{"id":2638,"date":"2026-04-16T02:51:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/?p=2638"},"modified":"2026-04-16T04:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:37:54","slug":"youtube-4-15-26-pz-private-beach-club-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/youtube-4-15-26-pz-private-beach-club-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"YouTube 4\/15\/26 P&Z Private Beach Club Permit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post is the recording of the actual Planning and Zoning meeting on April 15, 2026 discussing the KK & PI, LLC’s request to excavate their property to build a PRIVATE BEACH CLUB <\/mark>on 755 N Pioneer Road, Ely, MN. The property is on Sandy Point on Lake Shagawa. For background details, go to our website post https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/shagawa-beach-club-planned-nothing-for-birds<\/a>\/ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to bottom of this post to view the actual 85 minute YouTube video.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until we get okay to post map and info from (Bill) Tefft’s 10 favorite birding sites in an around Ely, printed in 2015, here are maps of Sandy Point from Google and St. Louis County. Tefft”s brochure with map is available from Ely Field Naturalists (EFN), 111 South 4th Avenue East (above the NAPA Store). EFN is accessible via Facebook and Google Groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The parking lot below parcel 030-0240-00010 belongs to the DNR. This is where humans gather to enjoy viewing birds in the water, bushes and trees. Birders don’t come to see birds hanging around in the parking lot itself. Mostly because the birds are not attracted to the asphalt. During P&Z discussion of the permit (time markers 45:45 – 1:26:00), cutting of trees and other changes to the private parcel were described. See actual permit at https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/shagawa-beach-club-planned-nothing-for-birds\/ <\/a> or in P&Z meeting package at https:\/\/www.ely.mn.us\/government <\/a>None of the P&Z Commissioners voiced concern about destroying or messing with actual natural birding areas, probably because this would be on private property? Sand erosion was mentioned. Good points. Sand erosion is more valuable than preserving habitat that attract birds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It appears none of the P&Z Commissioners expressed interest in Sandy Point being somehow designated as an important birding site worthy of protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are ways P&Z could issue a permit that would preserve and protect habitat. However, the NOISY and RAMBUNCTIOUS nature of a private beach club do not seem compatible with any type of birding habitat, much less established birding viewing site.<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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There are loons on Lake Shagawa. There could be more . . . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased human activity makes life and survival difficult for loons. https:\/\/loon.org\/about-the-common-loon\/threats-to-loons\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Planning & Zoning tabled a vote on the excavation permit from LL & PI, LLC until their next meeting in May 2026. Perhaps — hopefully –they will figure out — with input from other commissions? — on how they can encourage recognition and preservation of Indigenous history and culture on Sandy Point and other areas where we live. Some concerned citizens are trying to find more information about Indigenous history and culture around Sandy Point. This is what they sent us so far:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Website = https:\/\/nativegov.org\/news\/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Full disclosure please. Who are KK & PI?<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Questions about permit details and disclosure of KK in KK & PI, LLC were also voiced by one citizen who requested to speak. KK = our Ely City Atty Kelly Klun. PI = Paul Ivancich, Kelly Klun’s late husband. Listen to why the permit was brought to P&Z, even though City Hall supposedly did not need P&Z approval. Scott Kochendorfer did not mention the permit being about rental property owned by the Ely City Attorney. A vague pronoun reference “they<\/em><\/strong> are requesting . . .” was constantly used instead of saying KK & PI, LLC<\/em> or the full names of owners\/partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To listen to citizen presentation, go to time markers 16:08-22:11 on the YouTube recording. Shoreline Excavation permit discussion by P&Z starts at 45:45 and ends at 1:26:00 time markers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

City: reach out more Public: be more present when you can<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As you listen to the YouTube recording of tonight’s meeting, keep track on how many times the City Planning & Zoning Administrator Scott Kochendorfer and the Commissioners kept saying they wanted individuals to come to their meetings and speak directly to them.<\/mark> They didn’t want “hearsay.” They wanted “facts.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are very valid points.<\/strong> And anyone reading this who has opinions or questions (both of which are not necessarily “facts”), should go to meetings and speak for themselves when they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be fair, however, City Hall, Commissioners, Council, and the Mayor should recognize:<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) The public tends to hear about agendas and action items by accident. The public does not schedule their lives, block out their calendars, just in case they might want to appear to speak at a City meeting. Sometimes, many times, we the public ask others to relay information. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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(2) You were elected, appointed or hired to serve and\/or represent us. Actively and constantly seek out what we might think<\/strong> about “simple and easy” things like the excavation permit on the agenda tonight. If you cannot seek physically reach out to others, practice thinking and questioning from others’ perspectives, especially those who have different about government’s role and how a few rich and powerful individuals control development in Ely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(3) (Some of) you might have already excluded – sent us message you excluded – consideration of community’s concerns presented. Review the recording. What did you say or ignore? What’s obviously important to you (or not) and what you want Ely to become? What balanced development do you desire?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most people moved to and live in Ely because of <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Quiet<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Nature<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Safety<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How does a PRIVATE BEACH CLUB align with those 3 things?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This is what was posted under description for the YouTube recording of tonight’s P&Z meeting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular scheduled P&Z meeting on April 15, 2026. The whole meeting is interesting, but was specifically recorded for public to hear discussion and P&Z action on permit for excavation, etc. on mixed use shoreline designated property. The owners wanted to build a PRIVATE BEACH CLUB on Sandy Point, Shagawa Lake.
See https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/shagawa-beach-club-planned-nothing-for-birds\/ for background information and maps.
See https:\/\/elyminnesota.com\/blog\/youtube-4-15-26-pz-private-beach-club-permit\/ for more information about the meeting after it happened.
This was expected to be a quick approval of the permit. Permit was property posted online within P&Z packet, but background details about adjacent area being a birding site and of potential historical significance were missing. The citizen who requested to speak asked for “Tefft’s 10 favorite birding sites in and around Ely” be included in the record. Both Sandy Point and Miner’s Lake are recognized birding sites. Note: the birds do not use the DNR parking lot. The birds use the natural areas next to the parking lot. The general public was\/is not aware a PRIVATE BEACH CLUB will be built here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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