SPIRIT LAKE — The Spirit Lake City Council will determine whether to adopt the city’s updated comprehensive plan at a future meeting. 

Mayor Jeremy Cowperthwaite suggested that deliberations be tabled following nearly 2 hours of public comment Tuesday night, in front of over 50 community members at Timberlake Middle School. 

Most who spoke voiced concerns about what they felt was missing from the plan, which the city hadn't updated since 2007.  

“Without input from our stakeholders, the plan is incomplete at best,” resident Hal Monheim said. 

Monheim and others pointed out that although the new land-use map would designate the area immediately around Spirit Lake for Residential Preservation, an environmental impact study has not been completed to assess the potential impacts of further development on the lake. 

According to the updated comprehensive plan documents, those areas could be infilled with land uses and densities that are consistent with the surrounding area. 

Documents show that this designation supports residential homes and public facilities as well as commercial resorts, golf courses or driving ranges, or private recreation facilities, among other forms of development. 

Resident Rose Preston compared the health of Spirit Lake to that of Fernan Lake, which has higher nutrient levels and commonly experiences harmful algal blooms.  

Nutrient levels have been on the rise in Spirit Lake, Preston said.  

“It’s much harder to move from medium nutrient levels back down to low levels than it is the other way around,” she added.  

Resident Melissa Stitt echoed Preston’s sentiment.  

“We want to see the area grow, we want to see it prosper — but we need to heed the research about the health of the lake,” Stitt said.  

Others called for investing in area schools before considering new development.  

“Better than what we had yesterday is not good enough,” said resident Gregory De La Paz. “This plan is going to fall on the backs of everyone in this room.” 

Land use consultant Connie Krueger said the proposed updates to the comprehensive plan should provide general guidance for future growth and development in Spirit Lake.  

“(The plan) underscores the community's commitment to thoughtful development that respects its small-town character while accommodating growth,” Krueger said.  

A decision to adopt the city’s updated comprehensive plan could come as early as the next city council meeting.