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Commission recommends city council review of 250-foot dock variance at 3900 Kings Point Road
Summary
Planning staff presented an application for an approximately 250-foot private dock, exceeding the city's 100-foot limit. Staff said the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District had approved the same variance; commissioners discussed wetland protections and whether to ask the LMCD to revisit dock-width conditions. The commission recommended the request to the City Council on July 20.
Planning staff told the commission the applicants seek permission to install "approximately a 250ish foot dock" at 3900 Kings Point Road, far above the city's 100-foot maximum for private docks and therefore requiring a variance. Staff said the application had already been reviewed and approved by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD).
"This is less invasive than dredging and there's plenty of space," a city planner said, noting staff's preference for the variance over more disruptive shoreline work. The planner also described the variance criteria included in the staff report and said no public comments were received in response to the mailed notice.
Commissioners pressed staff about upstream restrictions and wetland protections, and discussed the LMCD's conditions. A commissioner noted the LMCD had approved a four-foot dock width with a larger platform at the outer end, while applicants had asked about a wider (five- to six-foot) width for accessibility. Commissioners debated whether to send the matter back to the LMCD for reconsideration of width standards or to provide a separate letter of support if the applicants pursue a six-foot width.
After discussion the commission voted to recommend that the City Council consider the variance; staff said the council would take final action on July 20. The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the recommendation will go forward for final decision at the council meeting.
