Mason City council approves first reading of downtown zoning “special purpose” designation

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City last night approved the first reading of 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.

Mason City mayor Bill Schickel says 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.  “It allows us to have certain requirements in terms of historic preservation, in terms of the look of our downtown area. I think it’s a good move. We want to give business, property owners — we’re a very business-friendly community. You can see that from all the economic development we’ve seen just in the last 12 months. We also put great focus and great emphasis on the arts, and the beauty of our downtown area.”

The ordinance change must be approved two more times by the council before it is enacted.

Schickel made his comments on the “Ask the Mayor” podcast which you can listen to by clicking here