Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stewartville council approves Schuman Business Park 6 plat up to lot three and authorizes potential condemnation if talks fail
Summary
After lengthy discussion about a needed roadway connection, the council approved a limited final plat for Schuman Business Park 6 (through lot three) and passed a resolution authorizing condemnation proceedings for a parcel held by Malcolm Incorporated if negotiations are not resolved by the council’s deadline.
The Stewartville City Council voted to approve the Schuman Business Park 6 final plat only through lot three on blocks one and two and authorized a resolution that would allow the city to commence condemnation proceedings if negotiations over a connecting right of way with Malcolm Incorporated are not resolved by the council’s deadline.
Engineers told the council that most underground utilities are in place but that a critical final roadway connection depends on acquiring a portion of the Malcolm parcel. Dan Hor, civil engineer for the Schuman project, said the site’s utilities and curb-and-gutter work are largely complete and that “curb gutters in and should be paving soon,” but that the final roadway alignment remains contingent on negotiations with the adjacent property owner.
City staff and the city engineer advised council members that under local platting rules lots lacking required roadway improvements would not meet final-plat standards. To avoid holding up sales and site work on the majority of the development, staff recommended and the council approved limiting the final plat to lots through lot three while preserving options for the northernmost lots.
Council members also moved to authorize a resolution that would permit the city to begin condemnation proceedings if Malcolm Incorporated does not respond to the city’s offer by the set deadline. City staff said the city attorney sent an offer of the appraised value and that the condemnation authorization is intended as a fallback, not an immediate taking. Council members expressed reluctance about eminent domain and noted the risk of protracted court proceedings if the city pursues condemnation rather than an agreement.
The council’s action allows the developer to proceed with lots that meet current improvement requirements while keeping the city’s legal options open pending the landowner’s response. The council will receive an update in late October and revisit next steps if no agreement is reached by the stated deadline.
What’s next: The council approved the limited plat and the condemnation-authorization resolution; staff will report back with any response from Malcolm Incorporated by the next update session.
