planning and design efforts will involve the general public with an emphasis on residents and business persons located adjacent to trial alignments. ❖ Shorewood will establish development standards for the construction of trails and maintenance standards and programs to ensure safe conditions. ❖ Trail segments shall be established within parks to provide connections between various facilities and to accommodate recreational usage. ❖ Priorities for the funding of the construction of trails shall be established on the basis of safety concerns, funding conditions, and neighborhood acceptance. ❖ Shorewood will explore all funding sources including outside grant funds for the construction of trails providing that such funding sources accommodate local needs and design criteria. ❖ Shorewood will cooperate with other jurisdictions including the school districts and Hennepin County in providing a trail system that meets local and regional needs. Shorewood will work with other area communities to investigate the establishment of a trail network that could provide connections to points of interest and environmental features including continuous access around Lake Minnetonka. ❖ Shorewood will work with other area communities to investigate the establishment of bicycle and mass transit linkages that would serve bicycle commuters. The regional trail could provide access to a transit hub with busses that can accommodate the transport of bicycles. JJ YoU are unable to attend the February 23 Open House, please offer feedback in any of these ways: ♦ Leave a recorded message on The Shoreline (474 -3236, Ext. #1) with questions or input about what you've read here. Please mention your name and number and indicate if you would like a return call. ♦ Send us a letter: City of Shorewood OR Fax: 474 -0128 5755 Country Club Road OR Shorewood, MN 55331 E -mail: cityhall @shorewood.state.net ♦ Speak with a Park Commissioner: Call City Hall (474 -3236) and ask for a return call from Pat Arnst, Mary Bensman, Chuck Cochran, Bill Colopoulos, Ken Dallman, Dan Puzak, or Mark Themig 0 ee upon a time ... In 1991, the Shorewood Park Commission assembled a plan that identified a number of trail segments through- out the community. Over the past eight years, only a few of the identified trails were actually built. In late 1997, the Park Commission and City Council reviewed the issue of trails and decided to investigate the community's interest in the topic through a number of public forums. More recently ... On February 19, 1998, the Shorewood Park Commission hosted a community meeting that focused on establishing a vision for the City with an emphasis on the role of parks and trails in attaining the identified vision. Meeting participants overwhelmingly indicated that parks and recreation were important to them. Freeman Park and the LRT trail were frequently mentioned as "favorite places." Collectively, the group thought that preservation of high quality natural resources, staying out ahead of regional trail planning, establishing a network of pedestrian and bike trails and increasing opportunities for youth were extremely important. The Survey Says ... Following the public forum, the Park Commission and City Council decided to conduct a survey of the community to further gauge public opinion on trails. A random survey of 300 households was conducted with an accuracy of ±5.5 %. The results of the survey reinforced the comments offered by those in attendance at the public meeting. Overwhelmingly, residents supported the establishment of trails in the city. Sixty -seven percent of the respondents felt that trails should be either the top priority or the second priority for recreational development in Shorewood. Only 12% opposed providing trails in the community. Decision Resources, the firm that conducted the poll, offered the following additional conclusions: ♦ There was strong support in concept for a trail system in Shorewood. Only 3 % of the community saw no major positive benefits from trails in the community while 51% saw no negative consequences from trails. ♦ Siting of any specific trail links will be critical and will need to be carefully undertaken. The Citizen Review Group ... Upon completion of the survey, the City Council appointed a 19 member Citizen Review Group to further examine the trail issue. The Citizen Review Group was made up of Shorewood residents from all parts of the City. Meeting in three sessions in July of 1998, they focused on a variety of trail issues including property impacts, safety, and planning/design. When asked if Shorewood should continue its efforts to establish a local trail system, the Citizen Review Group unanimously answered yes. Further, they recommended that the City formalize the establishment of trails as a goal of the community. Most importantly, the Citizen Review Group suggested that the City establish a unique, grass roots process for identifying trail alignments, completing required planning and design activities and implementing construction. The Next Step ... A public Open House on February 23rd is an important component of the grass roots approach. W hat do you think? e really want to know. top by