HRA/CDA powers ordinance reviewed

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County Commissioners, believing that a speed zone study on a segment of Highway 4 at Crystal Lake and Lake Lida (northeast of Pelican Rapids) would be beneficial, request that this area be studied by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to determine the need for a revised speed zone.

The five-person county board also supports the Minnesota Department of Transportation proceeding with establishing a legal speed zone if the findings of the traffic study are supportive.

Area residents support decreasing the speed limit on the segment of County State Aid Highway 4 from just east of Tri Lakes Drive to its easterly intersection with Lida Shores Loop.

The speed limit on CSAH 4 west of this segment is 35 miles per hour and the speed limit on CSAH 4 east of this segment is 30 miles per hour. The speed limit on the approximately 0.7 miles segment of CSAH 4 in this area is 50 miles per hour and is seen as “not compatible” with the speed limits in the surrounding area.

Powers ordinance reviewed July 11

The county Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Community Development Agency (CDA) boards have paused efforts toward merging operations. 

Because the HRA and CDA will continue their independent operations beyond Jan. 1, 2024, it is necessary to revise the powers ordinance of the CDA and HRA. 

On July 11 the county board of commissioners held a public hearing on amending the powers” ordinance to receive comment. The ordinance will be presented for adoption at the July 25, 2023, county board meeting.

Earlier the county Economic and Community Growth and Investment Committee reviewed this matter. The HRA and CDA boards adopted resolutions endorsing the proposed amendment.