Mayor narrows Urban Renewal amendment to Parkside Hills; public hearing set for June 2

At the May 5 meeting, Mayor Roger Laughlin proposed revising a previously broader Urban Renewal amendment to focus primarily on Parkside Hills after residents raised concerns about the earlier map.

Laughlin said the revised plan would exclude zero-lot properties that already have occupied homes but would include remaining residential and commercial lots within Parkside Hills and extend north to East Main Street to cover properties such as the city’s Public Works shop, industrial parcels on Cookson Street, South 4th Street parcels and Barnhart Custom Services’ properties. Councilmember Colton Miller suggested including the creek corridor and former railroad land where a future trail might be built; Miller asked for those features to be considered for inclusion. Councilmember Mike Horihan emphasized that all affected property owners should receive notice of the public hearing.

Council later approved Resolution 2025-55 to set consultation and a public hearing on Proposed Amendment No. 8 to the West Branch Urban Renewal Plan; the public hearing was scheduled for June 2, 2025. Laughlin and City Administrator Adam Kofoed said they would refine the map and coordinate public-notice procedures in advance of the hearing.

What happens next: City staff will finalize the map and send notices to affected property owners before the June 2 public hearing, where residents will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendment.