Storage unit proposal gets nixed by city

 A consideration to change the zoning on lots 1-6 of Pactolus Park to allow storage units was met with opposition from Red Oak residents. 

Under the proposed change, the zoning would go from R-2 Residential to C-1 Highway commercial. The parcel is between 3rd and 4th Streets in the city. 

“It would take away a dilapidated building that’s drawing little in taxes to the city, and replace it with storage units at an estimated value of $250,000,” City Administrator Brad Wright said. 

Two residents in the area, Ilene Lewis at 209 Linden Street and Lori Hall at 100 Short Street, spoke out about the proposed change. 

Hall said she didn’t see a need for storage units. 

“Storage units belong outside of town. The ones we have now are not completely full. I think we need to bring in something that will create jobs,” Hall said. 

Mayor Bill Billings agreed, but said no one had offered other proposals.

“It would be nice, but we haven’t had anyone step up in the 15 years that building has not been used and offer to do anything with it until now,” Billings said. 

Henry Clark, who had plans to purchase the land, owns storage units in Glenwood and Shenandoah. 

“I like it from a location standpoint, but it does have some downsides,” Clark said. “I understand that some people who live there don’t want it there. I’m being required to make an offer on both lots in that location at the same time. So I want the same usage on both lots whether I choose to build on them or not.”

The land is currently owned by No Frills Supermarket, which is no longer in business at that location. However, No Frills will not split up the land. Wright advised the council that the Planning and Zoning Commission was opposed to the rezoning. 

“They did recommend not to rezone based on comments and concerns raised at the public hearing. The final decision comes before the council, and it has to pass by at least a four to one vote for approval,” Wright said. 

Lewis also questioned the need for new storage units. 

“Are we planning on having a lot of Red Oak residents moving in who need storage units?” Lewis asked. 

Billings said, as far as he knew, all the storage units in Red Oak were at capacity. He said city ordinances preventing residents from storing in their yards and under tarps have led to an increased need for storage units.

Lewis also asked about the upkeep of the units. She said they often lead to a lot of trash being left around. Clark said  he maintained and kept his units tidy.

Billings agreed, saying he’d driven by the other units Clark owned and the area around them was cleaned and maintained. 

Councilman Larry Barnett said his preference is to see some sort of low-income or HUD housing be placed on the land instead. Barnett made a motion to deny the zoning change, which was seconded by Councilman Roger Waggener. The council unanimously approved the motion. 

The council also reviewed bids from the 4th Street Red Oak Recreational Trail Project. A section of bike trail will be added along the west side of 4th Street beginning at Senate Avenue and running south to the Gold Fair Building. The low bid for the project was from Carley Construction for $141,600.

That bid was met with concern from all members of the council because of problems with Carley in the past. 

“This is a DOT (Iowa Department of Tranportation) letting, so our options are to refuse and reject all bids and start over. There’s little to indicate the bids would change unless we altered the scope of the project. If we want to proceed, we have to award it to Carley with the understanding that an inspector and an engineer will be on site at all times,” Wright said. 

While there were problems with deadlines, Wright said the quality of the finished job was satisfactory from Carley’s prior work for the city. Billings said the project was scheduled to be completed in 15 days, and they would be held to that. 

The council approved a resolution awarding the contract to Carley Construction. 

In other business, the council:

• Approved a request from the Kiwanis Club to close certain streets and place barricades for their Red Oak TRYathlon event April 30. 

• Approved a request from the Montgomery County Relay for Life to use city streets and use water-based paint on the route for their 5k run/walk event April 9. 

• Adopted the budget and city taxes for fiscal year 2016-17. 

• Approved agreements between the city and the Red Oak Professional Firefighters Association and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #238 Police Department, both effective July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. As part of the agreement, the wage increases with be 2.75 percent for both firefighters and police officers for the first year. The second and third years of the three-year contract will be 2.5 percent. 

• Signed an agreement with Fox Engineering Associates, Inc. for engineering services pertaining to a Nutrient Reduction Feasibility Study for the wastewater treatment plant. 

• Agreed to a $300 settlement with Kum & Go convenience store on a tobacco violation. 

• Moved to make a resolution awarding a contract on the 2016 street improvement project on Summit and Oak Streets.