The Kalona City Council began the process of a conditional rezone with a public hearing at its Monday meeting which would allow for commercial development on a Southtown lot.

The lot, located at 2554 133rd Street, is currently zoned as Agricultural, as all land is upon initial annexation into the city, and is proposed to be rezoned to Highway Commercial. That rezone would include conditions only allowing for a restaurant, retail space, and up to nine short-term cabins. Any other use would need to be approved by the city council.

City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh explained that the conditional use agreement still needs to be vetted by the city’s attorney and that the plan aligned with the city’s future land use map.

According to the Washington County GIS, the land was purchased by Stephen and Jerilyn Rich for $264,438.00 in 2021, and Sand Hill Ventures, LLC was added to the deed on April 15 of this year.

The zoning ordinance amendment was unanimously approved on first reading and needs to pass two more readings for complete approval. The council can choose to waive the second reading. No residents spoke at the public hearing.