The Sioux Center City Council approved two measures during its June 23 meeting aimed at supporting continued residential growth on the city’s northeast side, including a new single-family subdivision and planning steps for future apartment development.
The council unanimously approved the final plat and rezoning for the Country View Heights North Fourth Addition, creating 16 new single-family residential lots on approximately 6.16 acres north of the existing Country View neighborhood. Council members also unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Multi-Residential Urban Revitalization Plan and designated additional property in The Ledges Second Addition as a multi-residential urban revitalization area following public hearings that received no written or oral comments.
Country View Heights Continues Northward Expansion
Assistant City Manager Dennis Dokter said the new subdivision is intended to provide additional attainable housing opportunities while continuing the long-term buildout of the Country View Heights area.
“We’d like to develop another area for a little bit more affordable lots. Most of the homes in this area… have been pretty successful in not only building spec homes over the years, but maybe first-time homes.”
Dokter said the fourth addition includes 16 lots instead of the 20 found in previous phases because space has been reserved for possible future development to the east.
Mayor Dale Vander Berg said the new addition is another sign of how quickly Sioux Center continues to grow.
“We said in the next three years, that place will look completely different to the north. It is really starting to do that.”
Wynja pointed to the continued construction of streets, walking trails, and nearby townhomes, adding that Iowa State University data shows Sioux Center’s population has grown approximately 43% since 2000.
Future Apartment Development
The council also approved Amendment No. 5 to the city’s Multi-Residential Urban Revitalization Plan, expanding the area to include property in The Ledges Second Addition.
Dokter explained that the action does not approve a new apartment project, but positions the property so a proposed development could qualify for tax incentives available under the city’s urban revitalization program.
“Vision Builders is considering or proposing to build apartments in this area right here. That’s why we want to bring that area into our plan.”
Under the city’s current policy, qualifying multi-family developments consisting of three or more contiguous rental units may receive a 100% tax abatement on the city’s portion of property taxes for up to 10 years. Dokter noted the apartment portion of the proposed development would be eligible, while nearby cottage-style homes shown in the concept plan would not because they are planned as owner-occupied rather than rental housing.
Vander Berg said expanding housing options remains important as more people choose to live and work in Sioux Center.
“We know people are staying here, living here, and getting good jobs, and housing is adamant. And this is a good step toward that.”
