Maquoketa planning commission recommends rezoning parcel to agricultural over neighbors’ objections

The Maquoketa City Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 7 voted 4–3 to recommend that the City Council rezone Jackson County Parcel #145183040003400 from Residential 1 to Agricultural District (A‑1).

The recommendation, moved by Commissioner Davison and seconded by Commissioner Trivette, passed on a roll call vote with Ayes from Beck, Lindgren, Chair Duane Stickley and Davison and Nayes from Trivette, Mangler and Denlinger. The commission forwarded the recommendation to the City Council for its consideration.

Applicant counsel Brett Marshall told the commission the rezoning request stems from the parcel’s floodplain limitations and the practical difficulty and cost of developing housing there. Marshall described the proposal as "a compromise" and said agricultural use is a typical, reasonable use for land with limited developability. Applicant Dan Steines said he would use the property to graze cattle if the rezoning is approved.

Neighborhood speakers urged the commission to reject the change. Austin Daniels said he purchased a home assuming nearby zoning was residential; Kristi Thines said an in‑town farm would harm property values; and Jared Schipley said he doubted the applicant would maintain a permanent buffer and urged refusal. Mike Schmidt asked for clarity about maintenance responsibilities for a buffer and the quality of any fence.

City Manager Joshua Boldt told commissioners the city has exercised discretion on grass‑length rules for unusually large properties, and he estimated that "less than 5%" of land inside city limits is zoned agricultural. City Attorney Doug Herman advised the commission that the 2019 Comprehensive Plan and the SMART plan are relevant for consideration but are not statutes that automatically prohibit a rezoning. Herman noted an owner has a right to request a zoning change and that zoning designations are not immutable.

Brett Marshall cited judicial precedent in arguing zoning is continuous rather than permanent. Opponents countered that the parcel includes some non‑floodplain ground where housing could be developed and that the neighborhood had previously resisted similar proposals; several speakers referenced a prior, failed conditional agreement with the owner.

The vote was the commission’s formal recommendation only; the City Council will take up the rezoning petition and make the final decision.

Next steps: the recommendation and related record will be delivered to the Maquoketa City Council for public consideration and decision at a future meeting.