(Spirit Lake)– A small piece of lakeshore property owned by the city of Spirit Lake on the northwest side of East Lake Okoboji may soon be up for sale.
The city council learned Tuesday there’s a potential buyer for some land in the area of what used to be Lakeview Trailer Park, which is now owned by the city. There are plans to put in some single family residences in that area, and a realtor representing the developer was wondering if the city would grant permission for a dock on the city-owned property that would consist of 20 to 40 boat slips. Councilman Steve Balm said he has concerns over allowing so many slips on what would then become a public dock, since it would be on city-owned land. Instead, Balm suggested the city look into the possibility of selling the small parcel of lakeshore property, saying the city already maintains two other public accesses in that area. Other council members agreed. They directed city staff to proceed in getting the access appraised. A public hearing would be held in the event the council does indeed decide to sell the land. City officials say the lot isn’t big enough to build on.
Also Tuesday, the council directed the City Attorney to draw up a revised ordinance pertaining to the municipal parking lots in the uptown area. It will reflect a committee recommendation to increase yearly rent for spaces in the lots from 40 to 75 dollars. Unattended trailers would not be allowed. The revised ordinance will come before the council at its next meeting for possible action.
Saying the plans don’t meet criteria for the city’s architectural standards, the council rejected plans for an Oak Tree Barbecue restauarant proposed to be built on a vacant lot near the car wash by Wal-Mart.
The council set 5:00 p.m. April 4th as the time and date to meet with firms that would be interested in developing a website for the city; and they tabled action on reappointing members to the Board of Adjustment. Councilman Jerry Harbst was absent and had indicated he wanted to be part of the process.
The council also heard concerns from a neighbor near the elevator concerned over what’s believed to be an infestation of rats in the elevator buildings. The neighbor is concerned the rats will move into homes in that area once demolition of the elevator gets underway. City officials said they’d relay the concerns to the owner of the elevator. The buildings are slated for demolition sometime this spring or summer.
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