(Spirit Lake)– A discussion over sidewalks and whether they should be required in a housing project proposed for the area of 20th Street and Jackson Avenue was a topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Spirit Lake city council meeting.
The city requires sidewalks in new developments. But in this case, the developer, Spirit Lake Crossings LLC, was requesting the requirement be waived, siting a lack of connecting sidewalks in the neighborhood just south of the proposed development. Sidewalks ARE present to the north, along 20th Street, and on the west side of Jackson Avenue. And a resident living in that area told the council not requiring them in the new development would be a mistake.
Nadine Hough told the council a lot of school kids currently have to walk in the street. Of utmost concern, she says, is 25th Street and a stretch of Jackson Avenue up to about 19th Street, where no sidewalks are present at all.
Councilman Kevin Bice said if the city is to require sidewalks in the new development, that sidewalks should also be required in the adjacent area to the south.
Following further discussion, the council approved a preliminary plat for Spirit Lake Crossings, LLC, including a requirement sidewalks be installed.
