Council formalizes license allowing Cottage Park HOA to maintain small shoreline parcels

White Bear Lake — The City Council voted to authorize a license agreement with the Cottage Park homeowners association that formalizes a long-standing arrangement allowing the association to maintain private improvements on three narrow city parcels that provide neighborhood lake access.

City staff said the parcels were originally tax-forfeited township lots that now reside in the city and have functioned informally as access points and locations for neighborhood docks. The license does not transfer ownership; it requires the homeowners association to maintain improvements, carry insurance and indemnify the city for liability arising from those private improvements. The agreement also prohibits expanding the use beyond current conditions.

Assistant city staff Juba said the arrangement clarifies responsibilities and reduces the city's legal exposure by shifting maintenance and insurance obligations to the HOA. The city attorney and staff noted similar licensing arrangements have been used elsewhere to memorialize longstanding, informal uses and to avoid future disputes when staff or officials turn over.

Council members raised policy questions about whether the parcels should remain public land, whether the city should seek monetary return for exclusive benefits, and how to ensure fair access to other residents. The city attorney said formalizing such arrangements is common practice and reduces future conflicts by documenting expectations. Staff said they would perform due diligence on HOA bylaws and include clear maintenance and access provisions in the license.

The resolution passed with majority support after council discussion; staff and the HOA president present at the meeting said they had cooperated to draft the language and the agreement will be recorded in the city's files.