[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6461566,"mediaKeyId","5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9","parentId",5823932,"title","Planning commission actions: agenda, minutes, multiple approvals and new development director introduced","audioSeconds",2098,"startMs",332000,"endMs",2430000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9&start=332&end=2430","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9/thumbnail_332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461566/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Planning-commission-actions-agenda-minutes-multiple-approvals-and-new-development-director-introduced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461566-51ce18c740d4f1d110bbaf2ed9ef3fc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145212&Signature=T-ANA6Q9mCDb-dUYy1iPDG9uSxXBHv5keTqIinv1WzlukTJsNJsgxxPCRmf1UCJmEpKNyWYr2k1CcJ9TKqi1NtEwHkEQzwHmXx4MY0~4Rlc3wY8LXclKBim~YxcKPxYjSFdLbFa5oP1vIY3Yiyy-PCyfv2Badw6jkgq-k7z9VAcI2iGI5jhny7oVR0qbeWCfu5Oe3UyoYbcln13Uq04XgNszVIUd5Pp8tLdFAZYdEHQP9Sntv5mSAkgpK1M1yn3Heafayjj3pM18Yv~wh0dfXoWVh5sk-6cQdgjkaaxWbYx78SQN8QBG5eDLiCpZZH2~Y7NHyVdSxrZrgyK3Fa~3gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Indianola","date","2025-09-24T12:12:58.887Z","article","The Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission took several routine and substantive actions at its Sept. 23 meeting and heard updates from staff.

Key votes and motions

- Approval of meeting agenda (09/23/2025): motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of meeting minutes (07/22/2025): motion passed unanimously.
- Ordinance amendment (Chapter 165.02) to change minimum public-notice period to not less than 4 days and not more than 20 days: commission recommended approval (unanimous). See article on notice-period amendment for details.
- Rezoning for Spruce Tree (R2/C2 to R2) and related Elevate Indianola future land-use amendment: commission recommended approval of both items (unanimous). See article on Spruce Tree rezoning for details.
- Preliminary plat for Pickard Estates (22 townhome units, 35 single-family lots): commission recommended approval subject to staff comments (unanimous). See article on Pickard Estates for details.
- Approval of plat of survey for Parcel 25-072 (John and Mary Peterson): motion passed unanimously.
- Motion to adjourn: passed.

Building permits and staff update

City staff presented the building-permit report. Bill (staff) introduced Bryce Johnson as the city’s new Community and Economic Development Director; Bryce Johnson briefly spoke about meeting with commissioners and said he looks forward to discussing potential commercial and entertainment development, commenting that restaurants and retail remain priorities. Johnson said he started a week earlier.

Other business

Commissioners discussed pending development items such as Summercrest Hills North and a proposed grocer and intersection signal funding; participants noted a possible $700,000 stoplight signal cost discussed in a separate conversation about incentives. Commissioners and staff discussed timing uncertainties because of IDOT processes on access and corridor studies.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Zoning - September 23rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 23 meeting the Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission approved the agenda and minutes, recommended approval of several planning items including a notice-period code amendment, rezoning and plats, and heard a building-permit report and an introduction of the city’s new Community and Economic Development Director.","taxTitle","Indianola, Warren County, Iowa","taxId",55656,"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},6461574,"Commission approves preliminary plat for Pickard Estates; developer requests waiver for street-jog standard",465,921000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9&start=921&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9/thumbnail_921000.jpg","/articles/6461574/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Commission-approves-preliminary-plat-for-Pickard-Estates-developer-requests-waiver-for-street-jog-standard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461574-b32952a92e08b757c478996d2b5ac272/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145212&Signature=bG7kKzp~FE~ot9B6Ias4vJTWl6d-VN1LTXaebmLahEF7aKiB5fzk6-Z1Os4Ns8cTv5U-zBLja~sw5Tvzx9ZURbN9nl8JSk7CmW3BRXckT93BwJViuSPO~Ghf3hJBLIV2wSr9XqfMayVtC8ehFH8nkQ0iA-1RPCDXFmAUAKYDNkkC4ob4Z1DgBPy0Wr01IlxYAnjtACP8vSq4U0XNwtSygwH3CAR-dIHYEr7A~snRCv9fam~0TGCQ8wF3nWNuTGIMjP9y76VP04Bmx4-nHantbwdPVspw2hMzCNAj6S9A5gBkfbCocZBDH9uCXTCdHzsJ7OAH0QLnXs-rxaTINy1dbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission voted Sept. 23 to recommend approval of a preliminary plat for Pickard Estates, a residential subdivision of just over 18 acres south of Highway 92 and east of South 15th Street that proposes 22 townhome units and 35 single-family lots.

