(Arnolds Park)– Developers of a large condominium complex on the southeast side of East Lake Okoboji are requesting that area be voluntarily annexed into Arnolds Park. City officials received the formal request from Bridges Bay developers Wednesday. In exchange for the annexation, developers are requesting the city designate a tax increment finance district in that area to help defray the cost of extending infrastructure.
The developers are also requesting the city grant them the proper zoning for the project. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission will take up that issue in the near future.
City Administrator Ron Walker told the city council Wednesday they had officially received the annexation request. No action could be taken though as the item wasn’t included on the agenda. It will come up for possible action at the council’s next regular meeting in February.
The request for annexation was filed just weeks after the Dickinson county board of supervisors voted to lift a restriction in a development agreement that would have prohibited that area from ever being annexed into Arnolds Park. The county lifted the restriction after the city filed a lawsuit.
The future for fire protection for the same area remains a question. Based on the non-annexation clause in the original agreement, the council voted to discontinue fire protection to Center Grove Township, where the development is to be constructed, effective this coming July 1st. Center Grove Township is requesting the city extend that deadline. The council will consider that matter February 15th.
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