The excavation/land alteration and conditional use permit (CUP) Public Hearing scheduled for 5:00 pm is the most upsetting when you read the two (2) letters submitted against it. Please scroll down to read about the 2nd BOA scheduled at 5:15 pm. It will impact downtown Ely.
The posted documents for the KK & PI, LLC permit & CUP request are available at https://www.ely.mn.us/pzmeetings
The first 81 pages encompass the previously posted documents on the City website. Page 82 is an email response from Paul Schurke. Frederica Musgrave submitted an 18-page opposition to permit response (Pages 83-101).
Pages 102-153 (41 pages total) is the City’s official Finding of Facts, basically supporting KK & PI, LLC’s excavation/land alteration and conditional use permit. The City’s Finding of Facts is actually only 9 pages. The other 32 pages are copied pages from City Code and other places that may or may not relate to Sandy Point. And 2025 reports that do not address the impact of KK & PI, LLC excavation/land alteration for the original (April) desire for a private beach club.
For some reason, these last 32 pages were NOT included with the 80-page packet posted online on May 1st, meaning the public does not have adequate time to review and comment. It also does not allow for rebuttal by environmental experts specializing in the protection of wildlife habitat.
Don’t be fooled or distracted by photos added by the City
The City of Ely included token photos of Sandy Point and Bill Tefft’s birding brochure. The newly posted written Finding of Facts and previously posted Staff Analysis are the official documents that downplay any concerns about wildlife habitat and the historical existence and legal rights of the Anishinaabe and Ojibwe who lived here since the 1400’s. Even the Ely Echo acknowledged the settlement of Sandy Point by the Ojibwe in its Ely, Since 1888 (published in 1998).
The City of Ely is blatant in its promotion of this permit request
Photocopying and inserting pages from City, State and other regulatory agencies does not mean they actually address past, present and future issues at Sandy Point in terms of wildlife and recognition of and protection for Anishinabe and Ojibwe history and culture. Everything inserted — carefully selected — to support the City Attorney’s development on Sandy Point and rental business. Sections from the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan to protect natural areas and habitat were intentionally ignored. The Comp Plan also ignores Indigenous rights and settlements.
Indigenous settlement is still downplayed:
“May have been once used . . . . well over 100 years ago.”
The City’s word choice questioning the settlement of the Ojibwe is an insult to historical fact AND the Anishinaabe. They have been here since the 1400’s.
The City absolutely refuses to recognize birds using the shoreline and land (habitats). The City and KK & PI, LLC only see the parking lot.
This is an insult to science and wildlife.
Please also refer to our post Reviewing Ely City Visions & Plans at https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/
Agenda for Sandy Point Hearing 5 pm, May 20th, Ely City Hall
Letter from Paul Schurke
The posted documents for the KK & PI, LLC permit & CUP request are available at https://www.ely.mn.us/pzmeetings
Our website posts about Sandy Point
First post about CUP request sent to Planning & Zoning Commission for simple review on 4/15/2026: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/shagawa-beach-club-planned-nothing-for-birds/
Second post with YouTube recording after Planning & Zoning Commission tabled request until May: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/youtube-4-15-26-pz-private-beach-club-permit/
Third post about P&Z summary of Frederica’s speech and follow up discussion regarding Sandy Point., The P&Z draft of minutes was filtered. Minutes were posted within packet for City Council meeting on 4/21/2026. Scroll down to yellow highlight information. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-14-04-26-drafts-4-day-sch-wk/
Special new philosophical webpage Sacred – What guides us to decide? Are we using a moral gyroscope or moral compass to guide our decisions? https://elyminnesota.com/blog/sacred-what-guides-us-to-decide/
Youtube recording of 5/13/2026 Park & Recreation Board meeting wondering what role Park & Rec has and wants to take. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/whats-the-purview-of-park-rec-may-13-2026/
City of Ely’s posted agenda and packet (154 pages) for the 5 pm BOA Public Hearing on May 20, 2026. Read the City “Staff Analysis” and “Finding of Facts” that are blatant support for the City Attorney’s KK & PI, LLC to do whatever they want on Sandy Point. There is another BOA scheduled at 5:15 pm. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/2-boas-may-20-sandy-point-and-sheridan-camp/
Check back soon for additional information and our response to the new CUP request to be decided by Board of Adjustment (BOA) on May 20, 2026: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/. This link will take you to the last post. To find other Recent Posts, scroll down the right-side of the screen. To search posts by topic or key word, use the search box on the right-hand side of screen. To search posts by category, scroll down the left-side of the screen.
The unnoticed 2nd BOA Public Hearing – 6 ft fencing in downtown Ely and setback variance
The other variance request scheduled to start 15 minutes later at 5:15 pm should be of concern to all, residents, nonresidents, and business owners. Do we want an Ely that is walled up and ugly as we drive, bike or walk by businesses, apartments and homes? Ely is supposed to be a welcoming, safe, aesthetically pleasant, and attractive city. The requested variance by Eagle Wolf Development sets the wrong tone for Ely.
Regulations, codes/zoning, and vision plans were established by the Ely community to ensure not only a welcoming atmosphere but also for public safety reasons. Why have laws, regulations and requirements if you don’t follow them. These include setbacks. These include 6 foot high fences. Are property owners buying and redeveloping properties with the full expectation that they will get a variance? Especially in the downtown area? If P&Z and then BOA continue to approve almost all the variances submitted to them, perhaps they should recommend to Council that (1) The profits and desires of businesses, corporations, property owners and real estate owners override previously established community guidelines and/or (2) We don’t need any regulations, codes, etc. Of course, SOME variances might be worthy of approval.
Access City Code Book and Ordinances recently passed at https://www.ely.mn.us/ordinances (under Government menu)
Access City Land Use and Comprehensive Plan at ?? (buried under ?? menu heading ??)
Access City of Ely Mission Vision & Values Statement at https://www.ely.mn.us/mission (under Government menu).
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