Council Denies Rezoning Along South Market
Oskaloosa City Hall
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 3, 2018.
On the agenda was a public hearing in regards to the rezoning of the property located at 1217 South Market Street from Single Family Residential District to Community Commercial District.
Steve Scholtus spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting asking the council to deny the rezoning as recommended by the Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission.
Councilmember Doug Yates said it appeared to be a clear case of spot zoning as he understands it. “As I understand, that’s something highly frowned upon in many instances, even legally been challenged.”
City Attorney Dave Dixon agreed with Yates assessment. “Spot zoning, as I recall, is not per se illegal, but it is not favored. Generally, it is not looked upon favorably.”
“It’s gotten our town in trouble before,” added Councilmember Tom Walling.
The council voted unanimously to deny the rezoning of the property on a 6-0 vote.
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend chapter 10.24 and chapter 10.48 of the municipal code of the City of Oskaloosa to install a stop sign at the intersection of Kentfield Drive and Orchard Avenue and restricting on-street parking on Stadium Drive and Kentfield Drive.
The parking restriction would be along Kentfield Drive from Orchard Avenue to 1600 feet north of Orchard Avenue. Also restricted would be the on-street parking on both sides of Stadium Drive from Green Street to 1300 feet west of Green Street.
The council then went into closed session under Iowa Code Section 21.5.1.c to discuss strategy with counsel on a matter presently in litigation or in which litigation is imminent where disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the city’s position.
The next scheduled council meeting would be December 17th, 2018 at 6 p.m. inside the Council Chambers at Oskaloosa City Hall.
