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Proposed expansion of Silver Rapids Lodge near Ely is facing a standstill with two lawsuits filed in recent weeks against Lake County.During the first week of October the county was sued in back-to-back filings, one by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the other by a citizen formed group called CARD.The lawsuits posit that Lake County should not have approved the resort expansion that proposes a three-phase $45 million development on a 62-acre parcel located on the narrow waterway between White Iron and Farm Lakes.Months of debate and citizen protest preceded plans to renovate the historic resort that had been out of compliance with the county’s ordinances for environmental standards.During the conditional use permit application process in previous months, Lake County planning commission reviewed a request brought by citizens’ petition with over 300 signatures for an environmental assessment worksheet, which was deemed not required by the commission.The group Community Advocates for Responsible Development (CARD) is being represented by an attorney from the Twin Cities.

Residents of Knife River joined discussion around what they want their community to be like in good numbers on October 3.The first round of small communities have been selected to partner with the University of Minnesota (UMN) to build their futures together through the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities (ESMC) program.Minnesota communities are receiving support through three ESMC pathways to work collaboratively with the College of Design, UMN Extension, Center for Transportation Studies, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, the Humphrey School and others throughout the University of Minnesota.Knife River was one of eight north shore communities, four of which are in Lake County, receiving Phase 1 funding for the Empowering Small Communities grants through the University of Minnesota-Duluth RSDP office.The project will foster community partnerships with University affiliates and faculty to address identified community infrastructure needs.The Knife River Recreation Council, in collaboration with leaders in the community, focused their application on developing an accessible, community-based facility that will contribute to the well-being of individuals and families in the area.

This letter is to call attention to a public discussion before the city’s planning commission on Tuesday, October 1, at 5:30 in the city council chambers.I have lived in Lake County for over 40 years and although not a city resident, I strongly identify with Two Harbors and love walking its waterfront.

Courtesy of the Lake County Historical Society1924 September 18Salvation Army Would ProvideRest Room---The Need For A Rest Room Where Farmers Or Tourists Might Stop, Rest And Brush Themselves Up Has Been Felt For Some Time And Although The City Provided Quarters In The Second Floor Of The Fire Hall Nothing Has Been Done About Making A Rest Room A Realty.The Salvation Army through Captain Hamilton has made the city council an offer to provide a fine rest room in the basement of their building which would be a very desirable location for such an accommodation on a basis of the city furnishing his institution with lights and thirty tons of coal per year.

Public engagement is high in the city of Silver Bay, with several people in attendance at Monday night’s meetings.A public hearing was held on a proposed moratorium on any cannabis businesses, with comments from the public ranging from support for the halt on any cannabis businesses within the city altogether, to support of the temporary halt through the end of the year to gather more information, and complete opposition to any moratorium.Greg Lien submitted his opinion that no moratorium should be placed and stated that he has applied for a license for a cannabis business in Silver Bay.One person asked if the council was trying to “get a jump” on opening a municipal cannabis store and shut out any private businesses.City attorney Tim Costley explained that a moratorium is allowed by the state, and that a pause through the rest of 2024 would give the city a chance to find out what the regulatory procedures will be from the newly formed Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.The council did vote unanimously to impose the cannabis moratorium.After the start of the regular city council meeting public comments were taken as usual, and an unusually large number of people made comments, from complaints about street and sidewalk repairs, to blight and one resident’s request for ditching to slow runoff on their property.Preliminary tax levy set at 10.7%The council voted to approve a preliminary tax levy increase of 10.7%, driven largely by an increase in $100,000 to the citywide street improvement fund.Public comments can be made on the proposed levy at the city’s truth-in-taxation meeting 7:00pm, December 2.It is possible that the levy can be reduced prior to December.Boathouse Bay Resort updateOwner/developer John Anderson went before the council to say that work is underway at the property.