(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council again Tuesday discussed a controversial request to rezone some land northwest of the former Valley View Estates.
John Vasquez, a developer, is requesting the area be rezoned from R-1 to R-3 to allow for the construction of a multi-family development.
In a hearing continued from last month, several neighbors expressed opposition to the proposed rezoning, saying it wouldn’t be compatible with the neighborhood. They again expressed concern over various issues, including safety, traffic and property values.
Vasquez told the council he’s done what he can to address the concerns. He added that he’d be willing to include some covenants on the units that no more than nine units be built and that the units have common sidewalls. City Attorney Earl Maahs expressed concern over the covenant proposal, saying under Iowa law they would have to be renewed every 21 years and he says keeping track of that could be a problem.
Several council members said they’d like to see the project proceed, but expressed concern. Councilman Clyde Ihrke agreed with the neighbors, saying he also feels any rezoning wouldn’t be compatible with the neighborhood.
Councilman Steve Balm cautioned the neighbors that Vasquez could still proceed with his project even without the rezoning, as R-1 would still allow for an eight-unit layout, instead of the nine currently allowed. And Balm said it would be better for the neighbors if the rezoning WOULD be approved, saying any rezoning could also carry certain restrictions with it.
After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request.
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