Highway 7 is Dangerous: Doing Something About It

Hwy 7 is an important east-west artery that runs through the heart of Minnetonka and beyond. It rolls westward to St. Bonifacius, touching five more cities and two counties. Safety failures–including numerous fatalities and serious injury incidents, and increasing traffic volume, have pushed MnDOT and local agencies to address the design of the corridor.

Automated License Plate Reading Comes to Town

After a presentation by South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD), the Shorewood City Council approved the installation of a Flock Safety camera system during their regular meeting on October 23, 2023. The Public Safety Aid awarded to cities in the 2023 legislative session was used to fund the camera system, which includes four cameras: one for each city in the SLMPD service area.

Outdoor Ice Rinks: Pros & Cons

Backyard ice rinks are enjoyed by many families, particularly in winter loving states like Minnesota. Be aware that setting up a rink in your yard comes with responsibilities and considerations to ensure safe and respectful use and compliance with any city code. Here's a quick guide:

Let’s Talk Trash

Shorewood leadership considered city organized trash collection in 2019. “Organized hauling” is when the city contracts with one hauler based on bids and the best service value. Results from a resident survey in 2019 were all that was needed to shelve the discussion. A survey is a piece of a much larger pie. Other relevant data is available that should be factored into a sound decision by the council.

Land Use Variance 1.0

Few people have reason to know about variances if they have not needed one. The Shorewood City Council may want to allocate time to discuss an overall policy focusing on variances.

Higher Density: How it Applies to Shorewood

On October 1 the Planning Commission held a public hearing to amend the R-3 Zoning District to higher density development, consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, as submitted to the Metropolitan Council. Specifically, the zoning change applies to three parcels on Smithtown Road, west of the American Legion. One of these parcels is currently being considered for a townhome development.

Do 1 Thing to Keep Your Household Safe

According to FEMA, only 48% of people have an emergency management plan. Do1thing.com encourages readers to make a plan to keep members of their household’s safe during any kind of emergency.

Big Changes Coming for Highway 5

Carver County, along with project planners, and MnDOT, are planning improvements to Highway 5, between downtown Victoria and Highway 41. This section of Highway 5 is currently functioning 50% over capacity for an existing two-lane road; carrying 27,000 vehicles per day.

New Cable Provider Coming to Shorewood

Residents of Shorewood have been asking for alternatives to Mediacom for quite some time now. At the August 12th city council meeting City Administrator Mark Nevinski said he has been in talks with Metronet. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution that fiber optics cables will be buried in neighborhoods that already have underground cable and will be hung on utility poles in neighborhoods that have poles.

Freeman Park: The Beginning of Shorewood’s Premier Park

Stefan (Stef) and Audrey Freeman lived on Eureka Road across the street from a large wooded lot in Shorewood. The house on that lot had burned down but there was an old faded red barn still standing on the property. Stefan wondered who owned the property and whether or not he could buy it.

Shorewood Housing Market Factoids

On July 6, Axios Twin Cities reported that home prices are on a “sizzling” rise this summer. Redfin reports that overall Twin Cities’ prices are up 4.5% in May from a year ago. Zoom in on Shorewood, and the numbers are not as hot.

SeeClickFix

SeeClickFix.com Have you tried it? “SeeClickFix … is a solution that empowers residents to report issues, identify repair needs, share feedback, and ask questions of their local government leaders. For local governments, it powers efficient and transparent workflows, fostering accountability and trust.

Shorewood Citizen Advocates

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