Cobblestone residents press Urbandale council over late survey and inconsistent inspections
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Residents of the Cobblestone townhome community told the Urbandale City Council their contractor was told late in the build process to get lot surveys and some decks may face newly enforced setbacks, and they asked staff to provide written answers to three permit‑related questions by July 14.
Sue Boy, a Cobblestone homeowner, told the Urbandale City Council the city required a survey and a setback verification for her deck mid‑project and that the fee (about $750) and effort felt sudden and inconsistent with how earlier phases were treated. “At this point, where I'm approached with this is halfway through the building project,” she said, describing a multi‑day effort by surveyors to locate lot pins and lines.
Jeff Wassendorf, community manager for Cobblestone, expanded the complaint, saying a May 6 meeting with four city staff produced three written questions that still had not been answered eight weeks later. He asked for written responses by July 14 and requested assurances that contractors and owners in the community would be treated equitably. Wassendorf detailed three specific concerns: (1) the code standard and the timing of a change in Juliet railing requirements, (2) why a planner advised a contractor to use a footing chart that differed from the city website, and (3) which setback and easement documents staff are using when reviewing plans for decks and improvements.
Mayor Robert Andewig and staff acknowledged the concerns and said council members and the city manager had already been made aware. The mayor said staff would follow up with the residents and the builder to resolve outstanding questions. “We will endeavor from our side certainly to get the issues resolved,” the mayor said.
Why it matters: Cobblestone representatives said the issue affects numerous homeowners and contractors and could add cost and delay to an estimated $10 million capital improvement program at the complex. Officials committed to provide the documentation and answers requested and to work with residents on consistency in plan review and inspections.
Next steps: City staff committed to follow up with Cobblestone residents and to provide the written responses Wassendorf requested by July 14; council members present encouraged continuing one‑on‑one meetings and follow‑up with the city manager and development staff.