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County Board delays access decision [UPDATED]
Published 7:20am Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Updated 12:23pm Wednesday, July 11, 2012While many Otter Tail Lake area residents made the drive to Fergus Falls in hopes that the board would make a decision on what to direct the township to do about Lake Street, the issue was pushed back once again.
Lake Street is the platted road that spans from Highway 78 to Otter Tail Lake. The underlying land is owned by the adjacent landowners, and the road is not maintained by any road authority; however, because it is a platted road, it is subject to easement rights of the public. The board has been asked to consider what rights the land owners have and what rights the public has to use the road, said Otter Tail County Attorney David Hauser.
At its meeting on June 26, the board suggested a plan of compromise should be put together by opposing parties. When a compromise could not be reached by Tuesday, the board decided to put together a committee to suggest a plan to bring back to the board.
The committee will consist of Hauser, commissioner Roger Froemming, commissioner Lee Rogness, Land and Resource Director Bill Kalar, Public Works Director Rick West and one representative from Otter Tail Township.
The committee will first determine if the road is impassable. Then it will decide if it is in the best interest of the county for it to be used by the public, commissioners said.
The board hopes to make a final decision on the issue at its meeting on July 24.
