[{"_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",6587806,"mediaKeyId","5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4","parentId",5547968,"title","City advances gas-station zoning changes near Tower Terrace Road; limits access, size and number near key intersections","audioSeconds",240,"startMs",2309000,"endMs",2549000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4&start=2309&end=2549","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4/thumbnail_2309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587806/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/City-advances-gas-station-zoning-changes-near-Tower-Terrace-Road-limits-access-size-and-number-near-key-intersections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587806-4314677258110de0d2d82aa1b3430c8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826245&Signature=Aqm5KukJ0R9NNwc9vGgei-Dhg907ksVbXvVuW-VpJaUJoCOTFCXIBmYPSVIQGMYyqxjm7vYCQy38dpoe4QJgt7tFmXFGRn-T1Z1FjX0GnaaikHnVi~w7pcUkCz-WuN~ujbzZx3IePSxYI-bD2inYRHexG425jw-yM2dnlxcMLPS9r930i9xb6BR3NKSEodoh6mwYT8blpTaqIBv~dJcwTUR0umE~mfs0yOp0w6Jb8ur0OuQt5Ley3MB~DHJhBJDHIzMo-drVZkO1WcpBKKcs0FwCSSkAW142kTRQCibtQSIb4yClurn-OMn0T~mhk1g~JD7JSjbMYTqSneAHt8E-jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion","date","2025-08-08T00:26:23.047Z","article","The Marion City Council gave initial approval on Aug. 7 to an amendment to Chapter 340 of the Marion Code of Ordinances that changes how gas stations are permitted within 600 feet of Tower Terrace Road. The ordinance (25-24) advances to additional readings; council took the initial vote after a staff presentation and a public hearing with no in-person or written opposition noted for the record.

Charlie, planning staff, summarized the proposed text amendment as a targeted change for parcels within 600 feet of Tower Terrace Road. Under the proposal, a gas station in that 600-foot zone would require a conditional-use permit and only one such gas station would be allowed per the listed intersections (Albernet Road, Winslow Road, 30 Fifth Street and the Highway 13 intersections; a portion of one site within the Indian Creek PUD was also included in the list). The proposal would prohibit direct access to Tower Terrace Road (access would have to come from a side street), cap simultaneous fueling capacity at a maximum of 16 vehicles (maximum not a requirement) and require an associated building up to 10,000 square feet selling convenience goods.

Charlie told council that most existing citywide gas-station standards (conditional-use permits, pump setbacks, materials and canopy design, buffering next to residences) would remain in force and that the amendment applies only to locations within the 600-foot Tower Terrace buffer. He said the planning commission recommended approval.

Council discussion focused on the practical effect of the maximum fueling capacity, whether certain major intersections (Highway 13) might warrant different treatment, and the ability for council to amend the ordinance on later readings if needed. Councilmember Sarah said she liked an alternate option discussed earlier but did not block the initial consideration; other councilmembers pointed out that the three-reading ordinance process allows further amendments prior to final adoption.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and staff reported no written comments had been received for the record. The council approved the initial consideration on a voice vote and the ordinance will return for further readings and possible amendments before final adoption.

If passed in final form, the amendment would add location-based controls intended to limit the size and placement of new gas stations near Tower Terrace Road while preserving existing design standards elsewhere in the city. Staff and council noted that the ordinance can be amended before final adoption, and staff said they would work with council if developers bring larger proposals for major intersections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","YouTube - City Council - Audio/Presentation - 8.7.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Marion City Council approved initial consideration of ordinance 25-24 on Aug. 7, a zoning-text amendment that would require conditional-use permits for gas stations within 600 feet of Tower Terrace Road and establish location- and size-based limits at certain intersections.","taxTitle","Marion City, Linn County, Iowa","taxId",55360,"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},6587811,"Council approves second consideration of rezoning east of Lucore Road; debate prompts zoning-code review",272,1192000,1464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4&start=1192&end=1464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","/articles/6587811/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Council-approves-second-consideration-of-rezoning-east-of-Lucore-Road-debate-prompts-zoning-code-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587811-4f4d891010fe2c84f687e51651318018/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826245&Signature=fn~~r7jc4vpf3RXj-UmIIP6e62frPrEC3HJPdaLU2CK7H08Z3EXGO1WUKzsDs64v3~EAjiJRpEcB5WSaXWvLY26bbFW2JZU7GRrH19R1lPXwbtMeXiugonkYazUcwFOfyIJpS7H-m9XLN6pgrrDlupzzGZWG32INUwzv~uBL0evV3CXvSxrYa5idwybWbZNzu~SmiHrsZ0BmJS3CVUMhOdMo3xtTMZkVwJ71StrmqXE676DhdW9Bt62erT~2l7CDfMBeSV2jfuXu0z7wK1m8ipzV6ABCeANnZooZ3npoJ8gG5mhD1UrL0yJCNq10aoQqQno-UMrntVefeAPqVZg6QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion City Council on Aug. 7 approved second consideration of ordinance 25-22, a rezoning request that changes a parcel east of Lucore Road and north of Artesian Road from SR2 (suburban medium-density single-family) to SR3 (suburban medium-density single-family). The ordinance passed by voice vote on second consideration; the council declared the motion approved.

