(Spirit Lake)– A new development being proposed for the Egralharve area on the west side of West Lake Okoboji has Dickinson county revisiting road standards for subdivisions.
A subdivision ordinance that went in effect April 4th of 2000 requires developers to construct roads in subdivisions to the county’s standards if they want the county to maintain them. Those standards lean heavily toward rural-type roads, with right-of-ways of 66 or 80 feet. Roads in the development currently under consideration would only have a 50 foot right-of-way, making them non-compliant with county standards. They are also designed with curb and gutter and storm sewers. The developers are requesting the county include those roads in its standards. But supervisor chairman David Gottsche says he’s concerned if the county broadens the standards that it would result in a flood of new roads in other subdivisions coming into the county system.
Gottsche also cited concern over snow removal. He says the county would have to purchase new equipment designed for city-type streets, or look at contracting out snow removal in those areas.
The supervisors took no action on the matter. Gottsche says he’ll appoint a committee to come up with a recommendation.
