[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6664510,"mediaKeyId","2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e","parentId",2380728,"title","Norwalk council declines to rewrite C2 zoning for online-only retailers; owner told storefront or rezoning paths available","audioSeconds",1255,"startMs",1080000,"endMs",2335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e&start=1080&end=2335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664510/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-council-declines-to-rewrite-C2-zoning-for-online-only-retailers-owner-told-storefront-or-rezoning-paths-available","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664510-a4b0d675b7f16e78ac21ae17e776d647/orig.mp4?Expires=1775902807&Signature=KAAtXne~QU4-NMEmBoPLH~paHq-wajtXITn0lcV-DjG94B~a5GoiOFMWnf~RzTOpN6t7Omk2JI0ma9uiuDGNMuwucZz1Z9fjzKkllBs4VgQwYDZxyESRtJMznfX1sFIVtcbmFGPlUMp-AT-Ir5As3LLIes-kqsmGTNmTDT0Ojoo3~SyhRmOBhMIZYyKeT939uvRaVyu2Cz9fgdIt3ZB3zL~hJ3YTA5MmW44BohIGq88q9HI1XIEJ-f~RUo8-B7dwdYgnRqDNZJrqEoLaZYvwTe0ePSc63EL4Cu5tpwSOCp33FDhYq6ceyhWPdUkvQ9N-DPu~lRd76RnxAIOX1ZLSzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk","date","2025-02-24T17:29:35.44Z","article","At a Feb. 20 council work session, the owner of the former Fairway building asked the council to allow online-only retail businesses in C2 commercial districts without a storefront. Staff and councilors said the current code treats exclusive online sales with substantial storage and shipping as warehousing — a use excluded in the C2 district — and that a zoning change would raise spot-zoning and comprehensive-plan concerns.

Blake Schultz, who identified himself and his address and said he owns the old Fairway building, told council he sought a permit to use the entire structure for his online business and had encountered obstacles because the use has no walk-in storefront. \"I just wanted to get the permit to use the whole entire building,\" Schultz said. He said he had obtained permits for office and product storage but was told the use would not be allowed in C2 because staff treats the primary activity as warehousing.

Luke (city development staff) told council that the zoning code does not specifically reference \"internet sales\" but does define warehousing, which he said fits the owner’s proposed operation: \"This is a form of warehousing, receiving orders and storing property we send out, for online sales.\" He added that city code currently allows commercial uses that have incidental storage, but not primary warehousing without walk-in retail customers.

Council discussion and outcome: Council members expressed concern about the economic impacts of allowing warehouse-style uses in a district designed to draw shoppers. Several councilmembers said they prefer to encourage businesses that generate walk-in traffic to support adjacent retail. The council did not direct staff to draft an ordinance to change C2 to permit internet-only operations. Instead the council identified two practical alternatives:
- The property owner may build a legitimate storefront (a configuration staff and council said would fit the current C2 rules) and obtain occupancy for that commercial use; or
- The property owner may pursue a formal rezoning request through the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the comprehensive plan amendment process if required.

Councilmember Brown said he favored considering a citywide restriction on internet-only uses in C2 districts; councilmember Cool and others noted warehousing definitions and spot-zoning risks. Luke explained the rezoning process and that if a rezoning is not consistent with the comprehensive plan, the owner would need a plan amendment as well. Councilmember Meineke said staff and owner should try to find an approach that accommodates investment without harming neighboring businesses.

Staff and owner follow-up: Staff told the owner a pragmatic path was to move forward with installing a storefront and working with development staff on occupancy and configuration that meets the intent of C2; staff also said council could initiate a rezoning review but indicated there was no council appetite to change the ordinance citywide that night.

