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Waverly EDA says zoning, subdivision code changes clear development hurdles highlighted by daycare project
Summary
Consultant Robin Caufman told the Waverly Economic Development Authority the city updated its zoning and subdivision ordinances to remove outdated barriers after the Day Care Center project required variances for subdivision, easement vacations and an onerous open-space rule.
President Lane Johnson convened the Waverly Economic Development Authority on March 23, where consultant Robin Caufman reviewed a year of regulatory changes meant to speed development and reduce unexpected costs.
Caufman, of Bolton & Menk, told the authority that the city’s development reviews exposed several outdated zoning and subdivision provisions that had created barriers for projects, using the Day Care Center application as an example. "The Day Care project required a full subdivision process because administrative lot line adjustments weren't available, it required easement vacations, and it ran into an open-space rule that would have required roughly 100 trees," Caufman said, summarizing the specific hurdles the team addressed.
The commission was told the updated zoning code—adopted in August—adds clearer land-use tables and hyperlinked navigation to help applicants identify requirements quickly. Subdivision ordinance amendments approved the week prior include administrative lot line adjustments to allow simple boundary changes and lot mergers to be handled without a full public hearing.
Caufman also reported shoreland ordinance updates and establishment of base floodplain elevations to provide clearer standards for applications. Several subdivision applications were mentioned as being in process or nearing completion, including Carrigan Meadows 5th (near completion with MILARs ready for signing) and Spring Meadows (underway).
The consultant said a new legacy residential district was created to address variance requests for smaller, traditional downtown and lakefront lots with adjusted setbacks. She framed the code changes as intended to reduce the need for variances and shorten timelines for applicants.
The authority took no new legislative action during the meeting; commissioners approved routine agenda items and asked staff to continue quarterly reporting on development activity. The commission adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
