(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors Tuesday narrowly approved plans for one subdivision and unanimously rejected another. The county’s Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval of both.
Supervisors approved a preliminary plat for the Hawn Subdivision just south of Spirit Lake on a three-to-two vote. Supervisors Paul Johnson, Wayne Northey and David Gottsche voted in favor; Marty Allen and Pam Jordan no. The subdivision is to consist of nine lots, but only four or five actual homesites are being proposed. The biggest concern was over septic tanks and the fact one of the lots is within 700 feet of East Lake Okoboji. Several neighbors spoke out in favor of the proposed development. Plans call for a couple of the lots to be sold to a marina, which will use them to access some nearby boat storage sheds. The neighbors said the new accesses to the facilities would decrease traffic on a couple of heavily traveled roads in the area.
The other subdivision, “Prairie Lane”, was proposed for southwest of Milford by Rick DeMuth. Prior to acting on the preliminary plat, the supervisors Tuesday unanimously denied a request from DeMuth for the county to share in the cost of upgrading a portion of 200th Avenue that passes by the proposed subdivision. The supervisors took the action after hearing opposition from neighbors. They cited safety issues and budget concerns. DeMuth argued some of the issues were being blown out of proportion, and the traffic issues could be handled through signage. Attention then turned to DeMuth’s request to rezone the area from agriculture to residential. A public hearing drew considerable opposition from neighbors concerned over urban areas encroaching on agriculture. DeMuth countered saying the supervisors’ decision to deny the subdivision means they’ve opted to stop any future growth of the county’s tax base. Supervisor chair David Gottsche rebutted by saying the supervisors will continue to weigh each proposed subdivision on its own merits.
The issue is expected to gain even more attention as the county prepares to update its long term comprehensive use plan.
