Proposed Granger annexation plan sparks concerns with Johnston and Polk County leaders

FORECAST. THANK YOU, CHRIS. NEW TONIGHT, THE CITY OF GRANGER IS MOVING FORWARD WITH ITS PLAN TO EXPAND KCCI KAYLA JAMES SHOWS AS THE PROGRESS AND ROADBLOCKS. CITY OFFICIALS ARE FACING. WELL, GREATEST CITY LEADERS ARE CALLING THIS A 100% VOLUNTEER RE ANNEXATION SAYING LANDOWNERS APPROACHED THEM WITH THIS PLAN. TAKE A LOOK. THIS PORTION, THIS RED AREA, THIS IS GRANGER. AS IT STANDS NOW. THE YELLOW IS WHERE THEY’RE HOPING TO EXPAND TO THAT. SO WE’RE OVER 1700 ACRES. BUT IT’S THIS PORTION RIGHT HERE AND A BIT OF A LIGHTER YELLOW. THAT’S THE ONE THAT JOHNSON AND POLK COUNTY HAVE OBJECTIONS ABOUT IN A ROOM FILLED WITH ROWS OF PEOPLE. IF SOMEONE HAS COMMENTS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD. IT WAS THE MAYOR OF JOHNSTON WHO WOULD SPEAK UP FIRST IN GRANGER’S SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY. I RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN GROWING YOUR COMMUNITY. MAYOR DARREN FELLS GOING ON TO SAY THE CITY OF JOHNSTON OBJECTS TO A PORTION OF THE ANNEXATION. SPECIFY ACKLEY 800 ACRES OF LAND. THE AREA OF OBJECTION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A FUTURE ANNEXATION AREA, AND JOHNSON’S COMPREHENSIVE PLANS, DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 1990S. THE MAYOR LISTING CONCERNS SUCH AS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION, FISCAL IMPACTS AND SUPPLYING UNITS SUPPORT SERVICES. WE REQUEST THAT THIS AREA BE REMOVED FROM THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION AND BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN MY BEING IN UNINCORPORATED POLK COUNTY. WE TOO HAVE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS HAVE BEEN ENGAGED SINCE 2007. THE CITY OF GRANGER IS STILL MOVING FORWARD, PASSING A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION. HOWEVER, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY WON’T CONSIDER WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY. WE’LL BE DISCUSSING AND HAVING FURTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY. SO WITH POLK COUNTY, D.O.T. AND OR JOHNSON GRANGER, CITY LEADERS SAY THERE’S DEFINITELY A NEED FOR THE LAND, THAT IF IT DOES GROW, WE NEED TO BRING IN MORE BUSINESSES. SOME GRANGER RESIDENTS ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS GROWTH. BUT WITH THE HOPE THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T CHANGE TOO MUCH. NOT DRAMATICALLY, BECAUSE I LIKE THE SCHOOLS SMALL LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW. BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER GROCERY STORE OR CONVENIENCE STORE LIKE THAT TYPE OF THING. AND WE MENTIONED IT BEFORE, BUT POLK COUNTY HAS CONCERNS AS WELL. THEY SAY IT’S NOT CLEAR IF GRANGER HAS THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE UTILITIES. JOHNST

The city of Granger is moving forward with its plan to expand. City leaders passed a resolution Thursday night to accept what they call a 100% voluntary annexation.City leaders tell KCCI Granger farmers and residents wanted to leave a legacy to the community so they approached them with this offer. The land would be to the east of the city and would be just over 1,700 acres. "The school recently just purchased 50 acres or is entering into contract," said Kirk Bjorland, Granger's city administrator. "With the school expansions and the other business activity and Fareway coming, we're seeing a lot of growth activity." On Thursday night, the city leaders held a special meeting where the public could share thoughts. The city of Johnston's mayor, Paula Dierenfeld, was first to speak. She voiced concerns that Johnston city leaders have, which are similar to what was mentioned in a Polk County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday. Both Johnston and the Polk County Board of Supervisors are asking the city to limit the expansion. "The area of objection has been identified as a future annexation area in Johnston's annexation plans dating back to the early 1990s," Dierenfeld said. Dierenfeld says the city of Johnston objects to a portion of the annexation: 800 acres of land that's in the eastern portion of Granger's annexation plan as it stands now. Dierenfeld listed some concerns like the magnitude of proposed annexation, fiscal impacts to both cities, and the implications for supplying municipal services in a cost-effective manner. Polk County also has concerns saying it's not clear if Granger has the resources to provide utilities.Johnston has already invested in some utilities there."We request that this area be removed from your proposed annexation and be allowed to remain for the time being in unincorporated Polk County," Dierenfeld said. The city of Granger is still moving forward, passing the resolution to accept the voluntary annexation. However, city leaders say that doesn't mean they won't consider what others have to say."When we finish putting the plan together, we submit that to the board for the state. But then from there we'll be discussing and having further conversation with the community," Bjorland said. "So with Polk County, the Iowa DOT, and with Johnston." This is not a done deal. The State would have to give final approval. Top News Headlines:

GRANGER, Iowa —

The city of Granger is moving forward with its plan to expand. City leaders passed a resolution Thursday night to accept what they call a 100% voluntary annexation.

City leaders tell KCCI Granger farmers and residents wanted to leave a legacy to the community so they approached them with this offer.

The land would be to the east of the city and would be just over 1,700 acres.

"The school recently just purchased 50 acres or is entering into contract," said Kirk Bjorland, Granger's city administrator. "With the school expansions and the other business activity and Fareway coming, we're seeing a lot of growth activity."

On Thursday night, the city leaders held a special meeting where the public could share thoughts. The city of Johnston's mayor, Paula Dierenfeld, was first to speak. She voiced concerns that Johnston city leaders have, which are similar to what was mentioned in a Polk County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday.

Both Johnston and the Polk County Board of Supervisors are asking the city to limit the expansion.

"The area of objection has been identified as a future annexation area in Johnston's annexation plans dating back to the early 1990s," Dierenfeld said.

Dierenfeld says the city of Johnston objects to a portion of the annexation: 800 acres of land that's in the eastern portion of Granger's annexation plan as it stands now.

Dierenfeld listed some concerns like the magnitude of proposed annexation, fiscal impacts to both cities, and the implications for supplying municipal services in a cost-effective manner.

Polk County also has concerns saying it's not clear if Granger has the resources to provide utilities.

Johnston has already invested in some utilities there.

"We request that this area be removed from your proposed annexation and be allowed to remain for the time being in unincorporated Polk County," Dierenfeld said.

The city of Granger is still moving forward, passing the resolution to accept the voluntary annexation.

However, city leaders say that doesn't mean they won't consider what others have to say.

"When we finish putting the plan together, we submit that to the board for the state. But then from there we'll be discussing and having further conversation with the community," Bjorland said. "So with Polk County, the Iowa DOT, and with Johnston."

This is not a done deal. The State would have to give final approval.

Top News Headlines:

Proposed Granger annexation plan sparks concerns with Johnston and Polk County leaders

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

Top Picks