P&Z reviews, approves pending city land sale

By Denise Lana,

During its monthly meeting Monday, Oct. 9, Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission discussed the pending sale of city-owned property near the high school softball diamond and corner of Claiborne and Heivly Streets. 

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken spoke with the committee regarding the sale and explained that Decorah Community School District is purchasing the land with a closing date for the purchase set for Nov. 3. 

The pending land for sale is comprised of the Decorah High School softball field (small ball diamond closer to the dike on Goose Island Drive), land that makes up the left field and third base line of DHS baseball field (the field closer to Claiborne Drive), city ball diamond #2 (between Heivly and Clairborne Streets, adjacent to tennis courts), the adjacent gravel parking lot/recycling lot, one full tennis court closest to diamond #2, and one half of the next tennis court adjacent to the full court. 

According to City Attorney John Anderson, the property is being purchased by DCSD for $1.975 million, and includes all previously-listed properties as well as all the utilities that run through the properties. 

Also included in the agreement is that the city be allowed to continue to use the athletic facilities and fields, including the facilities the city is conveying to the school, for the next 50 years.  

The city’s intention with the recent purchase of 30 acres near the dog park on Old Stage Road is to construct ball fields on that space. 

“There are at least five ball diamonds’ worth of space there,” explained Goedken, adding that site plans for the land are still in discussion. Tentatively, Goedken said DCSD will pay for fields and courts and the city will pay for lighting.  

P&Z member Marla Klocke asked if the city planned to reuse as many materials as possible, and Goedken said that any equipment and material would be repurposed wherever feasible. 

The P&Z Commission unanimously approved the sale of the land.  Additionally, in a special meeting held Tuesday, October 10, Decorah Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the land sale and approved 6-0.  The closing date for the purchase is November 3, and a public hearing to discuss the disposition of the land is set for October 16 at 5:45pm at City Hall. 

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