Sioux Center is moving forward with a new commercial and industrial development aimed at giving businesses more room to expand or relocate.
The Sioux Center City Council on October 5th approved the plat for the Harvest Heights Commercial Addition and authorized the sale of approximately 13 acres of city-owned property to Sioux Center Land Development.
The development is located east of Pella, near 4th Avenue Northeast and 18th Street Northeast. The addition will include 10 lots ranging from approximately 0.78 to 1.83 acres. City staff said the project responds to a shrinking supply of available commercial lots on the north end of Sioux Center.
According to the council packet, the land sale is at fair market value and is part of an agreement with Sioux Center Land Development to further develop commercial and industrial lots in the community.
Space for Business Growth
Assistant City Manager Dennis Dokter told the council that some local businesses are exploring expansion or relocation opportunities in the development.
“I think the proximity into town or to town, it’s a little closer than some of the stuff we’ve done up north. It lays well. Nice size lots. So there will be good interest in it.”
No specific businesses or commitments were identified during the discussion.
The property is already zoned Industrial Park, consistent with surrounding development. Staff said the range of lot sizes should accommodate different business needs. The addition also lies within the municipal electric utility’s service territory.
Land immediately north of the addition will remain unplatted for now, preserving options for future development.
“We don’t plan on plotting that right now, but just to kind of keep it as one piece in case a large project comes along in the near future,” Dokter said.
Staff said that northern property could eventually be divided into smaller lots if demand warrants.
Street Access and Drainage
The project will continue 18th Street Northeast through the development, providing another route into and out of the nearby residential area.
“This would also just kind of provide another thoroughfare out of that area as, I guess, the density gets a little bit higher, but also provides some various sized, commercial lots,” Dokter said.
Staff said existing stormwater detention facilities were designed with development of the broader area in mind. Grading work will help prepare the commercial property and direct runoff toward those facilities.
Planned development covenants would also restrict standalone personal-storage buildings on lots one and ten. Staff described those as more visible lots with potential for other business uses, while noting that an office with storage space behind it could still be appropriate.
The council discussion did not establish a firm construction schedule or a date when the lots would become available.
