Waukee council approves multiple rezonings, a restaurant site plan, two construction change orders and a public-art agreement

The Waukee City Council approved a package of land-use and capital-project actions at its regular meeting.

Rezoning decisions: Council approved second readings for four rezoning items. Staff described the Orange Commercial Development rezoning of a 33.53-acre parcel from A-1 to C-1 for future commercial use; a council member asked staff to consider traffic and corridor design as the project moves beyond zoning. Council also approved rezoning requests for a 4.2-acre Crum Farms parcel (A-1 to K-R-C), a 10.22-acre parcel for the W S WCSD administration-building expansion (C-1A to C-1), and a 7.9-acre amendment for Vintage Estates of Waukee to allow individual lots instead of a cooperative development. In each case staff recommended approval and the council voted in favor.

Charlotte's Kitchen site plan: Staff presented a site plan for Charlotte's Kitchen at 1165 Southeast University Avenue (owner: Chicken Coop Real Estate LLC; applicant: Charlotte's Kitchen LLC). The project is a single-story, 2,425-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through lane, employee shelter for order staging, outdoor patio and a monument sign; staff said parking, landscaping and utilities meet requirements and recommended approval. When asked whether the project is fast-food or sit-down, staff said it is "considered fast food" but noted some orders will use the drive-through and that customers may wait in dedicated parking stalls; the council approved the site plan.

Change orders and infrastructure: The council approved change order #1 for the West Area Trunks Sewer Extension Phase 3 to SM Higgens & Sun Inc, increasing the contract by $172,158.60. Rudy, presenting for staff, said the change order addresses lowering the bore crossing at T Avenue to avoid undiscovered utility conflicts and extends roughly 2,000 feet of sewer leading to the bore. Rudy said relocation costs for the outside-utility owners exceeded the redesign cost, and staff recommended the change to keep the project on schedule.

The council also approved change order #2 for the 3rd Street elevated storage tank replacement with Landmark Structures, increasing that contract by $74,919 to install an active mixer. Rudy said the passive mixing system was not producing sufficient turnover or velocity to ensure proper chlorine dispersion and that the active mixer is a standard remedy; staff noted ongoing work to determine cost-sharing with the original designer.

Public art: The council approved a project-implementation agreement for public art at the new Public Safety Building with local artist Clint Hansen. Nick (staff) said the contracted amount increased by $8,092 because of unanticipated footing and electrical costs, bringing the total to $58,092; staff said the construction budget covers the increase and installation is expected by August.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows motions, seconds and affirmative roll-call responses for the agenda approval, consent agenda, each second-reading rezoning, Charlotte's Kitchen site plan, both change orders and the public-art agreement.

What it means: The actions advance multiple development projects and capital improvements across Waukee and authorize additional contract expenditures to address site conditions and ensure system performance. Several items included staff advice to monitor design, traffic and cost-sharing implications as projects proceed.