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Oskaloosa council approves most of developer's alley‑vacation request, preserves access for neighbors
Summary
After a public hearing, the City Council approved vacating most alley segments in the 800 block of A Avenue West so a property owner can combine lots for redevelopment, while preserving a north–south access between 808 and 810 to protect neighboring garage access.
The Oskaloosa City Council voted June 15 to approve most of a request to vacate alley segments in the 800 block of A Avenue West so developer Wendell Campbell can combine multiple lots for future redevelopment. Council members left intact a north–south segment between 808 and 810 to preserve access to a neighboring garage and park.
Campbell, the petitioner, told the council he planned to combine 811 A Avenue West, 807 A Avenue West and 207 North G Street into a single parcel to support new development. He said he did not intend to move existing infrastructure and that he was willing to negotiate easements and access agreements for affected neighbors. "We have no intention of moving any of the infrastructure that's there," Campbell said during the public hearing.
Staff told the council that Planning and Zoning recommended approval by a 5–1 vote and that several utility providers—listed in the staff memo as MidAmerican Energy, Lumen, Mediacom and the Oskaloosa Water Department—have lines or services in the east–west alley segment. Because of the utilities, staff recommended limiting the vacate to the north–south alley between lots 6 and 7 (the portion between 811 and 807) unless the council directed otherwise.
Council members and staff discussed which segments to include and which to retain for access. One council motion approved vacating the requested alleys while explicitly preserving the north–south segment between 808 and 810 to protect access to an existing garage; the motion passed by roll call. Council directed staff to work with property owners and utilities to document easements and purchase terms required if the vacate proceeds.
The city’s staff memo and the planning commission record remain the official references for precise legal descriptions and required easements. The council’s action followed the public‑hearing requirement noted in the staff report; the resolution and subsequent instruments will be finalized by staff and returned to the city for recording and implementation.
Next steps will include staff coordination with utility companies and execution of any easement agreements required by the vacate; council members said staff should ensure neighboring property access is preserved in writing.
