County approves tax incentive program

Union County Board of Supervisors are hopeful a day will come flags will be needed at the former Pine Valley Golf Course west of Creston.

The flags will not be to mark the holes on the greens, but to mark utility lines for construction of new homes.

Monday, the board unanimously approved a tax incentive program for new residential construction on the former golf course. The incentive becomes active after publication. A date of publication had not yet been determined.

Union County Board of Supervisors have found their target area for a tax incentive program that encourages new residential construction.

“We need to get some houses out there,” said Supervisor Ron Riley.

For many months, supervisors have researched and discussed a tax abatement plan that would allow residential development 100% of taxes on the first $75,000 of new value added for a maximum of five years. County officials were aware of potential housing development on the former Pine Valley Golf Course west of Creston.

Residents have the option to petition the program. If there are no formal petitions questioning the program, the incentive will become active.

A group collectively purchased the former Pine Valley Golf and Bowl west of Creston on U.S. Highway 34. The golf course also had a bowling alley which has been remodeled into a meat market and feed and accessories store show livestock.

Chad Rieck, one of the new owners, said earlier this year the only road access to lots on the course for homes is Cromwell Road. Water would be provided by Southern Iowa Rural Water Association since the area is outside of city limits. Electricity is already in the area and each house would have a septic system.