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Tim’s Marina expansion draws council questions; environmental review (EAW) and parking concerns highlighted
Summary
Tim’s Marina presented a sketch plan to add docks and increase slips from the DNR‑permitted 66 to roughly 168 on‑site slips (operator states 96 currently on site); the council and planning commission advised careful environmental analysis and discussed phasing, parking, and sanitary connections.
The Forest Lake City Council received a sketch plan July 14 from Tim’s Marina for a proposed expansion of docking and seasonal boat slips; the presentation and council discussion focused on environmental review, parking, septic/sewer connections and phasing.
Planning staff said the DNR permit currently shows 66 watercraft but the marina currently stores about 96 boats on site. The owner, Joe Maslow, described a proposal that would increase slips to roughly 168 (adding about 72 new slips on two new finger docks) and said the marina’s July 4 parking survey suggested on‑site parking could accommodate typical peak demand. “We feel confident that we do have enough parking,” Maslow said, summarizing his July 4 survey observations.
Staff told the council an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is required for marina expansions under Minnesota rules; the EAW will evaluate lake impacts and ancillary on‑land effects such as parking, surfacing, erosion, turbidity, and wildlife (staff and the Planning Commission raised concerns including turbidity and impacts to Blanding’s turtles and pollinators). The EAW also can trigger further environmental study if significant impacts are identified.
Council members and staff discussed phasing the dock expansion rather than constructing all slips at once; the applicant said he preferred to include the full scope in the EAW but would consider phasing via conditions in a future conditional use permit. Parking and trailer storage drew scrutiny: city code requires a parking ratio tied to slips (staff said strict application of the code would create increased surfacing needs), and the marina owner wants to retain existing grass parking in parts of the site. Staff noted potential watershed and sediment/erosion concerns if grass parking remains where shoreline runoff reaches the lake.
Other issues raised included the location of lily pads and aquatic vegetation at proposed dock locations and sanitary sewer/dump station history and accounting. City staff recommended the owner use the EAW process to document historic operations and cumulative impacts so the city and agencies can evaluate the full project.
No formal action was requested — the council gave nonbinding feedback and directed staff to continue processing any future formal applications and coordinate required environmental review and permits.
