By Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
The City of Ottertail held a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on April 20 regarding a request by Boll Realty to place a sign on Highway 78.
Since the property is within 1,000 feet of Ottertail Lake, a conditional use permit was required for the sign. There was no public opposition to the sign that will be 6 by 10 feet and 20 feet high. It meets all of the requirements of the proposed new sign ordinance. Council members voted to grant the conditional use permit as requested.
Preliminary zoning map unveiled
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The Ottertail Planning Committee has prepared a preliminary zoning map for the city. The map designates land as agricultural, residential, commercial, greenspace, lakeshore zones, and mixed use. The commercial zones are planned to remain along the two main corridors and are generally 750 feet from the road right of way. Near Ottertail Lake, that narrows to 300 feet. Council members had questions about specific properties. They took no action and will continue to review the preliminary map.
Deer Run Estates plan OKd
The council accepted a storm water plan for Deer Run Estates. The plan calls for two infiltration basins for sediment control during construction and for water retention/infiltration when construction is completed.
Both basins make use of existing low areas within the development. Council members, City Manager Lee Sherman, Hugh Veit of Moore Engineering, and developer Randy Hutmacher spent considerable time discussing waste treatment and road access. Involved parties will meet at a later date for further discussions.
Thiel property discussed
Pete Thiel presented a landscaping and parking plan for his residential property. He also wanted permission to place a building in what may be the right of way adjacent to a city alley. It appears Thiels property was not surveyed when he bought it and there may be a piece of land with unidentified ownership between his property and the city alley. Also at issue are railroad right of way distances and the possibility of leasing land within their right of way.
Thiel was told he could not place a fence on the right of way of the street side of his property because of snow removal equipment. He was also told he could not place a gate that would block the alley because of the need for fire equipment to get through. He requested the alley be relocated to accommodate his plan, however it was felt that request was premature.
Thiel will have his property surveyed and return to the council with an amended plan.
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Electronic mapping
The City of Ottertail will contract with Interstate Engineering of Fergus Falls to draft, prepare and update city maps in electronic form. The maps would include zoning, water lines, and other features. The City of Ottertail would own the electronic data used to produce the maps and the final output.
3.2 beer licenses issued
Requests for 3.2 licenses for special events to be held by the Rod and Gun Club and Smokin Iron were approved.
Water billing performed by city
City of Ottertail employees will be taking over the duties of billing for water usage. Henning currently does the job. Sherman says although it will be more work for Ottertail staff, It puts us more in touch with our people and whats going on with their water bills.
Only the billing will change; Henning will still be the source for municipal water.
Ottertail will purchase software to facilitate the billing at a cost of about $4,400. Council members also approved an upgrade of computer hardware for an additional cost of about $1,500.
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The billing change will likely take place in June.
Park land donation is nearly four acres
Doug Kramer will be donating between three and four acres of land, designated as parcel 22, in the Three Lakes Retreat area on the south side of Donalds Lake.
The City will use the land as park space. In anticipation of the donation, the Planning Committee has already marked the preliminary zoning map with the greenspace designation.
