COUNTY: Tracking the tracts

Believe it or not, the county has a plan.

In 1976, that plan was to develop 10-acre tracts devoted to farming and agriculture, giving rise to the Spirit Lake East plat, a private planned unit development of 5 3/4 square miles in north county with its own water system and 29 miles of private roads. The plat was enforced by the county at the request of the county tax assessor in August 1978 and the MWD approved in 2005.

In June 2013, the Board of County Commissioners met to develop new land use regulations for all unincorporated county lands. This action essentially created the beautiful 5-acre tract homes with private wells or municipal water district service and septic systems, so prevalent in the north county.

All of us and those facilities indicated on your tax statement had the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal with commissioners and community development at the time. The 5-acre tract was a good choice with adequate utility service. It could easily provide for the construction of 20 homes in a subdivision with paved streets and sidewalks.

The possibility that a 5-acre tract could be developed at some future date as facilities became available just went by the commissioners and community development without comment. Why penalize property owners and future residents for the county’s ambivalence and lack of foresight?

ROBERT A. COSTIGAN

Spirit Lake