Sheldon, Iowa — The lion’s share of Wednesday’s Sheldon City Council meeting was devoted to the proposed resolution approving the facilitation of demolition of the fire-damaged Bethel Reformed Church and transition of the property to residential housing.
The church was approached by City Manager Sam Kooiker and Development Director Curt Strouth because they saw an opportunity to facilitate construction of more housing and with it, taxable valuation, and to revitalize the core of the Sheldon community.
The proposed agreement offered $110,000 in Urban Renewal Funds for a minimum of $800,000 taxable residential valuation. The property was added to the Urban Renewal Area earlier this year to facilitate the action.
During the public hearing, the council heard from a representative of Bethel Church about the project, as well as a neighbor and a pair of citizens, who had concerns about the City’s involvement, as well as the type of housing that would be erected on the site. Council member Brad Hindt stated that he thought the City should see a final plan for the type of housing that would go on the site, before the council approved any agreements with Bethel.
After much council discussion, Hindt made a motion to postpone action on the resolution approving the agreements until the second meeting in January. That motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Wayne Barahona advanced a motion to approve the resolution as written. That motion was seconded by Councilman Pete Hamill. The resolution passed with Barahona, Hamill and Councilman Ken Snyder voting yes, Hindt voting no, and Councilman Tom Eggers abstaining since he is a member of the Bethel Church congregation.
