(Okoboji)– So-called condominium storage units are causing a stir in the city of Okoboji. The city council Tuesday evening voted down a recommendation from the city’s Design Review Committee to approve design plans for such units on two different parcels of land. Contractors on the project questioned the council as to why they rejected the Design Review Committee’s recommendation…
“If it meets all requirements that are in the code, why is it not being approved, I guess is what I need to know. What we’re projecting to build is exactly what it’s zoned as, storage condominiums.”
Council members didn’t provide a response. City Administrator Michael Meyers said the rationale will likely be provided once an official notification of the denial is acted on by him and sent to the property owner. The denial could then be appealed to the city’s Board of Adjustment.
Immediately following that agenda item, the council voted unanimously to set November 24th at 9:00 am as the date and time for a public hearing to place a moratorium on the issuance of any new zoning permits for constructing storage condominiums in Okoboji. City Administrator Michael Meyers…
“The moratorium is for use, classifications in our zoning ordinance for condominium or business storage unit, agriculture storage buildings, vehicle storage and convenience storage. And, furthermore, it directs the Planning and Zoning Commission to essentially research these uses and consider if there’s things that need to be amended. Planning and Zoning Commission then makes recommendation to the council for potential ordinance amendment of the zoning ordinance. The resolution also kind of establishes the geographical scope of it as well as directing Planning and Zoning Commission as well as outlining some exemptions to it. And then lastly, sets a public hearing for November 24th at 9:00 am to essentially do the same by ordinance.”
Council member Julie Andres sites what she says is a proliferation of condominium storage units in the area…
“Whether it’s in Spirit Lake or down in West Okoboji, Lynch Avenue area, or if it’s out on ’86, tons of it in Orleans, they’re just kind of everywhere. We feel like because of that, we really need to understand how that fits in, if it fits in, and then what our ordinances need to say so that the spirit of the community, the culture, the architectural promise, I guess, of our city of Okoboji is upheld and the people that currently own property here, the value of our real estate stays consistent and that we protect that. And protect our tax base. We just don’t feel like we’re ready for that yet and so that’s the reason why.”
The council’s vote setting the public hearing was unanimous.
