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Altoona council approves multiple rezonings, extends revitalization plan and clears Gateway East plats
Summary
At its March 20 meeting, the Altoona City Council unanimously approved several rezoning ordinances affecting parcels totaling more than 280 acres, adopted a 2023 amendment extending the Revitalization Area Plan to Dec. 31, 2032, and reapproved Gateway East preliminary and final plats and a site plan subject to resolving listed deficiencies.
Altoona — The Altoona City Council on Monday approved multiple rezoning ordinances, extended the city's revitalization plan through Dec. 31, 2032, and reapproved preliminary and final plats for the Gateway East Business Center.
At a public hearing, Brent Culp of engineering firm Snyder & Associates described a proposed change to the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map that would move 36.04 acres from Light Industrial/Office to General Industrial, saying the change "will coincide with the area around it and with Bondurant and would bring more interest in the area with easy access to Hubbell Avenue traffic." With no public comments, the council voted 5-0 to adopt the amendment.
The council also held public hearings and approved a series of rezoning ordinances. A rezoning of approximately 36.04 acres from A-1 to M-2 cleared first and second readings and passed 5-0. A separate rezoning of roughly 40 acres from A-1 to M-1 passed first reading; the council waived the second and third readings and voted to publish the ordinance (5-0). A larger rezoning of about 204.31 acres from A-1 to M-1 similarly passed first reading, had later readings waived and was ordered published by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Randy Pierce told the council that staff reviewed the expired Revitalization Area Plan and recommended keeping the existing parameters; the council adopted a resolution to extend the plan’s effective date to Dec. 31, 2032 (5-0).
Eric Cannon of Snyder & Associates updated the council on plats for Gateway East Business Center, describing parcel splits and a set of deficiencies that must be resolved before final sign-off. The council re-approved the preliminary plat and re-approved a final plat and a site plan; motions to approve were made by Council Member Boka and Council Member Duer and passed unanimously, with approvals conditioned on the outstanding deficiencies being addressed.
The consent agenda passed 5-0 and included payment of bills; a professional services agreement with Impact7G for the Muchikinock Creek Trunk Sewer Phase II project; a cost-share grant contract with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; a State of Iowa Section 130 Crossing Safety Improvements Agreement; a resolution approving a senior bond issuance certificate related to the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority; and three beer and liquor permits (Fireside Grille, Big Steer, Altoona Adult Softball Association). The council set a public hearing for the FY24 budget for April 3, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
During public comment, resident Kyle Mertz thanked Chief Jared Ogbourne and the Emergency Medical Service staff for their care, saying the team was "very professional and knowledgeable." Mayor Dean O'Connor also welcomed two Cub Scouts attending the meeting to learn about local government.
The meeting concluded after department head reports and general business; Council Member Boka moved to adjourn and the council adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map amendment (change 36.04 acres to General Industrial): adopted (roll call 5-0). - Ordinance: rezoning ~36.04 acres A-1 to M-2: passed (first & second readings, roll calls 5-0). - Ordinance: rezoning ~40 acres A-1 to M-1: passed first reading; waived readings; ordered published (5-0). - Ordinance: rezoning ~204.31 acres A-1 to M-1: passed first reading; waived readings; ordered published (5-0). - Ordinance: City Code Chapter 120 (allow Class E retail alcohol automatic renewal): passed; readings waived; ordered published (5-0). - Resolution: 2023 Amendment to Altoona Revitalization Area Plan (extend to Dec. 31, 2032): adopted (5-0). - Resolutions: Gateway East preliminary plat, final plat and site plan re-approvals (subject to deficiencies): adopted (5-0). - Consent agenda (bills; Impact7G agreement; cost-share grant; Section 130 Crossing Safety Improvements Agreement; senior bond issuance certificate; three liquor permits; set FY24 budget hearing): approved (5-0).