02-12-18 CC WS AgendaCITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
AGENDA
1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
A. Roll Call
B. Review Agenda
2. FIRE LANE BIRCH BLUFF ROAD
3. COMMISSION INTERVIEWS:
6:30 p.m. — Commission Interview: Nat Gorham
6:45 p.m. — Commission Interview: Holly Ashmore
4. ADJOURN
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:00 P.M.
Mayor Zerby
Johnson
Labadie
Siakel
Sundberg
ATTACHMENTS
Planning Director Memo
City of Shorewood Council Meeting Item
Title / Subject: Fire Lane Concerns
Meeting Date: February 12, 2018
Prepared by: Marie Darling, Planning Director
Attachments: Section 1201.03 Subd. 19
Photos of Fire Lane 3
Item 2
Meeting Type
Worksession
At the January 31, City Council meeting, Mr. Michael Blomquist of 5425 Grant Lorenz Rd. spoke at a
"Matters from the Floor" and requested that the City Council consider allowing small vehicles
(snowmobile, four - wheelers, etc.) the ability to access Lake Minnetonka through Fire Lane 3.
A property owner put up a sign which indicated that no motorized vehicles are permitted to use Fire Lane
3. After the sign went up, staff received a number of calls from residents in the area asking about the sign
and what city code allows for the use of fire lanes for snowmobiles, four - wheelers and other small vehicles.
City Code Reference:
Section 1201.03 Subd 19 of the zoning regulations (attached)
classifies each of Shorewood's 10 Fire Lanes into one of three
classifications based on the uses permitted. Each fire lane is
numbered and identified on the zoning map. (See zoning map
excerpt to the right.)
Class L- allows the following — pedestrian access to the lake, cross -
country skiing, fishing from shore, launching canoes and other
small boats (without the use of a trailer). Class I includes all fire
lanes except 5 and 6.
(For clarity: Fire Lane 3 [extension of Grant Lorenz] is Class I.)
Class IL allows the following — all the Class I uses, plus snowmobile access during the winter, parking and
swimming. Fire Lane 6 is Class II (Shorewood portion of Crescent Beach).
Class III: allows Class I uses plus installation of a single dock, subject to 6 conditions. Fire Lane 5 is Class
III (extension of Eureka Rd.)
History:
In 1956, the City adopted an ordinance that prohibited parking on or blocking any of the fire "alleys ". Any
vehicle use on the fire lane was considered blocking and any boat tied up to the fire lane was also
considered blocking.
In 1977, the City adopted an ordinance that prohibited driving any vehicle in any park land except
designated parking area and trails. These regulations were also applied to the fire lanes.
In 1985, the City adopted the current codes as part of the adoption of a complete update of the zoning
regulations. The fire lane regulations were studied for about two -years with extensive resident input. The
discussion was spurred by complaints that residents were: 1) tying their boats near the shore, 2) parking
trucks and trailers in the fire lanes, 3) constructing docks and other improvements in or near the fire lanes,
4) engaging in loud, disruptive behavior in and near the fire lanes, etc. When City staff began notifying
users that vehicle access was not permitted on the fire lanes, requests for expanding /reducing public access
to the lake were subsequently received.
The City has new homes on either side of the fire lane. The home to the east was finished last year and the
home to the west is nearing completion.
Options:
1. Direct staff to enforce the current regulations. If so directed, staff will work with the South Lake
Minnetonka Police Department to request the current regulations be enforced.
2. Direct staff to work with the Planning Commission to amend the zoning regulations (through the
public hearing process) to reclassify Fire Lane 3.
3. Direct staff to work with the Planning Commission to amend the zoning regulations (through the
public hearing process) to allow additional uses in the fire lanes.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Section 1201.03:
Subd. 19. Fire lanes.
a. Purpose. Recognizing that all fire lanes are to provide lake access to the public, this subdivision is
established to identify, classify and regulate the use thereof based upon their historic use within the
City.
b. Use classifications. The use of fire lanes in Shorewood shall be restricted to one of the following
classifications:
(1) Class I may be used for pedestrian access to the lake, fishing from shore, launching canoes
and other small boats not requiring a trailer and cross - country skiing;
(2) Class II may be used for all of the activities as designated in Class I except fishing, as well
as snowmobile access during the winter, parking and swimming;
(3) Class III may be used only for pedestrian access to the lake, fishing, launching canoes and
other small boats not requiring a trailer. In addition, a single dock may be installed subject to the
following:
(a) The person or group of persons installing the dock shall be Shorewood residents and
apply for an annual building permit prior to installation of the dock;
(b) The total length of the dock shall not exceed 25 feet;
(c) The dock shall be installed by a professional installer and maintained in a safe and
workmanlike manner;
(d) The use of the dock shall be for the general public and shall not be limited to use by
those who install it;
(e) Docking of boats shall be limited to daytime hours only between sunrise and sunset;
(f) The dock shall comply with all requirements of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation
District.
C. Designation offire lanes. The following fire lanes shall be identified on the Official Zoning Map and
shall be classified as follows:
(1) Class L 1- Enchanted Island, 2 -Shady Island, 3 -Grant Lorenze, 4 -Third Street, 7- Ferncroft,
8 -Ivy Lane, 9- Rustic Way South, 10- Rustic Way North;
(2) Class IL 6- Crescent Beach;
(3) Class III: 5- Eureka.
d. General regulations.
(1) Fire lanes shall be used only for the activities provided for in subdivision b above. No
sporting activities shall be allowed which involve thrown objects such as catch, softball, baseball,
frisbee, volleyball or football.
(2) Fire lanes shall be subject to the rules and regulations contained in Shorewood Ordinance
140, as may be amended, (Chapter 902) pertaining to the use of city parks, including, but not limited
to, use of intoxicating beverages.
(3) Maintenance and improvements of fire lanes shall be the sole responsibility of the city. No
one shall maintain or make improvements, except as modified herein, without the approval of the
City Administrator /Clerk or his or her agent.
(4) Except in Class II fire lanes, there shall be no parking of automobiles, boat trailers or
snowmobiles on or adjacent to any of the fire lanes identified herein.
(5) Except for snowmobiles in Class II fire lanes, motorized vehicles shall be prohibited on fire
lanes.
(6) Lots with side yards abutting fire lanes shall provide a total of 30 feet of side yard setback
with no one side being less than ten feet.
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