St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

Disagreement Continues As Log House Landing Renovation Goes Up For Vote

Task force prepared to make recommendations, despite continued pressure for major modernization.

By Greg Seitz | January 19, 2015 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram
Summer scene at Log House Landing

Summer scene at Log House Landing (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

Tomorrow night, the Log House Landing special committee formed by the Scandia city council will make a recommendation for renovations at the historic river access. Assigned last fall to identify a workable plan after objections arose to a major overhaul of the landing proposed by city staff, the group has come up with a compromise that it will present to the city council, but the original plan also remains on the table.

The committee’s official recommendation will include major concessions to pave part of the road and add curb and gutters. There would be a 13-feet wide paved road with two pull-outs for passing, curb/gutter on one side, and a gravel parking and landing surface.  The committee will also recommend that the paved road meander around trees where possible, to preserve as many of the site’s big iconic trees as possible, as well as the scenic and rural feel.

But Plowman Smith says the city staff is still urging for the type of major renovations that were called a “suburbanization” of the landing last summer: A two- to three-lane paved road and landing, with a 20-30 feet wide asphalt surface.

“It was a very difficult compromise to pave the road and agree to even minimal curb/gutter, but finally and reluctantly several committee members agreed to accept the paved road, provided that only the drive surface be paved and that it remain at its present narrow state and as rustic looking as possible. The consensus was that the City Council would not accept less. The City Staff position is very disconcerting,” Plowman Smith wrote in an email.

The Friends of Log House Landing say the larger proposal would be a waste of tax dollars, is out of character for the rustic river landing, and is not needed to address erosion problems and sediment runoff into the St. Croix River. It would also require harming or removing many of the big white pines and other old trees that define the site’s natural beauty, including an old-growth white pine that is almost four feet across and 130 feet tall. The landing was first recorded in the 1850s as a steamboat stop for Scandinavian immigrants arriving to start farms and new lives in the area.

A St. Croix 360 story about the issue last summer reported that the group’s petition stated a desire to “improve the historic Log House Landing in a way that preserves its rustic, secluded and rural character.”

Speak up

Interested individuals are urged to attend the city council meeting Tuesday, Jan 20, or email members of the city council before the meeting at the following addresses: r.simonson@ci.scandia.mn.us; j.schneider@ci.scandia.mn.us; c.ness@ci.scandia.mn.us; d.lee@ci.scandia.mn.us;b.hegland@ci.scandia.mn.us; christine@poplarhillfarm.com; t.loeffler@ci.scandia.mn.us; jan@twinpinefarm.com; dsquyres@kw.com; steven.philippi@frontier.com.

In a recent update on its petition site, the Friends of Log House Landing urged public participation as the final decision approaches. “The City Council is likely to make final decisions about the Log House Landing at this meeting. It is critical that the City Council hear from the people and understand that there is continued support for minimal improvements.”

The meeting will be held at the Scandia town hall at 14727 209th Street North, Scandia, MN 55073 (map). The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Update Jan. 20

Pam Plowman Smith sent additional information:

“The Planning Commission voted to unanimously support the Log House Landing Committee recommendations last Friday.  Although 4 out of the 5 P/C members expressed that a gravel road would better meet the Comprehensive Plan goals for this site.  We are hopeful that the Council will accept the recommendations – they have encouraged this Committee process.  

“Maintenance and erosion have always been the City’s primary reasons for wanting asphalt, even though the county has stated that there is very little long term cost difference between maintaining gravel and asphalt on a low use road.  The latest argument for width was that a minimum 20’ road is needed for emergency vehicles.  It is worth noting that the committee is recommending two pull-outs for passing on this low traffic volume road.  This more than complies with the DNR standard for single drive lane rural roads.  Emergency vehicles have successfully accessed this landing for many decades without incident.  Average summer weekday parking is typically 2-4 cars and on peak weekends (including Friday afternoons) last August there were between 4-17 vehicles.  Parking is limited so the traffic volume is very low.”

Related

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

St. Croix 360 is 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest stories

  • No wakes allowed on lower St. Croix due to high water
  • Snake River Canoe Race sees fast times and smooth paddling
  • Developer proposes 12 new ‘cabins’ on St. Croix River

More news

  • Residents resist St. Croix Falls riverside development proposal
  • Birds, Bugs, and Blooms: A St. Croix 360 spring Saturday
  • Tribal officials applaud plan to change derogatory names for places
  • Stillwater teen drowns in St. Croix River while helping save friend
  • Afton State Park phenology May 13 to 19, 2022
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
 

Loading Comments...