4.a 3 Log House Landing background from MayorLOG HOUSE LANDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION FROM MAYOR MAEFSKY
Attached is information pertinent to a discussion on LHL access options that I would like to have
included for consideration at Wednesday's council meeting. I believe this information should be shared
with the broad public. Prior to the public meeting, the public has the right to know the factors that will
be brought into the council's decision about the LHL access point.
While I have made considerable effort to present the information as objectively as I could, the council
will, of course, discuss and agree upon final presentation.
I understand that we could start the discussion about agenda item 4b from scratch, but since these are
the points I would make at that time, I thought it would be helpful to have them in the meeting
materials for council members' pre -meeting review.
LOG HOUSE LANDING RAMP INFORMATION
Overview: Log House Landing (LHL) is a Scandia-owned public landing located on the Wild and Scenic St.
Croix River. The landing is in Scandia and in a designated National Park. It is one of two St. Croix River
public accesses in Scandia, and the only free access. The City Council is currently reviewing access
options for the existing boat ramp at the landing. This decision will only affect the ramp that leads from
the landing to the water. It does not concern the road or landing. However, the option selected will
determine future usage, development and preservation of the site. The ramp access options are:
Option 1: LEAVE RAMP AS IS WITH NO CHANGES
Option 2: CONTINUE TO PURSUE RAMP REBUILDING PLANS FOR TRAILERED AND OTHER BOATS
Option 3: CHANGE THE RAMP TO WALK-IN / CARRY -IN ONLY -NO TRAILERS PERMITTED
Option 4: CLOSE THE RAMP COMPLETELY
NOTE — ALL RAMP OPTIONS WILL BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE EMERGENCY VEHICLE USE.
In 2012, the Watershed District Managers (CMSCWD) approached the Scandia City Council with
concerns about storm water run-off. This led to discussions about long-term planning for the ramp, the
landing and the road. Since that time (and before) several site designs have been proposed, but all have
been rejected due to a combination of cost and environmental impact. In an attempt to involve the
various stakeholders and citizens in the search for solutions, the Scandia City Council appointed a
committee in 2014 to study the site and make recommendations. The LHL Committee consisted of nine
members from several groups considered important to the project: Scandia City Council, Scandia
Planning Commission, the Watershed District (CMSCWD), the St. Croix River Association (SCRA), and
citizen/users of the site. The committee met over 3 months in 2014 and 2015. Working with the
Washington County Engineering Department, the committee identified the following seven specific
factors that should be considered when evaluating any Log House Landing options:
• History:
o To what extent should the character and historic integrity of the site be maintained?
o To what extent should historic usage of the site be a factor in determining a plan?
• Erosion and Water Quality:
o To what extent should a plan for the Log House Landing site address erosion and
water quality?
• Protect the Natural Environment and Aesthetics:
o To what extent should ensuring protection of the natural environment be a factor in
determining a plan for the Log House Landing site?
o To what extent should a plan address the rustic aesthetics of the site, being in a
National Park and part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway?
o To what extent should other stakeholder desires (Watershed, NPS, DNR, SCRA) be a
consideration?
• Access:
o To what extent should a plan keep the landing open to the greatest number of users?
o To what extent should a plan keep the landing open to all types of users?
o To what extent should the physical limitations of the site determine limiting the
number and type of users?
o To what extent should design be used to regulate appropriate boat size?
o To what extent should the fact that this is Scandia's only free access point to the river
be a consideration?
o To what extent should other nearby launch sites be considered as alternatives?
• Safety:
o To what extent should a plan address the need for safety considerations for all users?
o To what extent should a plan preserve emergency vehicle access?
• Maintenance:
o To what extent should maintenance time and effort be a consideration?
• Cost:
o To what extent should life cycle cost (including initial design and build, and long term
maintenance) be a consideration in determining a plan?
o To what extent should the number of users of the site be a factor in determining the
amount of money the city spends on it?
*Additional information about alternative local river landings for public access to the river:
1. William O'Brien Landing: entrance in Scandia 1 mile south of LHL. Easy gradual concrete ramp,
ample parking, other recreational facilities, restrooms, picnic tables, drinking water, camping.
State maintained. Open 3 seasons. Hours are 8:OOam — 10:OOpm with earlier access available to
sportsmen — contact park manager. Annual pass $25 / Day pass $5.
2. Osceola Landing: 6.5 miles north of LHL on the MN side. Easy gradual concrete ramp, nighttime
lighting, parking, picnic tables, restrooms. National Park maintained. Open 24/7. No fee.
3. Franconia Landing: 10 miles north of LHL on the MN side. Easy gradual gravel ramp, limited
parking. Franconia Township maintained. Open 24/7. No fee.
All three are designed for truck and trailer access, with straight and gradual slopes, as well as separate
canoe and kayak access. Parking availability is greater with easier configuration at these alternative
access sites.
Citizen Participation / Comments: There are several ways for you to provide input. After becoming
familiar with the issues, you may:
• Send an email to: LHL@ci.scandia.mn.us
• Mail a letter to: LHL Comments, 14727 209th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073
• Make a comment in person at the Public Hearing.
The City Council Log House Landing Public Hearing will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April
25, 2017 at the Community Center.
Respectfully submitted
Christine Maefsky
4/3/27