Council Still Split On Sidewalk Topic

Oskaloosa City Hall

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council continued the discussion on a proposed sidewalk ordinance until the next meeting, after they failed to find common ground on the topic.

A request from the Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission requested the Oskaloosa City Council review and proposed revised codes for sidewalk requirements within the City of Oskaloosa.

Several Oskaloosa residents shared their opinions on the ordinance. Christian Wright is one of those individuals who took the opportunity to speak to the Council about the proposed change.

Wright said that he’s been a resident of Oskaloosa most of his life, with the exception of a 16 year span on the east coast in which those area governments also battled the “sidewalks to nowhere”.

Wright said that there is too much government regulation and control in Oskaloosa. He said he believes the move is controlling contractors, many of whom have chosen to work elsewhere due to being “over regulated”in Oskaloosa. Wright said those contractors are making a choice to go to other communities.

Wyndell Campbell, Planning and Zoning Commission member said that the sidewalk discussion was hashed out over “a lot of meetings”.

Campbell said that he believes there are some misconceptions that have been presented on social media and some of the “unreliable media sources” saying this is forcing sidewalks on the general public.

The discussion about how much of an addition to a home before triggering a sidewalk is part of that misconception Campbell says.

A 50% addition to the buildings on the property would kick in the provision. Also, as part of a discussion would be the development of a new property, in which a new home is placed. A sidewalk would then need to be installed in such a case.

Oskaloosa City Councilwoman Scottie Moore expressed concerns about the proposal when it became apparent to her that if she was to develop a new home on the empty lot by her existing home. “There is not even a sidewalk there”, said Moore about the ordinance.

She wanted to make sure there were options for homeowners to present cases on why sidewalks on a particular property may not be feasible.

The Council eventually moved to table the issue until the next meeting.
The Council approved the 2nd reading of a parking ordinance along Parkview Lane, and also a resolution levying a special assessment against private property owners for removal of weeds.