(Milford)– Another lakes area community is expressing concern over plans for a “pre-Sturgis motorcycle rally” being planned for the Iowa Great Lakes August 3rd through the 5th.
The Milford city council Monday evening considered a written request from Dan Wells, one of three owners of the former Boji Bay site, to allow a portion of that area to be used as a camp site for motorcyclists attending the rally.
But City Administrator Brian Reed told the council that would violate the city’s zoning ordinance. That area is zoned commercial, and Reed says camping is not allowed in such areas under city code.
Reed also said Wells’ letter doesn’t address concerns such as security and sanitation.
With one member absent, the council voted four-to-nothing to direct Reed to write a letter to Wells telling him that if anyone camps there, Wells and the other land owners will be cited for violating the city’s zoning code…punishable by a fine of 750-dollars per occurrence, per day.
Reed added the city should reconsider helping out Wells and his fellow developers if they allow camping to take place without the city’s consent, saying “it burns up, in my opinion, all of the good will that the city of Milford has to re-build that property”. The developers have already indicated they’ll be requesting assistance from the city, most likely in the form of tax increment financing.
