(Spirit Lake)– What’s described as a new tool for planning and development commissions in the lakes area is a step closer to becoming reality.
The Dickinson county board of supervisors voted four-to-one Tuesday to authorize Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders to draw up a 28E Agreement that would form a “Water Evaluation Board” or WEB. Supervisor Chair David Gottsche cast the lone dissenting vote.
Greg Drees of the Cleanwater Alliance says the WEB will evaluate applications for developments based on factors related to impacts on watersheds, and make recommendations to the appropriate Planning and Zoning Commission for approval or denial. The local P & Z would still have the final say on whether a project is approved or denied.
Drees said they’re very pleased with the support the concept has received from the lakes corridor cities of Orleans, Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Milford, Wahpeton and West Okoboji. The board of supervisors Tuesday recommended the concept also be presented to the cities of Lake Park, Superior and Terril to see if they’d be interested as well.
Drees says Dickinson county will be the first county in the state to implement “Smart Growth”.
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