West Branch council advances zoning changes, park rules and plats; OKs USGS stream‑gage contract

The West Branch City Council approved several land-use and administrative items at its Dec. 2 regular meeting, and heard a developer’s conceptual site plan for townhomes in Parkside Hills.

At a public hearing, the council took the first reading of Ordinance 821 to amend Chapter 165 of the city’s zoning regulations. John Fuller, a resident and chairperson of the West Branch Planning & Zoning Commission, told the council the proposed ordinance has been reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street West Branch and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Jessi Simon of Main Street West Branch also expressed support. The ordinance’s first reading passed on a 5–0 vote (Dean moved; Miller seconded).

The council also approved the second reading of Ordinance 820, which amends Chapter 47 (Municipal Park Policies and Regulations). The second reading was approved unanimously (Dean moved; Sexton seconded).

In a separate action, the council approved Resolution 2024-130, an annual agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey in the amount of $10,540 for operation and maintenance of the stream-flow gaging station on Wapsinonoc Creek at College Street. Councilmember Colton Miller noted the service is funded from city stormwater fees. The resolution passed unanimously (Sexton moved; Dean seconded).

The council accepted Resolution 2024-131 to approve the Bedrock Industrial — Part 1 final plat after Axiom Consultants’ Brian Boelk explained the plan to split the parcel into two lots; Lot 1 is expected to be developed in the future and the parcel is divided diagonally by a floodplain and a gas easement. The plat was approved 5–0 (Dean moved; Sexton seconded).

Councilmembers voted to approve Resolution 2024-132 waiving West Branch’s right to a formal review of an extra‑territorial subdivision in Johnson County (the Slach‑Vikel subdivision). City Clerk Leslie Brick said the property owner petitioned Johnson County to rezone the parcel from Agriculture to Residential; the parcel contains a house, a newly installed septic system, and will use the existing well and driveway. The waiver passed 4–1 (AYES: Dean, Sexton, Stoolman, Horihan; NAY: Miller).

During presentations, Brian Shay showed a conceptual site plan for Lot 9 in Parkside Hills that proposes higher-density townhomes than the original developer planned, additional driveway space and more bedrooms and bathrooms. The council gave Shay verbal approval to advance the proposal to a formal site plan submittal.

City Administrator Adam Kofoed announced a strategic planning work session scheduled for Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at Town Hall (113 N. 1st St.), followed by the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Kofoed said he is working with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECIA) and Finance Officer Heidi Van Auken to plan uses for low-to-moderate income (LMI) funds from various TIF projects and hopes to report progress in February 2025.

The council approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the Nov. 18 meeting, a Class C Retail Alcohol license for Hazelhasky LLC dba Herb & Lou’s (effective Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025), the October financial report and claims/payroll totaling $145,178.53. Before the vote, Councilmember Miller asked Police Chief Greg Hall whether there were any known violations related to Herb & Lou’s liquor license; Chief Hall replied there were none.

Mayor Roger Laughlin reminded the public that the Christmas Past festival is this weekend. Councilmember Miller expressed displeasure that holiday lights on Main Street and North Downey have not been replaced due to budget constraints.

Votes at a glance

- Enter closed session to discuss real estate (Section 21.5(j), Code of Iowa): Moved by Colton Miller; second Tom Dean; vote AYES — Miller, Dean, Sexton, Horihan, Stoolman; motion carried. - Ordinance 821 (Chapter 165 — Zoning Regulations), first reading: Moved by Tom Dean; second Colton Miller; vote AYES — Dean, Miller, Stoolman, Horihan, Sexton; motion carried. - Ordinance 820 (Chapter 47 — Municipal Park Policies), second reading: Moved by Tom Dean; second Jerry Sexton; vote AYES — Dean, Sexton, Horihan, Miller, Stoolman; motion carried. - Resolution 2024-130 (USGS stream-flow gaging agreement, $10,540): Moved by Jerry Sexton; second Tom Dean; vote AYES — Sexton, Dean, Miller, Stoolman, Horihan; motion carried. - Resolution 2024-131 (Bedrock Industrial — Part 1 final plat): Moved by Tom Dean; second Jerry Sexton; vote AYES — Dean, Sexton, Stoolman, Horihan, Miller; motion carried. - Resolution 2024-132 (Waive formal review of Slach‑Vikel extra‑territorial subdivision): Moved by Tom Dean; second Jerry Sexton; vote AYES — Dean, Sexton, Stoolman, Horihan; NAY — Miller; motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.