03-26-2003 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MAR -03 -2003 10:29 RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS 651 748 2508 P.03/05 VARIANCE REQUEST SHORELAND ORDINANCE, LITTLE CANADA LAKE GERVAIS COUNTY PARK REDEVELOPMENT The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department has prepared plans for the redevelopment of Lake Gervais County Park, 2025 Edgerton Street. The redevelopment of the park involves construction of new facilities including entrance road, parking, beach building, fishing pier, paths, landscaping and storm -water treatment. Ramsey County requests a variance to the Shoreland Ordinance to construct an 8 -foot wide bituminous path within the required 25 foot set -back from the shoreline. Approximately 350 feet of the path is within the 25 foot set -back area. The path is needed to provide handicapped access to the fishing pier that is required by the Minnesota DNR which is providing a portion of the funding for this project. The fishing pier is an important element of the project. There are no other good options for locating the pier elsewhere in the park. The steep, oak covered hill does not allow the path to be moved back the required 25 feet from the shore without extensive grading and removal of mature oak trees. In addition to providing handicapped access to the fishing pier, the path is an integral part of the overall path system within the park. The path will provide access to the fishing pier and shoreline for pedestrians and bikers entering the park from surrounding neighborhoods. The pier will provide a safe alternative place to fish, for children who currently shore fish north of the park entrance. The path will provide good, safe access to the pier.