Board accepts variance, special-use permits; approves utility permits, staffing moves and payroll

At its Nov. 3 meeting the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors handled a suite of routine land-use and administrative actions, including acceptance of a Board of Adjustment variance, acknowledgment of special-use permits for a biochar production and compost facility, approval of utility permits, a zoning commission appointment and personnel actions in the treasurer's office.

County Development Director Eric Furnace summarized a variance granted Oct. 24, 2025 that allows a one-room addition at the end of Nye Avenue to sit 39 feet from the front lot line instead of the typical 50 feet. Furnace told the board that, "as of July 1, the state passed a law that says numeric or dimensional variances no longer require a hardship burden. They're what's called a practical difficulties burden," and that the Board of Adjustment found the practical-difficulties standard met for this case. The board voted to accept the variance.

Furnace also reviewed special-use permits granted Oct. 24 for a biochar production facility and a compost facility on property near Wendling Quarries that was rezoned in recent months. He said the compost permit includes one condition: "all composting would occur inside within an enclosed building" to help contain odors; the applicants had that feature in their plans and agreed.

County Engineer Brian Bridal presented two utility-permit requests: Aeryon Network Services (West Des Moines) requested a fiber relocation on Stewart Road to avoid conflicts with ongoing construction, and Interstate Power and Light/Alliant Energy requested to bore along portions of 120th Street where private easements were not secured. The board approved both permits.

Bridal also provided project updates: Stewart Road paving and shoulder/intersection work continues; the 160th Street box culvert grading and rock placement are complete with fence restoration expected; and preconstruction work was underway for the 180th Street/Pleasant Prairie Road culvert.

On appointments, the board appointed Ashley Spidler to a five-year term on the Muscatine County Zoning Commission ending Nov. 7, 2030 and thanked Carol for her service for choosing not to continue in that seat. In personnel actions, the board approved placement of two treasurer's clerks into senior treasurer's clerk positions (grade 9, effective Nov. 15) after Treasurer's office representative Amy said staff rebuilding reduced the need for an additional position but warranted internal steps for experienced employees. The board also accepted October 2025 payroll claims.

The meeting concluded with no public comment and adjournment.