DETROIT LAKES —A potential apartment complex along 270th Avenue has created concern for some residents living on the south side of town. At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, the Detroit Lakes City Council was asked to annex 78.67 acres, with 9.
35 acres being zoned R-M. The remaining 68.33 acres were requested to be zoned R-A.
The city's zoning book states that the R-M district is for high-density residential neighborhoods with a roof height up to 60 feet, whereas R-A allows farming and single-family dwellings. After the initial motion to annex the property failed, discussion ensued and more motions were brought forward until one passed. The motion the council unanimously agreed on was to annex the property, but with the entire parcel being zoned R-A.
Jon Lowry of Lowry Engineering attended the meeting on behalf of the land developer, Gehrig Properties, LLC of Fargo, North Dakota. Lowry stated that changing the requested R-M to R-A would cause the developer to withdraw the annexation request. ADVERTISEMENT Detroit Lakes City Attorney Charles Ramstad noted the zoning of the land could be “changed by the usual process for rezoning” in the future, with council approval.
He went on to say the city has allowed annexation requests to be withdrawn in the past when zoning changes to the property occurred. “But there's nothing that requires us to allow them to withdraw,” Ramstad said. He later added that he believed that once the council held its first reading for anne.
