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County development director briefs Pleasantville on housing opportunities; natural gas access flagged as barrier
Summary
Dan Nieland, Marion County Development Director, told the council Pleasantville has development potential because of its metro proximity, schools and city incentives; council members stressed the need for natural gas utility access to support expansion and commercial growth.
Dan Nieland, Marion County Development Director, briefed the Pleasantville City Council on April 21 about housing development opportunities in the city. He said Pleasantville’s proximity to the metro area, strong local school district and incentives offered by the city make it an attractive place for development.
Council Member Aaron Hurt thanked Nieland for his work and emphasized that access to natural gas utilities is necessary for some residential expansion and urged the city to focus on commercial growth in tandem with housing. Mayor Kody Jurgens said more housing is needed to support commercial expansion and clarified the council’s interest in promoting affordable housing (as distinct from low-income housing). Nieland noted he and Clerk Reed have worked with the University of Northern Iowa on an Economic Development Action Plan requested by MidAmerican; he said some developers build without natural gas but that the city should continue to address the natural gas issue when pursuing growth.
Nieland told the council he is available for further contact as Pleasantville examines development and utility options.
