Community Corner
Controversial Rezoning Request Postponed by Waukee Council to Aug. 5
The move was debated at an earlier meeting with some residents saying that renters make bad neighbors, while others said Waukee needs more affordable housing.
Waukee residents on July 1 debated whether allowing townhomes and duplexes instead of commercial businesses best serves the area. Some speakers said there is enough rental housing in that portion of town.
Council members voted 3-1 at their July 1 meeting to give preliminary approve to rezoning Lot 1 of Williams Pointe Plat 13. The site is about nine acres and is located at Southeast Brick Drive and Southeast Laurel Street. It must be approved at two more council meetings to take affect.
Because not all council members were at the July 15 meeting, the issue was tabled and a second vote on the rezoning request should be held at the Aug. 5 city council meeting.
From our earlier story:
Carol Jahnke, a Waukee resident and former economic developer for the city of Waverly, wrote a letter to the council opposed to the change.
“As a developer I consider progress to be commercial development and/or family-occupied homes,” Jahnke said. “Should you decide to rezone you will add another parcel of potential rental properties. What makes the city attractive is owner-occupied homes.”
In her letter Jahnke said, “In most cases renters simply do not have the pride of ownership of homes have.”
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During the public forum on the issue Art Ball, a Waukee resident and head of maintenance at Thomas Place and the future Alice’s Place, said his company is looking at managing the seven townhouses.
“There was concern about rental property not keeping it up, as far as the renters. We have a five-guy team that manages and keeps it up for mowing and all that,” Ball said. “I live here in town and appreciate the job and we hope you guys give us the OK to build more townhouses so we will have more work.”
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Kay Thomas, manager of Thomas Place, said affordable housing, such as the townhomes, fills a very definite need in the community. The Thomas Place Apartments have a waitlist of nearly a year for a one-bedroom space.
“We take pride, my residents take pride, we take great care of our property," Thomas said. "I think I run a tight ship there, ask my residents, several of them are here today, if they break the rules I get after them.”
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