North Shore News Hour

The Cook County Planning Commission met on June 9 and tackled an issue that has historically created some controversy in the county, dog kennels. Directed by the Cook County board of commissioners, the planning commission “revisited” a permit the county board denied on May 25. They also considered a new conditional use permit for another kennel nearby.
The first request—which the county board had denied--was from Jacob Leingang, an aspiring musher, who purchased 7.5 acres of land near County Road 14 and Franks Way. Leingang’s original request was for 45 dogs on the property. After review and approval from the Cook County Planning Commission on May 12, the number of dogs was lowered to 25 dogs. The planning commission approved a two-year interim use permit on a 4-1 vote.
At that time, Land Services and Planning & Zoning Administrator Bill Lane said the approved two-year, 25-dog permit was viewed as a “middle ground” compromise by the planning commission from the original 45-dog request. The planning commission approving the permit was also a challenge of sorts to Leingang to demonstrate he can meet permit conditions, while establishing a functional recreational activity in a predominantly residential area, Lane said. See the planning commission report on Leingang’s request here. 

At the Tuesday, May 25 meeting of the Cook County Commissioners, who ultimately make decisions on planning matters, comments were heard from several adjacent property owners. Acknowledging the neighbor’s concerns, after discussion, the commissioners voted to deny the permit, sending it back to the planning commissioner for further review at the June 9 Planning Commission Meeting.
At the latest planning commission meeting on June 9, the planning commission members noted that the questions the county commissioners were asking had been answered. Administrator Lane told WTIP that the planning commission, in a somewhat unprecedented move, “sent the matter back to the county board.”

The second discussion of a dog kennel was regarding a conditional use permit application from Erin Altemus and Matthew Schmidt, longtime mushers who have been operating a kennel in a remote area of the Gunflint Trail. They requested a CUP for a 45-dog kennel on 9.92 acres on County Road 14. They plan to live at the kennel. See the conditional use permit and other information here. 

The planning & zoning packet noted that 12 letters of notification were sent to nearby property owners and four letters in support of the CUP were received, with three opposed.

The letters in support of the CUP talked about the tradition of mushing in the community and about the history of the property itself, which was used for a dog kennel operation Supporters said they believed Altemus and Schmidt would be responsible kennel operators.

Odin Jorgenson added, “But to be honest, it shouldn’t matter what I think of their application. They have a right to a kennel on their property as long as they meet the specific conditions required by the county. They meet those conditions, end of discussion…As a dogmusher who grew up in this neighborhood and has run dogs on these trails for 37 years, I ask planning and zoning and the county commissioners to put emotions aside and focus on the facts.”

The letters in opposition expressed concern about the noise of a large outdoor kennel and about the treatment of waste from so many dogs on waterways in the area. Property owner Jason Gesch said the county’s Land Use Guide seems to support denial of the CUP. He wrote, “The Land Use Guide plan that you are asked to follow does not accurately reflect our neighborhood and seems ambiguous to me. It identifies Colvill as both an area where dog kennels are encouraged, and an area of higher population density. Those two things don’t really fit together.”

After significant discussion, the Planning Commission finally voted to approve the Altemus/Schmidt conditional use permit on a 4 to 1 vote.

It takes some time to compile information for the county commissioners and get time on the county agenda, so both of these conditional use permits will likely be before the county board on June 22.

The County’s ordinance pertaining to dog kennels can be seen here. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Land Services & Planning Commission Administrator Bill Lane about the planning commission’s discussion and recommendations for the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Back in May, WTIP spoke with Riki McManus of the Upper Midwest Film Office -- an interesting organization, working to bring movie and TV productions to the Midwest--and to the North Shore. In May and into June, a full-length movie was being filmed in Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais.

WTIP followed up with McManus, to learn how things went and about her role as a liaison between the community and filmmakers.

McManus also shared information on some pending legislation that could provide incentives for other producers to consider Minnesota as a place to make movies.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more in this interview.
 

Death is a difficult topic for many. No one wants to talk about what is inevitable for all of us.

A group of Cook County women have become End of Life Doulas—Margy Nelson, Jean Skeels, Pat Campanaro, and Suzanne Sherman. Working with Care Partners of Cook County, the doula team began offering “Death Cafes” in 2019 with the purpose of getting people together to talk about death, dying, and how to live life fully.

Carrie Framsted of Grand Marais was drawn to the Death Café after the death of her wife, Monica Schliep, from pancreatic cancer. They are pictured here during healthier days for Monica, on the left. 

In her grief, Carrie also discovered Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit that advocates for the legalization of end-of-life choices, such as Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.

