Ward County approves amendment to Rice Lake lot-size rules, sends ordinance to public hearing

The Ward County Commission on June 3 voted unanimously to amend the county land zoning ordinance to change minimum lot-size and width standards for the Rice Lake Recreational District and directed staff to schedule a second reading at a public hearing. Planning Administrator Beth Pietsch presented the proposed changes and recommended the amendment. The commission approved an amendment to Section 4.10(3) that increases the minimum lot area for parcels in the Rice Lake Recreational District to 7,500 square feet and raises minimum lot width from 50 feet to 65 feet. The commission moved the amended ordinance to a second reading at a public hearing for final consideration. The change is intended to revise development standards applied to properties within the Rice Lake Recreational District; Pietsch presented the proposed text and recommended the specific adjustments. The commission approved the amendment on a motion by Commissioner Rostad, seconded by Commissioner Schuler, with Commissioners Rostad, Merritt (by phone), Olson, Schuler and Chairman Fjeldahl all voting yes. By advancing the amendment to a public hearing, the commission will allow additional public comment and a formal second reading before final adoption. No estimated implementation date or fiscal impact was stated during the meeting.