City planning staff said the property was originally placed in SR2 during a citywide zoning update based on a preliminary plat and historic R2 classifications. Planning staff explained that the updated SR2 district has different lot-width standards than the former R2 and that the developer’s preliminary plat matched current SR3 or SR2 lot configurations. The rezoning request would allow for six additional lots along the northern portion of the proposed subdivision, staff said.

Nicole (planning staff) explained the change was technical and tied to how the preliminary plat aligned with current district lot-width standards. Council members pressed staff for context on how and when to change development patterns earlier in the process. Several members urged the city to use tools such as PUD provisions, bulk regulations, and design standards to encourage variety in housing form rather than repeating similar home types across new subdivisions.

Councilmember Grant and others said recent work sessions and a council briefing had sharpened expectations and asked staff to bring forward concrete zoning-code changes. Planning staff said they would develop recommendations to implement the comprehensive plan and work with the Planning & Zoning Commission (PNZ) on revised design standards and land-use regulations to incentivize housing diversity and guide preliminary plats.

The council’s discussion repeatedly returned to timing: whether design- or form-based requirements are best addressed at the preliminary-plat stage, during rezoning as a PUD, or through citywide code updates. Staff committed to return with code recommendations within about a month to present to council and PNZ.

The motion on second consideration was approved; councilmembers signaled support for broader follow-up work although some said they would have preferred different lot-width outcomes. No recorded roll-call vote was provided in the transcript.

The rezoning itself and the promised follow-up work on zoning codes are separate steps: the ordinance changes the zoning classification for the property; staff must deliver the implementation recommendations and any code amendments to council and PNZ for formal adoption.","Marion City Council approved second consideration of ordinance 25-22 to rezone property east of Lucore Road and north of Artesian Road from SR2 to SR3. Council discussion focused on lot widths, housing form, and planning staff committed to bringing zoning-code changes to implement the comprehensive plan and encourage more diverse housing types.",{"_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},6587814,"Marion council directs staff to pursue traffic calming, tree plantings and signage changes on McGowan Boulevard",572,619000,1191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4&start=619&end=1191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4/thumbnail_619000.jpg","/articles/6587814/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-council-directs-staff-to-pursue-traffic-calming-tree-plantings-and-signage-changes-on-McGowan-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587814-f5719c045f0d9fba018ec21675c54c29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826245&Signature=fxdZZzJ8ew8AQMFWgbIAfpTg2Y5Kq-FidI-LYrNcCKfInZABbXJa-uVidLeWoeQzEdIakWnQzojF4qM4Ifovf2axItejvP10pjEFJd8ctpQzawrAyKERsdOQWa~IffjamQ1~YLH4IoOV8cqjMohdebUFvKCWKHVG0bRtxaqdCZruu~DOz5cN9zX0ygoPwBc4wCypVSWjZwRtXgOPP4HDGUpHegCRVMiu14ggTyWuz0f~Z1axIwChy2U6WM1RsLjhwVUrBUO91cLcyYd6bsStQICf1NOvSC6TiOXCq2dnm8ZXPCAy9KqG-RYuID6X1235Xg1xo9lL59eOHvWWpaswcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion City Council on Aug. 7 directed city staff to implement recommendations from a Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) study of McGowan Boulevard between 30 Fifth Street and 40 Fourth Street, following a petition from neighborhood residents and a TAC presentation.

The council’s action follows a petition signed by 82 nearby residents asking the city to study and make corrective changes to the stretch of McGowan. City staff reported one mid-block crash with a minor injury during the study period and automated traffic enforcement data that showed speeding patterns. The motion to direct staff passed without recorded roll-call tallies.

City public works staff described the TAC recommendations as a mix of low-cost traffic-calming and design changes aimed at reducing speed and improving safety. Mike Gitzmiller, public works staff, told the council the packet included a detailed technical memo and the petition and noted the team held a neighborhood meeting with roughly 82 people in attendance to explain collector-street function and trade-offs. Gitzmiller said the TAC will avoid placing new trees where they would block sightlines at intersections and recommended painting crosswalks, adding street trees in visible locations, adjusting speed-limit signage spacing and deploying speed-feedback trailers that are moved around the city.

Gitzmiller noted the limits of some countermeasures: \"Every study that I've seen only knows how the traffic behavior change those first couple weeks. A month after watching that sign flash, you become immune to it, and it doesn't have the same impact as it has. That's why we are suggesting the speed feedback trailers.\" He said the trailers can be cycled among locations so the effect does not diminish.

