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Planning Commission backs temporary floating dock and inclined track on Rum River, adds conditions
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Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a seasonal floating dock and inclined track at 3577 220 First Avenue NW, adding conditions requiring annual removal practices to follow Anoka Conservation District recommendations and confirming compliance with DNR no-permit criteria.
The Oak Grove Planning Commission on Thursday recommended that the City Council grant a conditional use permit for a temporary floating dock and an inclined track (lift) on the Rum River at 3577 220 First Avenue Northwest, subject to conditions addressing shoreline protection, seasonal removal and recovery of the structure.
Applicant Alec Plested proposed a 24-by-8-foot floating dock with an inclined track and a crank-up lift to store a small jet-boat. He said the Anoka Conservation District recommended the proposed location because a riprap spur constructed as part of a recent river restoration would offer protection. "The dock will be seasonal and removed from the water each winter and during floods," Plested told the commission, adding that he had spoken with a DNR staff member who told him the proposal met the DNR's "no permit required" criteria.
Staff reported that the Anoka Conservation District commented in favor of the project and advised that recovering a lost dock is the owner's responsibility. Staff noted applicable city standards and cited a code reference (section 109.292(b)(3) in the draft findings) that limits inclined-track installation on residential lots to a 4-foot width; the applicant had asked for a 5-foot track and said a 4-foot track would be workable.
Several neighbors asked questions about visibility from the riverbend, the dock's 24-foot length and how the inclined track would be removed for winter and flood conditions. Commissioners discussed conditions to minimize shoreline disturbance during installation and removal, and added a requirement that annual removal practices follow Anoka Conservation District recommended techniques. Staff also confirmed that the permit is seasonal, must comply with the DNR criteria, and that the owner is responsible for retrieving the dock if it floats away.
Motion: Commissioner Farah moved to adopt the staff findings and recommend approval with an added condition that annual removal practices comply with Anoka Conservation District recommendations; Commissioner Hall seconded. Vote: unanimous in favor. The commission forwarded the recommendation to the City Council for final action.
