Sac City, Iowa Planning And Zoning Commission

02/19/2025

09/20/2023

The City of Sac City is looking for two people to become Planning & Zoning Commissioners.

Curtis Bloes currently serves as the president. The other commissioners are Jim Geery, Matt Mueggenberg, Jon Minnmann, and Brian Mahler. Teresa Bruening is the Council Liaison, Stacey Carlson is the P&Z Administrator and City Administrator Jamie Lawrence acts on our behalf in those matters that unfortunately end up in court.

Right now we are working on the creation and funding of a sidewalk replacement plan, annexation, future use plans for the property formerly known as "Sunwise," and ongoing delipidated housing enforcement. We are also doing a study that will determine the number of tradespeople needed to create an average response time of one week or less for our residents.

If interested in serving, call the City Clerk, Jamie Highland at 712 662 7593.

The Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday with meetings limited, as much as possible, to one hour or less. Commissioners are unpaid volunteers.

08/30/2023

Sac City Planning & Zoning acts on property at 304 Audubon Street.

Sac City, Iowa - August 24, 2023 - The work of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission , and in particular our work addressing dilapidated and nuisance properties directly contributes to increased tax revenue for the City of Sac City. This action is funded by the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission. There are 56 homes on our current abatement list. If we were to demolish all of the houses on our current abatement list today, it would cost approximately $625,000.00. The Sac City Planning and Zoning Commission is always accepting donations through the Sac Community Foundation at https://saccity.city/sac-community-foundation/.

On the recommendation of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission, the City of Sac City, Iowa, has taken legal action to address a concerning situation regarding a property located at 304 Audubon Street. In an official filing at the Iowa District Court for Sac County, the city has initiated a petition to obtain title to the abandoned property due to safety concerns and potential violations.

The property in question, legally defined as the south eighty-two (82) feet of lot five (5), block twenty (20), original town of Sac City, Sac County, Iowa, has raised alarms due to its condition. A building on the premises has been labeled a nuisance and a possible safety hazard, prompting the city's intervention.

Key aspects of the lawsuit include:

Abandoned Property and Safety Concerns: The property owners, Aletha Maddaford (also known as Aletha Kester) and Jason Maddaford, have been cited for violations of Sac City Municipal Code 145.03. The property is believed to have been abandoned by the owners.

Legal Basis: The city's legal move is grounded in pertinent Iowa Codes, including Section 657A.2, 657A.10B, and 657A.2(3). These codes empower the court to issue injunctions or orders in cases where abandoned properties pose safety threats.

Injunction for Safety and Resolution: The city is seeking a temporary and permanent injunction to rectify the hazardous situation. The court is expected to conduct a hearing within 20 days of an application for an injunction, providing an opportunity for the owners to address the concerns.

Potential Remedies: If the court determines that the building is abandoned and poses safety risks, it can mandate the owners to rectify the conditions or eliminate code violations. The city is also requesting that the court consider appointing a receiver to potentially demolish the property if the owners fail to comply.

Financial Implications: The court is also tasked with assessing the cost of abatement and potentially ordering the demolition of the building if deemed necessary.

Additional Parties: The lawsuit also names other parties with potential interests in the property, including the City of Sac City, Iowa, and Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC, based on past judgments.

The City of Sac City's legal counsel, represented by the Law Offices of Redenbaugh & Mohr, P.C., is pushing for equitable and safe resolution. The outcome of this case will significantly impact the property's future and the broader community's well-being.

08/25/2023

Sac City Planning & Zoning acts on property at 207 S. 13th Street.

Sac City, Iowa
This action is funded by the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission. The Sac City Planning and Zoning Commission has limited funding and is always accepting donations through the Sac Community Foundation at https://saccity.city/sac-community-foundation/.

On the recommendation of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission, the City of Sac City, Iowa, has taken legal action to address a property on 207 S. 13th Street that is causing serious concerns within the community. The city filed a petition in the Iowa District Court for Sac County against property owner Lorena DeJesus and other parties in possession, seeking a solution to the hazardous state of the property.

The property, identified as LOT THIRTEEN (13), BLOCK THREE (3), COLLEGE ADDITION TO SAC CITY, SAC COUNTY, IOWA, is currently the site of a building that has been labeled as both a nuisance and a potential safety hazard. The city claims that despite previous warnings, the building's condition remains dangerous and unsafe, posing a risk to the surrounding area.

The lawsuit alleges that Lorena DeJesus, who holds the title to the property, has abandoned it. The property has also been previously cited for violating Sac City Municipal Code 145.03, but no action has been taken by the owner to address the issues. The city is relying on specific Iowa Codes (Section 657A.2, 657A.10B, and 657A.2(3)) that empower the court to issue an injunction to compel the owner to rectify the hazardous condition or eliminate the code violation.

In addition, the city is requesting both temporary and permanent injunctions to address the problems at hand. According to Iowa Code Section 657A.2, the court will hold a hearing within 20 days after providing the owner with written notice of the injunction application. This hearing will determine if the owner takes necessary action to address the hazardous condition.

The city's lawsuit also seeks to address financial aspects related to the situation. The court will determine the cost of fixing the issues and could potentially order the demolition of the building if required. Furthermore, other parties, like Sac City, Iowa and Hauge Associates, Inc., are named as defendants in the case due to potential claims they might have concerning the property.

Lorena DeJesus' ownership, her abandonment of the property, and the failure to rectify its hazardous state are central to the city's legal claims. The city's legal representation from the Law Offices of Redenbaugh & Mohr, P.C. is pushing for an equitable solution that ensures public safety and addresses the community's concerns.

08/24/2023

Sac City Planning & Zoning acts on property at 402 S. 10th Street.

