[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6613506,"mediaKeyId","2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf","parentId",2870001,"title","Marion City Council votes: mobile food rules, Tulip Tree development agreement and multiple code updates","audioSeconds",421,"startMs",3732000,"endMs",4153000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf&start=3732&end=4153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf/thumbnail_3732000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613506/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-City-Council-votes-mobile-food-rules-Tulip-Tree-development-agreement-and-multiple-code-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613506-827d7cbb9c34796a4c1b0dae140a20b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146293&Signature=I3IMze8QlJDRVxBwxAeFV5yavUduEqw2qIEvLuz3ErioF8VE~FxDIhJWS-StVYBilLWUlCQx0trwVpjrsDHz8xFyx-uyIe8ho2~L0-c0~W82IYo1ngO-nxVCVxbB0PJh3gKSAue0lcLlursNQQ4W26ZsQ6eDwS~ykBPfQZqovy8zMaH9Me7ocAbmJni1wPOi6bIW1Ah1UXRgV7TRSuJ8GDgdIUwRo5EBJek8zqqJO3EWP9jVbNKz1OMKB~khaPhbbJhsB1ObVGEZvMpchVPxkSxQeNIBvCb8DDENNb1m-rfSIA9PyGkQZ8ralObSmZuiiSDB~w~RaqDlXQg0jzKctw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion","date","2025-04-04T03:07:47.127Z","article","The Marion City Council approved multiple resolutions and ordinances Thursday during a meeting that included public hearings and several final actions.

Key outcomes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda covering items A1 through D11 and resolutions numbered 32315 through 32335. A second consent motion that included the mayor’s abstention passed for resolutions 32336 through 32338.
- Mobile food units ordinance (Ordinance No. 25‑03): Final consideration and approval. The ordinance establishes Chapter 214 of the Marion Code of Ordinances regarding mobile food units. The council voted to approve the ordinance on final consideration.
- Tulip Tree Apartments development agreement (Resolution No. 32339): Council held a public hearing and approved a development agreement with Community Housing Initiatives Inc. for Tulip Tree Apartments (728 Oak Brook Drive), a 40‑unit senior affordable rental project participating in the Iowa Finance Authority low‑income housing tax credit program. The agreement authorizes annual appropriation tax‑increment payments and pledges certain tax‑increment revenues; staff described the incentive as a 10‑year, 100% rebate with a $450,000 maximum. Resolution 32339 passed.
- YMCA memorandum amendment (Resolution No. 32340): Council approved the first amendment to the memorandum of agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area regarding operations of the Marion Recreation Center. One council member abstained from the vote due to an employment conflict of interest; the resolution passed.
- Sidewalk Ramp Project (2025): Public hearing and project calendar approval. The council awarded the 2025 Sidewalk Ramp Project to the low bidder (Hunt Construction) at about $167,000 (87.4% of the engineer’s estimate) and approved project calendars (Resolutions 32341–32342). Work timelines: work cannot begin before May 27, must start before July 14, and is to be completed within 55 working days; liquidated damages set at $300/day.
- Zoning and code changes: Council advanced multiple ordinance items. Ordinance 25‑06 (amending Chapter 340 — zoning definitions in central corridor districts) was approved on final consideration after suspending rules; several other ordinance updates (building code 25‑07, plumbing 25‑08, mechanical 25‑09, housing 25‑10, nuisance abatement 25‑11, property maintenance 25‑12) received initial consideration and will return for subsequent readings. Ordinance 25‑05 (amendments relating to weeds and natural landscaping) received initial consideration.

Votes and procedural notes: Where recorded, votes were taken by voice; several motions were moved and seconded by council members (the meeting transcript records motions and seconds but does not always list named movers/seconders). The Tulip Tree development agreement passed after a public hearing in which staff reported no outside comments were filed.

The council set timelines for further review on draft zoning and design standard updates (planning commission review, then return to council for readings) and directed staff to continue work on the moratorium and ordinance package aimed to be completed before July 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","YouTube - City Council - Audio/Presentation - 4.3.25","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved an array of consent items, adopted a new mobile food‑unit ordinance, approved a development agreement for Tulip Tree senior housing, advanced several code updates and set the sidewalk ramp project for construction.","taxTitle","Marion City, Linn County, Iowa","taxId",55360,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613509,"City moves forward on corridor design standards; council discusses gas‑station siting, material rules and moratorium list",1476,2044000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf&start=2044&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf/thumbnail_2044000.jpg","/articles/6613509/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/City-moves-forward-on-corridor-design-standards-council-discusses-gasstation-siting-material-rules-and-moratorium-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613509-5361b8b9e6871ef65296fedee4f5e863/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146293&Signature=EIZBqetRlzG~H7n67fAaKEI2IOQ-CmtriqVaYvNOKZ~n4vQEeQQ-s~-0q6omEMRgMQtnZKKjO8rsoztUnM4KDOdc8xlq~DGCMsFNCbnZ-lzSFt1WCztEjP5Wrd46nFfeMGk16ExUauEKmSNWwYN~iL-7mgT1GdrF4Z0gsksoJW42XEVhknHB3D7hSoZ6P1tPi2MufERd3uj1QmPxNRtJ0clG9h7rhFhOVcO0kVV2c997c~mu-q2m9J7AAMld9NE6JswkftqwND4-O8fTKwrEQp81bR0Ggl~qhR1ApWm36WKiMMsoePhy3LDRtly5ChyUIt3tgMHBiFwkUWU3XCR-3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants and city staff presented draft updates Thursday to Marion’s corridor design standards and use rules, showing proposed restrictions and new architectural, landscaping and sign standards intended to guide development along Tower Terrace Road, Highway 13, Highway 100 and the Highway 151 corridor.

