March 28, 2024

City council reviews proposed comprehensive plan

Sidewalks, child care and affordable housing were discussed as the Creston City Council looked at the first three chapters of the proposed comprehensive plan during its regular meeting Tuesday via Zoom.

After the council has reviewed the entire plan, it will vote on whether or not to adopt it. Once adopted, the ideas in the plan do not change existing ordinances, rather they are designed to guide the council, planning and zoning commission and board of adjustment as they make decisions in the future.

Much of the discussion centered on chapter three, the current conditions in Creston. Council member Rich Madison commented on several items on the plan. Madison said a decaying block on the south side —identified by a case study in the plan — would be a good area for the housing committee to focus their efforts.

“The comment about Creston having lost 80 housing units in that period of time, that’s not thedirection we need to be going,” Madison said.

He also referenced the fact that nearly half of the renters in Creston pay more than 30% of their income in rent, saying Creston needs more affordable housing or better wages.

Mayor Gabe Carroll suggested the members of the council read the book “Strong Towns.” He said it explains the philosophy of building on the infrastructure that already exists.

Older residents are staying in their homes longer, Carroll said. The city should promote the programs and grants that will help keep them there safely.

Madison spoke on the need to help homeowners fix broken sidewalks. He suggested the city work on a new sidewalk ordinance that includes a process where residents are able to finance sidewalk improvements by paying it back on their taxes.

Council member Matt Levine seconded the idea saying that he has a sidewalk in front of his home that he cannot afford to fix properly.

Levine also brought up the idea that Creston is in need of more child care availability. He said the area has been called a “child care desert.”

Chapters 4 through 7 will be discussed at the Nov. 3 city council meeting. The link for the meeting will be available on the city council website and in the Creston News Advertiser.

Those interested in reviewing the proposed comprehensive plan for the city may go to crestoniowa.gov/documentcenter.