Despite some residents’ opposition, the Lake Shore City Council on Monday, June 28, approved a rezoning and a preliminary plat request, as the planning and zoning commission recommended.
Approved were Dale Spohn’s requests for rezoning a piece of property and a preliminary plat for Agate Woods Addition with various conditions.
The property is directly behind the Gull Lake Motel on Agate Lake Road and adjoining Anderson Road. The preliminary plat consists of six residential lots that exceed the minimum lot size requirements.
The council agreed to rezone the southwest five acres of property from wooded residential to low density residential, which then matches zoning of the 17 acres. The rezoning will result in more restrictive uses regarding vegetation removal, is not spot zoning and fits with the city’s comprehensive plan.
No residents attended Monday’s meeting, but the planning commission did receive several letters in opposition to the rezoning and plat, and many residents attending the planning commission meeting were opposed to or expressed concern about the proposed development.
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In those letters, citizens were concerned about runoff, drainage issues on Pebble Beach Road, tree removal, traffic and the effect on wildlife.
Economic development
Mike Paulus, Cass County Economic Development Corp. executive director for six years, attended the council meeting to talk about the EDC’s services. Paulus shared a handout with the council outlining his organization’s COVID-19 response summary, as well as a summary of the EDC’s operational year.
The Cass County EDC worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to convert $70,000 in revolving loan funds into interest-free $5,000 disaster recovery loans complete with six-month payment deferrals.
The EDC released $280,000 in state funds as a pass-through lender to area businesses in distress, the handout said, and helped raise approximately $10 million in disaster funding for businesses.
Paulus thanked the council for its support.
Council member Henry Cote was absent from Monday’s meeting
In other business Monday, the council:
Approved a joint powers agreement with the state Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the state’s criminal justice data communications network.
Learned that in May, police had 179 incidents, including 126 traffic-related incidents and 53 miscellaneous calls. Traffic incidents included 98 warnings, 23 citations and one DWI arrest. Miscellaneous calls included six aquatic invasive species warnings, five suspicious activity, one assault and two each harassment complaint and property damage complaint.
Lake Shore police assisted other agencies twice.
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Agreed to accept funds under the American Rescue Plan Act. The city expects to receive around $100,000.
Accepted a $2,029 donation from the Nisswa Lions Club to replace two in-squad computers that are outdated.
Learned a fireworks show will take place July 4 at Zorbaz and Bar Harbor.
Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
