Several city projects that have been in the works are on the agenda for the Newton City Council at its regular Monday meeting. Work at the airport relocating fuel tanks, progress at the former Juice and Junk site of the construction of Hardee’s and a zoning amendment to the C-N zone adding auto sales will all be before council for action.
A project that has been in front of the council before, the relocation of the fuel tanks at the Newton Municipal Airport is deemed necessary to replace the existing taxiway. State and federal funding for new pavement will only be granted if the taxiway is further from the runway.
Before a new section of parallel taxiway can be constructed further from the runway, existing fuel tanks need to be relocated. The fuel tank relocation project was granted funding through the Iowa Department of Transportation Airport Improvements Program in 2016. Per the agreement, the Iowa DOT will fund 80 percent of the project costs.
An engineering services agreement will go before the council from consultant Clapsaddle-Garber Associates for the design and construction services for the fuel tank relocation project. The total amount for the services is $73,100 with the city needing to contribute 20 percent or $14,620.
Another development project needing further action from the council is the purchase and sale agreement with 4G properties for the former Juice and Junk site. In June 2016, the city approved a purchase and sale agreement with 4G Properties to sell a 1.2 acre parcel for the construction of a Hardee’s restaurant. Through the course of its site planning process, the Hardee’s developer determined that soils on the site needed additional preparation, causing projected costs to increase.
To adjust for the increased costs, 4G is proposing an amendment to reduce the price for the parcel from $100,000 to $80,000 with a closing date of May 19.
Finally, last year an auto dealer was interested in purchasing the property at 1504 W. Fourth St. N. to open a dealership. To adhere to state regulations, the city needed to further work when amending city ordinance to add auto sales as use a for the district.
Revised language has since been added and the planning and zoning commission recommend approval of an amendment adding auto sales as a conditional use with the Neighborhood Commercial District.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com