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Developers pitch 20 townhomes on county parcel near public health building; supervisors ask for city engineering review
Summary
During an April 14 work session developers asked to buy a strip of county land adjacent to the public health building to build about 20 affordable (non‑subsidized) townhomes, subject to rezoning and city planning approval; the board asked staff to consult city engineers on sewer, runoff and DOT access constraints and confirmed any sale must follow transparent public procedures.
Developers John Rashid and Kathy Ratchet presented a proposal in a work session after the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors’ April 14 meeting to purchase a strip of county‑owned land north and west of the public health building for a phased townhouse development of about 20 units.
Rashid said the parcel the developers want is currently zoned R2 (single‑family) and they would seek rezoning to R4 (multifamily) through the city planning commission; they said the planned townhomes would be "affordable but not subsidized" and include layouts for home offices and some handicap‑accessible units for seniors.
County and the developers discussed several technical constraints that would affect feasibility and design. Staff and developers identified a sanitary sewer main and an existing catch basin/retention feature that would remain in place; engineers would need to calculate changes in runoff if paved surfaces are added. Developers noted potential proximity to a freeway ramp that may trigger Iowa Department of Transportation spacing or access requirements and said access might be via Agency Street if permitted. A county official recommended the developers consult the city engineer and the city planning commission before the county proceeds.
Supervisors emphasized process and transparency if the county decides to sell property. One board member said any sale would follow established legal procedures (sealed bid or public auction) and county counsel would manage the disposition. Board members also suggested the county internally review what land is needed for future public‑health expansion before deciding how much to sell.
The board asked county staff to measure the parcel, check existing easements and sewer alignments, and coordinate with Burlington city engineers and planners; another working session was offered after those steps. No sale was authorized; the discussion was a staff‑level review to determine feasibility and next steps.
Ending: Developers were directed to seek city planning and engineering guidance; county staff will return with survey and engineering information before the board considers any formal disposition.
