Mineola Subdivision Encounters A Snag
BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has told the developer of the largest subdivision ever proposed in Mills County to take corrective action or face fines and a slowdown.
A department investigation in July determined that the Lake Ohana housing development west of Mineola, including a future lake and dam, is being constructed without proper storm-water management and soil erosion controls.
As a result of the permit violations issued July 19, developer Craig Nakamoto must resubmit his storm-water pollution prevention plans, said Thad Nanfito, a resources department environmental specialist.
Nakamoto could not be reached for comment.
In late May, the Mills County Board approved construction of the first phase of the 350-unit project, about two miles west of Mineola and five miles north of Glenwood.
About a dozen houses already are under construction.
Nakamoto's 700-acre development calls for three private lakes, including a 120-acre lake for watercraft and recreational boating. A four-acre parcel includes a business corridor for a bank, restaurant and convenience store.
As Nakamoto resolves the violation, he also is trying to work out plans to have his development served by a municipal sewer treatment system.
Earlier, he contracted with the Glenwood Utilities Board to extend water lines there.
Nakamoto wants his development included in the proposed Mills County Urban Renewal Plan for Barrus Road and 230th Street. An urban renewal plan is the first step needed to create a tax increment finance district.
In such a district, property taxes are frozen for several years to help pay for public infrastructure improvements. Tax increment financing would pay for a new wastewater collection treatment system to serve both the unincorporated town of Mineola and Lake Ohana. Homes in the town of about 200 have inadequate septic systems because of small lots.
If the wastewater treatment plan remains unresolved for too long, Nakamoto's development would have to offer private septics, said County Board member Joe Blankenship.
"The water is already on its way," Blankenship said. "The sewer system is still the biggest obstacle. The whole thing hinges on Mineola getting the money for the federal grant."
Mineola's effort to receive a federal grant last year was turned down, he said. Another application has been submitted.
In recent weeks, several rural landowners have asked Mills County to provide more oversight and scrutiny to Nakamoto's development.
"We don't want it overbuilt and not done properly," said area resident Paige Sowers. "If a municipal sewer is in place, he could easily build 700 houses out there. Who's to say he wouldn't change his plans at that point?"
Blankenship said the county will review all four phases of Nakamoto's subdivision plans.
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has told the developer of the largest subdivision ever proposed in Mills County to take corrective action or face fines and a slowdown.
A department investigation in July determined that the Lake Ohana housing development west of Mineola, including a future lake and dam, is being constructed without proper storm-water management and soil erosion controls.
As a result of the permit violations issued July 19, developer Craig Nakamoto must resubmit his storm-water pollution prevention plans, said Thad Nanfito, a resources department environmental specialist.
Nakamoto could not be reached for comment.
In late May, the Mills County Board approved construction of the first phase of the 350-unit project, about two miles west of Mineola and five miles north of Glenwood.
About a dozen houses already are under construction.
Nakamoto's 700-acre development calls for three private lakes, including a 120-acre lake for watercraft and recreational boating. A four-acre parcel includes a business corridor for a bank, restaurant and convenience store.
As Nakamoto resolves the violation, he also is trying to work out plans to have his development served by a municipal sewer treatment system.
Earlier, he contracted with the Glenwood Utilities Board to extend water lines there.
Nakamoto wants his development included in the proposed Mills County Urban Renewal Plan for Barrus Road and 230th Street. An urban renewal plan is the first step needed to create a tax increment finance district.
In such a district, property taxes are frozen for several years to help pay for public infrastructure improvements. Tax increment financing would pay for a new wastewater collection treatment system to serve both the unincorporated town of Mineola and Lake Ohana. Homes in the town of about 200 have inadequate septic systems because of small lots.
If the wastewater treatment plan remains unresolved for too long, Nakamoto's development would have to offer private septics, said County Board member Joe Blankenship.
"The water is already on its way," Blankenship said. "The sewer system is still the biggest obstacle. The whole thing hinges on Mineola getting the money for the federal grant."
Mineola's effort to receive a federal grant last year was turned down, he said. Another application has been submitted.
In recent weeks, several rural landowners have asked Mills County to provide more oversight and scrutiny to Nakamoto's development.
"We don't want it overbuilt and not done properly," said area resident Paige Sowers. "If a municipal sewer is in place, he could easily build 700 houses out there. Who's to say he wouldn't change his plans at that point?"
Blankenship said the county will review all four phases of Nakamoto's subdivision plans.
posted by Susan VanSlyke at 6:28 AM
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