Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION—JUNE 7, 2021 2 <br /> to the adoption of State rules, the City in 1984 studied the differences between our existing zoning <br /> controls and the State Shoreland Management Standards. This research and review was completed <br /> by a Shoreland subcommittee. Their recommendations for reclassification of several lakes, and <br /> relaxation of lot area and lot coverage requirements were presented to and supported by both the <br /> Planning Commission and City Council. On December 26, 1984, the City submitted a preliminary <br /> request to the DNR for comment prior to submittal of the formal request. This letter included a <br /> summary of City comments for seeking the lake reclassification which were due to existing <br /> development and present zoning being relatively compatible with the requirements of General <br /> Development, the lot area requirements of Recreational Development classification exceed <br /> existing development (95%+ developed) and present zoning, and General Development <br /> classification more compatible with development around the lake. The City received a response <br /> from the DNR of a willingness to accept all of the requested changes with the exception of <br /> riparian lot dimensions for Valentine Lake. Based on that direction, the City Council passed <br /> Resolution 85-22, Lake Reclassification and Zoning Provision Modifications on May 13, 1985 to <br /> request official approval from the DNR. <br /> Senior Planner Jagoe commented in 2019, the City contacted the DNR upon discovery of the <br /> discrepancy between the shoreland classification for Lake Johanna. The DNR replied to the City <br /> acknowledging receipt of a 1984 request for shoreland reclassification of Lake Johanna, Little <br /> Johanna Lake, and Karth Lake from Recreational Development to General Development, but <br /> noted that there was no record of ever receiving the resolution, and therefore the DNR did not <br /> finalize the classification changes. It was stated that the DNR still concurs with the reasoning <br /> supporting the requested reclassifications of these three lakes made in 1984 and is ready to <br /> officially adopt the new classifications upon receipt of a resolution. City staff is unsure if <br /> Resolution 85-22 was submitted to the DNR and/or if it was misplaced in processing on their end. <br /> However, no formal action has been taken to date by the DNR for formal approval. <br /> Senior Planner Jagoe reported this past month City staff contacted Dan Scollan, East Metro Area <br /> Hydrologist with the DNR, regarding next steps and available options for proceeding with <br /> Resolution 85-22. Mr. Scollan has indicated that the DNR has reviewed the 1984/85 <br /> documentation and would proceed with approval of Resolution 85-22 as submitted. Their decision <br /> in support of the reclassifications is the result of the lake classification factors having not <br /> appreciably changed since 1985. Looking at all of the classification criteria holistically, the DNR <br /> still agrees with the City's reasoning presented in 1985 and concurs that the area development is <br /> still consistent with the 1985 Council request as outlined. As an alternate, the DNR would also <br /> process reclassification of just one of the lakes in Resolution 85-22, but would need submittal of a <br /> new resolution that requests only the reclassification(s) the City is currently seeking. It should be <br /> noted that a change on the City's part in lake classification other than what is noted under current <br /> ordinance may result in existing development/structures around that particular lake becoming <br /> legal nonconforming due to newly applicable lot dimensional standards (i.e. lot area, lot width, <br /> and setbacks). <br /> Councilmember Holden asked if lake classification was based solely on the size of the lake. <br /> Senior Planner Jagoe explained the DNR has several data points that are used when determining <br /> a lake classification. <br />