Hearing on proposed apartment complex runs three and a half hours long; will resume September 15th

The battle over a proposed apartment complex on St. Lawrence Street in Decorah has been a lengthy one, including a hearing Wednesday night which ran from 5:15 p.m. until almost 9:00 p.m.

The Decorah City Council voted 5-2 in July to approve the latest drawings for the proposed 8-unit apartment complex--the tenth set of drawings presented for the apartment development.

But Decorah Attorney Karl Knudson, acting on behalf of neighbors of the proposed development, filed an appeal of the city council's action.  Wednesday night the Board of Adjustment began its review of the appeal.  However, the board was unable to finish its work, so a second meeting has been scheduled--at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, September 16th.

Neighbors have collected over 30 signatures from people opposed to the project, citing parking problems and rainwater runoff issues.  But the majority of the Decorah City Council voted in favor of the project, citing what they see as a need for more affordable housing options in Decorah as their reason for supporting the development.