Council members discussed where trees would be planted, agreement that trees should not be placed where they impede turning visibility, and that an arborist would evaluate appropriate locations. Council members also discussed that McGowan is classified as a collector street and that portions of the roadway were built and accessed like residential streets in earlier development. Councilman Brandt attended the neighborhood meeting and participated in follow-up questions during the council discussion.

City staff said center islands were not part of the TAC recommendation at this time. Advance written comments received by the city included support for tree plantings (with a request not to place them in intersections) from Bob Martin and a separate comment from Pat Croshong supporting the recommendations and opposing center islands.

The council approved receiving and filing the TAC report and then approved the motion directing staff to proceed as outlined in the report. Council and staff discussed follow-up steps including precise tree placement, sign spacing adjustments, and using the feedback trailer on a temporary or rotating basis to preserve effectiveness.

The TAC report and the council’s direction do not create traffic-control ordinances; they direct staff to implement the committee’s recommendations and bring any code or hardware purchases back to council as needed. The council vote recorded affirmative voice votes and the chair declared the motion approved.

Councilmembers and staff said they expect the measures to be a mixture of short-term deployments (signage and trailers) and longer-term streetscape changes (trees and signage spacing) and that staff will return with implementation details and any budget requests.

For residents: the petition and TAC technical memo are on file with the city clerk; advance written comments from Bob Martin and Pat Croshong were noted in the record.","After a neighborhood petition and public comment, the Marion City Council voted to direct staff to implement recommendations from the Traffic Advisory Committee for McGowan Boulevard between 30 Fifth Street and 40 Fourth Street, including tree plantings (not at intersections), crosswalk repainting and use of mobile speed-feedback trailers.",{"_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},6587801,"Votes at a glance: Marion City Council approves consent agendas and two ordinance considerations",1772,487000,2259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4&start=487&end=2259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547968-185574b6b93d5ba8c21b4d70073555f4/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6587801/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Marion-City-Council-approves-consent-agendas-and-two-ordinance-considerations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587801-c01a8be672ad9ad778dc3ea872b6d76f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826245&Signature=P9Fly1ezQEKO-rcwo1rcbIS1qZG2yVn92vl5pbzPS96EY4kZ4nJvkpn9gxKv-3DuKYVbKIOrPPiu8zbersUPcetushaN6fyB2v9rgtEYPXHnnQsJ5Z3MaPI5lTXMGo-8WoZr23DI-yEpV2mLtLY4~tXLFrn~6vkw1hLY0lmwMRRTgahbi-LCLMTZS9Nhl1bYIOI4cfYVXhdHcxguStF1v5kB9iV6zblmZVJGmWpCqfgyjhjoB-7fn-NYykoKoyhbFYOZMj6KexvLM~vrYN2BT2TWnbnnZoOis53jHrZFHhcTGUvIU28xDg~Q0d9xwwYGnupyxwV6mjgkNRC-JzAg4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Aug. 7 meeting the Marion City Council approved multiple routine and ordinance actions.

Key votes and procedural outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Consent agenda(s): The council approved a consent agenda covering items a1 through e2 and a set of resolutions (the transcript cited resolution series 32478 through 32498 in the first motion) by voice vote. Later the council approved a second consent-agenda motion covering items d1 through e1 with the mayor’s abstention (resolutions 32499 through 32504 were cited in the record). The council declared the motions approved.

- Ordinance 25-23 (sign regulations): The council approved second consideration of ordinance 25-23 amending Chapter 340 of the Marion Code of Ordinances related to sign regulations; the motion passed on a voice vote.

- Traffic Advisory Committee report: The council moved and seconded to receive and file the TAC report regarding McGowan Boulevard and subsequently directed staff to proceed as outlined (see separate article for details).

Other measures detailed elsewhere in the meeting included second consideration approval of ordinance 25-22 (rezoning east of Lucore Road and north of Artesian Road) and initial consideration approval of ordinance 25-24 (zoning text amendments for gas stations within 600 feet of Tower Terrace Road). The transcript shows voice votes and procedural approvals but does not include roll-call vote tallies for these items.

Where the transcript did not record roll-call tallies or the names of movers/seconders, the motions are reported here by text as stated in the meeting and by the stated outcomes.","On Aug. 7 the Marion City Council approved two consent-agenda motions, adopted second consideration of ordinance 25-23 (sign regulations) and approved receipt/filing of the traffic advisory committee report; other formally introduced ordinances advanced as noted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City advances gas-station zoning changes near Tower Terrace Road; limits access, size and number near key intersections

Council approves second consideration of rezoning east of Lucore Road; debate prompts zoning-code review

Marion council directs staff to pursue traffic calming, tree plantings and signage changes on McGowan Boulevard

Votes at a glance: Marion City Council approves consent agendas and two ordinance considerations