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September 1997 Shore Report�Sn,°u'►ht�r6te seaso ._ tc t�tetl age ' CITY OF S HOREW P 00 D The Grand Opening Celebration for the 1 new Southshore Center is being called "A Premier Event for All Ages." The public is invited to be a part of this long anticipated occasion on Sunday, Septem- ber 14. The day begins at 1:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and presenta- tion of the Governor's Award. At 1:30 p.m. David McNally, a nationally known author and speaker will talk on "The Power of Purpose." From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. there will be tours of the Center, drawings and refreshments. The celebration continues on September 15 and 16 when the Center will host a pre- view of the many opportunities offered. Monday's demonstrations begin every half hour from 10:00 a.m. to noon. On Tuesday, the 16th, they will be repeated from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Come and see what a great resource is offered to the commu- nities of the south lake area! The Center also offers citizens the oppor- tunity to rent space for weddings, anni- versary celebrations, birthday parties, business seminars or meetings, company get - togethers, family reunions, sports ban- quets, etc. For more information, call 474 -7635. Council Discusses Highway 7 Changes A t their August 11, 1997 meeting, the City Council reviewed written com- ments received after the July neighborhood meetings on Highway 7 improve- ments. Although the public comments were generally very positive, the City Council intends to take a cautious approach to change along the Highway 7 corridor. They are interested in working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/ Dot) to investigate the impacts of any intersection closures. Specifically, the Council indicated a willingness to look into modifications to the Highway 41 and 7 intersec- tion and service road, and closures of accesses at Lake Linden Drive and Wood Drive. The City will be working closely with MN/Dot on developing detailed plans. Inter- sections west of Wood Drive will be addressed later. 0 T W T F !3 SEP EMBER EVEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 9/1 tabor Day / City Offices Closed 9/2 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 9/8 7:30 City Council Meeting 9/9 7:30 Park Comm. Mtg. 9/15 7:30 Tent. Council Wk. Sess 9/16 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 9/22 7:30 City Council Meeting C onsideration of a proposal to construct 20, four -unit buildings designed as senior housing has continued throughout August. The property being considered contains approximately 19 acres of land between Eureka Road and Freeman Park, fronting on Highway 7. The developer, Eaglecrest Northwest of Plymouth, is aware of the City's goal to have home prices of $120,000 or less. The Park Commission has held a series of discussions on the proposal to deter- mine potential affects on Freeman Park. A swap of land which would benefit Free- man Park has been recommended by the Commission. In addition, the Park Com- mission has suggested pedestrian walk- ways that would tie into the Freeman Park internal trail system. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposal on August 5. Sev- eral other meetings have been held includ- ing an August 26 meeting for area seniors to get their input on this specific proposal. The August 5 Planning Commission pub- lic hearing was continued to September 2 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. with this portion of the public hearing likely to start around 7:45 p.m. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Trail (and Park) Talk ........................ 2 Seasonal Employment .................... 2 Communications Corner ................. 2 Rake- a -Thon .... ............................... 3 Community Events .......................... 3 Senior Center ... ............................... 3 Recycling News ............................... 3 Shorewood Events Map .................. 4 Antenna Update .............................. 4 Snowmobiles .... ............................... 4 ie Winter Help Needed G ood communication requires FEEDBACK The Shorewood City Council and Staff are always interested in what you think about the City's services, facilities, Programs and image. You can help by giving us your comments about our performance. The City makes available a brief evaluation form (which can be returned anonymously) to residents or other individuals whenever there is contact with a representative of Shorewood. Those which are returned (postage is paid) are seen by the City Council and distributed to the appropriate staff person or department. If a reply is requested, that will also be followed up. The blue forms are always available at City Hall, on the front counter. A copy can also can be obtained by calling the Shoreline (474 -3236, ExtAl) and leaving your name and address with your request. Now your FEEDBACKcan be provided throughout the year, immediately as you have contact. Hope to hear from you! horewood Park and Planning Commission members are citizens who volun- teer their time in service of the City. They