Discussion Item: Potential Concept of Private Marina/Dock for River Walk Village (Project No. 18-163); Case of Dave Wills on behalf of N & D Management, LLC

The purpose of this case is to introduce a topic to the Planning Commission that may come forward as a formal application in the coming months for a private marina/dock for the River Walk Village neighborhood located at the east end of Rivlyn Avenue (the "Subject Property").  City Staff has received an inquiry about the potential of a multiple 'slip' dock for some of the property owners within River Walk Village, a recently approved fourteen (14) lot subdivision.

Notification is not required for a discussion item.

The realtor for River Walk Village, Dave Wills (the "Applicant") has contacted the City about the possibility of a multiple slip dock (the "Dock") for the seven (7) lots that are only separated from the Mississippi River (or the river oxbow) by two outlots.  There are no official drawings for consideration, but the Applicant is interested in getting some initial feedback from the Planning Commission before design work begins and prior to officially applying for a Conditional Use Permit.

While the idea of the Dock seems reasonable, there are certainly a couple practical challenges that will need to be overcome.  The Subject Property only has approximately forty to forty-five feet (40-45') of shoreline along the main channel of the river.  The remainder of the shoreline is along a narrow oxbow.  The siting of the Dock cannot impact the neighboring property to the west, nor can it impact the general public's access and utilization of the river oxbow, which itself is only about forty (40) feet wide.  River depth (or bathymetry, similar to topography but underwater) will need to be determined to ensure that the Dock does not obstruct access to navigable waters of the oxbow.

Staff has had a conversation with the MN DNR Area Hydrologist regarding this concept.  The Area Hydrologist echoed the above concerns/challenges and also noted that depending on how the slips were managed, it may be classified as a marina, which the MN DNR is also involved in permitting.

Attached to this case are some high level concepts/alternatives that will need additional detail. The Applicant has noted that the dock would be managed and maintained by the Home Owner's Association, and that it would be limited to the aforementioned seven (7) would be riparian lots (they are technically not riparian as they back up to outlots that contain the shoreline).  Attached is the initial information provided by the Applicant and then some concepts that Staff prepared more for discussion purposes. 

No formal action is required at this time.  This case is for discussion purposes only and may help inform the Applicant as to whether to proceed with a formal application for a Conditional Use Permit for a Dock and issues to address with any formal application.

This discussion item is being handled as part of Staff's normal duties.

Provide Applicant with any feedback, recommendations, and/or concerns related to the concept of a multiple slip dock for the River Walk Village community.

No formal action is necessary.  This is an opportunity to provide any feedback to the Applicant in advance of a potential formal application for a Conditional Use Permit.