LAKEWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
STEERING COMMITTEE
DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY
May 15, 2007
Members Present
Gwen Updegraff, Bob Shaw, Jeff Denny, Kilian Ottman
Shannon Ostazeski, Jesse Schomberg
Phil Halverson, Dave Beran
Pete Weidman, Brian Hayden
Mark Pearson, Wendy Robertson
Inese Holte, Diane Larson
Jerry Lipe, Angie Palmer
Tom Bacig
Opening Remarks
· Report 3, “Selected Comparisons” Analysis from the Survey was handed out. This is the last report concerning the Survey.
· Cliff Little is a member of the Technical Team for the North Shore Management Board. He brought a Draft Report, “Node Definition for Comprehensive Plans” that identifies “nodes” for development along the North Shore. Clifton was identified (page 11) as a “node” and recommended by the North Shore Mgmt Board to be recognized in the Lakewood Comp Plan. Steering Committee will consider this as part of their process in updating the Comp Plan and let the North Shore Mgmt. Board know their decision.
· Gary Meier has indicated he can no longer participate on the Steering Committee due to family business in Oregon. He requested to remain on the mailing list.
· Phil Halverson and Shannon Ostazeski were elected to the Town Board of Supervisors. Committee members would like them to remain on the Steering Committee. Dave will check with Tim Musick (Tim has oked this).
· Concern was expressed about information concerning wetland development getting out to applicants requesting a building permit. Jessie Schomberg will send out information from St. Louis County that can be used as a handout to applicants.
Review/approve Draft 5/1/07 Meeting Summary
Two corrections were made: Inese Holte's name was added and Angie Palmer's name was taken off; Groups 2 and 3 were reversed to accurately reflect the small group Summary was approved as corrected.
Concerns from the Audience
No concerns were expressed
Agree on Input from May 1 Exercise
The Committee discussed the Small Group exercise and agreed to the following:
Sensitive Areas (Clint Little displayed areas)
· Streams/riparian areas
· Steep slopes (30% + ??)
· Wetlands
· Lake Superior shoreline
· Large areas of forest that are not fragmented by development, need to map and give percentage before final decision is made (Clint will get this information by next meeting).
Trends
· Increase in high end new constructed homes and remodeled homes, and modular/prefab homes.
· Increased recreational use of Township roads (ATV, horseback riding, walking, biking)
· Number of households has doubled.
· Decreasing family size.
· Population is ageing.
· Housing growth is steady or increasing slightly.
· Basic land value is going up.
· Decreasing water quality.
· Less agricultural land.
· Deer herd is increasing and so is damage.
· Warmer winters/late snowfalls.
· 1% population growth/yr.
· Increasing pressure for conditional uses and variances.
Themes
· Maintain rural environment.
· Favor single family residence.
· Low density of development
· Minimum industrial and commercial development.
· Maintain home business and occupations.
· Protect forest land and water resources.
· Taxes are increasing.
· Lakewood Township is considered a highly desirable place to live.
Issues
· Extent of LIU and commercial development.
· Protection of streams/riparian areas.
· Enforcement of existing zoning.
· How to tread internal properties.
· Lack of understanding/understanding about Township resources, Comp. Plan, zoning, etc.
· Township roads (quality, design, extent, maintenance).
· Private property rights vs. rights of people in the Township as a whole.
· Violation of stream set-backs
Small Group Exercise
The small group exercise on visioning scheduled for the meeting was postponed due to lack of time. The group decided to do the following:
· Complete the exercise individually by the June 5th meeting.
· Send individual responses to Dave Miller no later then June 1 and Dave will network them to all Committee members.
· Dave will prepare a summary of responses for discussion by Committee at their June 5th meeting.
Reference the “Handbook”, Section VI, page 33 for elements of a good vision; the Township Survey, especially report 2, Summary of Comments; and, the Duluth Township Comp. Plan for ideas on vision.
Vision statements can be one general statement that covers all the important elements in the Township and/or broken down by sections. Sections in the current Comp. Plan are:
· Natural Features
· Land Use
· Housing
· Water and Sewer
· Transportation
· Rec. and Open Space
· Government Services
Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 PM.