(Okoboji)– The city of Okoboji is relaxing low impact development requirements in its zoning ordinances.
City Administrator Dennis Daly tells KUOO news the city council took the action Tuesday based on new standards that have come out since the council adopted the original LID requirements several years ago. Daly says those original requirements were very strict and made it nearly impossible both financially and physically for some to make even minor improvements to their homes. He says the changes are designed to make that easier.
For instance, Daly says the amount of rain required for retention was relaxed from 1.5″ within the first hour to 1.25″; they also removed a provision requiring rain gardens comprise 30 percent of the open space requirements; and small additions (500 square feet or less) or small projects on homes situated on already improved lots do not have to adhere to LID principles/practices; however, any unimproved lot (with no home currently on it) still has to meet all LID principles and practices.
Even with the changes, Daly says the city is still confident the general integrity and concept of low impact development practices remain in place.
Daly says the revisions will become final upon publication, which is expected to happen in the next week to 10 days.
