(Spirit Lake)– Plans for a major residential and commercial development on the northeast side of Big Spirit Lake sparked controversy at Monday’s meeting of the Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission. The issue drew an overflowing crowd.
Don and Mary Yarns are proposing a development that would consist of 48 lots on the lakeshore and 48 additional ones on the second tier from just south of Sandbar Beach Resort to Hales Slough and east to County Road M-56. The Yarns’ are requesting the 97-acre site be rezoned from agricultural to lakeside residential, multi-family residential and commercial.
The proposed development drew opposition from environmentalists who say it would endanger the aquatic environment of Big Spirit Lake. They say a rare plant known “bulrush” grows in that area, and that it plays an integral role in protecting water quality and fish habitat.
The Yarns were represented at the meeting by their attorney, Mike Zenor. Zenor said the environmental concerns were being blown out of proportion and said the Yarns would be willing to have some engineering work done to address some of them. He also hinted at the possibility of legal action if the rezoning is denied, saying it meets the county’s requirements for rezoning.
After hearing comments for more than two hours, the commission tabled tabled any action on the issue. Zenor said he’ll request another hearing before the commission at a later date.