City planning staff said the developer, ITown Investment Group LLC represented by Jason Ludden, submitted a plat that includes a 2.02-acre outlot (Outlot X) intended for stormwater detention and several street lots to be deeded to the city for public rights-of-way. Townhome lot sizes range from 2,952 to 3,096 square feet; single-family lots range from about 9,100 to 21,103 square feet. Staff recommended approval subject to remaining staff comments.

Staff and the applicant asked the commission to grant a waiver to the subdivision ordinance’s street-jog spacing requirement. The ordinance normally requires 300-foot spacing for certain jogs; the applicant requested approximately 140–150 feet at two locations to make the lot layout workable without access to Highway 92. “The developer is asking for a council waiver on part of the subdivision ordinance, which ties the street jogs,” a planning staff member said, explaining the layout rationale. The staff member and engineer said the shorter jogs were necessary because the state (IDOT) had denied access to South 18th Street pending a corridor study.

Engineer Eric Cannon said IDOT “is not gonna grant an access permit at this location” while it completes a corridor study and that the city and DOT continue to work on an access-management plan. Cannon and staff said they had coordinated with fire, public works and other departments on emergency access and did not expect life-safety issues from the proposed jog reductions.

The commission also discussed stormwater detention. Staff said the stormwater basin would be owned and maintained by the association and that the design could help reduce peak flows that have previously damaged trails and culverts at nearby Pickard Park. A commissioner urged staff to work with the city’s Doug Bylund on detention design to protect downstream park infrastructure.

After discussion, the commission approved the preliminary plat with recorded unanimous support; staff will follow up on remaining comments and the applicant will return materials for review.

","The commission recommended approval of a preliminary plat for Pickard Estates, an 18-acre residential project with 22 townhome units and 35 single-family lots, subject to staff comments and a waiver request that reduces two required street-jog spacings from 300 feet to roughly 140–150 feet.",{"_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},6461578,"Commission recommends rezoning for Spruce Tree townhomes; developer to submit final plat",379,527000,906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9&start=527&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9/thumbnail_527000.jpg","/articles/6461578/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Commission-recommends-rezoning-for-Spruce-Tree-townhomes-developer-to-submit-final-plat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461578-47ddd82104f8fd6431e5eca090413d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145212&Signature=H50oSMwBuQE370ljJnLl4pjCV2xF1gBTzzbkPXTz6RaG6YeaaPv7ef0VsFfEmL2M7whrXuoYtT6t7BcCDLyJ5ZVw9Ggg7UuSa3CWtTes1yoZP5l7Hv6nD7WtIzyLRomFI3XXp4nEKShGRN3xWLm7-4HAjHL4MR4jWzIYk53PKitUQazfCPReiPTuB24U7EwLOYLjkLOGlaCyicXU~ZD4NBgO65U3dsiC5lAcqdVZzQKRfK3F4H~sEbddjqVW2VJ-sKZR1bYiGFiN8AT6DDZqKGNIngejoa~fogaMFYWtB3zR6kL9Mxj4vIl4vyOf1aZw5HfTlZZYT6rQQvKCITxxDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission voted Sept. 23 to recommend rezoning a roughly 1-acre property north of Highway 92 and west of South Komenal Boulevard to R2 (single-family attached) to allow a six-unit townhome/duplex project known as Spruce Tree.

A city planning staff member summarized the application by Cody Sinclair of New Era Homes and owner ACD Ventures LLC, and said the site is already platted as Lot 6 of Leonard Subdivision Plat 2. The property currently carries split zoning of R2 and C2. Staff reported that notice was mailed to nearby property owners on Sept. 12 and that rezoning signs were posted. “At this time, I've received 1 call that was in favor of the rezoning application,” the staff member said.

Cody Sinclair was present as the applicant. Neighbor Tom Comfort, vice president of the West Pine Town Home Association, said residents to the west and north are “in favor of townhomes going in there.” Eric Cannon, the project engineer with Snyder Associates, described the plan as “very, very similar to what's across the street” and said the proposal would likely be three buildings (three duplexes) totaling six units.

The commission voted on two related motions: one to approve the rezoning and a second to recommend the corresponding amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan (Elevate Indianola) to change the future land-use designation to low-to-medium density residential (up to 15 dwelling units per growth acre). Both motions passed with all members voting yes.

Next steps: The applicant must submit a final plat for staff review and then present the recommendation to the City Council.

