Supervisors let board set lakeshore landscaping permit caps, keep per-application formula

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted to amend how lakeshore landscaping permit fees are capped, allowing the board to set maximum fees by resolution rather than embedding exact dollar amounts in the zoning ordinance. Planning staff said the formula for calculating applications—"a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $50 plus $2 per $100 of estimated cost of improvements"—would remain the same and that the change only removes fixed maximums from the ordinance so fees can be updated administratively.

"The proposed amendment does not change the method used to calculate the fees," planning staff Megan said, noting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-0 on July 20 and that the county's existing maximum fee previously set by the board was consistent with the new language. Supervisor Clark moved adoption; the motion was seconded and approved on roll call during the meeting.

Why it matters: the change is procedural rather than substantive—staff said it is intended to avoid repeated ordinance amendments when the board adjusts fees. The board discussed that the amendment applies only to lakeshore bank landscaping permits and that routine small projects would not be pushed to the higher maximum fee.