B. Snowmobile and Hunting Regulations
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
WIiW.ci .chanhassen. mn .us
B
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
DATE:
o~
June 9, 2008
SUBJ:
Discuss City Regulations on Snowmobiles, Hunting &
Firearm Discharge
The City of Chanhassen has been proactive in maintaining a broad spectrum of
recreational pursuits related to the use of rural land within the community. Two
examples are the ability to use snowmobiles and the ability to hunt using firearms.
However, the continued urbanization of the city has led to an increase in conflicts
between residential areas and activities such as hunting and snowmobiling.
Traditionally the city maintained a good relationship with a local snowmobile club.
The club provided years of service to the community by posting and maintaining
snowmobile trails in the area. With the urbanization of our community, the club has
now disbanded and there are no longer designated snowmobile trails within the city.
Conflicts between property owners, pedestrians, cars and snowmobiles increase
with each passing year.
Hunting by firearm as a means of controlling urban goose populations was highly
effective within the city up until the fall of 2004. The construction of new Highway
312/212 significantly changed the landscape of Chanhassen and the southwest metro
area. The majority of local goose hunting fields were maintained on properties that
have been transformed from agricultural fields to a highway. In addition, continued
residential growth near the highway corridor has resulted in increased complaint
calls about shooting on the remaining fields and ponds in the area.
Hunting by bow, primarily for the purpose of taking whitetail deer, remains a
popular pursuit within the city. Nuisance deer complaints resulting from the over-
browsing of decorative landscape plants and collisions with motor vehicles are
common within the city. Many urban cities that do not afford hunters the space to
carry out the sport of deer hunting must rely on hired sharpshooters to control deer
numbers. Chanhassen, even after the construction of new Highway 212, has
retained numerous large tracts of open land.
The City of Chanhassen is also home to a designated Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) controlled by the Department of Natural Resources. The Raguet WMA is
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Mr. Todd Gerhardt
June 9, 2008
Page 2
located within the Minnesota River Basin south of existing Highway 212. This area
is open to public hunting for a variety of wildlife species.
Staff is recommending the following amendments to City Code as it relates to
snowmobiles, hunting & firearm discharge:
Snowmobiling
1. Restrict the use of snowmobiles to private property or the frozen surface of
public water bodies only, or as permitted under emergency circumstances.
Hunting and Firearm Discharge
1. Eliminate the permitted discharge of firearms (guns) for the purpose of hunting
within the community with the exception of the Raquet Wildlife Management
Area as designated by the Minnesota DNR.
2. Permit the discharge of bows within the city for the purpose of hunting on
parcels of land 10 acres or larger.
3. Raise the permit fee to discharge a weapon (bow) from $10 to $20 per year.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Ordinance Restricting Snowmobile Use within the City
2. Proposed Permit to Discharge a Bow for the Purpose of Hunting in Chanhassen
3. Map Showing Parcels Over 10 Acres in Size
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12
OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
CONCERNING SNOWMOBILES
THE CITY COUNCil.. OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 12-33 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
Except as otherwise specifically permitted and authorized, it is unlawful for any person to
operate a snowmobile:
(1) On a public street, sidewalk or walkway provided or used for pedestrian travel, or
on a boulevard within any public right-of-way;
(2) On private property of another without lawful authority or express consent of the
owner or lessee;
(3) On any public or private school grounds except as permission is expressly
obtained from responsible school authorities;
(4) On any other publicly-owned lands and ice, including but not limited to park
property, playgrounds, lakes, recreation areas and golf courses, except areas
previously listed or authorized for such use by the proper public authority, in
which case such use shall be lawful and _sno'.vmobiles may be driven in and out of
such arcas by the shortest route. f.uthorized areas ovmcc1 by the city ~;haI1 be
Elesignated by resolution, provided that snowmobile operation shall be permitted
on all public bodies of water, provided that the operation shall comply in all
respects with all ordinances;
(5) So as to tow any person or thin; on a public street or hi;hway except through use
of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile;
(26) At a speed greater than ten miles an hour when within 100 feet of any lake shore,
except in channels, or of any fisherman, fish or ice house, nor shall operation be
permitted within 100 feet of any sliding area or skating ring when in use, nor
where the operation would conflict with the lawful use of property or would
endanger other persons or property;
(Q+) In a manner so as to create a loud or unusual noise which disturbs or interferes
with the peace and quiet of other persons.
