The Lennox City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 662 on the city's application to rezone the Oppheim property from Agricultural-1 to R-2 (multifamily residential) after a public hearing that drew several neighboring landowners raising floodplain, drainage and traffic concerns.

Nate, city planning staff, told the council the property was annexed several years ago and that the application includes a required dedication of a 300-foot right-of-way along the existing driveway for future street use. He said the planning commission unanimously recommended approval at its Oct. 23 hearing and that staff's recommendation was to approve the first reading of Rezone Ordinance No. 662.

Several nearby residents opposed or urged caution. James C. Jibben, who said he farmed the parcel for about 50 years, told the council "this year, this is the first year I can remember that the Stock Dam was completely dry" and warned that tile drains and a Lennox water line on the site "can't be disturbed." He said development could require a lift station for sewage and raised safety concerns at the Cleveland Avenue and Highway 44 intersection.

Adjacent landowner Betsy Hills said the property and surrounding parcels are in a FEMA floodplain and showed photos from the June 2024 flood, saying "The June 2024 flood lives rent free in my mind." Hills asked that any development preserve private tile drainage, provide easements so neighbors can maintain fencing along Long Creek, and address runoff so flows continue to the property's lowest points rather than toward adjacent yards.

Resident Ralph Trollson described repeated flooding at his home and said he had "9 inches of water in" his front yard during a prior event. Patrick Hilds, who lives on Cleveland Avenue, said washed-out driveways and repeated water at the end of his driveway underscored the need to identify where runoff will go and whether road and intersection upgrades are planned.

In response, Mitch (city planner/engineer) and Nate outlined the regulatory and technical review process: the city requires developers to submit plans that meet city and state drainage and floodplain standards, engineering calculations must show detention so downstream rates do not exceed pre-development discharge, and most structures in the mapped floodplain must meet elevation requirements. Mitch said the city requires structures a minimum of one foot above the referenced base elevation in the relevant map and that developers typically provide detention ponds and engineering to address increased runoff. He also noted private tile drainage is a private facility and advised that developers be provided maps so they can avoid or repair tile lines they encounter.

Council members acknowledged the public's concerns and emphasized they would apply "strong standards" and detailed review of future technical plans. After discussion the council moved and seconded the first reading of Ordinance No. 662; the motion carried by voice vote and the public hearing was closed at 7:50 p.m.

Next steps: council approval tonight was for the first reading only; site-specific engineering, platting (if required) and building permits will trigger further technical review and, in some cases, additional public-review steps under city process.