New housing development inching closer

    Council members looked over a replat of the former Wellington Street football field Monday, which is inching ever closer to becoming a new Imperial housing development.
    WellPark LLC and Sam Kunnemann requested the replat and the closing of 11th Street that, on planning documents, runs through the property. The street has never been developed.
    The council reviewed the requests, both of which have Planning Commission approval, at Monday’s city council meeting.
    No action was taken for some further clarification.
    City Attorney Josh Wendell said plans for grading, clarification on drainage pipes and a drainage pond have been discussed with the property owner, but specific plans for those things do not appear on the replat.
    He told council members if the replat was approved, the owner can begin selling lots.
    “I’m just urging a little caution,” he said.
    “I’m not saying there is anything wrong with the replat but if there are other components, we need to see them,” he said.
    Wendell suggested an agreement be drawn up, signed by Kunnemann and city officials, that spells out action on those issues.
    He said he could have the agreement ready for the council’s May 16 meeting.
    Council members noted drainage issues along East 12th Street have arisen in the past. The WellPark LLC property borders East 12th.
    “I don’t want to see a drainage issue every time it rains,” said council member Chad Yaw.

    Public Works Supt. Pat Davison said drainage pipes from the WellPark LLC property will tie in with the city’s storm sewer northeast of the field.
    The development plan shows lots for 14 homes, most of them on a quarter of an acre. One lot on the northwest includes .33 of an acre.
    The council had no issues with the closing of 11th Street, also requested by Kunnemann, but will vote on both requests at the same meeting.
Two other public hearings
    A new daycare operated by Cyndi Langenfeld of Imperial is a step closer after the council approved a conditional use permit for its operation in the Imperial Manor basement.
    The unanimous vote on the CUP allows her to begin securing licensing from the state for the daycare business. The Planning Commission gave its approval at an earlier meeting.
    The council delayed approval of an agreement between the city and Langenfeld on specifics of the operation because the senior services board had not yet reviewed it.
    If all proceeds, Langenfeld hopes to start operating on Aug. 1.
    The council also approved a request from Stewart Weiss and Annie Sieperda to close an alley between their properties between West 13th and 14th Streets. An easement will remain for the gas line in that alley.