(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the rezoning of some land between the south city limits of Milford and Old Town from residential to commercial. The County’s Planning and Zoning Commission had voted previously to recommend the approval by the supervisors. It followed a public hearing that drew no comments. GF Land Partnership plans to construct a mini storage facility in that area.
In other business, the supervisors approved some revised wording for several zoning regulations following a public hearing. One of those, however, was tabled following a lengthy discussion. County Zoning Administrator David Kohlhaase told the supervisors it would limit the number of signs allowed on a parcel of land. He says it stems from some concerns he received on some signs that recently went up in one part of the county.
“Within the last six months we had an application which was approved based on the ordinance, to put up two signs in less than 45 square feet on a parcel of land, off premise advertising sign. The concern of the people that were questioning it, and why and how come because quote, when I look out my kitchen window now I have to look at those signs. And this is out in the agricultural community and they just don’t like it. But the question was what’s to stop them from, your ordinance is 45 square feet, well that’s per sign, so what if they were allowed to have just a series of signs?”
Supervisor Tim Fairchild said he understands the concern, but also is worried about infringing on property rights.
“I don’t think every blacktop is going to be lined with signs every 10 feet. I don’t, maybe I’m wrong. I do not see that happening. But let’s say it did. Let’s say that as an acreage owner I have an opportunity to rent my land out for signs. Why do we decide to regulate that business and no other business in this regard? I mean we’re really cutting in on a person’s personal rights on their land here.”
Fellow supervisor Jeff Thee said he feels many landowners would simply go along with the change.
“Most people if they have a business and they want to put something up, they look into what the regulations are and their reactions usually are oh, okay. That’s what I can do. You know it’s not a matter of I wanted to. And if they have good reasons and they want to go to the Board of Adjustment they can, but for most people it’s like oh, I didn’t know what the regulations were and I’ll abide by it and move on to the next thing.”
A motion by Thee to adopt the sign revisions died for a lack of a second. The matter is expected to come back for further consideration at their meeting next week.
The supervisors Tuesday also voted five to nothing to proceed with the second phase of the Francis Sites Wetland Project. Project Engineer John Hite outlined the scope of the work in the next phase.
“Phase two would include construction of the earth embankment along the east side of the Francis Sites Road, and then also expansion from that 2.6 acres to a full eight acres of wetland that was the water quality goals originally set out for the project.”
The motion to proceed is contingent upon the city of Spirit Lake paying its half of the $160,000 being put up between the City and County for the project. The remaining funding is coming in the form of grants.
