[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6471615,"mediaKeyId","5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791","parentId",5782460,"title","Norwalk council approves paving and street contracts, plats and several code amendments; summaries and vote results","audioSeconds",534,"startMs",2388000,"endMs",2922000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791&start=2388&end=2922","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791/thumbnail_2388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471615/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-council-approves-paving-and-street-contracts-plats-and-several-code-amendments-summaries-and-vote-results","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471615-f78b834499e041a8a57791110e4d7afc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166524&Signature=gXj5NNpjK3xIQisvhohp~hUXUSZExxYlODn2~aEaIyjylQOg6SR5395m0sdPVDP29sY4QnKyW7J32CINDRt20EFDjKmMbjTqpwxKbI129Iu1BJn4MRTARUQxk5Y7GqwyyztsqpXP4KdIqqzP9Yidr03XYjVV74S1eWo2~kcuIQzqTv4x8mhS2e2MORT0EV1Rai2vtHUcRUAydJ5I3BPPAE3RQpBdF8qCRYPS5glIEf0qDI1nPHIrC8kgCEWNAK9btIr~nkT9m9dP4BqY9EpOaEogGl3a83Tzxawl9xZFc-my2T~qt3vUWcyxLBfHWb4iB1ca4Cd3wUdsg3FUu2HIZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk","date","2025-09-18T22:54:22Z","article","Norwalk City Council actions in brief (Sept. 18, 2025):

- Fiftieth Avenue pavement rehabilitation project — plans/specs approved (resolution), contract awarded to Diamond Surface Incorporated, and contract & bond approved. The council awarded the contract to Diamond Surface Inc. for $870,458.85. Motions passed unanimously. (Motions: approve plans/specs — moved by Livingston, seconded by Baker; award contract — moved by Baker, seconded by Meineke; approve contract and bond — moved by Meineke, seconded by Baker.)

- 2025 Street Rehabilitation project — plans/specs approved, contract awarded to Brothers Concrete, and contract & bond approved. Council awarded Brothers Concrete the contract for $533,981.40; motions passed unanimously. (Motions: approve plans/specs — moved by Livingston; award contract — moved by Livingston, seconded by Brown; approve contract and bond — moved by Meineke, seconded by Brown.)

- Shadow Creek Estates Townhomes Plat 4 — Council accepted infrastructure and approved the final plat for 36 townhomes. Motion passed unanimously.

- Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) zoning amendment — Second reading of the ordinance to adopt ADU zoning changes passed. Roll call: Baker — No; Brown — Yes; Poole — Yes; Livingston — Yes; Meineke — Yes. (Motion by Brown, seconded by Meineke.)

- Open-burning regulations — Second reading passed to amend Chapter 53 (recreational fire distances and prohibited materials). Roll call: unanimous yes.

- Fireworks ordinance — Second reading passed to conform local code to recent state law changes restricting allowable dates and times (July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31 with expanded hours). Roll call: Brown — No; other members yes. Council also voted to waive the third reading.

- Future agenda item — Council voted to initiate a zoning amendment process to consider easement/garage setback changes requested by a resident; motion passed. (Motion by Baker, seconded by Meineke.)

Each of the above items produced the formal motions and roll-call votes summarized here. Several projects (Fiftieth Avenue; 2025 Street Rehabilitation) followed a three-resolution sequence: approval of plans/specifications, award of contract to lowest responsive bidder, and approval of contract and bond to authorize payment. Council staff reported bid reviews, references and preconstruction scheduling for the awarded contractors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 18, 2025 Norwalk City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 18 meeting the council approved multiple street rehabilitation contracts, final plats and code changes, including awards to Diamond Surface Inc. and Brothers Concrete and second readings of ADU and open-burning ordinances. Key vote tallies are included.","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},6471620,"Norwalk council asks staff to draft rules on gates and barriers after public concerns about access and aesthetics",1110,2947000,4057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791&start=2947&end=4057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791/thumbnail_2947000.jpg","/articles/6471620/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-council-asks-staff-to-draft-rules-on-gates-and-barriers-after-public-concerns-about-access-and-aesthetics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471620-6b7dc2b2ffd73a46584509b194d2e16c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166524&Signature=DeYB5DT8nouKYiV3pf~VCmeTLJPqBwvUPkMMvTbuGnJBkk4MDmkbV23xKrfFd6L-2bI8RwEvXEwODqpt5~wWJkOrTyi6QKrVrGyUigFi87iVhJOxXnW79V26ipuutTMEce7ybVCB1KQgjg-M~2-8j5yVoAjU2JxTXcfdFe8bUVSB14Xvi7nPObL~M-8hXE867OeyrXzgsT4VEx-jREqzWiM1XHSZ~eJHhR8Qeh-5177E6Us6WeJv9zd3QQpm93JDOvqBkpgzZQd2Lv0fp9CMtL663UJjek-wSEfpoigzFWUjW0izc7D9His9hZdeCP9LcOApUQ6QBGlO7M78pSvfhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 18, 2025, to initiate an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance to create rules for gates and barriers, and asked staff to draft language to take to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Council directed staff to develop objective standards that address safety, emergency access and appearance after hearing from city staff, property owners and neighbors. The discussion covered a range of uses — from gated single-family drives to bollards and decorative wing gates at small commercial properties — and noted that current zoning contains no explicit guidance.

Luke, a city staff member, told council the code “is pretty blank” on gates and barriers and that the city needs explicit direction so staff can craft standards covering when gates or barriers can be used and what aesthetic or fire-department requirements should apply. He said the request could apply to properties ranging from single-family homes to mini-storage and industrial properties.

