Mountain Lake City Council opens discussion on city’s curfew ordinance
Following a public hearing, held as part of the Mountain Lake City Council meeting on Monday, November 2, members of the city council approved amending city ordinance as it relates to a business in a transitional residential district. The revision includes the addition of Minnesota State Highway #60 as a thoroughfare on which a business may be located in a transitional residential district, as long as it meets the other requirements of the ordinance.
Businesses in a transitional residential area include those located on what is considered by city ordinance a major thoroughfare, as well as adjacent to or within 200 feet of a commercially-zoned district. These major thoroughfares include – in addition to Highway #60 – 3rd Avenue, 10th Street and Cottonwood County Road #1.
Proposed businesses in transitional residential areas have to meet six criteria:
+ Hours of operation limited to between 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
+ No outdoor displays or sales of merchandise or services permitted.
+ Signs shall conform to Mountain Lake City Code, Section 9.50, Subdivision 3.
+ No business permitted to discharge offensive odors, fumes, smoke, glare or noises audible beyond the property limits.
+ Deliveries to the premises made only during hours of operation.
+ Traffic associated with use shall not be detrimental to the neighborhood or create congestion on the street where the business is located. Parking must meet standards in Mountain Lake City Code, Section 9.50, Subdivision 4.
Questions on city’s curfew ordinance
Council members had recently fielded questions about the city’s current curfew ordinance. The council reviewed the city’s ordinance, as well as those of St. James, Trimont and Springfield. Mountain Lake Police Chief Doug Bristol discussed with council members how the code is enforced in the City of Mountain Lake. No action was taken.
In other business
+ Agreed to move Mountain Lake Trail signage to the edge of Cottonwood County Road #29 right-of-way per the request of Ken and Rachel Yoder, with the stipulation that the signs not be moved again. The trail signs on the north side of the trail near the dam and County #29 had earlier been moved closer to the dam and road at another request of the Yoders, but asked that the signs be moved again to another spot.
+ Reviewed the rates of nine public and private campgrounds in the area. By consensus, the council agreed to not increase rates to replenish the costs of the tower needed to provide Wi-Fi at Island View Campground. The campground had an excellent year, so revenues will be used to cover the cost of the tower and its installation. Current campgrounds rates are $20 per night, $120 a week, $450 per month and $1,300 for the season.
+ Reviewed the process and documents used for rental inspection updates, along with the list of current rentals.
+ Approved closing Mountain Lake City Hall on Friday, November 27 (the day following Thanksgiving). Employees have the option of working or using a personal/vacation day.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
+ Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce meets the third Tuesday of every month at 12 noon.
