Zoning rules to be signed into law today
Fort Dodge City Council finalizes plans MondayBy LINDSEY MUTCHLER Messenger staff writer
An overlay zoning ordinance was finalized by the Fort Dodge City Council during a special session Monday night.
The City Council in a 6-0 vote approved the map of an overlay zoning district for major travel corridors during a special session meeting. Councilman Richard Inman was absent.
During a special session last week, the council passed the zoning rules in a 4-1 vote. Council members Matt Bemrich, Dave Flattery, Curt Olson and Dan Payne voted yes. Councilman Don Wilson voted no, and council members Cindy Litwiller and Richard Inman were absent.
Councilman Payne said he voted yes because he had received a lot of calls from those in the business community who were in favor of the proposal.
"I was worried the zoning ordinance would hinder businesses, but those in favor said it would enhance additional retail," Payne said. "After I listened, I thought OK, this is the right thing to do."
The overlay zoning district rules address the use of land, building styles and materials, landscaping and outdoor storage. They also ban adult bookstores and strip clubs and restrict the locations of other businesses, such as used car lots.
The overlay district will apply to the Fifth Avenue South/Kenyon Road corridor and the parts of Webster County Road P59 and U.S. Highway 169 that are within the city limits.
According to Payne, the zoning proposal would create unity in the business districts and show that the community is organized.
"The people that are the shakers and movers are the ones you hear from, and when they call you'll listen to them because they're ones who make jobs," Payne said. "Right now, jobs are a critical issue."
Councilman Wilson said since the proposal had already passed, he saw no reason to vote no on the district map.
"We might as well have a map to go along with it," Wilson said of his "yes" vote.
Mayor Terry Lutz will sign the zoning proposal into law today.
The council also voted to extend the current moratorium on adult uses and used car lots on the corridor to Jan. 12.
The moratorium would have expired Dec. 31.
"It should be published the sixth of January and (City Attorney Maurice Breen) and I confirmed the 12th would be better in case there's some kind of hiccup in publishing," said City Manager David Fierke. "That way we have this fail-safe in case something were to happen."
Contact Lindsey Mutchler at (515) 573-2141 or lindsey@messengernews.net
