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Resident urges Highway 28 wall at Sunset Drive; council directs staff to review
Summary
A Sunset Drive homeowner asked the council to add a decorative privacy wall to the Highway 28 beautification plan at two properties; council asked staff to investigate costs and any required right-of-way approvals and placed the topic on a future agenda.
A Norwalk homeowner urged the City Council on April 17 to add a decorative wall on Highway 28 adjacent to his property, and the council directed staff to research the proposal and bring findings back to a future meeting.
Dale Bienenberg identified himself from 8833 Sunset Drive and asked the council to consider building a wall at 8833 and 8825 Sunset Drive as part of the Highway 28 Beautification Project. Bienenberg said such a wall would "greatly enhance our enjoyment of our properties and also add value to our properties" and would improve the corridor's visual continuity. He said nearby development and a change in state right-of-way rules created an opportunity he believes the city should consider.
At the future-agenda item discussion later in the meeting, the council voted to direct staff to take a closer look at the Highway 28 fencing proposal and return to council with engineering review and any cost estimates. The motion was made by Council member Cool and seconded by Council member Baker; the motion carried on a voice vote.
Staff clarification: During council updates staff later advised that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) had not already granted the property-owner the permission to place fence or wall in the state right-of-way, contrary to an assertion made by the speaker; DOT approval would be required and is not yet confirmed.
Why it matters: If the city pursues the wall as part of the Highway 28 project, the work would intersect state right-of-way rules and cost-sharing considerations. Property owners along the corridor and the city's capital plan could be affected, and DOT approvals would be needed before work could proceed.
Ending: Staff will report back with engineering analysis, potential costs, and any DOT permissions or constraints at a future council meeting.
