Jackson County zoning commissioners voted to approve a draft text amendment to the county zoning ordinance and to forward the draft to the Board of Supervisors for their public hearing and final action.

County planning staff presented the overhaul as a reorganization and modernization of the code, saying it is intended to align the ordinance with the county's vision and Iowa law, make the code easier for residents and attorneys to use, and incorporate clearer definitions, tables and illustrations. "The goals are we want this to be user friendly," the presenter said, describing a restructure from three chapters to six and the addition of ‘‘over 200 definitions and cross references' to the Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code.

Why it matters: The rewrite alters how several routine matters are handled and could speed permitting. Staff said the update consolidates district regulations, moves sign and parking standards into single sections, creates broader use categories (so the ordinance need not list obsolete business types), renames "special exceptions" as "conditional uses," and includes administrative waivers and a clearer pre-application checklist intended to reduce delays for applicants.

Burial-site screening: One of the most substantive additions is a screening process for potential burial sites. Staff said the county developed an "official map of potential" burial areas with help from GIS and the Office of the State Archaeologist; that map is sensitive and will not be released to the public. Staff explained that permits for certain major actions' including flood-plain permits, subdivisions, conditional uses and rezonings' will include a required review of that map so applicants are notified early. "Burial sites are not allowed to be made public information," the presenter said, and the Office of the State Archaeologist would guide next steps if a potential site is identified, including on-site inspection by trained archaeologists when necessary. Staff also reminded members that statutory criminal penalties apply for disturbing identified burial sites.

Commission questions focused on disclosure and landowner notice. Commissioners asked whether identified mounds had been found in the county and whether landowners would be informed; staff answered that some sites have been identified historically (often near rivers) but that the sensitive map itself cannot be published by county staff; when a formal identification occurs, the state notifies the applicant and state rules drive any required real estate disclosure.

Other key changes: Staff said the commission supported increasing maximum sign area in commercial and industrial districts (from 100 to 200 square feet) and consolidating sign calculations with illustrations. The draft also moves temporary uses and many minor administrative matters to staff-level approval where appropriate, and adds a step-by-step Chapter 2 pre-application process to help applicants identify requirements early in the project timeline.

Next steps and vote: After a public hearing during which no substantive public comments were offered, a commissioner moved to approve the draft ordinance and send it to the Board of Supervisors for their public hearing. The commission voted in favor by roll call and the commission's recommendation will go to the supervisors. The presenter said the supervisors may hold their own public hearing(s) and that whatever the supervisors adopt will take effect in accordance with Iowa law.

Meeting logistics: Commissioners scheduled the next meeting for November 17 at 6 p.m. and adjourned following the vote.

What the draft does not decide: The commission's action was a recommendation and not an adoption by the Board of Supervisors. The supervisors will hold their own public hearing and vote before any ordinance change becomes effective. The transcript does not specify the meeting date for the zoning commission other than the posted next meeting date; the staff presenter and several items referenced the county's 2022 Land Use policy, a 1999 county resolution concerning burial sites, and the county comprehensive plan adopted in 2024.