BY SHANNON GEISEN Park Rapids Enterprise
The Menahga City Council unanimously adopted an updated land use ordinance, zoning map and shoreland map at their Monday, Dec. 9 meeting.
Jensine Kurtti pointed out the city planning and zoning commission has been working on the ordinance since March 2023.
“This replaces our ordinance. Some of it went back to 1977,” Kurtti said. “We went from things like addressing where phone booths could be to where cell towers are. It was antiquated.”
Kurtti said the zoning map is “a little bit friendlier to our citizens.”
A 150-foot-deep lot previously couldn’t be built within one-quarter the distance of the lot, she explained. The new ordinance aligns with other neighboring cities, using a 10-foot setback from the rear property line and side yards.
It also addresses shed and accessory buildings, she said.
A zoning permit will be valid for two years, Kurtti added. The updated zoning map includes new categories, plus a community use code for parks and beaches.
“We also took the R-1 district from a one- to four-family dwelling to a one to two because some of those R-1 districts only have a 75-by-150-foot lot,” Kurtti said. “We feel it’s a better product, and yet the people that are doing the building will be able to build a lot closer and more in conformity.”
Regarding the new shoreland map, Kurtti explained the state-mandated shoreline district is within 1,000 feet of a lake and 300 feet of a river.
According to the resolution, the city contracted with Jay Michels of Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. “to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the city’s shoreland areas and evaluate the environmental makeup of the g round to establish tailored shoreland standards.” A Sourcewell g rant paid for their
services, according to Kurtti.
Emmons & Olivier Resources also made recommendations for best shoreland practices.
Kurtti explained only the properties within 200 feet of Spirit Lake will stay at the maximum impervious area of 30%. Properties between 201 feet to 1,000 feet of the lake are assigned at 50%.
Two special provisions are included in the ordinance. A new development provision applies to several large parcels on the south side of Spirit Lake, so any future development will require a variance, Kurtti said.
A technical exemption is placed on several parcels on the east side (fronting 2nd St. SW and
U.S. Hwy. 71/Aspen Ave.) due to their topography. Kurtti said this includes the city’s beach and the school’s volleyball courts. These properties “form a bowl that don’t contribute runoff to the lake, but rather results in pooling of water onsite,” according to a memo from Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.
The new shoreland map is “designed to promote responsible land use, mitigate erosion and ensure the sustainable use of shoreland areas with the city of Menahga,” the resolution states.
Shannon Geisen can be reached at sgeisen@ parkrapidsenterprise.com.
