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Resident raises loon-habitat and Indigenous-site concerns ahead of Sandy Point hearing; Park board says the issue is outside its purview
Summary
At the May 13 meeting a resident urged the Park and Recreation Board to take a role protecting Sandy Point’s shoreline, citing declining loon counts and possible Ojibwe burial sites; staff said Sandy Point proposals are handled by Planning and Zoning and Historic Preservation, and the board agreed to add natural-area priorities to future goals.
Frederica Musgrave told the Ely Park and Recreation Board on May 13 that she has repeatedly raised concerns since 2023 about protecting natural habitats and shorelines and asked the board to prioritize birding sites and shoreline protections.
Musgrave said Sandy Point — subject to a public hearing on May 20 — is listed as a birding area and that DNR counts show the loon population on Shagawa Lake has been falling; she warned that shoreline disturbance, new buildings or boathouse storage could harm loon nesting habitat. Musgrave also said local oral history identifies Sandy Point as a former Ojibwe village and that some people have reported possible burial sites there.
Council Rep Adam Bisbee acknowledged the information but questioned the board’s legal authority over privately owned land. Planning and Zoning Administrator Scott Kochendorfer said the Sandy Point proposal is not within Park and Rec’s purview and that historical-significance concerns are handled by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) together with Planning and Zoning. Kochendorfer suggested the information be processed and presented under the board’s goals and objectives rather than acting immediately without formal materials.
Board members said they would add items such as birding and low-impact natural areas to future goals and objectives and noted that the city posts public-hearing materials on its website. Kochendorfer cautioned that posting every public request would be impractical and emphasized that presenters should provide supporting materials to staff in advance.
What’s next: A public hearing on Sandy Point was scheduled for May 20; Planning and Zoning and HPC are the appropriate forums to consider conditional-use or historic-preservation matters. The Park and Recreation Board agreed to consider adding natural-area protections and birding-site signage to its future mission and goals.
Actions: No formal motion on Sandy Point was taken at this meeting; board members directed staff to add natural-area priorities to a future goals-and-objectives discussion.