Ending: The council left the code unchanged for now and encouraged the owner and staff to pursue solutions that preserve customer traffic in the retail district while accommodating viable new investment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 20, 2025 Norwalk City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Property owner Blake Schultz asked the council to allow online-only retail in a C2 commercial district; staff said the proposal fits the city’s definition of warehousing and the council declined to amend C2 to allow internet-only operations citywide.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Warren County, Iowa","taxId",64209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664506,"Norwalk council approves first reading of year-round, inclining irrigation rates to offset water-production costs",758,4487000,3729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e&start=4487&end=3729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e/thumbnail_4487000.jpg","/articles/6664506/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-council-approves-first-reading-of-year-round-inclining-irrigation-rates-to-offset-water-production-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664506-4405ac38d18bb7c52ed9d1362702c6fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775902806&Signature=iBaBvAYhReillsGpfogCWHg66jtVjKuwkW8GNYiT56sdaltbwdSaFtMmLfvC2AOnkGp6b2N2kMCddCOS-6xAxEEkbOMtEiFfNCkhJos8hw4MN0dqKUgNx3vTE1w7Hg-S7mRp49hBsuh9tZfXsdTfLdVewiQpaRFb1jvvxg7Zp5n5WZGkVjBf1XknwOr~y~z6Lf1AM9g4pRqQcnR-y4wwvV1qcIWTe3cajwi5OoiE3zbWIme0FvfaGGvwp83yZLtfHP2ILydZbgKtRrRHZPuK-a78rbFDnxW16V24F9G581snFUHOklXCuYoN7Td-mlRUHB942B5xo1z9tqjKnl8SQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwalk city staff and councilmembers on Feb. 20 completed the first reading of an ordinance to amend irrigation (secondary water) billing to an all‑year, inclining block rate schedule.

Jean (city finance/water staff) told the council that Norwalk currently charges an additional irrigation rate for two months only and reported that last year irrigation used roughly 81,000,000 gallons total. \"In that [two-month] period there was about 20,000,000,\" Jean said, noting approximately 61,000,000 gallons of irrigation went uncharged at the higher rate. Jean said the city has about 5,300 meters, of which roughly 1,200 are irrigation meters (about 22%).

Proposed billing structure presented at first reading: 0–6,000 gallons charged at 1.25 times the regular water rate; 6,000–9,000 at 1.5 times; and above 9,000 at 2 times the regular rate. Jean said the change will not fully cover the city’s planned share of a Central Iowa Water Works expansion (the staff presentation cited a 160,000,000 total cost with Norwalk’s portion at 10,000,000) but would help reduce the need for borrowing. Jean explained that, on a 20‑year SRF loan at about 3 percent, Norwalk’s share would be approximately $695,000 per year (30-year loan roughly $500,000 per year).

Council members framed the ordinance as both a fiscal measure and a tool to encourage conservation. Councilmember Cool and others suggested pairing the rate change with outreach and incentives (e.g., soil and topsoil restoration programs, rain-barrel programs) to reduce irrigation demand and to help residents adapt. Jean noted staff may bring a separate availability-fee change for irrigation meters to the council later; she estimated that charging availability on irrigation meters could yield roughly $130,000.

The first reading passed on a council roll call (motion by Cool; second by Meineke). Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate communications and to report program options that would help reduce irrigation demand concurrently with the billing change.

Ending: The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a future council meeting; staff will develop communications and explore complementary conservation incentives and possible availability‑fee adjustments.","The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to charge irrigation meters year-round on an inclining block schedule — higher per-unit charges as usage rises — to help offset the city’s share of a planned regional water-plant expansion and encourage conservation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664501,"Votes at a glance — Norwalk City Council, Feb. 20, 2025",2745,2628000,5373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e&start=2628&end=5373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","/articles/6664501/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Norwalk-City-Council-Feb-20-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664501-7e8657406fb608a24683767ee412a0c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775902806&Signature=kqpgoKLt85-mhraLvZE-0ecW45RowkvRhuz9YE3Ki4sr1866hQm8RITLSK9JUX-EA38WJNBFtvadATiKsAOXLfTdmREvAxghdaAKNrat-6K1mYSolmoisYR50NtW9x2v2TSgvW3wQLW4cgNjrL6bbsF58Nd9Ji7LAdJereWpPE9Z7d7AXeEOfbvlEJP7Aj1yRaPhhR81F8arxTRKOduwCCawqD6ySKFGUicF-cN~kf5OSrlFA5CKCg~x6al--EZONs2L20hAYTjPfSr8vLRi8619rihD-Km8Y3AxOL~enycmlqPmBWtzplGCHlMLrigCRhtlD-H5REP2FC~B5WCslQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This roundup lists formal motions, readings, and resolutions taken at the Feb. 20, 2025 Norwalk City Council meeting. Where the transcript recorded a roll call, that roll-call outcome is shown.

1) Approval of agenda (as amended)
- Motion: Approve agenda with removal of items 7i and 7j.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Brown; second by Meineke.
- Outcome: Approved (voice vote at 06:03 PM; council indicated unanimous Aye).

2) Consent agenda
- Motion: Approve consent agenda.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Cool; second by Meineke.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as Yes by Brown, Cool, Meineke; motion carries).

