Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission discusses lot-size, septic and water constraints; defers policy changes
Summary
Commissioners debated lot-size minimums, health-department septic requirements and lack of water access in parts of Indian Hills, agreed the town needs clearer rules about "lots of record," and deferred any code changes pending staff input and county guidance.
Wallsburg planning commissioners spent part of their Aug. 19 meeting discussing the town's lot-size rules, septic-system requirements and water access limitations for several parcels, particularly in the Indian Hills area.
Members recalled that lot-size minimums have changed over time (historically a half-acre, later one acre) and said the county health department requires larger acreage for some traditional septic systems. Commissioners noted newer septic options can reduce acreage requirements to roughly 2'.5 acres in some cases, but stressed that whether a parcel qualifies as a "lot of record" will affect how the rules apply. One commissioner said water availability remains the primary constraint in Indian Hills: "The only way they can get water is through one of the irrigations, and none of the irrigations will let their water go out of historical boundaries," an issue members said developers did not resolve when lots were split.
No code amendments were adopted; members agreed to place lot-size, septic guidance and RV-living rules as agenda items for the Sept. 16 meeting and to gather staff and county input before proposing changes.