","The commission recommended approval of a rezoning and a future-land-use-map amendment for a roughly 1-acre site north of Highway 92 to allow six townhome/duplex units, after brief public comment from an adjacent homeowners association and project engineer.",{"_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},6461584,"Planning commission approves minor zoning-code change to shorten public-notice minimum",88,417000,505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9&start=417&end=505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6461584/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Planning-commission-approves-minor-zoning-code-change-to-shorten-public-notice-minimum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461584-f5e8e17bf51d91df4042ff17bba5940d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145212&Signature=fp7d9Eu4d-9~HQb~QkEzVQPqn0USUXfDqNjq9XD4IvgCshMjzxudqgGi4wmalnKwGhLlBSRwckKsH~kP~GQeHXC0CzyeC~ezd0ht7FMayHbr7HDv7iz6coMER~UZ6amQvRhCiB90ASYqmt6MTpItQZfLcdaDfjxdXmUuccV2r0MMx7nHuUNI23~kd8kXm8-K3K9Gsiftzc8k-4Xg1OmQa4UGmTOSURMW8mYFs0CsXtYPu6Aebsff~5TlvD~9d3XY3ucpt3~ytWbp-ufDY0oWxgxJUu~~gRtemZEMoynPqySi~1FReVe0f~qp9XMpnP9w2qDW-OnBa9cJ7sFrJCOiHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 23 to approve an ordinance amending Chapter 165.02 of the city zoning code to change the minimum public-notice period from seven days to four days.

A city planning staff member opened the public hearing and told the commission the change responds to recent state updates to public-noticing requirements. “The state recommends that we do the existing language in the zoning ordinances for not less than 7 days nor more than 20. The state is updating that to to 4 days on not less than 4 days, not more than 20 days,” the staff member said. The staff member described the revision as “pretty basic” and limited to two places in the ordinance (section 165.02 d 5).

The commission heard no public comments during the hearing and closed the record before taking a vote. A motion to approve the ordinance passed with all members voting in favor.

Why it matters: The change aligns the city’s zoning notice windows with the recent state directive and affects how soon property owners and the public are notified of certain land-use proceedings. The amendment is procedural; it does not change what types of actions require notice or the maximum 20-day window.

What happens next: With the commission’s recommendation, the ordinance will move forward to the City Council for final action before the revised notice period becomes effective.

","The Indianola Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend an ordinance amending Chapter 165.02 to change the minimum public-notice period from seven days to four days, following state revisions to public-notice timing requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461571,"Commission approves plat of survey for Parcel 25-072; resurvey will permit single-family residence",285,1826000,2111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9&start=1826&end=2111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823932-25ea8253e404c43d4a34937b568874b9/thumbnail_1826000.jpg","/articles/6461571/Indianola/Warren-County/Iowa/Commission-approves-plat-of-survey-for-Parcel-25-072-resurvey-will-permit-single-family-residence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461571-4805a8b8fc30721fcbf51d157e13cc9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145212&Signature=l8dYiGJVjwIah8iudf8nyNxO-yLo3qwXC38hlDu1ndm8us6heYRogRf7amhKtGLrOO5vcsm5-F5E21ZtKoWH0CRS6VR9iUgqArtrj-AwxbmjtML4FNnCn3Gf7a-SeU6TccSinwe6UDp2wpo-Dkv0r6lgthhl7ISNBSPYOneeIqKdkzrD4LSDCPeukKgiJD~siTGNYjdhUsXhZfJ9NGSZ3drZb5XOLXVTvmmepxTx1ivUuKSk5UyTnF4IfE7NmrJrtlQc6RO3PC-3Bw6F0v~3~pJoXUqnH2RAXoH0OGCBkCrL9-Uzpb3WgNZCI7fukKEF2P~MK14ymdTm~mrXb6jJ3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 23 approved a plat of survey for Parcel 25-072, clearing the way for a single-family residence in a priority growth area east of R 63 and north of Highway 92.

Planning staff said the 2-acre parcel nets about 1.7 acres after accounting for the highway right-of-way easement. The property was voluntarily annexed into the city previously and is zoned R1 (single-family residential). Staff said the proposed use complies with the city’s future land-use designation of low-to-medium density residential and recommended approval.

The applicant listed on the record is Ryan Robbins and the owners are John and Mary Peterson; Chad Asbury of Cooper, Crawford and Associates was present as the applicant’s representative. A motion to approve the plat as amended passed unanimously.

","The commission approved a plat of survey for Parcel 25-072 to allow construction of a single-family residence within a priority growth area; the owners are John and Mary Peterson and the applicant is Ryan Robbins.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission actions: agenda, minutes, multiple approvals and new development director introduced

Commission approves preliminary plat for Pickard Estates; developer requests waiver for street-jog standard

Commission recommends rezoning for Spruce Tree townhomes; developer to submit final plat

Planning commission approves minor zoning-code change to shorten public-notice minimum

Commission approves plat of survey for Parcel 25-072; resurvey will permit single-family residence