3) Maple Heights PUD amendment — public hearing continued and first reading (Item 7A / 7B)
- Action: Continued public hearing; first reading of ordinance amending Maple Heights PUD to refine parcel B and F uses (split B into B1/B2, alley-loaded units, garage standards, and ADU language)
- Mover/Second: Motion to approve first reading (moved/seconded; transcript: motion by Cool).
- Outcome: First reading approved (roll call recorded as Yes by Cool, Brown, Meineke; motion carries).

4) Orchard Hills PUD amendment — public hearing continued and first reading (Item 7C / 7D)
- Action: Continued public hearing; first reading of ordinance amending Orchard Hills PUD to allow high-density senior housing concept on southern portion of parcel 1 (62-unit concept, parking reduction from code standard), and to restore the land-use table for Orchard Hills.
- Mover/Second: Motion to approve first reading (moved by Cool; seconded by Meineke).
- Outcome: First reading approved (roll call recorded Yes by Cool, Brown, Meineke; motion carries).

5) Rezoning initiation — 76680 County Line Road (Item 7E)
- Action: Resolution initiating rezoning from Agricultural Reserve (AR) to RE1 (Bridal Estates), referring to P&Z and setting public hearing.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Meineke; seconded by Cool.
- Outcome: Resolution approved (roll call recorded Yes by Meineke, Brown, Cool; motion carries).

6) Rezoning initiation / IPUD — 1421 Sunset Drive (Item 7F)
- Action: Resolution to initiate rezoning of 1421 Sunset Drive from C2 to IPUD (infill PUD pattern) and refer to P&Z; sets a public hearing.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Brown; seconded by Meineke.
- Outcome: Resolution approved (roll call recorded Yes by Brown, Cool, Meineke; motion carries).

7) Echo Valley Plat 5 — final plat (Item 7G)
- Action: Resolution approving final plat (infrastructure in place; create buildable lot).
- Mover/Second: Motion by Cool; seconded by Brown.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded Yes by Cool, Meineke, Brown; motion carries).

8) Pizza Ranch — site plan approval (Item 7H)
- Action: Resolution approving site plan for Pizza Ranch (building design / parking waiver discussed).
- Mover/Second: Motion by Meineke; seconded by Cool.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded Yes by Meineke, Brown, Cool; motion carries).

9) Irrigation (secondary water) rates — first reading (Item 7K)
- Action: First reading of an ordinance to amend irrigation rates to an inclining block schedule year-round (0–6,000 at 1.25×; 6–9,000 at 1.5×; above 9,000 at 2×).
- Mover/Second: Motion by Cool; seconded by Meineke.
- Outcome: First reading approved (roll call recorded Yes by Cool, Meineke, Brown; motion carries).

10) MidAmerican Energy — natural gas franchise ordinance (Item 7L)
- Action: Second reading of an ordinance granting MidAmerican Energy a nonexclusive franchise for natural gas and authorizing a 1% franchise fee to replace local option sales tax.
- Mover/Second: Motion for second reading by Cool; seconded by Meineke.
- Outcome: Second reading approved (roll call recorded Yes by Meineke, Brown, Cool; motion carries).

11) MidAmerican Energy — electric franchise ordinance (Item 7M)
- Action: Second reading of an ordinance granting MidAmerican Energy a nonexclusive electric franchise and authorizing a 1% franchise fee to replace local option sales tax.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Cool; seconded by Meineke.
- Outcome: Second reading approved (roll call recorded Yes by Meineke, Brown, Cool; motion carries).

12) Norwalk Technology & Industry (NTI) overlay district (Item 7N)
- Action: Second reading of ordinance adopting NTI overlay district; council included NTI review-committee makeup per staff revision.
- Mover/Second: Motion by Brown; seconded by Cool.
- Outcome: Second reading approved (roll call recorded Yes by Brown, Cool, Meineke; motion carries).

