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Resident says Casey Lake reclassification led to unexpected 150-foot setback and a lack of homeowner notice
Summary
Resident John Shamal told the North St. Paul City Council that a past reclassification of Casey Lake doubled the shoreline setback from 75 feet to 150 feet, saying homeowners were not notified; the council heard the comment during public comment and received routine department updates from the city manager.
John Shamal, a North St. Paul resident who gave his address as 2750 Chisum Avenue, told the City Council during public comment that a prior reclassification of Casey Lake dramatically altered shoreline setback rules and affected property owners without notice. "They changed and it was correct per the state, but they should have done some research that there's only six people on the lake," Shamal said, adding that the change increased the setback from 75 feet to 150 feet and would have put setbacks into his front yard.
Shamal said a retired Department of Natural Resources employee helped him connect with DNR officials, who provided clarification that the reclassification was not intended to apply retroactively to pre-existing houses. "So that was a tremendous relief," he said, describing the difficulty he faced trying to get answers.
Shamal also raised two additional neighborhood concerns in the same public-comment turn. He praised a resident who placed a caution ribbon where a new sidewalk meets an older one and warned that runoff on a 25-degree bank can make the walking surface slippery. He urged the city to address parking over sidewalks after seeing a trailer tongue and other vehicles blocking pedestrian paths on Chisum Avenue.
The council did not take formal action on Shamal’s requests during the meeting. City staff later reported, during department updates, that community development submitted a grant application for a Casey Lake Park project and that communications staff are preparing outreach materials for spring events.
Procedurally, the meeting opened with roll call and the pledge of allegiance. A motion to adopt the agenda was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote; councilors also completed routine department reports and committee announcements before adjourning.
The city manager reported that electric crews will upgrade wiring near Northwood Park, communications is updating an alert map and preparing outreach for April–May events, finance will host auditors next week and has posted a position internally, police completed a body-camera audit and have recruitment postings, and public works reported work on a student-built house and road-weight restrictions. Community development confirmed submission of the Casey Lake Park grant application and noted ongoing solid-waste RFP work.
The council noted upcoming meetings for the Economic Development Authority, Arts & Culture Commission and Planning Commission and reminded residents that the next council meeting falls on St. Patrick’s Day; they also referenced a historical society event the day prior to the next meeting.
