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Paving request near access met with concerns CROSSLAKE CITY COUNCIL Senior Reporter CROSSLAKE - Should neighbors be able to improve their driveway within Crosslake's public Trout Beach access?
That was the question before the Crosslake City Council Monday and several members were concerned that this would open a door they would rather keep closed.
Neighbors Steve Thompson and Patrick Davern wanted to pave their driveways and land between the garages and said they didn't see a negative. The Trout Beach area of the Manhattan Beach Entrance Addition plat was given for public use forever. Davern and Thompson use the right-of-way to get to their garages.
They estimated the access has been used for the residential driveways for 50-60 years.
Davern said he did not believe the limited paving would prevent public use of the land and in no way blocked the access. Thompson said the improvements would improve the water drainage to the lake and paving would cut down dust.
It was a common sense improvement, Davern said.
"In my mind this program is a mess," said Council member Rusty Taubert of encroachment on right-of-ways by neighbors. "This is an example in my mind of something that is out of hand totally."
Taubert recommended no further road improvements to this access.
Council member Steve Roe said he was concerned this would set a precedent.
Council member Dean Swanson said the city has allowed the property to be used in this manner for years and he was not against it as long property owners incur all the costs.
Swanson was in favor of the project, saying it would keep water from running down the hill.
"Everything changes in time," Swanson said.
Roe said since its public property the city assumes the liability and could assume costs for it in the long run.
City Administrator Tom Swenson questioned what would happen if the public used its right to park their car along the proposed paving in order to go to the beach for a picnic. Swenson asked if the city would then be getting complaints from the homeowners.
Taubert asked why the driveways were constructed without a driveway to the street without using the right-of-way easement. Ken Anderson, community development director, said they may have limiting factors of where their drain fields and wells are located as far as moving their driveways.
Public property has been altered with brush cut and vegetation cut in that area already, said Jon Henke, parks and recreation director. Henke said he'd like to see a policy with guidelines instead of looking at each case as it comes along.
There are sheds and septic systems, docks, fish houses and a whole array of things on these public parcels, Henke said.
The whole public should benefit, Henke said as the areas were approved for buffers initially.
Henke suggested the council's advisory committees be allowed to weigh-in on the issue.
"I think we need to develop the policy before we make decisions," Henke said.
The council voted 3-2 against allowing further road improvements or blacktopping at this time with Council member Irene Schultz and Swanson opposed.
"I'd hate to see another issue like this come before the council," Taubert said noting the city has commissioners that can look at this. "I think we've got to get to the bottom of this once and for all." He suggested properties be surveyed and find out problems and see what recommendations there may be. The council agreed the city's commissions should work together on the issue.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at ' or 855-5852.
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