Industrial rezoning near Ankeny clears hurdle

Catch up quick: The undeveloped property sits behind the business park in the 6800 and 6900 blocks of Northeast 14th Street.

• It's currently zoned as a "general commercial district," which wouldn't allow for some special trade businesses, such as landscaping companies.

What they're saying: The property sits in an area where the county's comprehensive plan calls for land uses to de-escalate in intensity as development moves toward single-family neighborhoods, Brian McDonough, a planning and development manager for the county, told supervisors.

The other side: Eric Cannon of Snyder & Associates, an engineering firm working on the project, told supervisors that the land has sat vacant for decades and the requested change would allow it to be developed.

• The development would resolve longstanding drainage issues by improving stormwater collection and detention, he said.

State of play: Supervisors voted 3-2 to advance the first of three readings to rezone the property, with Angela Connolly and Tom Hockensmith voting no, voicing concerns about the potential impact on nearby residents.

Yes, but: Support for the final readings — with Connolly and Hockensmith also saying they may reconsider — hinges on developers providing additional details about how they will buffer their developments from housing, such as fencing and shrubs.

What's next: Final readings are expected in the coming weeks.