Charlie Cowell, design consultant with RDG, said the work flows from the council’s recently adopted comprehensive plan and focuses on uses placed on the moratorium list, “architectural, landscaping, signage and any specific use standards we need to tweak to get to the vision we want to see.” Cowell said the team is considering a 600‑foot buffer in some places (and a 1,200‑foot reference) and treating different corridors differently.

Major proposal highlights:
- Use and buffer limits: The team recommended prohibiting some uses within 600 feet of Tower Terrace Road and suggested smaller lists for Highway 151 and Highway 13. Retail thresholds were discussed (e.g., large‑format retail over 30,000 sq. ft.).
- Gas station policy: Because residents said they do not want gas stations “everywhere,” staff proposed limiting gas stations to arterial intersections (examples: Tower Terrace with Albertette Road, 10th Street, Highway 13) or alternatively adopting a distance requirement between stations (a thousand feet was referenced as an example). Staff also discussed limiting the number of fueling hoses per station to control scale; consultant and council conversation ranged between 8 and higher counts during the meeting.
- Materials and architecture: Staff proposed applying material standards (brick, stone, architectural metal, etc.) within 600 feet of corridors, closing a gap that currently exempts manufacturing buildings; the objective is to avoid blank walls and require architectural variety along primary corridors.
- Housing and mixed‑use: The team proposed allowing multiunit residential behind commercial frontage in the BC district (horizontal mixed use), while protecting commercial frontage on entry corridors.
- Distance rules for sensitive uses: Staff recommended adding distance‑separation requirements among dispensaries and between certain retail types (liquor, smoke and vape) similar to existing buffers from schools and parks.

City staff said they mailed postcards to property owners along central corridors and held a public open house, and the draft ordinance updates will be accompanied by a guidebook of images. Kim (city staff) said staff aims to complete the moratorium and ordinance updates before July 1.

Council members asked for more clarity on pump counts, canopy sizes and how the city would avoid clustering of convenience stores and tobacco/liquor sellers on narrower corridor lots. Some council members said more nuanced location or distance rules would be appropriate given differences in parcel depth along Highway 151. Cowell and staff said they will refine the standards and return with formal draft ordinance language for planning commission review and subsequent council consideration.

No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the council provided input and directed staff to proceed with drafting the moratorium/ordinance language and associated design guidance.","Staff and consultants presented draft zoning and design‑standard updates for Marion’s major corridors, including proposed buffers, limits on some uses, material standards within 600 feet of corridors and locational controls for gas stations; staff aims to finish moratorium and ordinance updates before July 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613513,"Council hears detailed concepts for three Marion neighborhood parks; public open house to shape final plans",779,720000,1499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf&start=720&end=1499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6613513/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Council-hears-detailed-concepts-for-three-Marion-neighborhood-parks-public-open-house-to-shape-final-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613513-58dc7de7618450e78e6e6ffd9f612574/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146293&Signature=oGd6S7SvTQhgPQAOBur9VMIK0y2d6Q5Vnwm~9zLepYwbM5jrqJCYdXjDr0GBM9gMOfvfDy53rllsTNVtGlhq18f2gjnMhJ1j0dVD8kfw5POR2H1alwaArF8PN2njyIdz5QuSA5wG1wSLZ2HPsma61fhF3~deu0idAFK8W6xpHA-ot-YGWF6E8kqx0bJoriWzfuRm3alRkoLuui894uY2rmiEiyp3-BT5esP7KBptM5oEBrmrQ14YxrmaSsjwx3uKEpZ767xr-i3cE-U9Lis9IsIKEaieU8Kefc5XYFLbGYUKl8P0AAhR59yMaSK99L1zSgeFyAg9M95w6WcwbVTP~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultants presented draft master‑plan concepts Thursday for three neighborhood parks in Marion — Lucore Park, Waterland Park and Willow Park — and told the City Council they will refine designs and phasing after two weeks of public comment and an open house held the same evening.

Scott Crawford, project lead with RDG Planning & Design, said the city began the planning process in November and has held public open houses and steering‑committee meetings. “We started with inventory analysis and initial goal setting,” Crawford told the council, and the team will use public feedback to “refine that into the final concept and start working through the implementation approach” for each park.

