West Branch council approves site plans and plats, sets April hearing on maximum property-tax levy

The West Branch City Council on Feb. 5 approved a slate of planning and procedural items, including site plans and plats for two new developments and a public hearing on the city’s maximum proposed property-tax levy for fiscal 2025.

Mayor Roger Laughlin opened the meeting and the council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included claims and payroll that together totaled $302,494.42 across multiple city funds. The council then moved to the evening’s business.

The council approved Resolution 2024-07 to set a public hearing on April 1, 2024 for the maximum proposed property-tax levy rate for FY2025. Councilmember Jerry Sexton moved the resolution and Mike Horihan seconded; the vote was recorded as AYES: Sexton, Horihan, Stoolman, Dean, Goodweiler; NAYS: None.

Developer Chad Kuene explained a revision to the site plan for Lot 9 of Parkside Hills — Third Addition, saying the change will define individual lots so the units qualify as attached single-family dwellings and are easier for buyers to finance on the secondary market. Kuene said the units are listed at about $225,000 and that a homeowners association will handle grass and snow removal. The council approved Resolution 2024-08 on a motion by Tom Dean, seconded by Jerry Sexton; the vote was unanimous.

The council also approved the final plat for Parkside Hills – Third Addition under Resolution 2024-09 (motion by Sexton, second by Dean; ayes: Sexton, Dean, Goodweiler, Stoolman, Horihan).

Separately, the council approved the site plan for Lot 1 in Pedersen Valley Part 1, where a dental office will be built. Purchaser Dr. Ryan Haganman asked the council to include an agreement stipulating that if he must construct a detention basin now and the city later urbanizes West Main Street so the basin is no longer required, the city would pay to fill the basin so he would not incur the cost twice. The council directed the city attorney to draft an agreement reflecting that request. Resolution 2024-10 passed on a motion by Tom Dean, seconded by Jerry Sexton; recorded vote: AYES — Dean, Sexton, Horihan, Goodweiler; NAYS — None; ABSTAIN — Stoolman.

Votes at a glance: Resolutions passed included setting an April 1 hearing on the proposed FY2025 maximum property-tax levy (Res. 2024-07); approving the revised site plan for Lot 9, Parkside Hills (Res. 2024-08); approving the final plat for Parkside Hills – Third Addition (Res. 2024-09); and approving the site plan for Lot 1, Pedersen Valley Part 1 (Res. 2024-10). The consent agenda that includes the claims and payroll was also approved without recorded dissents.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.