Supervisors discuss drainage at Northview Estates, approve new homestead tax credit rate

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, August 8, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors approved the second reading of an amendment to the County’s zoning ordinance to allow home industry as a conditional use in A-1 agricultural districts. Zoning Administrator Tom Blake said that he has received no comments on the amendment since a public hearing was held several weeks ago. The Board will consider the third and final reading of the amendment during its regular meeting next week.
The Board also met with County Engineer Brian Ridenour to discuss an ongoing drainage issue at Northview Estates. Ridenour said that the County has tried to be a “good neighbor” by replacing and extending a culvert on the property in an effort to correct drainage problems from the adjacent Secondary Roads shop at a cost of approximately $2,800. Northview Estates owner Larry Krause has asked the County for compensation for approximately $3,500 for additional work to correct the problem. “We have done everything we can,” Ridenour said, adding that the drainage problems are the result of development on all of the surrounding properties, not just the Secondary Roads shop. The Board asked Ridenour to work with County Attorney Jill Kistler to draft a letter in response to Krause’s claim for damages.
In other business, the Board approved the State recommendation of 63% for homestead tax credits, down one percent from last year. The Board voted to accept the low bid of $159,606.34 from CJ Moyna and Sons, Inc. for a traffic safety project on County Road X-52 north of Harpers Ferry. The Board also approved contracts with area libraries and accepted and placed on file the Veterans Affairs quarterly report.