Rochester City Council Votes 5-1 to Reject Appeal of Silver Lake Dam Project
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council has rejected an appeal that would’ve halted an overhaul of the Silver Lake dam and parts of the lake’s shoreline.
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David Morrill and Greg Munson, who are members of the neighborhood group “Friends of Silver Lake” and own property adjacent to the park were the appellants.
They argued the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) did not follow city procedure and did not have a public hearing on the issue, resulting in a decision that “did not fully consider the effect of the work on the eligibility of Silver Lake for the National Register of Historic Places,” the agenda item says.
Rochester City Council Backs Heritage Preservation Commission's Decision on Silver Lake Dam Project
A city staff review of the appeal found the HPC followed the city’s Unified Development code in issuing the certificate of Appropriateness.
Staff also determined no public hearing was required prior to the decision and that board members allowed for public comments during the meeting. The project landed on the commission's docket due to Silver Lake Park being declared a Historic Landmark by the City in 2023.
Read More: Rochester HPC Backs Silver Lake Dam Project
The elected leaders voted 5-1 to reject the appeal. Councilmember Andy Friederichs was the lone nay vote. Friends of Silver Lake ground member and Councilmember Shaun Palmer abstained from the vote.
Silver Lake Dam Modification Plan
Proposed changes to the park include construction of a new bridge for the surrounding bike and walking path that will be built east of the North Broadway Ave. crossing.
Also included in the plans are construction of a new bike and walking path on the north shore of the lake and modifications to the shoreline on the southeastern shore of the lake.
The changes would result in five acres of the lake being altered.
The HPC unanimously approved the Certificate of Appropriateness in July, citing a review stating “the proposed undertaking will result in no adverse effect on historic properties," according to the agenda item.
City staff indicated Wednesday that bidding for the project is underway with a council vote to approve a project contract set to happen later this Fall.
The work is slated to start later this year when water levels drop enough for crews to begin dredging the lake.
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Gallery Credit: Samm Adams
