Waukee council approves rezoning for 210-unit Kettlestone Lakes apartments after resident traffic concerns

The Waukee City Council approved a second reading on the rezoning for Kettlestone Lakes Apartments, a proposed 210-unit development on about 12.18 acres south of Southeast Ashworth Road and west of Grand Prairie Parkway. During the meeting Ramona Callender, who lives at 3250 Ashworth Road, spoke during open forum and urged the council to require an updated traffic study and to ensure buffers and driveway protections between the new road and her property. “Traffic liability added added apartments could boost daily trips on Tulane Ashworth… I’m requesting a new study done just for the liability and safety of the city and my property,” Callender said. Mayor Clark and city staff told Callender that the 2017 traffic study used for the Kettlestone master plan evaluated full buildout and therefore anticipated significant traffic; they said staff will coordinate with Foth Engineering to review the existing study and determine if an updated study is required. Brad (city staff) noted the master plan allowed up to 30 units per acre in the mixed-use district and said the proposed apartment density is lower, at about 18 units per acre. The second reading approved by council allows the apartments to proceed under the Kettlestone zoning framework; the council did not adopt additional conditions at the meeting. Staff said details such as specific roadway alignments, buffer plantings and driveway protections will be addressed during site-plan review and subsequent permitting. Callender asked for a gate or other measure to prevent vehicles from using her driveway and for tree protections; staff said they will follow up and keep her informed. No formal vote totals were recorded in the public comment exchange; the council’s roll call on the ordinance second reading recorded unanimous yes votes from council members present. The rezoning moves the project to the site-plan and permitting phase, where traffic-engineering details, egress, access control and landscape buffers will be addressed prior to building permits.