Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Facility proposed in north part of town
Hartley daycare officials would still like to break ground on the facility this year.
The Hartley Planning and Zoning Commission did not take action on a request for a change of the zoning classification of land located north of Highway 18. That decision was made during a hearing on Nov. 14 that was attended by several residents.
Hartley Community Daycare requested that the zoning classification of the 1.16-acre parcel be changed from A-1 Agricultural District to R-2 Multiple Family Residential District. The daycare wishes to construct a new facility on the site which is located between North 2nd Avenue W and N 3rd Avenue W, and extends from the north boundary of the Terpstra Addition to the north corporate limits.
Director Kaity Pedley explained that the current facility in east Hartley has required expensive repairs due to its age and is not large enough to serve all the children whose families wish to utilize the daycare. A larger facility would accommodate nearly twice as many children and allow the daycare to offer more services, such as summer programs.
The board has investigated "multiple options" for a new site and the location north of Highway 18 was the only viable option.
"This was basically our last resort," Pedley said. "The land was donated to us. This is the best spot for us."
Neighboring property owners expressed concerns about how that site might be used if the daycare no longer existed, increased vehicle traffic in that area and whether there would be increased water runoff from that site. A property owner asked that a qualified engineer develop a drainage plan and that the city's engineer approve the plan prior to approval of the rezoning request.
According to discussion, the site will be laid out so water will run off toward the north and east. The plans could be adjusted to determine if any changes would be needed, but the daycare board believes their plans already address the runoff concerns.
Chairman Kent Billings said the commission was not against the daycare but suggested that in light of the issues raised during the hearing, it might be best to consult with the city attorney and engineer, and then meet to reconsider the rezoning request.
"We want to cover both sides. It's not just the daycare. We want to make sure everything is correct," said Commission Member Robert Young before the group agreed to table action on the request.
According to notices published in this issue of the Sentinel-News, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold another hearing on the daycare's rezoning request at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and the city council will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to consider the commission's recommendations.
• Zoning change for Highway 18 business
Commission members at the Nov. 14 hearing did forward a recommendation to the council that the zoning classification of parcels east and south of Stan's Service by SK Repair should be changed from R-1 Single-Family to C-2 Highway Commercial.
Owners Stephen and Kelly Embrey requested the rezoning to allow for possible expansion of their business, as well as to conform to vehicle parking regulations.
The only comment at the hearing came from Stan Jacobs, who is a neighboring landowner. He spoke in favor of the Embreys' request.
The council acted favorable on the commission's recommendation following a hearing on Monday.
