Street Sale For Church Expansion Denied

Oskaloosa City Hall

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The conversation on the East side of Oskaloosa has centered around the potential sale of a portion of 2nd Avenue East, between South 7th Street and South 8th Street, to the Central Reformed Church.

On Monday night, interested parties to the sale, both for and against, shared their opinions with the council about the proposed sale.

Debbie Bible of 707 2nd Avenue East spoke in support of the sale of the street to Central Reformed Church. Bible spoke of how the church welcomed her into their congregation and was assistance to her during her time of need. She explained that the current building can make it difficult for her to attend services there.

Julie VanEnglehoven of 903 3rd Avenue East spoke about her concerns with the sale and potential expansion of the church facility. VanEnglehoven said she has lived at her residence for 25 years and has no problem with the church being there. “I don’t want to have to look out my windows and sit on my deck and see a paved parking lot.” VanEndlehoven said that the current aesthetics of the neighborhood is why she bought her home.

Councilmembers ultimately rejected the request from Central Reformed Church to purchase the street. The council was unsure of the future of the building project, parking and the rights of property owners in the neighborhood in their decision making process.

The council also heard an update from MCRF, amended the peddlers ordinance, deleted sections 12.04.040 and 12.04.050 from the Oskaloosa Municipal Code, 1st reading. Also approved was a resolution directing for sale of general obligation notes for the Oskaloosa Fire Station project.