Doctor Cook of the Iowa Hearing Center (1228 Sunset Drive) described parking and security concerns at a narrow site near High Road and Sunset Drive. He said the parcel is small and exempt from some access requirements, that the owner previously requested an entrance on High Road that the council declined, and that the property currently receives overflow parking from adjacent businesses. “When we talk about the number of dollars that is going into this property, we're talking millions of dollars of equipment, construction, economic development, that it is my first and foremost priority to protect that property,” he said.

Council members discussed competing priorities: maintaining pedestrian and vehicular connectivity versus allowing property owners to protect private property from nonresidents and unauthorized use. Several cited fire-department access as the decisive safety consideration for barriers, and others emphasized aesthetics after staff displayed pictures of poor examples.

The council’s motion (initiating ordinance language and sending direction to planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission) passed unanimously. Council member Brown moved the resolution; Council member Meineke seconded.","Council voted to initiate a zoning amendment and send it to the Planning & Zoning Commission to define when gates and barriers (including bollards) are allowed, balancing security, fire access and aesthetics.",{"_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},6471625,"Norwalk approves Hackney Hills plat 1 but bars building permits on lots draining to failed retaining wall",1546,824000,2370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791&start=824&end=2370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782460-2f7d1f1dd691bd49d9db72dbc8474791/thumbnail_824000.jpg","/articles/6471625/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-approves-Hackney-Hills-plat-1-but-bars-building-permits-on-lots-draining-to-failed-retaining-wall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471625-02bba53d97576b15f00a58c99b1912c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166524&Signature=ZQoZPTFvELBkxuHjPvuBckV4S1OroC0xwMRwzfgVv5WwBQhYTC4XN~CEYJ--dUAVYxXgM0F8A7S5V~JpIRuJOUn0XqQu~dARv0MZwupHcNe9e9T7s9yT6xqeWJoQoT8zhjec-SkgaIWX-waxi2UcwAT6KIerMR3EizQ9iNv2lSTaCfqdRoot80Gb3pzJuhJVgW1a4-vUEmAns5Z2u-AY3Z5JGcDqfi43A~ofqVvSv92N1ERztw2-EifJ6OfO46WqepLWRCbZMLZV4CPDK-4p65wN8aq0oZu1JmSOsoiZ9hXFmi0Dp9SfhbXKV2XNXv~f0ei9IoYPVjD8bWG-W2LjMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk City Council voted to accept public infrastructure and approve the final plat for Hackney Hills Plat 1 on Sept. 18, 2025, but amended the approval to prohibit building permits for Lots 21 through 64 until a privately owned retaining wall near Outlot X is repaired and inspected by city staff.

Council action came after residents and council members raised concerns that an existing retaining wall adjacent to a private stormwater detention area has shifted and allowed silt to move downstream toward Lake Colchester. The plat, part of the Hackney Hills planned unit development, covers 68 townhomes and includes one public street (Walsh Avenue) and several private streets and outlots intended for future development.

Why it matters: Council accepted only the public infrastructure (water, sewer and public streets) while leaving unresolved private improvements that affect stormwater control. Residents and nearby districts, including the Lakewood Recreation District, were cited by speakers as stakeholders directly affected if sediment continues to reach the lake.

City planning staff told council the public infrastructure passed final inspection and recommended acceptance, but acknowledged a private retaining wall at Outlot X has “sunk” and will require repair. Jennifer Ellison, a Jerry’s Homes representative, told council, “We do have a plan in place. I expect that to fully be resolved within the next 30 to 40 days depending on weather.” Melissa Hills, a civil engineering consultant, said heavy, repeated rain events this summer caused silt-fence and temporary erosion controls to fail and that those measures have since been restabilized.

Several speakers urged caution before finalizing approvals. A resident warned council that approving the plat while the wall and detention-area issues remain unresolved would invite complaints from neighbors and the Lakewood Rec District if silt continues to reach the lake. Council members debated whether the city could enforce repairs on private improvements. Staff noted the city can withhold building and occupancy permits on lots that rely on the private improvements until those improvements meet standards.

Council amended the staff-recommended acceptance with a written condition: Lots 21 through 64 may not receive building permits until the retaining wall is repaired and the repair is inspected and accepted by the city. Jennifer Ellison told the council the developer would not begin foundations on the lots adjacent to the wall and suggested that, once the wall is complete, Jerry’s Homes would notify the city and provide photographic evidence; the city would then schedule an inspection to clear the hold on permits.

The final motion to accept the public infrastructure with the condition passed on a 4–1 vote: Yes — Brown, Cool, Meineke, Baker; No — Livingston. The motion was made by Council member Baker and seconded by Council member Brown.

Next steps: Jerry’s Homes and its contractors will proceed with the private retaining-wall repairs; staff and the developer agreed a short period of inspection/confirmation would follow completion. Council members said they would use the building-permit process to ensure private repairs are completed before any affected lots are occupied.","City council accepted public infrastructure for Hackney Hills plat 1 but added a condition barring building permits for Lots 21–64 until a privately owned retaining wall and associated detention-basin issues are repaired and inspected.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwalk council approves paving and street contracts, plats and several code amendments; summaries and vote results

Norwalk council asks staff to draft rules on gates and barriers after public concerns about access and aesthetics

Norwalk approves Hackney Hills plat 1 but bars building permits on lots draining to failed retaining wall