The Norwalk City Council on Dec. 4 adopted an ordinance amending the city’s subdivision regulations to require subdrains and a granular subsurface subbase on new streets and to strengthen warranty and maintenance bond language for public infrastructure. Council approved a three-year phase-in (option 3) that would offset a portion of developers’ initial costs.

City staff said the recommended phase-in would cover 75% of the added street-standard cost in year one (an estimated city contribution of about $432,750), then ratchet down in subsequent years to reduce the city’s share while immediately putting the higher construction standard into effect. Luke (city staff) said the three-year program is intended so that streets constructed in 2026 meet the new, more robust design standards.

Developers and their representatives urged more site-specific geotechnical reporting rather than a one-size-fits-all enhancement. "If you trust the science, then trust the science," Dustin Miller of the Greater Des Moines Home Builders said, arguing for geotech reports phased by development lots. City staff and council members said they will work to define a maximum funding cap and refine details before final adoption.

Councilmember discussion focused on managing budget impacts, inspection burdens and developer responsibility: one member said the new standards "emphasizes once again developer responsibility," while others pressed for a maximum cap on the city’s commitment and clearer limits for which preliminary plats would qualify for the cost-share. Staff committed to return with the maximum-number analysis before the final reading.

Council voted to amend the ordinance to the staff’s option 3 phase-in and then approved the second reading of the ordinance as amended by roll call. The motions carried unanimously.