The Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission will hear proposed ordinance amendments for utility-scale wind projects in Linn County during its meeting on May 20. The commission will make a recommendation to the county Board of Supervisors regarding proposed ordinance changes governing utility-scale wind projects in Linn County. There also will be opportunities for public comment.
The supervisors eventually will discuss the panel’s recommendation and review the proposed ordinance changes at a future public meeting, which has not been set. The supervisors have the final decision on the proposed amendments for utility-scale wind projects in Linn County.
A draft of the proposed ordinance amendments is available on the county website. Updates to regulations include but are not limited to setbacks, noise, decommissioning, wildlife mitigation, agricultural impact mitigation and shadow flicker.
To develop proposed policy changes, Linn County Planning & Development staff used lessons learned from the Renewable Energy Review Committee’s input on code changes governing utility-scale solar projects, as well as an analysis of current wind ordinance best practices.
Before the commission meets May 20, residents may read a draft of the proposed ordinance amendments on the Linn County website and submit feedback via an online form available at linncountyiowa.gov. Feedback is requested by 5 p.m. May 10. This feedback will be summarized and presented alongside the proposed changes.
To be notified of future Planning & Zoning Commission or Board of Supervisors meetings and agendas, visit the Agendas & Minutes page of the Linn County website.
New North Liberty City Hall opens Thursday
City Hall in North Liberty will open at its new location in the heart of the city on April 25.
The new building, at 360 N. Main St., brings City Hall to its fourth — and final — home. City Hall will close at its current 3 Quail Creek Circle location at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, and open for business at the new Main Street location at 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 25.
A public open house and ribbon cutting is planned for Tuesday, May 14, from 4:30-6 p.m. before the first city council meeting in the new chambers.
The city began acquiring land for a new civic campus a decade ago. Construction of the new City Hall follows the recent remodeling of the nearby fire station and the 2020 opening of the new police station.
The new facility, which sits between Reds Alehouse and the Police Department amid Dubuque, Cherry and Main streets, will house the city’s administrative offices, city council chambers, flexible indoor community space and a public plaza for events, gatherings and other community building.
The offices bring together administrative, finance, billing, human resource, legal, building inspection, planning, information technology and community relations staff into a single facility for the first time ever.
Linn County supervisor chair to deliver State of the County
Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt will deliver this year’s State of the County address at 4 p.m. May 9 in the formal board room at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW. Running-Marquardt will be joined by Linn County Auditor Joel Miller, who also will speak at the event.
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees do not need to RSVP.
The State of the County will be livestreamed on Linn County’s website, linncountyiowa.gov. A recording of the event will be available on the website following the event.
Marion to hold citywide garage sale
Marion will hold a citywide garage sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 11.
Residents interested in participating should complete the online form, available at cityofmarion.org, and indicate the types of items that will be for sale at their address. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. May 5. It is free to participate but participants should plan to provide their own signage.
A map of participating households will be shared on cityofmarion.org/garagesale the week of May 6.
Marion receives Tree City USA award
The City of Marion recently received the 2023 Tree City USA Growth Award at the 33rd Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources presented the award on April 4 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
“The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees,” state forester Jeff Goerndt said in a news release. “Your community has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”
Marion was one of 21 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA Growth status. Cities must, at a minimum, provide education and public relations; partnerships; planning and management; and tree planting and maintenance in their communities to receive the award.
Marion has consistently been recognized as a Tree City USA since 1993.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporter Marissa Payne contributes.