The Minnesota End-of-Life Option Act, which is modeled after the Oregon law, was introduced in the House (HF1358) and Senate (SF1352) on February 22, 2021. The bill authorizes medical aid in dying so that terminally ill adults of sound mind may request and receive from their doctor medication they may self-ingest for a peaceful death if their suffering becomes unbearable.

Carrie reached out to WTIP Community Radio to share her story and to talk about her work with the Minnesota Branch of Compassion & Choices.

Here’s Rhonda Silence with more.
 

The Northwoods Volunteer Connection formed in June 2014 and since then had recruited, trained, and assigned volunteers to projects within or near the Superior National Forest.

Organizers realized there were many people who were willing to volunteer an afternoon or even several days to forest projects, such as clearing trails, helping build boardwalks, planting trees, and so on.

Despite a lull in some activities in 2020, NVC was able to get many volunteers out in the woods to work. In 2020, more than 26 volunteers cleared 8.15 miles of trail with1.3 miles located on the Moss Lake Trail in the Gunflint Ranger District; 0.75 miles on the Hogback Lake Trail in the Tofte Ranger District; and 1.1 miles of trail clearing was scattered around the national forest on various portages. Trail maintenance and clearing was also done on the Banadad cross-country ski trail. And, volunteers also helped construct 132 feet of new boardwalk on the Superior Hiking Trail.

NVC is now lining up projects and volunteers for 2021. One volunteer opportunity is to become a volunteer for the Boundary Waters Wilderness Encounter Monitoring program, which means a three-day trek into the wilderness.

There are also opportunities to "Adopt an Entry Point," something that staff and volunteers here at WTIP Community Radio have done. WTIP monitors and tends to the Ram Lake BWCAW entry point.

There are tree planting projects, such as one recently completed along with partners from the Wolf Ridge Environmental Center.

Anyone who would like more information about Northwoods Volunteer Connection may learn more on their website or by emailing [email protected].

WTIP's Rhonda Silence checked in with Northwoods Volunteer Connection Executive Director Karla Miller to learn more. Here's their conversation.
 
 
 
 

The heatwave being experienced in northern Minnesota has prompted the operator of the electric transmission system in our region to issue a “maximum generation emergency event.”

Arrowhead Cooperative is asking its members to conserve electricity. The cooperative made an announcement, asking consumers to please cut back energy use until 10 p.m. today, June 10.

The cooperative offers the following energy-saving suggestions:

• Postponing use of appliances such as washers, dryers, and dishwashers until after 10 p.m.
• Turning off lights and appliances that are not essential to health and safety.
• Turning off computers and other electrical equipment when not in use.
• Keeping your shades pulled and doors and windows closed during the day.
• Using a microwave oven instead of a conventional electric oven or gas stove.
• Setting the thermostat on your central air conditioner to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Supplementing air-conditioner use with ceiling fans and other fans, which create a wind-chill effect that increases air-conditioning cooling efficiency.
• Taking shorter showers.

Arrowhead Cooperative explains that this request was made after all other efforts to reduce electricity demand or to increase supply were implemented. The announcement from Arrowhead states, “We take our responsibility to supply energy to our members very seriously, and we made this request only after exhausting all other options.”
 

Arrowhead Electric Cooperative held its annual meeting on Saturday, June 5 on the football field at School District 166. This was the first time the cooperative’s annual meeting was held outdoors and by all accounts, it was a success.

CEO John Twiest welcomed co-op members and presented highlights from 2019 and 2020 since there was no annual meeting in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Twiest said overall the cooperative is in sound financial condition as evidenced by strong kilowatt sales, good margins, and continued growth.

Twiest commended Arrowhead Cooperative staff for their work during the pandemic, noting that the co-op worked with the community to help ensure that teachers, students, and local businesses had internet access.

Sara McManus, Arrowhead’s Member Service Manager, and Amanda Groethe, from Fuller Creative, were honored for their work on the newsletter that goes out with bills each month. Thanks to their work, the co-op received the National Rural Electric Association’s “Spotlight on Excellence Silver Award.”

CEO Twiest also announced the launch of new branding for the electric cooperative. Noting that the co-op has changed and grown over the years, it was decided that a new logo is needed. Twiest said it has been recognized that the two divisions of the co-op, electric and broadband, needed to united under one single, consistent look. The new logo/brand includes the name “Arrowhead Cooperative,” with two small images, a “power” button, and a symbol reflecting the Arrowhead region, a pine tree.

Part of the update includes changing the name of True North Broadband to Arrowhead Broadband.

