Published: June 18, 2009 09:43 am      

Possible zoning changes highlight DeWitt meeting

DEWITT — Two related public hearings at Monday’s DeWitt City Council meeting were attended by residents concerned with possible zoning changes.

The first public hearing related to an amendment of the city’s comprehensive plan at the request of Leprechaun Properties owned by Giles Looney. About 1.9 acres in southeast DeWitt would be changed from R-1 single family residential to R-3 multiple family dwelling district. The area, known as 200 E. Second St., was also the subject of the second public hearing for rezoning.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recently tabled the request until more information from the developer is received, but the public hearings were already scheduled and the council received comments.

Resident Bill McGimpsey asked about increased sewer problems in the area and stormwater runoff. City Administrator Steve Lindner said the number of homes would not make a difference in sewer problems and the developer has to have plans to address the stormwater issue.

Resident Janet Frick questioned elevation levels and said the current water problems should be taken care of before the area is developed. Mike Burke also questioned elevation, adding he had contacted the Department of Natural Resources and the state concerning the development.

Councilwoman Peggy McAvan asked the citizens which was preferable, the R-1 or R-3 zoning. Frick answered that R-1 was preferred and would be the best protection for them.

The commission will hold a public hearing regarding the issue June 24 and a second public hearing will be held by the council.

A public hearing was also held for the city’s development agreement with QCA SPAs, Inc. The agreement provides a Tax Increment Financing rebate based on a $234,800 increase in value for the property due to building improvements. QCA has brought more than 45 jobs to the area. Following the hearing, approval of a resolution included agreement terms for a 97 percent rebate on the incremental value of the property for seven years up to $50,000.

The council approved two automatic clearing house agreements — one for direct payroll deposits up to $75,000 and the other for automatic payment services up to $16,000. The agreements previously were considered as one.

A street closure for the Independence Day parade at 10 a.m. July 4 was approved. The closure will return to the “old route” from 10th Street to Sixth Avenue, to Fifth Street, to Fifth Avenue and to Eighth Street.

The council approved Visu-Sewer of Pewaukee, Wis., for sewer cleaning and sewer viewing at a bid of $14,500. Two other bids were received — Hydro-Klean, Inc., of Des Moines at $16,230 and Trenchless Technologies of Belle Plaine, Minn., at $16,665.

In addition, the council approved a change order for the 11th Street water main project reducing the cost by $14,159 for increasing turf grass and reducing sidewalk and roadway; purchase of mapping system equipment and software at an estimated total of $11,300 to be used for infrastructure, zoning and parcel information; and $1,600 for Park and Recreation to purchase two flat screen televisions for the new cardio room at the DeWitt Fitness Center.

Lindner reported the leak at the aquatic center has not been found and cannot be found without emptying the pool, which the city is not presently prepared to do. The pool will stay open, Lindner said, despite additional costs, unless the problem worsens. Currently about 20,000 gallons of water are lost per day.