Republic considers massive subdivision on west side

City gets clean, unmodified opinion from KPM CPA’s auditor in 2021 audit review
 
Republic City Council heard a presentation of yet another new, massive subdivision proposed to go into west Republic on the north side of Highway 174. The first reading of an ordinance rezoning what will be called the Prairie Ridge Planned Development District was presented at the council's June 21 meeting.  
The high density, 100-acre project, if passed, will be built in four phases. Phase 1 is comprised of 127 lots of single family residences, totaling 40.72 acres. Phase 2 is 95 lots of single family residences, totaling 27.3 acres. Phase 3 is 69 lots of single family residences on 16.72 acres. Lastly, Phase 4 will be 300 multi-family units on 15.9 acres.
Single family residences will include a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet, 7.26 dwellings per acres.
Republic Land Holdings, LLC applied for the rezone of the property, which is currently agricultural based, from Sandstone West Planned Development District to Prairie Ridge Planned Development District.
Although the council vocalized no opposition to the monster subdivision, others did. Four nearby residents questioned or flatly spoke against the build during the public comment portion of the meeting. The only person speaking in favor of the project was the project engineer from Olssen Engineering.
BUILDS director Andrew Nelson, who sat in for City Administrator David Cameron during the meeting, said he would get answers to questions raised at the meeting for those interested.
The next council meeting, where the second reading of the ordinance is expected, is scheduled for July 19.

In other action, the board voted 6-0 to:
- Approve the final plat of the Olde Savannah Phase 3B Subdivision.
- Approve the first addition Final Plat of the Oakwood Heights Subdivision.
- Establish new boundaries for city council wards based on the 2020 decennial Census.
The council voted 5-0-1, with Ward 1's Eric Gerke abstaining, to approve a developer agreement with Iron Grain District, LLC and Magers Republic No. 3C LLC for development of the Iron Grain District.

The council also passed resolutions 6-0 to:
- Approve a preliminary plat for Olde Savannah Phase 4, which is 29.5 acres located at East Williamsburg Way and South Farm Road 89.
- Enter into an agreement with Midwest Public Risk for property and liability insurance for fiscal year 2022-2023.
- Appoint David Cameron as the city's primary Regional Broadband Initiative Board Member and Andrew Nelson as his alternate.
- Declare conditional consent to the dissolution of the Savannah Heights Phase One Property Owners Associaiton.

Audit gives city clean bill of health
Auditor John Cummings with KPM CPA's also presented an audit report for the city. The report indicated the city received an unmodified or clean opinion for their books, which is the best possible result.
"Good job on your financial statements," Cummings told the council, as he wrapped up a lengthy summary of the 2021 financial overview. The council voted 6-0 to accept the audit report.