attend many regular Commission meetings, making very difficult decisions which become recommendations to the City Council. They often attend City Council meetings as liaison and participate in other special meetings and tours. Some serve on special task forces or even help neighborhoods install playground equipment. The next time you run into a Shorewood Commissioner be sure to thank them for their hard work. Planning Commission Jim Pisula, Chair Deborah Borkon Jeff Foust Laura Turgeon Virginia Kolstad Christine Lizee Roger Champa Park Commission William Colopoulos, Chair Jim Wilson Mary Bensman Dan Puzak Ken Dallman Pat Arnst OA Ann Packard More Reflections by Gladys Peck Reprinted courtesy of the Excelsior -Lake Minnetonka Historical Society T he Svithoid Home near Howard's A large dance hall on the grounds was open Point was a home built for the eld- to the public, and many groups of singers erly, with main offices in Chicago. The and dancers came out from the city. On architecture was patterned after Swedish Sundays you could hear the music of the design. The home was lo- cated on the Peter Lees farm ... you could hear which also took in the area the music of the across the road. Elderly men living there singe's and hands— were able to raise a large singers and bands throughout the neighborhood... Many candidates for State offices gave speeches there. The late Hubert Humphrey spoke there several times. garden of vegetables and fruits for the Finally closed as a residence some years residents' use. ago, the Home is now owned by a collec- Joining the home on Birch Bluff, a large for and seller of books. Club House faced the lake, and excellent meals were served to the public and rela- (The approximate location of this area land - tives of the residents. The menus were mark is indicated on the map on the back of mostly Swedish cooking. this newsletter with an "X. ") "t> 7 c FORECAST Y es, there will be winter and there will be ice. The City of Shorewood has part-time job openings for respon- sible individuals who are 16 years of age and older to tend the warming houses at three of the city parks. No experience necessary (skating or otherwise). Please call (474 -3236) or stop in for a job ap- plication soon. Attention College Bound Students Don't forget to fill out a job application at City Hall if you wish to work as a rink attendant during your winter break. This is a wonderful way to make extra money and to keep you busy during that long break. The season usually begins around December 15. Current Park & Trail Issues hese are some of the issues being considered by the Shorewood Park Commission: * Should beer or liquor be allowed in Freeman Park by permit? * If senior housing becomes a neigh- bor of Freeman Park, how should this affect park layout? * What process should the City utilize to re- evaluate trails? ` What park improvements should be planned over the next 5 years (for Freeman, Cathcart, Manor, Silverwood and Badger)? The Commission meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month. Meet- ings are open to the public. Your thoughts are always welcome. A very convenient way for you to relay your ideas or concerns to the Park Commission is through the Shoreline, which can be accessed any time at 474 -3236, Ext. #l. 2 This list of some area activites for fall was provided by the Excelsior Area Chamber of Commerce. Their office can be reached at 474 -6461 for addi- tional information. ♦ Excelsior Apple Day Saturday, September 6 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Antiques, Crafts, Food 12:00 noon - Parade: doll buggy and red wagon ♦ U.S. Invitational Bass Blitz September 6 -13 Excelsior Park Restaurant Fishing activities and contests for all ages ♦ Excelsior Area Chamber of Com- merce General Meeting ♦ Farmer's Market Thursdays through October 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Lyman Park in Excelsior Have Energy? 1` Need Energy? V T he Energy Assistance Program of Community Action for Suburban Hennepin County, which helps low - income people with heating bills, could use your help. Volunteers are needed to answer phones and do simple clerical tasks. Contact Cyd at 933 -9639 x 235. Their office is lo- cated in downtown Hopkins. Assistance with energy bills is avail- able beginning in October for low - income people in Suburban Hennepin County. Call the Energy Assistance Program of Community Action for Suburban Hennepin at 930 -3541 between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm for more information. T he Eleventh Annual Tonka Rake -A- Thon is scheduled for October 25. This community service event offers free lawn raking to senior and disabled residents in the Minnetonka School Dis- trict. To schedule your lawn for raking, contact Jan Gray, Senior Service Pro- gram Manager, Minnetonka Community Education and Services, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka, MN 55345. Phone 470 -3488. More rakers are always welcome. Any- one who would like to be on a raking team should also contact Jan Gray. School and community volunteers have found this to be a positive experience for themselves as well as for those whom they serve. T he recycling collection