(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors voted four-to-one today (Tuesday) to reject a recommendation from the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone some land along the Little Sioux River southeast of Lake Park from Agricultural to Residential. Gary Cohrs requested the change for 40 acres of land on what is now a gravel pit. He planned to put a residential development on the site upon reclamation of the land.
The proposal drew opposition from several neighbors, including Bill Murphy who feels the rezoning would be incompatible with the surrounding area.
Earl Maahs, a Spirit Lake attorney representing Cohrs, told the supervisors the land is not suitable for agriculture, saying it’s more suitable for residential purposes due to its soil condition. Maahs added it shouldn’t be an issue of land owner versus land owner, but rather what’s the best use for the land.
David Kolhaase, the county’s Planning and Zoning Administrator, told the supervisors the county’s long term comprehensive use plan has the area designated as agricultural.
Supervisor Wayne Northey cast the lone dissenting vote.
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