County learns of city’s influence on development

In preparation of further research of a housing development proposal west of Creston, Union County Board of Supervisors were informed Monday the city of Creston does have a say on developments in a 2 mile radius of town.

Eric Green of Green Land Surveying and president of L2 Analytics of Creston informed supervisors via a letter stating Iowa Code 354.9 and Creston’s code that states the city’s involvement in such proposals. The county had created a committee suggesting several of its elected officials to review all possible financial and legal options to convert the former Pine Valley Golf Course into a housing development. Green suggested the county involve Creston officials.

Co-owned by Chad Rieck, he has met with the county multiple times about funding to build a road within the property to encourage lot sales and development. The area falls under the county’s urban revitalization plan that offers a tax break for new housing. But the area can’t be used for both financial programs at the same time. The county has discussed making the area tax increment financing zone where property tax revenue from the area is used only in the area.

Green said he has been involved with rural subdivisions within Creston’s jurisdiction and said each plat needed to follow the city’s subdivision regulations.

Green said Whitmann’s Subdivision west of Creston on 170th Street was built to city standards at the owner’s expense, including a paved street, curb and gutter and a sanitary sewer lift station connected to the city sewer system at McKinley Park.

Supervisor Chair Rick Friday said the supervisors will put its committee on hold for further research about the city.