Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Branch council backs exploring downtown overlay, code updates for business growth and marijuana regulation
Summary
Councilmembers supported staff and Main Street recommendations to explore a downtown overlay district to guide smart growth and to consider updating the city code on marijuana growing and sales; no ordinance was adopted at the Aug. 5 meeting.
City staff and Main Street leadership urged the West Branch City Council on Aug. 5 to begin work on guiding future commercial growth in and near the downtown.
City Administrator Adam Kofoed said several prospective businesses have expressed interest in West Branch and recommended the council consider a downtown overlay district to preserve the character of the Opera Block and core downtown while encouraging compatible new businesses. Kofoed and Main Street Executive Director Jessi Simon said creating an overlay would require time and new ordinances; council members expressed general support for exploring the idea but no ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting.
Kofoed also noted he had provided a sample ordinance from Garner, Iowa, asking the council whether the city should update its code to address marijuana growing and sales within city limits. Councilmember Mike Horihan said he would support an ordinance regulating marijuana. The council directed staff to research options and said formal ordinance drafting would be required before any change in city code.
Separately, downtown business requests for better handicap parking on the 100 block of North Downey Street were discussed; the council raised curb access concerns but did not oppose adding a signed space.
