August 20, 2021 at 10:56 a.m.
Sunrise Lake site of retreat camp plan
Sunrise Lake site of retreat camp plan
The association’s efforts resulted in Chisago County enacting an ordinance providing layers of development protection around the lake. The zoning “overlay” encircling Sunrise Lake has prohibited many uses of shoreline, it keeps buildings an additional distance back from the waterline from what’s normally allowed, and it restricts what can be developed.
It is why there is a very untouched shoreline and few signs of urban life. And, it is this specialness of Sunrise Lake that attracted a group hoping to open a retreat center- camp on the east side of the lake.
Longtime residents know the site as the Gurtek parcel, located off Malmberg Avenue. It is a little over 200 acres and provides a mile of shoreline. Opposite the parcel is an unimproved peninsula owned by the state.
The “Extreme Faith” year-round camp project has plopped a classic dilemma in the laps of those most affected.
Do they defeat this only to see a housing plat submitted later and a dwelling on nearly every five acres? Are unrestricted watercraft, continuous household traffic activity and the intrusive nature of hundreds residing fulltime in a development more desireable?
An early camp plan was presented to about 30 people Aug. 10 at St. Bridget Church in Lindstrom, who had learned about the project in postcard invitations sent by Cushman Wakefield real estate brokers.
Congregations of the 10-county metro Catholic diocese are expected to become involved in staffing up, volunteering at, and providing kids who will populate the camp. (This is not limited to those of the Catholic faith, however.)
The effort now is affiliated with Damascus, a ministry operating a camp in Centerburg, Ohio.
Spokespersons Tim and Helen Healey, got involved when their children enjoyed life-altering faith elevating experiences at other church camps. They have made it their mission to bring a comprehensive camp, large enough to not have to turn campers away, to the greater Twin Cities area.
Tim Healey explained that working with Cushman Wakefield realtors, they have searched for land within ideally about 90 minutes of the metro, on water, with at least a couple hundred acres.
Sunrise Lake is a special place, Tim acknowledged. He understands the sentiment of audience members who expressed passion for the lake. He said they did a fine job bringing forward an overlay ordinance preserving the area.
The audience, mostly made up of Sunrise Lake property owners, was encouraged to meet as an association and draft a new ordinance with terms they’d like to see as conditions for the camp— what they want prohibited, etc. —and to schedule another meeting to go over those. An association meeting was set for 6 to 7 p.m. at township hall (the hour before the regular Chisago Lake Township Board meeting) Aug. 17.
Real estate agent, Paul Donovan stated the organization in its search for a camp “absolutely respects” neighboring property owners’ concerns, adding, “We want to be thoughtful with you.”
When audience members said the printed materials depicting a possible timeline for the project was too rushed, Donovan explained it is just a worksheet. The group will gladly back-off and, “... keep in touch with the association and connect in a couple of weeks.”
Camp officials now are leasing existing camps but have had to limit enrollment. The Damascus program is anticipated to be popular, and Helen Healey said there is a goal to also offer adult retreats and “science camps” along with the high energy, high adventure summer youth camp experience.
The plan now is to carve an exception to the ordinance that sets Sunrise Lake overlay rules, and allow for camp use on specific parcels the camp has expressed intent to buy. The remainder of the overlay could be preserved.
Citizens, however, feared one exception leads to another and precedence is a hard thing to fight.
The camp is not expected to pay property taxes and it was also noted township services will be needed and no revenue will be coming from this.
Township Supervisor Sherry Stirling said the supervisors are aware Malmberg is insufficient to handle extra traffic and that if this went forward the township could argue for a condition of the permit that the road must be upgraded by the developers.
This St. Bridget session was for informational purposes only, the development clock is not ticking yet. There are no applications submitted at the county.
The first step would be to amend the overlay district ordinance, specifically allowing the use proposed. This at least provides assurances the camp plan would be on a permitted use list. Should the amendment fail to happen the property will not be acquired, Donovan said.
Township and county planning commission reviewal of numerous items like site plans, traffic counts, transportation access, and the proposed construction of dorms/cabins would ensue.
The camp development work had been tentatively scheduled to begin next summer, but the Healeys and Donovan said the group could rent again in summer 2022, while things take their course.
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.