Town briefs

Setting new guidelines for private docks A draft report from the city's Dock Task Force, created in September to consider rules for homeowners who live on Prior Lake's many shorelines, is making its way through a series of panels at city hall.

The group recommends advisory, not mandatory, rules calling for all docks to be at least five feet away from the neighbor's property line. The maximum number of boats per dock would be six, though homeowners could install more than one dock. It recommends that any dock space rented to others be considered a commercial site, requiring permits.

"This is a very complex issue and there are no simple solutions or answers," the group concluded.

For a complete text, go to the city's website, www.cityofpriorlake.com. Under "Fast Finder" in the right column, click "Docks."

Meeting draws mostly opponents of city's roundabout plan An open house this month inviting comment on a proposal to consider a two-lane roundabout at the corner of McColl Drive and Lynn Avenue drew a large crowd and very little support, city and county officials reported.

About 60 to 80 people trickled in over the three-hour period for a session hosted by Scott County, which is responsible for the roads. Most disliked the idea of installing a roundabout in a residential area with driveways, but most agreed that the increasing frequency of accidents calls for some sort of change.

The county's experts believe a roundabout would be safer; would look better, with greenery in the circle, and could avoid use of private property. It does have drawbacks, they concede, including a total shutdown of the intersection during construction.

County administrator David Unmacht reported that the county is in the early stages of discussing with the tribe a "general agreement for the long-term future" as tribal leaders buy up more and more land in the county.

The city is in litigation over the question of the tribe's desire to place taxable land in a non-taxed trust status.

Board members end per diems, take step on Hwy. 21 extension County board members have voted to stop paying themselves for daily expenses on top of their salaries, though the change won't take effect until the end of the year.

The board also has taken the next step in the creation of a new north section of Hwy. 21, a badly needed north-south linkage leading toward the Hwy. 169 bridge over the Minnesota River. It approved a $728,246 contract with an outside consulting firm for design of the road, which runs from Hwy. 18 to south of Hwy. 16. The project includes the creation of a new park-and-ride for coach commuters and preliminary engineering for a new ramp that would give those commuters a faster trip. Four firms had sought the contract, which went to WSB & Associates of Minneapolis.

Phosporous tests are planned for two lakes Eagan will conduct phosphorus studies on Fish Lake and Schwanz Lake.

That can come from lawn clippings, fertilizer and storm-water runoff, and too much phosphorus can lead to excessive plant and algae growth.

Homeand garden show in Rosemount The 6th Annual Dakota County Home & Garden Show will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at the Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail. The event will feature about 70 vendors from throughout the metro area, but primarily businesses located in Farmington and Rosemount.