Fire Lanes Keep Smoldering
In 2020-21, both park and planning Commissions conducted a grueling, line-by-line, six-month analysis of historical documents relative to the City’s fire lanes. They considered changing classification, abandoning, improving or downgrading. Their work was thorough and impressive. At that time, Planning Director Marie Darling, said the findings would be compiled into a report to the City Council. See the recommendations summarized in the minutes from the Jan 12. 2021 joint meeting.
Three months later, acceptance of the Commissions’ recommendations, was on the Apr.12, 2021 published Council agenda, but was removed before the meeting (start at p.13). It appears the topic has not been back on an agenda in the 4.5 years since. The report was shelved without explanation. Fire Lane Discussion Fizzles Out
NOW, when council member Maddy asked at the Aug 25 council meeting if fire lanes were included in a city-owned land inventory, planner Griffiths said:
“What’s interesting is that very few of the fire lanes are on property solely owned by the city. Some are easements or different things. There is at least one on the map.” –Griffiths (Video)
A review of the study minutes does not allude to the fire lanes being anything but city-owned. Are fire lanes public or not? What did the study show and why was it shelved?
Update on Shorewood’s Disappearing Roads & Intersections
Hidden sign says “Hidden Driveway 300 Feet.” The irony.
Read more:
Disappearing Roads and Streets 2024
2nd Annual Disappearing Roads and Streets (2025)
What can you do?
Contact any of the councilmembers or city hall (see below)
Contact Shorewood City Hall
Phone 952-960-7900
email cityhall@shorewoodmn.gov
CRT reporting tool (Click here)
Contact City Council Members
Dustin Maddy (612) 293-6727 dmaddy@shorewoodmn.gov
Jennifer Labadie (952) 836-8719 jlabadie@shorewoodmn.gov
Michelle DiGruttolo (517) 422-9528 mdigruttolo@shorewoodmn.gov
Guy Sanschagrin (952) 217-1289 gsanschagrin@shorewoodmn.gov
Nat Gorham (617) 780-7771 ngorham@shorewoodmn.gov
Minnesota DNR Introduces Wasps to Attack Emerald Ash Borers in Chippewa National Forest
Wasps do not lend to being warm and fuzzy, but they may be just the ticket to combat the advance of the emerald ash borer (EAB). The MN DNR participates in a program that uses non-native parasitoid wasps to control the invasive EAB. The program is a biological control method that involves releasing a specific non-stinging, cold weather hardy, wasp species to attack the EAB, including its eggs and larvae.
Warning: Although they do not sting, the wasp is approximately 2 inches long, and not pretty.
Learn more:
See the Parasitoid Wasp in action
About the Parasitoid Wasp
MN DNR
CBS News
