Wednesday April 2, 2014
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Shred Day
Impressive start for Creston girls track
Saturday, April 5th First National Bank 101 W. Adams St. 9 am - 11 am
SPORTS, page 8A
Sonntag: Third condo option to cost $229K By KYLE WILSON
CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
A bus tour last month revealed that Crestonians interested in a condominium in the Cottonwood Subdivision weren’t sold on either of the two pricing options presented by Atlantic private developer Don Sonntag. So, they requested Sonntag provide a third pricing option. That request included a 1,459-squarefoot condominium on a slab with
two bedrooms, two baths and two-car garage in the neighborhood of $190,000 to $200,000. Sonntag recently “ran the numbers” and Sonntag told the city council Tuesday the price for the option requested would be $229,950. “The reason there is only about $30,000 savings (between second
and the new third option) is that when you remove a basement, the only cost savings is in the basement walls and floor joists. You still have a floor slab to pour,” said Dave Sturm, engineer with Snyder & Associates, helping on this project. Sonntag said Sturm has found eight to nine locations in the Cottonwood Subdivision whereby this third option could be built. The other options were: • First option: A 1,229-squarefoot condominium on a slab with
two bedrooms, two baths, large one-car garage with an estimated cost of $149,950. Sonntag said a second garage can be added to this floor plan for about $12,000. • Second option: A 1,459-square-foot condo with two bedrooms, two baths, double car garage and (unfinished) walkout basement. Estimated cost for that floor plan is $259,950. If you are interested in purchasing a condominium or want additional information, contact Mike Taylor, city administrator,
at 641-782-2000 ext. 4. Story background • In January, Sonntag — who has built more than 175 condominium units in the Atlantic area — made a presentation to Creston City Council proposing to build at least 14 condominium units in the Cottonwood Subdivision. • In February, Tionna Reed Pooler — financial advisor for the city — Please see NEW PRICE, Page 2
Camping season is upon us Enterprise
zone could add incentives for new housing development
By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
As temperatures slowly rise, grass turns green and flowers pop out of the soil, camping season is closing in. With many different options for camping in southwest Iowa, here are three available outdoor locations for a short weekend vacation, or even just a night away from town. Green Valley Green Valley State Park is located north of Creston. The park includes a lake, campgrounds, cabins and other amenities. “We get people from all over the state, and some from out of the state,” said Daniel Stull, natural resource technician I at Green Valley State Park with Department of Natural Resources. “Several people come in from Nebraska, a lot of people from Missouri. We have a lot of fishermen come here to Green Valley because it’s a central point.” Camping is available throughout the year, but the park offers full hookup camping is April 15 to Oct. 15. Full hookup includes electricity and sewage. Green Valley is the only campground in the area to offer full hookup. “We’re having a new lift station put in at the park,” Stull said. “It’s in the process of being worked on. Hopefully everything will be in April 15.” Lift stations are used to pump sewage to the lagoon at Green Valley. Without the station, toilets, showers and the dump station cannot be used. Prices during peak season, starting May 1 and ending October 1, are $19 for full hookup, $16 for electric and $11 for tent camping. Off-season prices are $5 cheaper. “It’s fully staffed, so we have people
By JAKE WADDINGHAM
CNA associate editor jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
A zoning program may provide extra incentive for the housing development project in the Cottonwood Subdivision, but it will require quick action from the Union County Board of Supervisors and the developer to beat the June 30 deadline. The program allows the county to establish an area as an enterprise zone for housing or business development. Even though the Cottonwood Subdivision is within Creston city limits, the way the program is set up through the state requires the county’s governing body to establish the enterprise zone. “ W e Pantini are trying to bring the developer and the county together,” said Wayne Pantini, executive director for Union County Development Association. “This would add tax revenue and provide additional housing by utilizing a piece of property that is currently not bringing in any tax dollars.” To set up the enterprise zone, supervisors would designate about 45 acres in the Cottonwood Subdivision and it would go to the state for approval. Then the developer could apply for tax credits and reimbursements from the state. “Once he makes application (for the benefits) we would engage an enterprise zone commission made up of volunteers appointed by the county,” Pantini said.
CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
McKinley Park boasts camping sites with picnic tables and a view of the lake to the northwest, as well as new playground equipment, as shown partly in this photo.
here almost all day, every day. We can provide a little more security that way,” Stull said. “We usually have people patrolling the park, even after closing.” Other activities available at the park include trails, swimming, wildlife viewing, fishing and boating. “We have a lake that you can actually put a boat on, and a beach you can go swimming at,” Stull said. “You’re further out in the country, so it’s a little more rustic and a little quieter out here.” Half the camping sites are reservable, and sites can be reserved up to three months in advance online at www.iowastateparks.reserveamerica. com for an extra $4 fee, or by phone for a $6 fee at 1-877-427-2757. Cabins can be reserved online up to a year in advance. McKinley Park McKinley Park in Creston has been
expanded for camping and fun recently. The campground, at the south end of the park, is home to more than 30 sites, as well as a view of the lake and new playground equipment. “We just put a new playground in, they just got it done,” said John Kawa, board member of McKinley Park Board. “We’re waiting to put the shavings around it. We added fire rings last year. ... We’ve just tried to update the best we could.” RV camping is $12 a night, and camping with both a tent and RV is $14. For tent only spaces, the cost is $10 in an electric area, $8 in a non-electric area and $14 to camp in an RV space with a maximum of two tents. “It’s the cheapest around,” Kawa said. “Compared to the other ones (campgrounds), I guess, we have a Please see CAMPING, Page 2
New officers:
Creston Elks Lodge #605 officers for 2014-15 were installed Saturday evening at the lodge. From front left, they are Lee Freeman (lecturing knight), Arnie Qualseth (leading knight), Monica Fastenow (exalted ruler), Dave Koets (loyal knight) and Terri Koets (esquire). Back row: Eric Shawler (trustee), Blade Martwick (trustee), John Cook (treasurer), Sam Beaty (inner guard), Dale Kessler (tiler) and Cassie Wilmeth (chaplain). Not pictured are: Dick Hammond (secretary) and Allen Rager (trustee).
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
“The commission only meets as needed. I would review the project with them and once the commission approves the benefits, it goes back to the state for final approval.” The proposed project would bring new condominium housing to Creston. The developer — Don Sonntag — wants to build at least 14 condominiums in the subdivision. Only 1 percent of a county can be in an enterprise zone. Of Union County’s 272,449 acres, 987 acres are in the program. “The city of Lorimor and Afton are currently under enterprise zones,” said Pantini. “That way if a project comes up, we have the option to use the program.” The enterprise zone lasts for 10 years and has been used in Union County to help with the Iowana project and the apartments near Walmart. Approaching deadline Supervisors and Sonntag must act before the June 30 deadline because new legislation would restrict enterprise zones from developing on “green fields” or undeveloped property. “ W e k n o w there is a need for more housing and this Brown is a good place to do it,” said Union County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dennis Brown. “We are not going to be a road block by any means, but everything has to go through the step-bystep process to make sure it is done correctly.” Please see ENTERPRISE, Page 2
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Volume 130 No. 207 Copyright 2014
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Contents
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Thursday weather High 50 Low 31 Full weather report, 3A