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McGregor creates new zoning district

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By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

The McGregor City Council, at its Jan. 20 meeting, approved the creation of a new W-3 waterfront - manufactured home regime zoning district. The move, which came at the recommendation of the city’s planning and zoning commission, is in reference to the four park model trailer homes at the north end of the Boatels property along the riverfront.

 

The owners, who are in the process of purchasing the property, requested the change because the structures currently constitute a non-conforming use. Amending the zoning ordinance permits the use seen in that spot now and allows for property improvements, or even replacement of a trailer.

 

According to the ordinance, a manufactured home regime is considered a “complex of separately owned residential dwelling units located on a single real estate parcel held in common ownership solely by the owners of the units, with each having an undivided interest in the common real estate.”

 

At the December council meeting, McGregor city attorney Mike Schuster likened the set-up to units in a condominium building.

 

The ordinance creates a district unique to this use, while also permitting any of the uses in McGregor’s W-2 waterfront mixed use zoning.

 

Railroad crossing upgrades proposed

The council approved engaging Davy Engineering Co., at a cost of $22,000, to develop preliminary designs for a proposed upgrade to the railroad crossing from Main Street to the McGregor riverfront, by the boat ramp.

 

The project, including updates to the railroad crossing and any corresponding approach and site work, would cost an estimated $146,600 and make the crossing safer and the boat landing more accessible. Among the proposed updates is the addition of crossing gates. Plans also include:

•Shifting, narrowing and adding curbing at the crossing to guide traffic, along with some minor approach work.

•Installation of a retaining wall on the northeastern side of the crossing to enclose ballasts, as well as removal of garbage cans.

•Installation of fencing and a retaining wall on the southern side of the boat landing to increase room for a turn radius to the boat landing.

•Improvement of the sidewalk near the boat landing to meet ADA compliance.

 

The project came about because the city is receiving DOT money for the upcoming Main Street sewer project, which will also include a complete street reconstruction. Since the street is getting fixed, city administrator Lynette McManus said the DOT would like the nearby crossing to be up to safety standards as well.

 

Although related, the crossing upgrade will not be part of the Main Street project. It requires a separate engineering agreement and its own funding sources.

 

In its proposal, Davy Engineering said it may take several years for project funding to be awarded due to a major backlog in state and federal funding.

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