(Spirit Lake)– Following a public hearing, the Spirit Lake city council Tuesday voted three-to-one to deny a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to rezone some land on the city’s west side near a wetlands complex that would have allowed Shaw Paint Glass and Locksmithing to relocate its paint booth operations from it’s store in Okoboji.
Councilman Jerry Harbst cast the lone vote in support of the P & Z’s recommendation; councilman Clyde Ihrke, who works for the business, abstained from the vote.
Steve Anderson was the only member of the Planning and Zoning Commission that voted against the rezoning recommendation. He cited environmental concerns, saying the wetland area that would be affected drains directly into Center Lake and West Lake Okoboji.
Business owner Bob Shaw said the concerns were being blown way out of proportion. He was critical of several council members for not visiting his existing operation in Okoboji to get a feel for how it works.
