(Spirit Lake)– A public hearing on a request to rezone some land on the northwest side of Spirit Lake from residential to agricultural drew considerable discussion at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Tom Underwood is requesting the city uphold a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to re-zone the area.
But some neighbors are worried the rezoning could open the door for a large livestock confinement operation. Thomas Stotteroh lives in the area of the proposed re-zoning…(click here for comment).
Underwood told the council he has no intention of putting in a large confinement operation, saying the various regulations would make it extremely difficult if not impossible to do that on that parcel of land…(click here for comment).
Following some additional comment, councilman Steve Balm said he wanted to take some time to review the city’s long term Comprehensive Use Plan for that area, and said he wanted to make sure the Planning and Zoning Commission has done that as well. A motion was then made and carried to refer the matter back to the P & Z for that purpose.
In other business, the council began tweaking language in a proposed ordinance regulating usage of all-terrain-vehicles on city streets on a year-round basis. The council voted 3 to 2 to send the proposed ordinance back to the City Attorney’s Office for further revision. Council members Steve Balm and Jeff Thee cast the dissenting votes. The proposed ordinance will include specific areas where the machines will be allowed to cross various streets and highways. Those crossings must be reviewed and approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation prior to the council taking any action on the proposed ordinance.
Police Chief Jeff Hanson expressed his concern over the proposed ordinance, saying portions of it are vague and that it would be difficult to enforce.
In other business, the council voted 4 to 1 to approve a $20,000 grant to the Lakes Area Hockey Association, which plans to build an indoor rink just northwest of the Bedell Family YMCA. Most of that will an in-kind contribution by the city to extend utilities to the site. Councilman Kevin Bice cast the lone no vote.
