Eidelweiss Public Hearings
5/14/2022
There were approximately 55 people who attended the public hearings.
43 people signed in on the sign-in sheet. Commissioners, Ralph Lutjen, Michael Smith, and Jay Buckley were present.
The meeting was called to order by chairman Ralph Lutjen at 9:08am.
MOTION: JB makes a motion to open the public hearing on the Beach Ordinance, MS seconds, PASSED 3-0.
Ralph Lutjen reads the ordinance that was presented by Nick Borelli and Paul McKenna.
Nick Borelli is asked to explain the changes and reasoning. Nick explains that the beaches are overcrowded during the summer months and how parking of vehicles is limited forcing many vehicles to park in the streets near the beaches. This street parking can block of emergency vehicles from getting through Nick states. Rich Gordon of Rock House Mountain Association states that many members of his association in Conway have deeded beach rights to Eidelweiss beaches.
Kim Hare mentions that it may work if each household had 1 or 2 beach passes and that any guest could use them to park at the beaches. She states that having to always accompany a guest/family member at the beach just won’t work. Ken Koop states that having to accompany family/guest members is not sensible and that guests should have accommodations to go to the beaches.
Kevin Flynn reads letter from Paul McKenna (who could not be at the meeting)
Denise Brown asked why we can’t regulate our beaches like Madison regulates the beach at the foot of Silver Lake. Barry Conolly from Rock House Mountain was in opposition to the proposal. Dinah Sharon was in opposition to the prohibitions of guests/family using the beaches.
Paula Doyle spoke and said this proposal is really targeted against short term renters from using the beaches. The audience broke out into applause for her statement. Paula stated that STR’s have become a divisive issue in the District and people should volunteer to come together and work on solutions and not to try to pit one side against the other.
Chris Fogarty was in favor of one pass per property that can be used by anyone using that property.
Kathy Koziell states that this proposal wording comes directly from the Madison restrictions to the use of the beach at the foot of Silver Lake.
Phil Barlow, states his opposition to the proposal and says that cars dropping beach goers off at the beaches will likely cause more traffic and safety issues that current policy.
Meade Stalberg states that a parking pass may help but only if it can be used by all including STR’s.
Renee Herendeen asks for a show of hands as to who is opposed to this beach ordinance proposal; approximately 50 hands were raised (The vast majority in the room).
Bill Braird states he is a retired full time fire fighter and reports that he has spoken to 4 members of the Madison Fire Department and that never has there been an issue with emergency vehicles getting passed the beach areas due to overparking conditions. The new proposal will likely cause more safety issues. Gail DeAlmo was in favor of passes for family members, guests, and owners. Multiple passes.
John Herendeen asks how this would be enforced if people can’t be ID’d on the beaches. John states this is an “embarrassment”.
The audience wanted to know how a final decision would be made and how they would find out about the decision.
MOTION RL makes a motion to end the public hearing on Beach Ordinance. MS seconds. Motion PASSED 3-0
MOTION JB makes a motion to open the public hearing on the Highway and Parking Ordinance. MS 2nds. PASSED 3-0
RL reads the proposed changes. Ralph talked about the congestion at the Huttwil parking lot. Steve Hare points out that the proposal conflicts with the current section 4 re: section for trailers.
Ken Koop states this proposal is overdoing it. Kathy Koziell asks if there is really a congestion problem and states the most vehicles that she has seen there in the lot is approximately 8 vehicles during a snowstorm. She states the lot has a far greater capacity than 8 vehicles. Kathy states that better signage would alleviate some of the concerns by requiring that all vehicles parked there MUST be registered. Kathy suggests a seasonal pass for ski mobile trailers and boat trailers. Other sate that is a great idea enabling the District to know who’s vehicles are there.
Larry Leonard stated the Great Northern promised all property owners that the parking lot was for them and the vehicles that they could not fit onto their lost due to terrain or lack of space on the lot.
John Connolly states that the lot should be available to all vehicles as long as they are registered.
Greyson Merrill stated that he drives a commercial vehicle which he sometimes parks at the Huttwil lot. He warned people that many of their neighbors drive commercial vehicles to deliver goods and services to their homes and stores. Banning such vehicles will only make it less convenient for those neighbors who rely on commercial vehicles for deliveries and services. Jennifer Merrill states that restricting contractors/commercial vehicles does not solve the appearance problem, but rather it’s the reputation of the commissioners that has the bad appearance.
Bill Braird states that he sees no problem at the Huttwil parking lot and does not support the proposal to change the ordinance, He claims that the hilly terrain and narrow streets would be a worse and unsafe place to park overflow vehicles.
MOTION RL makes a motion to close the public hearing on Highway and Parking Ordinance, MS 2nds. PASSED 3-0.
MOTION JB makes a motion to open the public hearing on the Driveway Ordinance, 2nd by MS. PASSED 3-0
Discussion on proposed changes to restrict the design and construction of septic systems that may be beneath driveways from being too close to the water mains in our roads.
Very little discussion.
MOTION MS makes a motion to open the public hearing on the Water System Ordinance, RL 2nds PASSED 3-0
RL reads the changes; Water connection fee goes from $8,000 to $10,000. Restrictions on proximity of Septic System to Road/Water Main. Little discussion on the matter. JB mentions that a resident pointed out that the current proposal does not address that some of our water comes from a source outside the District boundary and is pumped into the District and that resident proposed that we include in the language that “water shall not be distributed outside of the District”
MOTION RL makes a motion to close the public hearing on proposed changes to the Water System Ordinance, MS 2nds. PASSED 3-0.
MOTION to adjourn by MS, 2nd by RL. PASSED 3-0 at 10:44
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Buckley