days will NOT be affected by the Labor Day Holiday. Pick -up for Shorewood ad- dresses will still be on Wednesday and on Thursday for the island residents. :r >Q ��r�b•�:�, �` "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmunde Burke, 781h Century British Philosopher M ethods for disposing of yard waste have become more restrictive than they once were. To help residents deal with leaves and brush, the City of Shorewood sponsers an annual Fall Clean-up day. The date and other de- tails will be published in the October is- sue of this newsletter. Some alternative options for disposal or use of yard waste include: • Use as mulch around trees, shrubs and in planting beds • Add them to (or start) a compost pile • Have it hauled away by a private refuse hauler. enior Community Services offers a variety of on -going activities at the new Southshore Center next to City Hall. There are discussions and/or classes that cover subjects such as: health issues, crafts, exercise, music, writing, travel, etc. Some of the special events are "Coffee Break & the Birds ", birthday celebrations with entertainment, and a travel adventure series. Watch for details in the fall issue of the Community Services booklet that will arrive by mail to your home. A new banking service has been added at the Center. Beginning September 2, staff from First State Bank of Excelsior, Norwest and TCF will be at the Center from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays to handle simple banking transactions and answer general questions. Free legal consultation is available by appointment on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Transportation to the Center is also available by calling 474 -7441. Senior Community Services publishes an informative newsletter that can be mailed directly to seniors. Call 474 -7635 for more information about the newsletter or programs. M 3 I ill 11 1S <lwl .:: 2 sr{ 01_O1116t V S,,,kYtljo Map Descriptions The following items are on the September Planning Commission Agenda: 1 Howard's Point Marina is appealing a City Code Violation letter which orders the removal of a sign they have on the public right -of -way of the intersection of Smithtown Road and Howard's Point Road. A public hearing was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at the August 5th meeting, and tabled to the September 2nd meting at 7:00 p.m. 2 The owner of 5715 Kathleen Court is requesting a conditional use permit (C.U.P.) in order to add a detached garage to his property. The total combined square footage of accessory space on his property will exceed the permitted 1200 square feet which is the reason for his request of a C.U.P. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m 3 Our Savior's Lutheran Church at 23290 Highway 7 would like to add their name onto the front wall of their church and school building. This signage would be in addition to the existing message board on the property and they are asking to amend the text of the sign regulations in the zoning ordinance to allow for the additional signage. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30pm. 4 A public hearing was held on August 5th to consider a request for a Planned Unit Development for an 80 -unit senior housing development consisting of one -level townhome -style dwellings. The development is proposed for the property located on Highway 7 between Freeman Park and Eureka Road An additional information meeting is scheduled on August 26th at the Southshore Senior /Community Center. The continuation of the public hearing for this proposal will be September laid. This portion of the meeting will likely be after 7:45 p.m. Antenna Update Snowmobiles Discussed S print Spectrum Inc. has formally with- drawn their application before the City of Shorewood to install antenna structures on the Minnewashta water tower. This action was taken upon receiving approval from the City of Tonka Bay to install an- tenna structures on their water tower. There are currently no other applications for such structures before the City. T he City Council has reviewed data from the 1996 / 1997 snowmobile season and is in the process of preparing to again implement policies for the up- coming winter season. Dis- cussion at an August 18 City Council work session highlighted continuing concern for safety on the regional trail with snowmobiles using the trail along with pedestrians. The City Council has indicated a strong commitment to strict enforcement of the law and may consider reducing the current trail speed limit of 20 MPH. The speed limit on City streets and within 30 feet of pedestrians on the trails is now 10 MPH. They also intend for the start date of snowmobiling season in Shorewood to again be December. CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD S€-iOREWOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3236 N FAX 474.0128 DELIVER TO: City of Shorewood Council Members Tana Dahlberg, Mayor Kristi Stover Jennifer McCarty ,terry O'Neill John Garfunkel ( See historical article on page 2.) BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, EMIT[ 55331 Administrator James C. Harm `H This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.