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Orleans planning commission denies Cocking trust rezoning after utility and flooding concerns
Summary
The Orleans Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously March 18 to deny a rezoning request from Kent Cocking that would have changed land from Conservation and R-2 to Lakeshore Residential (R-1), citing sewer extension challenges and flooding concerns raised by neighbors and the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District.
The Orleans Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously March 18 to deny a rezoning request from Kent D. Cocking, trustee of the Walter W. Cocking and Lois M. Cocking Revocable Trust, that would have changed the property from Conservation District (CN) and General Residential District (R-2) to Lakeshore Residential District (R-1).
Chair Tungland opened the public hearing at 5:30 p.m. and heard from the applicant and several neighbors. Cocking told the Commission he believes the property was zoned R‑1 in 1987–1988, and that his father originally purchased six acres, later donating five acres to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and retaining roughly one acre for a possible family homesite and future residential development.
Neighbors from the N Templar area — including Dean Schmidt, Joe Feller, Jane Feller, Dick Sprock and Bill Hanby — opposed the rezoning. Steve Anderson of the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District addressed the Commission and explained challenges associated with extending sewer service to the N Templar area, a constraint commissioners said weighed on their deliberations. Robyn and Joseph Swisher submitted written opposition and participated by Zoom; Eric Hoien spoke in favor of the rezoning.
After the hearing closed at 6:20 p.m., commissioners discussed utility access and possible flooding risks and considered but declined to reopen the hearing to propose excluding the parcel’s lower portion from rezoning. Rosenberg moved, Becker seconded, and the Commission voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request as presented.
The denial preserves the property’s existing CN and R‑2 designations; the Commission offered no alternative rezoning at the meeting. No formal appeal or next procedural steps were recorded in the meeting minutes.
The meeting record shows the Commission also addressed other agenda items following the rezoning vote, including an incomplete conditional‑use application (see separate item).
