(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission Monday decided not to make any recommendations to the board of supervisors for now about either mandating or recommending tougher storm water requirements in the county’s zoning ordinance. Instead, they voted to form a committee to look into the matter further.
The action followed a lengthy discussion and a presentation on low impact development by Wayne Peterson of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
The main issue is whether new standards should be required or simply recommended of homeowners and developers. The standards would be similar to those already adopted by the cities of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. They’re based on requirements in the state’s urban design standards, an 800-page document commonly referred to as SUDAS.
P & Z member Tony Weber expressed concern over impacts on developers and homeowners and enforcement.
Joe Vanderlaan, a local contractor, urged the commission to take baby steps. He recommended a committee be formed consisting of atleast two P & Z members and representatives from one of each of the following groups: the Homebuilders Association, the banking or financial community; real estate; and a representative of the Okoboji Protection Association.
The commission voted to proceed in forming the commission and gave it a time frame of three months to come up with a formal recommendation.
