Waverly council adopts state-mandated ADU ordinance; approves grants, project payments and proclamations

The City of Waverly City Council on July 7 adopted Ordinance No. 1170, adding a chapter to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under the Waverly Municipal Code. The council passed the ordinance on a unanimous vote and also approved a series of resolutions, a mayoral appointment and a proclamation for the return of the Shield Bantam Company timeline.

The ordinance change was presented as a compliance action after a new state law that took effect July 1 requires municipalities to permit ADUs that meet local zoning limits. Mayor Mark Anderson, presiding, read the ordinance and led the council through the required second and third readings. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.

Why it matters: the ordinance updates local zoning to allow smaller, detached or attached secondary units on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling. Supporters said ADUs could accommodate multigenerational living and modest infill housing; critics said the council was compelled by the state and questioned potential effects on neighborhoods and taxes.

Council debate and staff clarifications

Councilmember Draco (full name not provided in the record) said the measure was “being mandated by the state legislature,” and voiced frustration that the Legislature was directing local housing rules. Mayor Mark Anderson said the ordinance implements the statutory size limits in practical terms, noting “These ADUs are small houses, 1,000 square feet or 50% of the size of the single-family dwelling that’s also on the lot.”

City staff member James (last name not given) told the council the ordinance took effect July 1 and that staff were still working through implementation details, including how county assessment and taxation will treat ADUs. James said, “It’s not a separate parcel. Right. It’s a separate building on that same parcel. So we’re not sure how that’s going to be, taxed or looked at.”

Other council members offered varying perspectives. One council member related a personal experience exploring the ADU option and described ADUs as a growing trend; another urged caution about possible student rentals in a college town context. No changes to the ordinance were reported; the council suspended the rules and moved to the third reading and adoption during the same meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 1170 (Accessory dwelling units — ADUs): adopted (third reading) — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Resolution 25-93 (support/commitment of local matching funds for a 2025 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant for 123 East Bremer Ave; $5,000 per housing unit, total $10,000 commitment if awarded): approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Resolution 25-94 (accept Harlington Cemetery monument restoration Phase 7 as complete; approve final payment $10,000 to Maiman Monuments of Waverly, Iowa): approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Resolution 25-95 (accept Waverly Civic Center limestone columns repair as complete; approve change order No. 2 for +$2,935 and final payment $25,560 to Map Construction of Sumner, Iowa): approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Resolution 25-96 (accept Memorial Park concept plan revision as complete; approve final payment $392.50 to MSA Professional Services Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa): approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Resolution 25-92 (amend contract/retainage for Waverly Aquatic Center: adjust progress payment retainage from 5% to 3% per new state rule; approve change order No. 1): approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Ordinance No. 1169 (vacate public right-of-way adjacent to 16th Ave SW and 8th St SW): second reading approved — vote: unanimous (4-0). - Ordinance No. 1171 (repeal chapter 32 — Human Equity and Diversity Commission): failed for lack of a second (no formal roll call). - Mayoral appointment of Jacob Farren to Waverly Board of Adjustments (term to 05/01/2030): approved (voice vote, unanimous). - Consent calendar (14 items after pulling item No. 7 roofing for later consideration): approved as amended (voice vote, unanimous). - Proclamation: Proclaim July 20, 2025 as “Welcome Home Day” for the Shield Bantam Company plant timeline; adopted (voice vote, unanimous).

Other business and staff reports

Tom Baker, identified at the meeting as the volunteer leading the Shield Bantam timeline project, said the timeline will be displayed as an open house from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, during Heritage Days. Baker described the timeline as a multi-panel graphic roughly 70 feet long that has been returned to the community and said organizers are seeking a permanent home for the panels.

Parks and public works updates included the reopening of First Home Park Playground (replaced after an October fire), demolition progress at the old pool site, and near-completion of the Veil Trail bridge (final brackets and fence mounts pending). Staff member Justin (last name not provided) said the trail work should be completed within weeks.

What the council did not decide or could not yet answer

City staff repeatedly noted implementation details that remain unresolved and were outside the scope of immediate action. Specifically: how counties will assess ADUs for property tax purposes was described as “not sure” and “part of the stuff we’re trying to figure out.” The council did not adopt additional clarifying local tax or assessment rules at the meeting.

Looking ahead

Several projects approved for final payment are now closed out administratively; the council indicated the Memorial Park concept will require further funding steps and could take multiple years to implement. The Aquatic Center contract amendment reflects a recent change in state law on retainage percentages that took effect July 1.

Mayor Mark Anderson closed the meeting by urging residents to move from observation to community service, praising long-serving volunteers and boards.