Urbandale council approves rezoning for 34-acre Timberline Village Knapp property

The Urbandale City Council on Aug. 4 approved Ordinance 2025-15 to rezone about 34 acres in the Timberline Village area at the east end of Quail Ridge Drive from A-1 agricultural reserve to R-1S suburban-density single-family. The rezoning, introduced by Assistant Community Development Director Christy Bales, will allow single-family detached housing on land that previously required a 20-acre minimum lot size under A-1 zoning. Council approval included conditions listed in the staff report, notably a minimum lot width of 75 feet for certain adjacent lots, coordination of Aurora Avenue access with the adjoining school property to the north, and sanitary sewer easements and agreements. Bales told the council the parcel fronts Aurora Avenue and is designated for single-family neighborhoods and parks/open space in Urbandale’s comprehensive plan. She said a preliminary plat has been submitted for portions of the site and that the developer plans to break the project into at least three plats. Bales recommended approval, noting prior rezoning action on a smaller portion of the property about four years earlier and asking that the applicant match adjacent lot widths. Tom Whitman, representing Knapp Properties, described proposed lot widths in the preliminary plat as generally 100 feet for the red-highlighted lots and said other lots are planned at about 90 to 100 feet; he said one cul-de-sac would remain a closed loop rather than be extended to Aurora because crossing ravines would require substantial grading and culverts. Whitman also said the project aims to preserve trees where feasible and that the developer is open to the staff conditions. Councilmembers asked staff and the applicant about drainage and topography, trail and parkland dedication, and whether the 75-foot minimum was required; Bales said the 75-foot condition dated from the earlier rezoning and could be removed if council preferred but that the developer was planning wider lots anyway. No members of the public spoke for or against the rezoning during the public hearing. A motion to approve Ordinance 2025-15 was made and seconded; the mayor called for a vote and the motion passed.