White Bear Lake council considers limits on boat-trailer parking near Memorial Beach

City staff presented a plan to limit boat-trailer parking on streets near Memorial Beach and the council directed staff to solicit neighborhood input and return a resolution at a future meeting.

The council discussed staff recommendations after a presentation identifying four problem streets — 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th — where reconstructed curbs and narrower lanes have created circulation and emergency-access concerns, particularly during busy summer weekends. Mr Copy, a city staff member, told the council that some blocks were rebuilt at about 24 feet wide while others are as narrow as 22 feet and that trailers parked on both sides often leave only about 8 feet of center clearance.

"There are four streets that really stuck out to us that are creating the issues and that's 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th," Mr Copy said, and recommended specific restrictions tailored to each street. For 11th Street staff recommended signing the north side "no parking all times" and allowing parking on the south side but prohibiting boat trailers there. For 8th, 9th and 10th Streets staff recommended one-side no parking (north side) and prohibiting trailer parking on the south side, limiting those blocks to passenger vehicles only.

Staff also flagged operational matters: some standard no-parking signs are in stock and could be installed quickly, while custom "no trailer parking" signs may need ordering; production of signs generally can occur within one to two weeks. Staff said formal enforcement of new no-parking areas would require a council resolution.

Council members asked whether the problem stems from boat trailers specifically or general parking shortages. "Is the problem boat-trailer parking or parking in general?" asked Council Member Angren. Staff replied the narrow street widths make both situations problematic for emergency vehicles and circulations, not only trailers.

Council Member Walsh asked whether trailers are coming from the city's launch or Ramsey County's launch to the north; staff said most appeared to originate from the city launch and from users parking as close as possible out of convenience rather than an overflow from Ramsey County.

Council members discussed outreach and timing. Staff said a formal public hearing typically requires at least 10 days' notice and newspaper publication, which could push deliberation beyond the peak season; the council expressed interest in more immediate, informal notification (mailings and invitations to an in-person comment opportunity) and asked staff to return a proposed resolution for council consideration at the next meeting if feasible.

Council members also asked that staff consider a slightly larger notification area east of Stewart Avenue and suggested outreach to the Chamber and Main Street Association to inform businesses about potential impacts.

No formal ordinance or resolution was adopted at the meeting; the council instructed staff to prepare and return a resolution with the specific recommended signage and boundaries and to begin outreach and notice. The council did not take a recorded roll-call vote on this item during the discussion.