Mason City council to consider amending downtown zoning ordinance after change in Iowa Code

MASON CITY — Mason City’s City Council tonight will consider amending the city’s downtown zoning ordinance to make sure it is in compliance with a recent change to the Iowa Code.

The Z5 Central Business District is focused on the downtown area, which is a mixed-use area of business and residential. The Z5 regulations include building materials and building design requirements, with it being the only zoning district to have those requirements for new and existing buildings.

During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill that preempts a local government from passing or administering an ordinance that would prohibit or limit the use of a specific cladding or finish materials on facade restrictions that are more stringent than the state building code.

The new law does allow cities to regulate building materials in historic districts on buildings that are designated as an historic landmark, or through local government “special purpose” or overlay districts.

The council is being asked to declare the Z5 District to be a “special purpose” district, which city officials believe will allow them to continue to regulate building materials of all buildings within the downtown district.

The council meets tonight at 7 o’clock in the Mason City Room of the Public Library.