(Spirit Lake)– The way has been cleared for a multi-million dollar development consisting of condominiums and an indoor water park to be built on the southeast side of East Lake Okoboji. It’s one of the last undeveloped areas of the Iowa Great Lakes
Following a public hearing that had been continued from a month ago, the Dickinson county board of supervisors voted four-to-one today (Tues.) to approve a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone 70 acres of what’s known as the “Nielsen property” from residential and agricultural to resort enterprise.
Today’s (Tues.) vote followed a public hearing that lasted more than two hours.
Among those expressing concern over the proposed development was Jane Shuttleworth of the Interlakes Association. She said the group was disappointed the developers didn’t want to take more time to address new concerns they had, hoping the supervisors would continue the hearing a second time.
John Broek, one of the developers with BBR LLC, said he doesn’t understand why they should have to address issues such as docks, boat hoists and boats when other developments were allowed to happen without those issues being considered.
There are strings attached to the rezoning. Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders told the capacity crowd at the Dickinson County Community Building the developer has signed off on a legally binding document with covenants that would transfer with any future sale of the land. They set a limit of no more than 8.5 dwelling units constructed per acre rather than the 15 dwelling units per acre allowed under resort enterprise zoning. BBR LLC also agrees not to annex any of its property into the city of Arnolds Park; BBR LLC agrees not to construct or allow construction of and operation of a casino on the property; BBR LLC must incorporate low impact development techniques into the development of the property; BBR LLC agrees not to directly discharge water from the indoor water park into East Lake Okoboji; and the developers agree to construct walking and biking trails within the resort area.
The covenants are to be filed with the Dickinson County Recorder’s Office upon BBR LLC becoming owners of the property.
Supervisors Wayne Northey, David Gottsche, Pam Jordan and Mardi Allen voted in favor of the rezoning; Paul Johnson, siting a campaign pledge to be environmentally conscious, cast the lone no vote.
Broek says construction on the first phase of the project, the indoor water park, will be on a fast track. He says their goal is to have that completed by this coming Christmas. He says it will serve as a key marketing tool for the condominium part of the project.
Broek says it could take up to 20 years before the development is completed.
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