05.a3 Public Comments Addition Dahlberg_Water Oriented StructuresTo: City of Scandia and the Planning Commission Board meeting 11/12/24
From: Jeff and Michele Dahlberg Ph 651-472-7884
Date: November 11, 2024
My wife and I have lived on Big Marine Lake (BML) for over 40 years. We are strongly against
changing the current Shoreland Ordinances based on the following:
Big Marine Lake is the most beautiful lake in the whole metro area and we believe these changes will
ruin the lakes image in many people’s eyes, create conflict and may decrease property values.
I am a 15-year volunteer with the BMLA doing lake surveys to identify, map and treat Aquatic Invasive
Species (AIS) Eurasian Watermilfoil. I spend time with many lakes professionals that work on lakes all
over the state. These included the MNDNR AIS Division, MNAISRC (MN Aquatic Invasive Species
Research Center), Blue Water Science (Steve McComas the Lake Doctor), PLM Lake & Land
Management, CMSCWD and WCD. During many of my visit with these lake professionals on the lake
or in meetings they comment on the beauty of BML. Here are some of their comments, “Oh you live
on BML, it’s such a beautiful lake”, “It’s the prettiest lake in the metro area”, “It reminds me of a
northern Minnesota lake”, “I love that it has so much undeveloped shorelines”, “It has a huge
abundance of beautiful native plants” and “It has such beautiful crystal-clear water ”. If the Accessory
Structures are allowed on the shoreline, it will ruin BML and we will be left with just another metro
lake.
The MNDNR Model Ordinance is intended as a guideline for undeveloped Shoreline and Acreage of
160' Wide and 2.5+ Acres. Big Marine Lake has very few lots of this size. The lake was built on the
current ordinance and delt with smaller lot width, depth and acres. Many plots are 50’ to 75’ wide
and very rare is a lot deeper than 250’. Over the years the current ordinances have worked to protect
the lake and your neighbors view of the lake.
Construction of additional impervious surfaces very close to Shorelines will dramatically increase the
speed of water runoff and increase erosion and negatively impact water quality. The City, CMSCWD,
WCD and taxpayers have invested significant dollars and time to improve the waters on BML and other
city lakes. Changing the current ordinance would be a significant step backwards to our lakes.
Here’s what happens when a someone puts up a storage shed next to the water (see picture). Once
the shed is up things start to appear around but not in the shed i.e. storage of multiple kayaks, paddle
boats, canoes, a firepit, wood stacked for the firepit, chairs around the firepit and many miscellaneous
water toys. In addition, these become permeant fixtures around the shed. Will the new ordinances
enforce the additions items outside of the shed?
If the new ordinance allows power than you will be encouraging Noise Ordinance violations and calls.
Without a very strict ordinance, inspections, enforcement, and transparency, "uncontrolled use of
Shoreland, conflicts and lake pollution" will happen.
Thank You for reading our concerns. PLEASE do not ruin Big Marine Lake! Jeff and Michele
"ON NO
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