Council approves first reading to rezone Kettlestone Central lot for five‑story mixed‑use building

The Waukee City Council on first reading approved an ordinance to rezone a 2.96‑acre parcel in the Kettlestone Central area from KRC to KMU/PD1, allowing a five‑story mixed‑use building with office space on the first floor and 92 multifamily dwelling units above. Planning staff member Andy presented the request on behalf of the owner and applicant, Caliber Land Company LLC, and described the concept as a five‑story L‑shaped building with a first‑floor financial institution (including a drive‑through) and 92 dwelling units, resulting in roughly 31.5 units per acre. The applicant requested a plan development overlay to allow a rounded density limit of 32 units per acre and to address setback requirements in the KMU district; Andy said existing public utility and sanitary sewer easements along the north property line prevent the building from meeting the KMU maximum 20‑foot setback in some locations. During the public hearing, Veronica Lent, a Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner, asked whether soil types, tile/drainage maps and karst limestone or wetland designations had been considered for the site and how drainage would be handled after converting former farmland. Andy responded that the property was rezoned for retail in 2024 and not recently farmed, that preliminary plat and subdivision engineering review included stormwater management and that a regional stormwater detention basin in a nearby outlot would serve this development. No written correspondence was filed with the city clerk. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at its Aug. 12 meeting. Mayor Clark introduced the ordinance and moved to approve the first reading in title only; the council voted in favor (Council member Grove, Pierce, Battenberg, Kron and Sinclair indicated yes). No final ordinance adoption or building permits were decided at this meeting; zoning approval was an early step in the development review process. Speakers in the public hearing and staff responses were limited to questions about soil, drainage, and how utilities affect setbacks; staff said those matters are addressed during platting, engineering and building permit reviews. The council’s approval permits the developer to continue with subsequent plan development, engineering and permit stages where detailed stormwater and site engineering will be reviewed.