Notes: Several public hearings were opened, continued, and closed as indicated in individual items. Where the transcript records a roll call it is shown above; the meeting record indicates motions carried on all listed items. For items that require additional hearings or site-plan review (PUD amendments, rezoning), further hearings or site-plan approvals will be required before final permits are issued.","Summary of formal actions taken during Norwalk's Feb. 20 meeting: first readings, rezoning referrals, final plat approval, site-plan approval, and second readings on franchise ordinances. All motions carried as recorded; most roll-call votes were unanimous.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664513,"Norwalk reviews Envision 02/1935 strategic goals; council directs study of Highway 28 ownership and options",657,228000,885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e&start=228&end=885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380728-8a22d39c8afbf1dc40488eb01eddd08e/thumbnail_228000.jpg","/articles/6664513/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-reviews-Envision-021935-strategic-goals-council-directs-study-of-Highway-28-ownership-and-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664513-32ffc68143b58544b4e78c8e33568bd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775902806&Signature=jYXrclTUmz~POZj-oskz8UG165y8UBM1qGSqbD6yXHsrp49-5YAFX~QdUIG6Zk2nOyzWz8bSe7cD9~~Ad~ZAXi4mtmLVyg8QNLNja8LGR6wgaO0h8V32S9QDJQgcYB7~I6~cTFWO37aI1d9nwJHWQCyOYnypEaMYWPTWkyBEmsDIdkpJqbt413m1r45qDkoTjt9Xfw3rHrhW07ts-ObiJNO0-JCzR~4Wi2TwtoclN85OnPMx5WWahBJ6acRqIE6ooKbzecoJKe7IqOlm8qFJ-w8qVjL8Oumsr2tcT5ReRM2L6mcJL1sH2tM8GVaJ6gpZeMIu1fIPwAdLHVSfBaUgsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwalk Mayor Phillips and city staff presented Envision 02/1935, a 10-year strategic vision and set of goals, and councilmembers asked staff to collect information and convene a study group to evaluate options for Highway 28.

The plan, introduced by Lindsay (city staff) and Luke (city development staff), lays out 10-year goals including a master plan for neighborhoods and commercial hubs, redevelopment around the North River and I‑35 interchange, increased walkability, distinct neighborhood identities, and moving the city toward a balanced tax base with roughly 30% commercial/industrial property. Lindsay said staff will add projects to department work plans, set 90-day benchmarks and produce a public communications plan.

Why it matters: Highway 28 is one of the items citizens have flagged for improvement in the city survey and appeared frequently during the council’s strategic planning work. Councilmembers stressed the corridor’s heavy use and its effect on community drivability and neighborhood appearance.

Council discussion focused on the specific implications of taking ownership of Highway 28 versus other ways to improve conditions. Wayne (council member) cautioned that \"if we were to try to take our ownership of it ... the state will require ... that the highway within Norwalk be operated and maintained to their standards and their rules,\" adding that taking ownership likely would require conveyance of the full right-of-way, including stormwater swales and landscaping. He said, \"We won't have autonomous control over it. They're gonna want it to be operated as a state highway.\" (Wayne)

Livingston Meineke volunteered to help assemble a study group and described the council’s direction as collecting information to evaluate the “pluses and minuses” of city acquisition versus state retention. Mayor Phillips summarized council direction: \"The goal is information. Right. Making an informed decision.\" (Mayor Phillips)

Several councilmembers framed the question as whether the council’s end goal is improved drivability and aesthetics rather than ownership per se. Wayne suggested the city could pursue improved maintenance under the existing annual winter-maintenance agreement with the state, while Meineke and others said a time and cost study is needed to determine when — if ever — a transfer of ownership would make sense.

Discussion-only items and next steps: Council did not take a formal vote to acquire the highway. Instead, the council directed staff to:
- Convene a study group to identify pros and cons of city acquisition versus state retention, including timing relative to the state’s planned reconstruction.
- Compile data on operational costs, right-of-way conveyance implications (including storm sewer, ditches and green space), and potential impacts on traffic control and access.
- Report back to council with findings for a future agenda.

Quotes in context: \"If the goal is just more maintenance or to improve rideability ... we can work with the DOT,\" Wayne said. \"Maybe there's another option ... to improve Highway 28 without ownership of it.\" (Wayne)

What to watch: Staff will notify council when the study group has convened and will return with an information report; councilmembers indicated they want input from absent members (including Jackie) and to solicit public feedback before any formal acquisition decision.

Ending: The Envision 02/1935 presentation will be added to department project tracking and public communications will follow; the Highway 28 study is the primary follow‑up directed by council at the Feb. 20 session.","At a Feb. 20 work session, Norwalk city leaders reviewed a 10-year strategic plan called Envision 02/1935 and agreed to form a study group to examine options for improving Highway 28 — including whether city ownership is appropriate — rather than moving immediately to acquire the road.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwalk council declines to rewrite C2 zoning for online-only retailers; owner told storefront or rezoning paths available

Norwalk council approves first reading of year-round, inclining irrigation rates to offset water-production costs

Votes at a glance — Norwalk City Council, Feb. 20, 2025

Norwalk reviews Envision 02/1935 strategic goals; council directs study of Highway 28 ownership and options