Both parties agreeable in new Blue Heron Bay development

By Amie Steffen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, December 23, 2006

After four long years of disagreement and litigation, the property owners on Dead Lake and the developer who wants to build finally reached a compromise — and both say the county’s decision will pave the way for similar construction on other lakes in Otter Tail County.

Of course, there’s still more work to be done regarding the recently-approved Blue Heron Bay development of 94 dwelling units and 87 boat slips. But both parties to the issue have come a long way since 2002.

“I don’t want to say we’ve settled all outstanding issues, but we look forward to winning their support,” Jim Erickson, developer of Blue Heron Bay, said. “I’m very pleased with these negotiations.”

With county approval in hand, Erickson is looking to wrap up permit requirements and hammer out the finer details of the development with the Dead Lake Association, including a shoreline management plan and other conservation aspects. He expects to begin selling lots in February.

The DLA, on the other hand, is also glad that Erickson has been willing to agree, and topics like no-wake zones and a sewer treatment system have already been worked out.

“We’ve had many hours of sitting down together and worked out a number of mitigation issues that we feel really positive about,” Terry Sullivan, president of the Dead Lake Association, said. “After four years, we’re really pleased about that.”

The next step, they say, will come early next year when a lake management plan is begun, further enhancing the conservation aspect the DLA has pushed.

“It (the lake management plan) is a very lengthy process — what the lake can handle, what areas of the lake are more sensitive that others,” Sullivan said, noting the DLA was looking for grant money to cover the plan.

For others looking to gain ground on similar lake property battles, Sullivan advised residents to know their lake inside and out, and get active in or form a lake association.

“One advantage we’ve had is, we’ve been an association since 1990,” she said. “Our board just continues to get stronger.”

Bob Russell, attorney for Erickson, said his client appreciates the open discussions with the property owners. When the process began, he admitted, things were not so rosy.

“We’ve had disagreements and been less amiable in the past,” Russell said. “When someone comes forward with a project like this, they see part of their territory changing. We’ve always tried to share information and get their input, and I think we have a product that everyone can accept.”