HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.09.08 RESO 2009-29RESOLUTION 2009-29
APPROVING FINDINGS OF FACT PROHIBITING THE DISCHARGE OF
FIREARMS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK ON
BALD EAGLE LAKE
WHEREAS, the City has received complaints regarding noise from discharging of
firearms, on Bald Eagle Lake and;
WHEREAS, the City and the Washington County Sheriff's Department receives
complaints with some frequency concerning the public safety of shooting that is
occurring on Bald Eagle Lake within close proximity to dwellings, private yards, and
public roads, and;
WHEREAS, the existing shooting regulations prohibit hunting within 500 feet of
dwellings surrounding the lake, leaving only limited portions of the lake that can be
hunted, and;
WHEREAS, enforcement of the shooting regulations has led to disputes between
residences, enforcement officer, and hunters, and;
WHEREAS, Bald Eagle Lake has sufficiently different characteristics than other lakes
within the City in that it is in a more dense urban development, has multi jurisdictional
boundaries, and higher recreational use, and;
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and Parks Commission have reviewed the
ordinance and recommended approval, and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HUGO, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does prohibit the
discharge of a firearm within the limits of the ordinary high water mark on Bald Eagle
Lake. Further, the City makes the following findings in support of the ordinance that
distinguish Bald Eagle Lake from all other lakes in the City of Hugo:
1. Bald Eagle Lake is a multi jurisdictional lake extending into two cities, one
township, and three counties. Shooting is prohibited on portions of the lake
outside of Hugo, due to regulations of other jurisdictions.
2. The development pattern and lake characteristics are no different in Hugo than
that of other jurisdictions surrounding the lake.
3. The amount of recreational boat traffic and other ancillary uses on Bald Eagle
Lake far exceeds that of all other lakes within the City of Hugo,
Resolution 2009-29
Page 2
4. The combination of the shape of the shoreline and the location of the homes
surrounding the lake makes hunting opportunities on the lake very limited under
the existing regulations. Further, the continuously changing shape and location of
cattail islands on the lake make enforcement of the existing regulations much
more difficult than what is present on other lakes in the city.
5. The urbanized development pattern around Bald Eagle Lake including the close
spacing of housing is different from other lakes in the City where hunting is legal
and occurs.
6. Additional development of homes is expected around Bald Eagle Lake in Hugo
that will further restrict hunting opportunities, and increase the odds for conflict,
7. The characteristics of Bald Eagle Lake are unique within the City of Hugo. It is
not the City's intent to set a precedent to further regulate hunting or shooting on
other lakes within the City limits.
ADOPTED by the City Council this 8h day of September, 2
Ma or
ATTEST:
Michele Lindau, City Clerk