The Pella City Council approved the first reading of a planned unit development zoning ordinance to bring a unique market to the community. City Administrator Mike Nardini says the council held a public hearing Tuesday to consider a zoning change at the northwest corner of Main and Independence Streets for the “Pella Market.”

He says the business concept is similar to Gateway Market in Des Moines, and meant to enhance grocery and dining options locally. The council will hold a second hearing on the measure at their April 20th meeting.

There was some debate and comments made by some members of the Pella Planning and Zoning Commission prior to the vote about the process, mainly centered on the use of a planned unit development, which most of the members of the board believe is allowing the developers to bypass the typical design review process. Council proceeded with the ordinance as spelled out in the agreement, which Nardini says is a negotiated process between City Staff and potential business owners.

Those Planning and Zoning members expressed support for the project overall, as did several nearby neighbors and those with Pella Corporation and Genlink, an investor in the Pella Market concept.

Hear more about the effort on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.