A new single-family subdivision is in the works for a plot of land near Lowe Park in Marion.
The development came before the Marion City Council Thursday night, Sept. 5, as the council voted unanimously to approve a voluntary annexation of the property from Linn County into the Marion city limits.
According to council documents, the development will be known as The Preserve at Lowe Farm. The annexation request was submitted by the property’s owners, the Alyce L Lowe Trust and John E. and Katie L. Lancaster. The request will now go to the state of Iowa’s City Development Board for review, likely in November, according to Marion .
The development is planned for an estimated 48-acre property west of North 10th Street and south of Cimarron Drive in Marion, just northeast of Lowe Park. It’s part of the secondary growth area as defined in the Marion Comprehensive Plan.
During a public hearing on the annexation request, several owners of neighboring properties along Cimarron Drive raised concerns about potential water runoff and soil quality issues from the new development.
However, officials noted that specific development issues aren’t typically addressed at this point in the city’s review process.
“I just want to make clear that the ability to look at how the water is being managed on the site is coming down the road,” Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said. “The matter before us today is limited to whether or not we want the property to be added into the city or remain in the county.”
Preliminary plans indicate the subdivision near Lowe Park will be primarily comprised of single-family, detached homes. Two existing homes on the property will be retained, but several other outbuildings will be removed.
City officials expect a residential rezoning and development proposal for the project to be submitted in the winter of 2024.
The council also approved a rezoning request for a 2.48-acre parcel at 1195 East Post Road from Community Business to Planned Unit Development.
The parcel is just south of an existing Dollar General store. An existing structure on the property, known as the East Post Plaza, was built in 2000 and comprises an 8,000-square-foot shopping center with seven apartment units on the second floor.
The new project, under developer Platinum Development, will include two four-plex apartment buildings and accessory garages for tenant use.
