March 29, 2024

Newton updates residential development standards

Ordinance changes address erosion control, dumpster enclosures, public notice

Newton City Council adopted an amended ordinance April 4 that addresses residential development standards, including setbacks, erosion control, dumpster enclosures and additional public notice.

Concerns raised by a “citizen housing group” changed the City of Newton’s ordinance for residential development standards, which are expected to increase transparency in administrative procedures moving forward. The amendments were adopted April 4 by the city council after the third reading was reviewed.

The changes address setbacks, erosion control, dumpster enclosures and additional public notice, according to city documents. In late 2021, a citizen-led committee was formed and reviewed aspects of the city’s site plan control and zoning codes concerning desirable and undesirable residential developments.

With the amendments now adopted by council, the city requires an erosion control plan as part of the building permit process to prevent dirt from crossing property lines during construction.

The city’s planning and zoning commission reviewed the changes on Feb. 1. Newton City Planner Brian Dunkelberger said the intent of the erosion control plan requirement is directly tied to curb appeal. The plans will help prevent damage and sediment runoff and tracking beyond property lines into other areas.

The city also requires permanent dumpster enclosures on new multi-family housing developments. Staff confirmed no existing commercial or multi-family property would be required to retroactively install such an enclosure. The requirement only applies to new developments in Newton.

Feedback from the committee indicated a need for more space between properties. Side yard setback requirements have been increased from 5 feet to 8 feet. However, the front and rear setbacks will remain unchanged.

The city also set a 16-foot standard of distance between buildings on multi-family developments. Previously, the zoning code did not have such a standard.

In addition, the amended code included more user-friendly components for developers, such as a size and density table for bulk development requirements for agricultural and residential districts.

Transparency to neighbors was also a priority for the group. The ordinance now requires any project or development that requires a public hearing to also have the property owner or applicant to post a sign on the property giving notice to the proposed development in the lot.

Dunkelberger told the planning and zoning commission two months ago that city staff will confirm if signs had been posted in advance of the public hearings, in addition to the current notices that are sent or published before.

City staff analyzed the changes and determined they are not overly prohibitive or discourage future development.

Bev Price, who co-chairs the citizen-led committee, thanked the city council and said the ordinance changes are a “good step.” There are still a few more to work on, she added. Working with a developer helped the group create rules that avoided any negative consequences or were too restrictive.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 6560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.