The Newton City Council will have the second consideration of an ordinance regarding residential accessory buildings during Monday’s meeting.
Bryan Friedman, director of finance and development, explained during the March 3 meeting that the ordinance would remain the same for buildings with a less than 1,000-square-foot footprint but added a conditional use permit process for the construction of an accessory building with a footprint greater than 1,000 square feet on properties located in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts.
The council also will consider a new contract with the police union. The proposed contract for the upcoming year had minor changes, including to the insurance rates of police officers and civilian employees. The officers and civilian employees will get a two percent and adjustment to the insurance rates.
“The city is really good about what the union gets the non-union employees will get,” Newton Police Chief Jeff Hobelheinrich said.
Keith Laube, Public Works Director, will be updating Council on the Inflow and Infiltration Program on Monday. The I&I Program was established in 2011 to reduce the amount of runoff water into the sanitary sewer system. So far staff has seen a 30 percent reduction in flows from the corrections that have been made. A plan is being formulated to educate citizens city wide on the program. Staff has received many out of district calls requesting inspections. There is currently a large waiting list and staff will work to get through the list. By receiving the calls staff is able to target time more effectively in areas that have issues. The out of district calls could be grouped together in order to go out for bids.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will present the concept of “neighborhood centers” to the council on Monday. The commission has examined and approved new zoning rules for allowing neighborhood centers by conditional use permit within the R-2: One and Two Family Dwelling District. The commission recommended approval of the neighborhood center regulations with a vote of 6-0. The applicants propose to open a medical spa/health and wellness facility within the existing clubhouse at the former Cardinal Hills Golf Course at 1200 S 6th Avenue W.
Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at zjohnson@newtondailynews.com.