The issue of short term rental properties (STR), once again came before the Lake County Board at last week’s meeting. Two area residents expressed concern over having a property that will be used as a short term rental in their neighborhood. Both residents live on a private road, the construction and maintenance of which they pay for. The short term rental property is accessed via the same private road, so proximity to the STR is a concern for permanent residents. As readers likely know, short term rentals come with certain problems for neighborhoods that have them. These include increased traffic through the neighborhood, excessive noise and the possibility of vandalism and trash left by party renters. Short term rentals are also commercial properties and in addition to having negative impacts on the peace and quiet of a neighborhood, the nuisances associated with them can lower property values. Both residents believe that the County’s allowance of the STR on their road violates the original intent of the families who live in the area and asked the Board to consider steps that can be taken to keep the STR out of their neighborhood. Board members agreed to look into the situation.
Cassidy Gow, owner of Two Harbors Cannabis, asked the Board to consider the independent business person as they think about how cannabis businesses will be regulated in Lake County. Two Harbors Cannabis, located at 629 7th Avenue, offers a wide variety of products ranging from tobacco products to cannabis infused gummies, vapes and sodas. Gow employs five people, runs a successful business and is concerned that if the County decides to open a municipal cannabis store, her business would have to cease operations due to how the State is going to regulate the number of dispensaries that can operate in a given area. The Board is taking her concerns into consideration.
Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler was on hand at last week’s meeting to finalize discussion and answer questions on the new camera system that the Sheriff’s Deputies will be using as both squad and body cameras. The Board gave a green light on moving forward with the new equipment which will provide the department with technological improvements over the system that they have been using. The Two Harbors and Silver Bay police departments will be using the same camera systems.
Tracey Anderson, from Lake County Extension / 4 H gave an overview of some of the educational opportunities that the Extension provides to Lake County residents of all ages. The goal of the Extension is to assess needs in the area, develop resources to meet those needs, educate stakeholders and evaluate and build programs to better serve the community. Educational opportunities offered through Extension 4 H include topics dealing with environmental issues and climate change, livestock health, gardening, agra tourism, leadership and career / college readiness skill development for young people and health and wellbeing for families, to name a few. More information can be accessed on the University of Minnesota Extension web site. Lake County Extension staff can be contacted at 218-834-8469.
Board members are paying attention to a number of important legislative issues that are being discussed in St. Paul. There continues to be a significant learning curve regarding cannabis legislation and how the County and municipalities will need to regulate dispensaries. Helium mining and the revenue that will be generated from this emerging industry is also a topic that Commissioners Rich Sve and Rick Goutermont will be going to the Capitol to speak with Senators and Representatives about.
The next Lake County Board meeting is scheduled for May 14th at 2:00.