In addition to a new visual update, the co-op launched a new website this week. See the new website here.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of the co-op board of director election results. Mike Littfin was reelected in District 4 and Stan Tull was reelected in District 5.

District 2 had two candidates for that vacancy, Howard Hedstrom and Donna Lunke. Lunke won the vacant seat and joins the Arrowhead Cooperative board.
 

The Grand Marais City Council meets on Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place partially in the City Council Chambers with some participants online.  Visit the city’s website for information on observing the meeting. Comments may be emailed to city councilors ahead of the meeting to [email protected]

There are three planning commission matters on the council agenda, two related to home businesses on Broadway Avenue and one regarding a lot line setback variance for a carport. 

The first request came from Katherine McClure who is seeking a conditional use permit to operate a part-time chiropractic office from her house. Noting that there was very little traffic and almost no signage for the business, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval as a home-based business in the city’s residential zone.

The second request is from Larry Marxen who has been operating a small engine repair shop at his corner lot above Johnson’s Foods for many years. The planning commission received six public comments in support and two in opposition. Those in opposition expressed concern about business “creep” into the residential zone. The was also a statement that there are parking and noise issues. One commenter said that Marxen’s pickup, which has his business name and services painted on it, is commercial advertising in violation of the city residential zone ordinance.

An adjacent neighbor said they are trying to sell their home and said, “Buyers need to know if they are buying into the R-1 zone, mixed-use zone, or commercial zone, not the city’s 'two-sets of rules zone…'”

One supporting comment added that they would like to see a requirement that hours of operation to end at 5 p.m.

There was also a petition of support for Marxen’s business, signed by 56 people, however, it was noted that it is unknown how many signers live in the city.

The planning commission spent a lot of time discussing this request but eventually noted that small engine repair is allowed as a conditional use in the residential zone. However, it was also noted that welding is not an allowed use. The planning commission approved the conditional use permit contingent on the condition that no on-street parking be used for project work; that hours of operation be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and no welding for hire be done onsite.

A final planning commission matter was the request for a variance from the 25-foot setback for a timber frame carport. Randall Eastland sought authorization to construct the carport eight-feet from his lot line, where he currently parks his vehicle.

The planning commission had a significant discussion of this request as well, noting how “tight” it would be on the lot and how it did not seem to “fit” in the neighborhood as other homes were set back further on their lots. 

The commission also noted that the recent ordinance revision affirmed the city’s desire to have setbacks at 25-feet. Planning Commissioner Member Ben Peters said the reason the city has these setbacks is so carports and garages are not right up against the road. The variance request was denied unanimously.

These recommendations will be considered during the city’s next meeting, which is Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.
 

Great Expectations School has seen a lot of changes since its founding in 2003. A major change is happening at the end of June. After 16 years at the helm of Great Expectations School, Peter James is retiring as director.

A new director, Rachael Lehman, has been hired and has already been visiting Great Expectations to learn all she can about the school.
WTIP will reach out to the new director soon, but for now, we wanted to take a look back at Peter James’ time at the school.

Here’s Rhonda Silence with more.
 

The very popular hiking trail in Judge C.R. Magney State Park to the Devil’s Kettle waterfall will close on June 14 and into July for trail and boardwalk rehabilitation during the week, on Monday through Thursday, after 5 p.m.

At the same time, a new vault toilet is being placed in the trailhead parking lot.

The park will be open, however, parking will be limited.

Pete Mott, manager of Cascade River State Park and C.R. Magney State Park, told WTIP that people can visit the park website for weekly updates.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence caught up with Manager Pete Mott to learn more about the work being done. 
 

The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority meets on June 8 to follow-up on EDA activities in May--which were many.

At the May meeting, the EDA approved an EDA office move, learned about tentative plans for a commercial laundry, and heard the latest on the search for a new EDA director, and more.

On the June agenda is a request from Hamilton Habitat to purchase two lots in the Cedar Grove on which to build affordable owner-occupied housing. Hamilton Habitat is offering $10,000 per lot.

The EDA will also consider another request to purchase a lot, from Adam and Mica Harju, owners of Dirt Candy Designs.

There will also be continued discussion of use of a Cedar Grove Business Park for an animal shelter to replace the one displaced by the marina improvements in the Grand Marais Recreation Park. The city of Grand Marais is asking the EDA to transfer ownership of a small lot at no or nominal cost.

The June EDA meeting will be Tuesday, June 8 at 4:30 p.m. The public can observe the meeting remotely via Zoom with this link.
WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learned more about May activities with EDA President Howard Hedstrom.

Here’s their conversation.