Sac City, Iowa - August 24, 2023
The work of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission , and in particular our work addressing dilapidated and nuisance properties directly contributes to increased tax revenue for the City of Sac City. This action is funded by the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission. The Sac City Planning and Zoning Commission has limited funding and is always accepting donations through the Sac Community Foundation at https://saccity.city/sac-community-foundation/.

On the recommendation of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission, The City of Sac City, has taken action to address a property that has raised serious safety concerns within the community. The city filed a petition in the Iowa District Court for Sac County, seeking a resolution to the hazardous situation at 402 S. 10th Street.

The property in question, legally described as LOT ONE (1), BLOCK TEN (10), COLLEGE ADDITION TO SAC CITY, SAC COUNTY, IOWA, has become a source of concern due to its deteriorating and unsafe condition. The building on the property has been classified as a nuisance and a danger to public safety.

The lawsuit names Richard D. Dusenberry and Karen K. Dusenberry as the defendants who hold title to the property. The City of Sac City alleges that the property has been abandoned by its owners and that the hazardous state of the building poses a threat to the community.

Despite previous citations and warnings, the condition of the building has not improved, and it continues to violate Sac City Municipal Code 145.03. The city is invoking Iowa Codes Section 657A.2, 657A.10B, and 657A.2(3) in its legal action. These codes empower the court to issue an injunction to compel the owners to rectify the dangerous condition or eliminate the code violation.

Furthermore, the City of Sac City is seeking both temporary and permanent injunctions to address the problem. Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 657A.2, a court hearing is scheduled, allowing the owners an opportunity to address the hazardous situation. If the owners fail to address the issues, the court could order actions to correct the condition, including potential property demolition.

The lawsuit also brings attention to the financial implications of the case. The court is expected to determine the cost of abatement and could potentially order the demolition of the building if necessary. Additionally, other parties with potential interests in the property, including Sac City, Iowa, and Hauge Associates, Inc., have been named as defendants in the case due to their potential claims related to the property.

The City of Sac City's legal counsel, represented by the Law Offices of Redenbaugh & Mohr, P.C., is pursuing legal remedies to ensure public safety and resolve the hazardous property situation. The case highlights the municipality's commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for its residents.

As the case progresses, the court's decision will likely have significant implications for the future of the property and the safety of the community.

08/23/2023

SAC CITY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023
SAC CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The regular monthly meeting of the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 18, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Sac City Council Chambers with the following commissioners present: Curtis Bloes, Jim Geery, Brian Mahler, and Jon Minnmann. Commissioners Angela Murley and Matt Muggenberg were absent. President Curtis Bloes presided. Also present was P & Z Officer, Stacey Carlson and City Council Representative Teresa Bruening.

Roll call indicated a quorum.

No conflicts of interest noted.

Motion by Jim Geery, seconded by Jon Minnmann to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

P&Z Officer Stacy Carlson presented the Zoning Officer Report.

BUILDING PERMITS:
-- 328 S. 19th Street – 4” Chainlink Fence
-- 204 Elm St. – Gog Enclosure/6’ Wooden Fence
-- 317 S 13th – Dog kennel
-- 1600 Martin St. – Patio / 6” Fence
-- 1004 Early St. – 4’ Fence/driveway
-- 705 Oak St. – 16x24 Room Addition/Deck/Sidewalk
-- 704 S. 12th – 6’ Fence
-- 801 N. 5th – New House/Garage/Driveway/Sidewalk
-- 910 Robbins St. – 6’ Privacy Fence
-- 1301 main St. – 36x48 Building/Sidewalk/Driveway

Motion by Brian Mahler, seconded by Jim Geery to approve July 18, 2023 Zoning Officer Report. Motion carried.

The Enforcement Officer Report was not available to review. Commissioners noted the need for action at the following properties:
-- 309 Elm St.
-- 812 Main St. (Roof)
-- 517 West main (Window)
-- 402 S. 10th St. (Nuisance Property)
-- 911 Main St. (Porch)
-- West Main (Roof)

Individual blocks in Sec 3 of the City of Sac City Sidewalk map were assigned to commissioners to inventory for future review.

On motion by Jon Minnmann, seconded by Jim Geery, Susan McCollum’s resignation from the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission was recommended for acceptance by the Sac City City Council.

After a brief discussion, Commissioner Mahler was assigned the task of creating a google docs that will be distributed to the public as a survey to determine the public’s wishes on the future use of 501 Williams Street.

The commissioners determined that Sac City will be deficient in number, people in the following trades in the next five years:
-- Plumbers
-- Electricians
-- Carpenters
-- Certified Nursing Assistants
-- Registered Nurses
-- Licensed Practical Nurses
-- Masons

Motion by Brian Mahler, second by Jim Geery to adjourn. Motion carried


SAC CITY PLANNING & ZONING BOARD

___________________________________
Secretary

08/23/2023

Sac City Planning and Zoning making progress on sidewalk improvement

Sac City, Iowa - In 2022, the Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) began work on a strategic sidewalk improvement plan. This plan divides the town into manageable zones, thus enabling a phased and systematic approach to addressing sidewalk enhancement and enforcement. The principal objective driving this initiative revolves around the establishment of an all-encompassing, enduring strategy aimed at elevating the standard of sidewalks across the entire town.

A parallel effort is being undertaken by the Sac City Council involving the recodification of the city code. A noteworthy aspect of this revision is the substantial alteration in the approach to dealing with hazardous and deteriorated sidewalks.

On August 22, 2023, as the P&Z concluded a survey of sidewalks within Zone 3 (see photo). This comprehensive data collection will play a pivotal role in the establishment of the revised city code, ultimately dictating the prioritization and ex*****on of sidewalk rehabilitation efforts.

03/15/2021

Sac City, Iowa

11/02/2020