the Southshore Community Center any time between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb 23rd and be an important part of the trail process. Park Commissioners, Council Members and City staff will be on hand to answer your questions, provide information, and more importantly to listen to your comments and ideas. Please attend this informal Open House on the 23rd to discuss your thoughts, ask questions, see visual displays and discover more about the trail process. What "s Happening in the City? .de 4w. Map Descriptions The following' items are on the February 2 Planning Commission Agenda: 1 The owner of 20115 Manor Road is preparing for construction of a single - family home which would include a two -level attached garage. The total square footage of the garage exceeds 1200 square feet, the amount permitted without a conditional use permit. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to consider the conditional use permit. 2 Minnetonka School District 276 is proposing an addition to the Minne- washta Elementary School building, located at 26350 Smithtown Road, for which they need an amendment to their existing conditional use permit. The proposal is for an addition to the rear of the building (north end) to provide additional classrooms. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Board of Review Date Approaches n September of 1998, the City entered into a contract with Hennepin County for assessing services, upon the retirement of Rolf Erickson. We are happy to report that they have completed review of 25% of the City as required by State Statute. Since the beginning of the contract, a full -time assessor has been located at the Shorewood City Hall, which has also proved to be of great benefit for general assessing questions. For the next several months, messages can be left for the Assessor at 474 -3236, Ext. 320 or 348 -5452. Cities like Shorewood, located in the western suburbs and Lake Minnetonka area, continue to maintain a high level of desirability. Because of the demand for properties in these areas, property values continue to increase. Preliminary figures indicate that past assessment levels have been fairly accurate which will mean only minimal annual property value increases for most properties in the City. The Assessor will be mailing your 1999 Property Valuation Notice to you in March. Please contact the Assessor if you have any questions regarding the new valuation or classification listed on the notice. The Local Board of Review will convene on Monday, April 19, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. This is the appropriate time for property owners to appeal their property value at the local level. Further ' . information about this process will be included in the March newsletter. 1l 'Watch your may , CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3236 M FAX 474.0128 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 4128 EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 City of Shorewood Council Members Woody Love, Mayor Kristi Stover John Garfunkel Christine Lizee Scott Zerby Administrator James C. Hurm DELIVER t' : Newsletter Editor: Connie Bastyr I . This newsiette, Is printed on recycled paper. Citizen Informer/ May 1999 0i cc r, O y' ��t >>.I Board of Review Date Approaches n September of 1998, the City entered into a contract with Hennepin County for assessing services, upon the retirement of Rolf Erickson. We are happy to report that they have completed review of 25% of the City as required by State Statute. Since the beginning of the contract, a full -time assessor has been located at the Shorewood City Hall, which has also proved to be of great benefit for general assessing questions. For the next several months, messages can be left for the Assessor at 474 -3236, Ext. 320 or 348 -5452. Cities like Shorewood, located in the western suburbs and Lake Minnetonka area, continue to maintain a high level of desirability. Because of the demand for properties in these areas, property values continue to increase. Preliminary figures indicate that past assessment levels have been fairly accurate which will mean only minimal annual property value increases for most properties in the City. The Assessor will be mailing your 1999 Property Valuation Notice to you in March. Please contact the Assessor if you have any questions regarding the new valuation or classification listed on the notice. The Local Board of Review will convene on Monday, April 19, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. This is the appropriate time for property owners to appeal their property value at the local level. Further ' . information about this process will be included in the March newsletter. 1l 'Watch your may , CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3236 M FAX 474.0128 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 4128 EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 City of Shorewood Council Members Woody Love, Mayor Kristi Stover John Garfunkel Christine Lizee Scott Zerby Administrator James C. Hurm DELIVER t' : Newsletter Editor: Connie Bastyr I . This newsiette, Is printed on recycled paper. Citizen Informer/ May 1999