SECTION 2. Section 12-34 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(a) No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder or inside bank or
slope of any trunk, county-state aid, or county highway, and in the case of a divided trunk
or county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as
provided in this article, nor shall operation on any such highway be permitted where the
139005 1
roadway directly abuts a public sidewalk or property used for private purposes. No
person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any trunk, county-state aid,
or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour
before sunrise, except on the right hand side of such right-of-way and in the same
direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent thereto. No
snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate
highway or freeway within this state.
_(b) A snO'.vmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway except an interstate
highviay or freeway, provided:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of
the street or highway and at a place '""here no obstruction prevents a quick and
safe crossin.;;
(2) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or
main traveled way of the highv,'ay;
(3) The operator of the snowmobile yields the right of way to all oncoming traffic
which constitutes an immediate hazard;
(1) In crossing a divided street or high'Nay, the crossing is made at an intersection of
such street or highway '.'lith another public street or highway;
(5) If the crossing is made between the hours of one half hour after sunset to one half
hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and
rear lights are illuminated.
(he) No snowmobile shall be operated on streets or highways at a speed exceeding ten miles
per hour.
_(d) No snowmobile shall enter any uncontrolled intersection without makin.; a complete stop.
The operator shall then yield the right of way to any vehicles or pedestrians 'Nhich
constitute an immediate hazard.
Cf.e) Notwithstanding any prohibition in this article, a snowmobile may be operated on a
public thoroughfare in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations
where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota.
day of
, 2008, by the City Council
ATIEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on
, 2008).
139005
2
City of Chanhassen
7700 Market Blvd., P.O. Box 147, Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 227-1181/Fax (952) 227-1190
Permit to Discharge a Bow for the Purpose of Hunting
within the City of Chanhassen
Date:
Fee: $20.00
Receipt #:
mY OF
CHANHASSEN
Discharge of a bow for the purpose of hunting, as permitted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Seasons, Rules and Regulations, is
allowed on property containing a minimum of 10 contiguous acres of land with the signed permission of the property owner.
No discharge is allowed:
. Within 500 feet of any residential dwelling, livestock building or within 500 feet of any stockade or corral containing livestock without
the permission of the owner or occupant of such premises; or within 500 feet of any road, street, highway, trail or park boundary.
. In other areas or under circumstances as prohibited by state law or regulations of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Note: All State licenses and permits for the species you are hunting must be obtained in addition to a city-issued Permit to Discharge a Bow
within the City. City-issued permits are not required to hunt within the State of Minnesota Raquet Wildlife Management Area.
NOTICE: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY THIS PERMIT WHILE HUNTING AND A COpy MUST BE PLACED ON
THE DASH OF YOUR VEHICLE _(Applicant must initial)
Name
(Print Full Name)
Date of Birth:
First
Middle
Last
Address:
Street
City
State
Zip
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
Address/Legal Description of Property Where You Propose to Hunt:
Size of Property in Acres:
Describe Bow:
Make
Model
Mfg.
Describe Vehicle That Permit Holder Will Use When Hunting:
Make & Model
Color
License No.
I am owner of the property for which this permit is requested and authorize
to hunt on my property as described above.
Signature of Land Owner:
Signature
Print Name
Home #:
Work#:
Address:
In making this application, I understand that this permit does not invalidate any other laws or absolve me from any safety requirement or permit
illegal trespassing. I have reviewed the map on the reverse side of this permit, and am aware of the no shooting areas as indicated on said map.
Signature of Applicant:
* Certificate number required for persons under 16 years of age. Additionally, for persons under 16, the application must be signed by the young
adult's parent or guardian (signature to be made in person).
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Under the provisions of Ordinance 11-2, this permit is hereby granted for the purposes described above and is valid until
Signature of City Manager:
,"- '" ,-- ->" =-"7-'/, r ,~~ ,_ '..'C!,...~\~)=,
' < ';;"-j . '--).,; C;-,< "~~r:c:../. I .;"" :3';;-,::,5.\:. ~;'""'
:-;-- .:'-",H.:) ,\ '\C'- ,,-, '';:~''I'- /""," ':iL,',.};:. ;Y.l.f."~::'" ',j 4":. ,/ ~ \;\'\:...:.... ,,--;_ :i!"
