Neighbor asks Urbandale council to revisit Bentley Ridge West road plan to spare historic barn

Rob Wilining, a nonresident landowner whose acreage borders Urbandale, told the council at the May 19 meeting that a previously approved layout for Bentley Ridge West would end a dead‑end road roughly 50 feet from the south side of his barn, rendering the access useless unless the barn is removed.

Wilining said he has tried unsuccessfully to get the developer and the Planning and Zoning office to reconsider the plan, and that calls to the city manager's office had not produced a response. He described the barn as a 1920s Montgomery Ward kit building he saved from demolition years ago and said moving or replicating the structure would cost “over $140,000” to relocate and more than $250,000 to replace like‑for‑like; he framed part of his appeal as both emotional and historic preservation.

The council acknowledged Wilining’s request and said staff would follow up. The city manager told the council the city would provide additional research and return with more information; a specific next step or timetable was not provided in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The issue ties land‑use approvals, subdivision design and private‑property impacts to local preservation concerns. Wilining said the road layout encroaches on his property’s access and that the easement and sewer work previously done nearby also caused substantial tree loss and habitat disturbance on his property.

What’s next: Wilining asked the council to revisit the plan or notify him of options; the city manager said staff would follow up and provide more detail in the coming days.