By Tim Douglass

tdouglass@pctribune.com

A rezoning proposal to add new construction of five new homes in Glenwood was denied by Glenwood City Commissioners last Tuesday.

The denial, however, was not intended to end the project, but to have the developer start over in the process so that planning details could be worked out before the rezoning.

Brendon Stryhn of Stryhn  LLC of Glenwood requested that a portion of the 4.24-acre property near the former A & W Restaurant and owned by Ken Moe Properties be rezoned from B-1 (business) to R-2 (residential).  The rezoning was to allow the vacant portion of the property to be developed into five residential lots.

During a public hearing on the request, Stryhn said his intent was to build homes on the property and said he wasn’t proposing to build the homes just because he’s a contractor, but because there is a shortage of affordable housing in Glenwood.  He said his company is bringing in about 15 new workers and “I think I speak for all employers when I say that there is a shortage of affordable housing” for added workforce.

I certainly understand your position on this, but I would hope you would understand ours,” he added.

The problem is that the city’s subdivision ordinance requires that the city streets be improved by the developer prior to development.

City Administrator Dave Iverson said the city just recently dealt with litigation over street maintenance because they allowed development without  making sure the city streets were up to the city’s standards.  “That’s why this makes us a little nervous,” he said.

Iverson said it was clear through the recent court case that the city needs to follow its subdivision ordinance.

Stryhn pointed out that there is an existing street that will service the lots, but didn’t want to pay for improvements upfront to that street when there is no way to know when or even if the street will be improved by the city.     

Stryhn said he is agreeing to all other utility requests by the city, including the storm water engineering and sewer and water access from the lots to the city’s services at that street.

Iverson said it would be “cleanest” for the city to deny the rezoning request at this point and start over in the conversation  knowing that the improvement was going to be made and so that the city was involved in every step.

City Attorney Troy Nelson agreed saying it was “easier to work things out on the front end that after dirt is moved.”

Stryhn said he understood the past litigation, but said the difference was that there is an existing road at the development and existing infrastructure.  He added that the city is already maintaining that road.

City Commissioner Todd Gylsen said that the development in that area would likely “incentivize” the city to improve that road.

City Commissioner Brent Cochran said he believed the city was interested in allowing the development, but added that there isn’t enough planning yet.  “There are too many unknowns, but we’re not trying to kill the project just slow it down and get the details.”

Again, Iverson advised that it was best “to deny it now and start the process over fresh.”

City Commissioner Mavis Pattee recognized the need for housing in the city and said she appreciated the efforts of the developers, but cited the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the rezoning and made the motion to deny the request.

“I hope we can move forward with a new plan,” she added.

The commission voted 4-0 to deny the rezoning for the preliminary plat subdivision.  Mayor Sherri Kazda was absent.

In other action, the commission:

•Approved the results of the 2024 General Election for the City of Glenwood. After the canvassing the results, it was revealed that there was 781 ballots counted in Precinct 1 and 149 in Precinct 2; and there were another 616 absentee ballots in both precincts.  There were 1,703 registered voters at 7 a.m. on election day in both precincts and there were 195 total new registered voters on that day.  The voter turnout in Precinct 1 was 82 percent and in Precinct 2 it was 78 percent.  The total voter turnout in Glenwood was 81.5 percent.  

There were two incumbent candidates Mavis Pattee and Todd Gylsen, both unopposed, who were reelected to four-year terms on the Glenwood City Commission.

•Approve a resolution certifying delinquent water, sewer, refuse utilities against the benefited properties.  The commission also increased the penalty amount for the delinquent bills from 8 percent to 10 percent.

•Canceled the Nov. 27 regular city commissioners meeting and the Dec. 26 meetings.  Both meetings are the second meeting of the month.  The Dec. 26 meeting was canceled but could be held if the commission decides it is necessary to conduct that meeting. 

•Approved an event permit to hold a wedding at Barsness Park for Mikayla Olson on Nov. 30 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.  It was estimated about 50 people would attend.