'::\.. -1//\\ <:"\-ifP;~"--'-I-f{J"?I\\~~ !:i:~/S' ql..:?'<'?o\'':e"7-f;'rl~ .~ "'/~-f.~i:~i'~V:'~"":"''''/'I/rd;1<';
1-"" .d ,-'! '-~'(. II/~' ".t"':'\':?~}'"''"I''' ;.;.t~~1 '..1:.....(""-:....' ~. .....~, ..:"\~[:i
V' ..'\It.....:: (.';_7.."!:..'--' ~~ ;:.!.:!~.:;:"'7- _ j 'I' "'L:!-;z: .",l.~;:\~-~:, ~'f, PEJ.)'
1< "" "./,....- l' . -"_,J '~-/'-~/T l.;r.JI.)~ "....~':th:\\/7i... ~J~'-.]
)~'<::''::::..n ,'\\\"< .: _ " ". .<' ,; .\.:.;~~f~ 2:"::'::"~f.t{ <:!J(i/' "
~" j-.. ::;:1 ~'V--"_~"---''''0 " ''''",' H,I ...., <~.,,,,. ~ tl'.l.
~ "':..-'l~., .rmnt5)~ 1'- ~ ~!~' ,j~ll:'\.(j:::_:A,l;;"" ':_, -..
- I"::':';'. J 'J _ ciK2-'>"'.,,\'~' ,.J') <;">tJr;: h...f.>,;s;:.\-..~,.;, ~. _"
$:--.. ./ . <'H T V J .....;,,- _. '_~A ,'~ \"'-"
-- " ~ ~'";; "._".." ,! I. -'. ", , 1 '.... l .~ ~.!--<o~-"".._..: ~ ,-~~ ~
---r- "-; ""~' ,,'. ~,". i (~.i \I.";' ~~"\ ,....,_,,~ _ ""'- ~
~" " 't:f'-'" '", ~~;I\"i 'N~
r'i-(L;~""" ,;,~!'7i'J!\f;'/ '0'/.1:- . "~!!l!J~~IIJ'~,x~' (~~t
,,~ 'W. ~.J"",."~ . , C,. ~",C.~:A;;. ,.
',1"'1 V ( . V,. ,<, ~;f ,.-~, / "'~, ';;';l:..n,,\-''-'.--1 k ..J" ..'
O(,.~ "I;'~""" _ "r " .." Fe', '~." /'
,1',,-, . I.'. . t J' ..,,,r"''''''''''D;<ffi
C7~JJ; l'~ .. ~" tut -""';;:, - i::-~~ ~-i.u't.'~' II ! 1", : ';' . ,; -;<f J
' '. Y i"" '" ,It,,,; ~.. ~ ...d. ,,~ "c _I' S" .,"". .,
CJ .",Iifl' -,"" ,---, ~- "" ...._.. tr=l ",._. 1',._ J _~ I
. d't::.'.J",(:f.~':"rn'. ''':, Dc'>-" \:. ;"':;""CL~Ct ' .
, ~f7~~~':1:\~,~1~i . . "')~{~it7(::t ,q;\~1j
llV "'~:"--':<~';::-'i''', <'1\~,,:-., . ';:"., __,,_ /,'-_
r:"'--"I ~.\\'-"i .-,-,.-E<"'j .\j--, !~\'(H -'-i ( '" _.- , .../1
I'~~!i~;~ioh~,~: ?'\~;'/~I~:([~:i-',~~(WI -:'-l}~~:'}-
l;>;;~sb}r;.?,,' '.' ll-f'M.--;.,~ .~ '~'C Ifr.- ~~g~. .",,\ _,'
V~.: /.. j-;"r~;:i\~J<:/~/: ?::"'~ ',f+.~,~::_-
" }~~:' ,;'~'(!;~ ..::,: ~
. .,:" . hI ,(~i'" :-Y,~ .h' 1_. a ~
'-0 " '~c' .: P. -'0.<fN+~:V J
'~~~:;~f ,-
~'J{D' li-
D ',~," /?i~~-:.~,-
'~i
. ~>-:-
. -.JL ,
llt\
,
Hunting Map
D Parcels Over 10 Acres
o 1,000 2,000
4.000
6.000
8,000
10,000
,Feet
April, 2005
G:\ENGWoleen\Part.s\HuntingMaplHuntillQ Map_l1ll<<:I