Development News for Indianola, Iowa

Variance Approved for Reduced Setbacks on Corner Lot at 515 North I Street

The board considered a variance request from Ryan Gross for 515 North I Street to allow a new residential dwelling with reduced front yard (20 ft vs 30 ft), rear yard (15 ft vs 35 ft), and side yard (5 ft vs 8 ft) setbacks. The existing home will be demolished, and the new structure will be 1,200 sq ft with an 840 sq ft attached garage. The applicant noted that due to the corner lot configuration, meeting standard setbacks would severely limit the size of the buildable structure to approximately 10x62 feet. A previous variance for a home on this property was granted but not acted upon. The motion to accept the variance passed.

Variance Approved for Culver's Restaurant Setback at 1901 North Jefferson Way

Bishop Engineering, representing Culver's Restaurant at 1901 North Jefferson Way, requested a variance for a commercial building's front yard setback. The C2 highway commercial district requires a 40 ft setback, but the developer seeks a 29.73 ft setback (a variance of 10 ft 6 in). This is due to an L-shaped lot with a 90-degree angle that conflicts with the curve of Rolling Vista Place. The city agreed to vacate a portion of the right-of-way to mitigate the setback issue, reducing the required variance. The lot, platted in 2003 and vacant since, has triple frontage on Rolling Vista Place, West Hill Crest, and North Jefferson Way, with significant unusable space due to road right-of-way. The proposed development includes a drive-through restaurant. Public comment expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise, and lighting impacting nearby residential areas on Apple Drive. The motion to approve the variance passed.