(Spirit Lake)– With high-rise condominiums becoming more and more prevalent, one lakes area city is thinking about updating its zoning ordinance to include height restrictions on buildings.
The Spirit Lake city council Tuesday considered a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation that would not allow a building to exceed two and-a-half stories, or 35 feet in every district except those zoned R-1. However, a maximum height of 70 feet could be approved by the city council if certain procedures spelled out in the ordinance are followed.
Councilman Steve Balm is concerned over tall buildings being built along the lakeshore. He cited a condominium complex going up at the former Oaks Motel location (Okomo Bay) as an example. Balm was concerned that under the proposed revision some lakeshore property would still be exempt from the height restriction.
The matter was referred back to the P & Z to look at possible options, including the possibility of a new zoning classification.
Terry Yarns, chairman of the P & Z, said they’ll also look at requiring architectural standards for projects such as large condominium complexes.
