4.2. SR 08-17-1998ity of
iver
ITEM 4.2.
TO:
FROM:
MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
DATE:
AUGUST 17, 1998
SUBJECT: WAPITI PARK CAMPGROUND
BACKGROUND
1983
The Wapiti Park property was rezoned from A-1/Agriculatural to R-1 b/Single Family
residential in 1983. An ordinance amendment was also passed to allow campgrounds as a
conditional use in the R-1 b Zone. Wapiti Park became a non-conforming use because it
had not gone through the conditional use process (assumed legally grandfathered-in).
March 19, 1984
The Elk River City Council approved a conditional use permit for Wapiti Park under the
following stipulations:
· The owners of the park enter into a private road agreement for Troy Street. Troy is
not a city street in this location.
· Maximum number of campsites is 109 and an additional 20 tent sites, not to be
expanded.
· Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m..
· Only minor repairs can be done to recreational vehicles only.
· Store and restaurant are for the use of the campers only.
· Horses on the property can not become a nuisance to neighbors.
The length of stay was also an issue. It was acknowledged by the City Council that
seasonal and monthly construction workers stay at the campground.
Licenses were issued for the following:
Non-intoxicating malt liquor (3.2 beer) - on and off sale.
Mechanical amusement devices (9 video games, 1 pinball machine, and 2 pool tables).
May 7, 1984
City Council amends Wapiti's conditional use permit by adding the following
stipulations to the previous ones:
· Wheels must stay on the trailers, but skirting is okay.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
No units for rent.
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) rule 187 and Minnesota State Statutes
327.10 through 327.28 apply. A MDH yearly license is required and only
recreational vehicles are allowed.
Council debates vestibules and decides to allow them as long as they are portable.
Statute does not allow them to be permanently attached to recreational vehicle.
A set-up license is also approved.
Current (May ,1998)
Campgrounds are no longer allowed in the R-1 b Zone. Wapiti Park is non-conforming,
but legally grandfathered-in.
Amusement device, non-intoxicating malt liquor, and set-up licenses are current. The
and store is still operating in compliance with past approvals. There is no restaurant as
such anymore, but frozen pizza etc. are still served. The MDH licenses, which includes
inspection of septic system, are current.
Wapiti's septic system consists of five drainfields and tanks. The Elk River in the
vicinity of Wapiti Park was tested for fecal coliforms in the summer of 1997. Slightly
elevated fecal counts were observed down stream of Wapiti Park as opposed to upstream.
Fecal streptococci was analyzed, which revealed that the elevated levels of fecal coliform
downstream of Wapiti were of animal origin.
Wapiti Park Campground contains 103 camp sites and 24 tent sites. Of the 103
campsites, 34 have the ability to be used year round. The following is an approximate
breakdown of the usage of the campsites during the past year:
· 5 sites were used by the same people for the entire summer (snowbirds)
· 24 site were used over the winter last year, but only about six site saw winter use the
year before. It is not typically the same people that use the campground over the
winter from one year to the next.
· 34 site were taken by people who leave their recreational vehicle on the same site all
season and use it on various weekends
· 40 sites were rented by the weekend or week
· 24 tent sites were rented by the weekend or week
All recreational vehicles and structures in the floodway must be removed prior to spring
flooding or an emergency plan must be in place to remove them within 6 hours of
notification.
Recreational vehicle must meet the definition in State Statute and the following city
requirements:
be road ready
have a current license
· have an internal jacking system
· have only quick disconnect utilities (water, sewer, and electrical)
· not have alterations larger than the original equipment (with the exception of propane
tanks, not to exceed 100 lb.)
· not have any permanent additions.
RECOMMENDATION
Skirting and vestibules are allowed at the campground via previous council actions.
However, the current owners have requested the city's help in cleaning up some of the
oversized and/or dangerous additions that have been added to the recreational vehicles.
What is allowed or not allowed needs to be better defined so that enforcement is
consistent. Staff is recommending the following clarifications:
· Because some of the guest at the campground are seasonal, staff is recommending
that storage sheds with a 120 square feet of roof area or less be allowed. Building
permits are not required for structures of 120 square feet or less, but they must be
temporarily anchored and removed from the floodway prior to spring flooding.
· That breezeways or screened porches, with a maximum of 120 square feet of roof
area, be allowed, but that they are constructed to be portable (no footings so they can
be removed prior to flooding), are not connected to the recreational vehicle, and have
only quick disconnect utilities.
· That no wood burning appliances are allowed in breezeways, porches or recreational
vehicles.
! That an emergency plan to remove all structures and recreational vehicles from the
floodway upon six hours notice of a pending flood be submitted to staff for approval.
! That all structures that do not conform to these rules or that are dangerous be
removed.
· That a minimum often feet is maintained between recreational vehicles and/or
structures.
! That no licensed or inoperable vehicles are allowed.
The rest of the rules previously set by council action still pertain. The current owners of
the park are in agreement with staff's recommendations and are prepared to send the
attached notice to their customers. This notice requires compliance by the end of October
and does contains some additional items beyond staff's recommendations that are
requirements of the owners. Staff greatly appreciates their cooperation. The owners will
be at Monday night's meeting to discuss these issues further with the Council.
WAPITI-PARK CAMPGROUND
ELK RIVER, MN.
NOTICE
There will be some changes made here at the park due to an agreement with the City of
Elk River. Everyone will be in compliance with these changes by the end of~,
and there will be NO EXCEPTIONS. o -ro
1. Skirting is allowed, but wheels must be left on the recreational vehicles.
2. One screen porch or breezeway is allowed per site not to exceed 120 square feet in
roof area. These structures shall not be attached to the recreational vehicle and can
not contain built in wiring.
3. One storage shed is allowed per site not to exceed 120 square feet of roof area and
must be temporarily anchored.
4. Existing structures that exceed the 120 square feet requirement shall be reduced in
size or removed. DEBRIS FROM STRUCTURES REMOVED WILL NOT BE
THROWN IN OUR DUMPSTERS.
5. One dog kennel per lot of 120 square feet or less is allowed.
6. All structures in the floodplain: breezeways, porches, sheds, kennels, and recreational
vehicles shall be constructed and/or maintained so that they can be immediately
removed from the floodplain in case of a pending flood.
7. No wood burning stoves are allowed.
8. No more than two vehicles are allowed per lot, both of which must be licensed and
operable.
9. Any improvements to the sites, such as fire-rings, walkways, patios, flower beds, etc.,
will/xbe removed when the site is vacated.
t4o'r'
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the management. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Mike and Nita Glenn
202ND
2~ST
200TH
199TH
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WAPITI
185TH
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185RD
181ST
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179TH