Sheldon, Iowa — The Sheldon City Council heard about a new development plan for the former Bethel Church property during their regular meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Justin Postma, of Posty’s Rebuild and Remodel has submitted a plan to the City that calls for eight dwelling units on the site, which is located on the north side of 7th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenue.
The plan calls for two duplex dwellings on the south side of the property along with two single-family dwellings, one on the east side of the property and one on the west side.
The next steps for the project are Council consideration of a new Minimum Assessment Agreement for the project, which could come as soon as the August 16th council meeting. Approximately four to six weeks later, the project will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Within 30 days of the P&Z meeting, a hearing will be set on the preliminary and final plat, with a Council hearing two weeks later.
City Manager Sam Kooiker says the matter may need to go to the Board of Adjustment, but that will not be confirmed until the City has the permit applications in hand. If variances are needed, they will be less in scope than the previous proposal, according to Kooiker.
He says taxpayer investment would remain at $110,000 (for the demolition assistance), plus the few hours of legal fees necessary to change the Minimum Assessment agreement.
Postma told the Council that his company is building two new homes in the City’s Crossroads Addition, and would begin construction on the Bethel project once those are completed.
A neighbor of the Bethel site told the Council that he was concerned about blowing dust coming off the site, and asked that steps be taken to correct that problem. Gene Bomgaars, on behalf of Bethel Church, told the Council the church, which still owns the property, would work with Postma’s company to remedy the situation.
