Sioux City Council approves Chestnut Hill site plan with sidewalk requirement after debate on driveways and snow removal

The Sioux City Council voted to approve a site plan for 292981 Anna Circle in the Chestnut Hill development, adding an amendment that requires a sidewalk along the southerly frontage of Blue Drive.

The action overturned a Planning and Zoning Commission denial and came after a public hearing where city staff, the applicant and councilmembers discussed requested waivers to municipal code driveway and setback standards, on‑street parking constraints, and how snow removal would be handled.

The council’s decision matters because the development combines 17 lots into attached units and asks the city to waive typical code distances that affect how driveways and sidewalks function for residents and city services. Councilmembers said they wanted to lock in the sidewalk requirement so a future council would not have to revisit the issue.

City planning staff explained the applicant had requested three waivers to municipal code requirements. Staff said the municipal code normally requires a 10‑foot interior side yard setback, a 20‑foot…