Key elements of the draft concepts:
- Lucore Park: reuse of existing farm structures (silo and corn crib), interpretive elements marking former barn foundations, a half‑mile and quarter‑mile trail loop, eight pickleball courts, open‑air shelters, restrooms, parking at the northwest corner shared with a planned maintenance facility and a future water‑tower site, native plantings on steeper slopes and a large multipurpose lawn.
- Waterland Park: roughly 8 acres planned for park development within a larger 9–11‑acre property, coordinated adjacency with a proposed elementary school, park drive and off‑street parking, play area, splash feature, shared basketball/futsal court, and restored prairie plantings on the east side; the plan envisions connections to neighborhood greenways and a potential regional stormwater detention feature serving about 600 acres.
- Willow Park: master planning driven by the future Abernett (Auburnett) Road extension through the park; concepts include active recreation east of the new road (shared court, playground, shelters), passive recreation west of the road (trails and open space), a proposed reconstructed wetland and an elevated wetland overlook or boardwalk, an underpass beneath the future bridge, a trail link to the Indian Creek Trail and a beginner pump track.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the water‑tower location at Lucore and whether trails might conflict with elevated structures, the lack of ball fields in the designs (project staff said neighborhood feedback did not show a strong demand and noted topography and old‑landfill conditions limiting field viability), and how the city will phase work. Crawford said phasing and cost estimates will be developed after collecting public input; staff plans to return to council in June with refined master plans and anticipated implementation costs.

Seth, the city project manager, and Crawford said prairie plantings and smaller initial phases could be implemented earlier at Lucore while larger components—playgrounds, pickleball courts, parking—would be phased as development and funding allow. RDG will also publish the online engagement updates via SocialPinpoint and incorporate responses received over the next two weeks.

No formal council action was taken; the presentation and open‑house feedback will guide the next design and budgeting steps.","City staff and consultant RDG presented draft master plans for Lucore, Waterland and Willow parks including trails, picnic shelters, pickleball courts, wetland reconstruction and a pump track; staff will refine designs and cost estimates after public feedback and return to council in June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613518,"Marion Civil Rights Commission outlines outreach push and minority‑business data project",160,496000,656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf&start=496&end=656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870001-fd783585297853bc11d1d1e6b6fcf7bf/thumbnail_496000.jpg","/articles/6613518/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-Civil-Rights-Commission-outlines-outreach-push-and-minoritybusiness-data-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613518-cf1083bd5390093a4855f9e6c7bda876/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146293&Signature=HjNEnt7A966fuHv8Rcs1huQyOnwx8mcHKUmJAyNmHT68DNX1fP89Ug027TMNApqfP7TVROVKthdvP6M5A3HIpnO4JmYbmZaycJ03r1a6b8wz5iuo1X7dz-N6t7icy0zvmJzES-bEUCMtDmc00Eg3kfwgZc5Bf7a2qgJx3B8qhKMrAY-rDUrbfOpez6Cbw4DaQZQRvTOxy58W5MifG4bsnSC0L6Fizdzo53IdzcjJiIYUEeLHAIyWVrJJtdtoQWZm4rbMVTkefjFb3GG-K5y7QFTADMqlAiIE7gbuxik0fHuuFmQR5vkDq2nrwn~A9NS4oUhxpn8m5mXcVSAdRxF90A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Renee Forsyth Christie, chair of the Marion Civil Rights Commission, updated the Marion City Council on the commission’s work and priorities Thursday evening, saying the panel has reached full membership and is turning to outreach and data collection this year.

The commission “is at full strength of 9 commissioners and excited to get to work on our strategic plan and our newly adopted outreach plan,” Christie said. She told the council the outreach plan focuses on education and data collection, and that a work group will begin defining scope and parameters for a minority‑owned business data project.

The commission said it will deepen ties with the Marion Public Library and increase event presence in Marion, including City Showcase and Pride in Marion. Christie said the group plans an outreach event, in partnership with other organizations, to explain what constitutes a hate crime and how victims or witnesses should respond.

Council members responded positively to the report, with one member saying increased visibility at local events “is going to be education in itself for the community.” The commission said it also wants to shorten the time it takes to respond to incidents and public queries and is developing a communications toolbox to support commissioners when representing the commission in public settings.

The presentation was informational; no council action was taken. The commission said it will return with updates next year and will launch the minority‑owned business data effort after the current scoping work group completes its recommendations.

The commission’s update followed two proclamations the council read earlier in the meeting recognizing the Week of the Young Child and Fair Housing Month, which commissioners and local partners accepted at the dais.

The Civil Rights Commission’s stated priorities for the year are outreach, data collection on minority‑owned businesses, and faster incident response and communications.","The Marion Civil Rights Commission reported it is at full capacity, plans targeted outreach and a new minority‑owned business data project, and aims to shorten response times to complaints, the commission chair told city council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Marion City Council votes: mobile food rules, Tulip Tree development agreement and multiple code updates

City moves forward on corridor design standards; council discusses gas‑station siting, material rules and moratorium list

Council hears detailed concepts for three Marion neighborhood parks; public open house to shape final plans

Marion Civil Rights Commission outlines outreach push and minority‑business data project