Permit request turns heated
Permit request turns heated
By STU MERRY
Developer Jeff Gerhart, Minot, has his conditional use permit to establish an RV park south of Highway 37 west of the railroad tracks. But between a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting and a Garrison City Council meeting Monday night, getting approval seemed a bit elusive.
Gerhart would like to put in an RV park adjacent to his business, Sakakawea RV. At last month’s Planning and Zoning meeting, Gerhart was directed to provide a business plan. The request by Gerhart was for a conditional use permit for Outlot A and B. The permit would allow an RV park to be added to the existing light industrial zoning designation.
At the Planning and Zoning meeting, Mayor Dave Reinarts questioned why an ordinance should not be established rather than the conditional use permit.
Marty Dahl, general manager of McLean Electric Cooperative and member of GAIA, the city’s economic development arm, clarified that a conditional use permit would have more weight than an ordinance.
Questions were also raised about meeting health department guidelines. Another concern, raised by Alderman Richard Lehnherr, was what size sewer line was planned.
Gerhart replied that his facility would meet health department guidelines.
Sensing there was too much nit-picking going on, Dennis Jeffrey, motel owner, asked for a change in attitude.
“Help this guy out,” he said, wondering why there are those that are standing in the way of progress. “It (RV park) will bring business to everybody in town.”
A number of other people in attendance spoke in favor of the proposal.
