Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Site located on 1.16 acres of land in north Hartley
The lot (outlined at the top of the photo) is located between North 2nd Avenue W and N 3rd Avenue West.
After a delay of nearly two weeks, the Hartley Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to recommend a change of zoning classification for a parcel located north of Highway 18.
The commission had conducted a hearing on Nov. 14 regarding a request from Hartley Community Daycare that the zoning classification of a parcel located between North 2nd Avenue W and N 3rd Avenue West be changed from A-1 Agricultural District to R-2 Multiple Family Residential District. The 1.16-acre site extending to the north corporate limits is the proposed site for a new daycare facility.
During the earlier hearing, the commission tabled action in order to consult with the city attorney and engineer. Several residents had expressed concerns regarding drainage issues that could arise with development of the proposed daycare site, as well as increased traffic and land use issues in that area.
At the second hearing on Nov. 27, Chairman Kent Billings stated that issues expressed earlier would be addressed by the city council, city attorney and city engineer, rather than by the commission.
Attorney Donald Hemphill, representing Hartley Community Daycare, agreed.
"I believe it is entirely right," Hemphill said. "Drainage is a city issue, not a daycare issue."
Hemphill also stated that an engineer for the project had determined that development of the parcel would have "little or no effect on the drainage system."
Neighboring residents suggested that rather than just rezoning the parcel for the daycare project, additional development of the entire area should be investigated.
"That area has the opportunity to grow," noted Dan Moermond. "I'd love to see the project, but I would also like to see the further development and growth of the city."
"I think everybody wants the daycare and everybody wants the city to grow, but our job is zoning," Commission Member Nick Steuben said.
The commission then voted to recommend to the city council that the parcel be rezoned to R-2, with the stipulation that 2nd Avenue West and 3rd Avenue West be left unblocked and that easements be in place to allow for utility extensions.
The city council will consider the commission's recommendations and hold a hearing on the rezoning request during its meeting on Monday, Dec. 9.
