Keokuk Council adopts ordinance to allow adaptive reuse of special‑use buildings in residential zones

Keokuk — The Keokuk City Council on Thursday adopted an ordinance amending Title 20 of the municipal code to add adaptive‑reuse provisions allowing special‑use buildings in residential districts to be repurposed after board‑of‑adjustment review.

The measure, introduced at a public hearing, was aimed at giving owners of older structures a pathway to convert buildings such as churches and schools for new uses while subjecting proposals to criteria intended to protect neighborhood character and public infrastructure. Council members voted to waive the second and third readings 8–1 and then gave final approval.

The ordinance stems from an application by David McTavish, who told the council he and a partner plan to convert an old Exchange Street church into a wedding chapel and full‑service salon. “We wanted to turn it into a wedding chapel, full service salon…so people who are getting married have a one‑stop shop,” McTavish said, arguing the reuse would preserve a historic building and bring revenue to Keokuk.

City planning staff explained the post‑adoption process: once the ordinance is in effect, an applicant fills out a form for the planning commission, which issues a report to the board of adjustment. The board applies criteria — including traffic, utilities and neighborhood character — and may approve or deny the request; decisions may be appealed to the court within 30 days, not to the council, staff said.

Council discussion centered on the ordinance language and the review process. After the public hearing and staff briefing, the council approved the ordinance’s initial reading by roll call and later voted 8–1 to waive additional readings; one member (Mullen) voted no on the waiver. The council then adopted the ordinance and recorded the final approval on a subsequent motion.

Why it matters: supporters said the change provides a tool to save and repurpose historic structures that otherwise could deteriorate, while opponents expressed caution about neighborhood impacts and the need for clear review criteria. The board‑of‑adjustment review requirement leaves specific approvals case‑by‑case rather than automatic rezoning.

What happens next: staff will incorporate the new sections into the municipal code and begin accepting adaptive‑reuse filings under the newly established standards. Applicants denied by the board of adjustment may appeal to the court within 30 days.

Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 360 and discussion/adoption completed at SEG 534.