According to a report, a proposed RV park with 10 sites in Crane Lake in Minnesota was given a conditional green signal by the St. Louis County Planning Commission over objections from several property owners.
The report mentioned Drake Dill, a Crane Lake resident and son of notable state legislator David Dill. He purchased the properties at 7511 Gold Coast Road and 7505 Gold Coast Road in April under COC Properties LLC. He also bought three smaller irregular tracts.
He has been exploring the possibility of setting up an RV park there since then, the report added.
Dill’s proposal has been supported by the Crane Lake Sewer and Water District and other residents interested in increasing business and visitor numbers to the small lakeside community.
We are writing this note in support of Cabins On Crane RV site permit,” stated a letter from Sarah, Paul, and David Tufte of Norway Lodge Resort & RV, a neighboring operator.
“This property was a commercial resort property for many decades and is well-suited for this purpose. Crane Lake is in dire need of more RV sites. Crane Lake will benefit from more RV sites. This will be a benefit to other local businesses as well as generate revenue for the state, county, or town.”
However, another faction of residents expressed serious concerns about the conditional permit.
According to the report, Wendy Blaeser and David Blaeser live right across from the proposed RV Park. They described the problems they thought would arise from additional RVs and watercraft being used in the park. This includes the danger of adding more boats to the docks.
“It’s dangerous because there are children swimming and people playing. There are cars going and coming, people using our driveway to take turns to adjust their cars to fit Drake’s driveway”
Commissioners clarified however that docks use was not covered by the conditional use permit review and would instead fall under the DNR’s jurisdiction.
Dill stated that he had called a marina to ask about 10 slips being reserved for his guests. He also responded to another congestion concern by stating that he had purchased five acres outside Crane Lake and plans to make a parking area for his guests’ boat trailers so they don’t pose any problem for traffic or storage.
After nearly an hour of discussions and review, Dill’s conditional use permit application was approved by commissioners. It includes standard stipulations to adhere to all applicable ordinances and permits, and also a requirement for impervious surfaces, the report stated.
It’s inspiring to see the potential for an RV park in Crane Lake, Minnesota. Offering a chance to explore the area’s natural beauty could be a remarkable draw for visitors. However, it’s crucial to carefully consider any environmental impacts and to involve concerned residents in finding solutions. How do you think the community can effectively balance the tourism benefits with potential challenges?