(Spirit Lake)– There was additional discussion this (Tues.) morning by the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors into a recommendation from the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission that would limit signs to one per parcel. The matter was tabled from last week’s meeting. Supervisor Tim Fairchild today (Tues.) repeated the concern he expressed at that meeting saying the limitation could be a restriction on the rights of property owners…
“I guess I do struggle some with the limitation. I mean I could compromise to maybe two signs per parcel or something like that. But I hate to see us go just to one. Depending on the size of the parcel, I’d be open to a parcel with size restrictions as well. I mean if you assume that a parcel is 40 acres, I don’t think two signs on a 40 acre parcel would be so bad, personally.”
Fellow supervisors agreed and sent the matter back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. On another sign-related matter, the supervisors today (Tues.) gave formal approval and adopted a P & Z recommendation that requires all permitted signs in any district to maintain a minimum of a three foot setback from any lot line.
In other business, the supervisors gave formal approval to a request from County Engineer Dan Eckert to move up a culvert replacement project on County Road N-16 into the 2021 Fiscal Year…
“I think the money’s not a problem, this would be locally funded. We’re estimating $350,000. I think the money’s going to be there easily by moving it up one year, so.”
Eckert added that bumping up this project won’t result in any others being pushed back to make up for it…
“At this time no, we think there’s going to be enough funds that we’ll be able to move this up and get it done. Where are some of the savings? Winter, diesel fuel, I’d have to go through with a fine tooth comb. I think diesel fuel we’ve spent 85 or $90,000 on the fiscal year and I budgeted 275, so it’s kind of a combination of two things. One, diesel fuel has been cheap, it’s starting to creep up now, I know. And secondly we just haven’t had the winter that we normally get where we burn a lot of diesel fuel. So there’s savings in the budget and we think is there. At this point we’re not suggesting to back anything up.”
Eckert added it makes sense to do the work now while the water levels are low.
A bidletting will likely be held in coming weeks. A detour will be in place while the work is underway. It’s expected to take about two weeks to complete.
