Cloud Lake considers land swap for Preserve access that would enable two single-family homes

The Town of Cloud Lake met on Jan. 18, 2025 to consider a proposed land swap between the town and property owner Ray Pola, who owns 202 Shannondale Road. Pola told council he would give the town adjacent submerged land that encompasses The Preserve’s littoral shelf in exchange for the remaining portion of Lot 10, which includes the entrance to The Preserve. Mayor Russ Nidy said the change would allow two single-family homes rather than a duplex and described single-family homes as "more of an asset to the Town." The record notes the land to be conveyed to the town would be encumbered and that "nothing can be built on the encumbered land."

Pola and council discussed specific site constraints and access: the record shows a 40-foot County easement on Lot 10 and Pola indicated he would grant an additional easement in perpetuity to the town for Preserve access. Pola described reconfiguring 170 feet of frontage into two 85-foot lots with 7½-foot side building setbacks; the proposal also could give the town direct lake access from The Preserve, which council members noted could improve the town’s capacity to seek cleanup grants or to form a nonprofit to manage improvements. A memorandum from Town Attorney Bill Doney was submitted to the record and "provided potential issues pertaining to the requested trade of land," but the memo’s specific concerns were not read aloud during the special meeting.

The council conducted a site visit following the presentation; no formal motion or vote occurred at the special meeting. The item was scheduled for further discussion at the Feb. 13 council meeting.