The Clear Lake City Council passed an amendment to 41 (A-1 agricultural district) of their zoning ordinance during their meeting Tuesday night that will help increase business activity in the city.

 

The decision was made to amend the ordinance after a request from CMP Attachments owner Derek Kent, who is looking to start a manufacturing business in an old warehouse on State Street. The building is larger than they currently need, so Hartkopf Farms will be using part of it for farm storage until CMP Attachments has grown into it.

 

Kent explained to the council that currently the company would only be able to afford taxes on the property if it was kept zoned agricultural and they were granted a conditional use permit (CUP) until they are able to expand. The company has grown rapidly in the past two years and that growth is expected to continue.

 

The city’s agricultural ordinance currently stated no interim use, however the council discussed amending it after determining it was in the city’s best interest to authorize the use of agricultural structures for non-agricultural purposes on a temporary basis.

 

After no public comment was heard during the public hearing portion of the meeting, the amendment passed unanimously.

 

City Engineer Keith Yapp informed the council the old well near Clearview Elementary hadn’t been sealed, so they will be able to use it as their third test well site, saving the city the cost of drilling an entirely new one.

 

The previous two test wells have produced a good quantity of water but would need to be treated in order to be usable. Water quality and quantity will be checked at the third test well and results will be related to the council as soon as they’re available.

 

The council approved the Clear Lake Fire Dept.’s SOG (standard operating guidelines) to state if a person is representing the fire department or the fire department association he or she is not allowed to carry a fire arm.

 

Council Member Sandy Paige was appointed fire department liaison.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner informed the council the city was starting the process of selling 2.6 acres it owns at the corner of 70th Ave.

 

Public Works Supervisor Dustin Luhning asked the council for approval to spend additional money on the addition to the public works building to install in-floor heating pipes prior to the concrete being poured, which was approved.

 

There was no sheriff’s report available at the time of the meeting.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting will be August 7 at 7 p.m.