City considers possible impact of refinery
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Should an oil refinery be built in Union County, city staffers said Tuesday, plans will be under way to expand residential subdivisions in the northern part of Sioux City.
"With the announcement about Hyperion, we are looking at the demands that will bring to housing here," said Jeff Hanson, planning and neighborhood services division manager, during the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission annual joint meeting.
In June Union County voters approved rezoning the land for the refinery by a 58-42 percent margin. Hyperion Resources wants to build a $10 billion oil refinery north of Elk Point, S.D.
Hanson said the city intends to continue working with Plymouth County on any housing developments north of Sioux City, which might provide Hyperion housing. The planning commission and then the council approves such subdivisions located within a two-mile radius of the city limits.
After the Union County vote, the council created a Hyperion Task Force to prepare for opportunities that might arise should the oil refinery be built. Councilmen Brent Hoffman and Aaron Rochester were named to the panel.
City Manager Paul Eckert said at the time, "We're looking at opportunities presented by a new Hyperion opportunity such as in transportation, transit, environmental issues, housing possibilities and business opportunities."
In other business, city planner Chris Madsen updated the council on the Sign Code Review Committee.
The group is reviewing the city's sign laws and will make proposals on needed changes. For instance, the committee has concluded the city needs to describe what constitutes electronic signs and how long they should be approved -- from six months to five years.
Members of the committee include representatives of the planning commission and three sign companies and Councilman Jim Rixner. The committee was created last December.
City planner Paul Barnes gave a report on the citywide design manual, which is a project arising out of the Comprehensive Plan approved in 2005. The council has earmarked $60,000 in this year's budget and another $60,000 in next year's budget for the project.
Barnes said the design manual will create a framework for historic preservation, promote attractive and accessible commercial spaces, develop consistent design standards, propose that public art be displayed throughout the city and not just downtown and incorporate "green" design standards into community planning. Committee members include representatives of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and local developers.
City staff will recommend the council hire a consulting firm to assist in this project, Barnes said.
"With the announcement about Hyperion, we are looking at the demands that will bring to housing here," said Jeff Hanson, planning and neighborhood services division manager, during the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission annual joint meeting.
In June Union County voters approved rezoning the land for the refinery by a 58-42 percent margin. Hyperion Resources wants to build a $10 billion oil refinery north of Elk Point, S.D.
Hanson said the city intends to continue working with Plymouth County on any housing developments north of Sioux City, which might provide Hyperion housing. The planning commission and then the council approves such subdivisions located within a two-mile radius of the city limits.
After the Union County vote, the council created a Hyperion Task Force to prepare for opportunities that might arise should the oil refinery be built. Councilmen Brent Hoffman and Aaron Rochester were named to the panel.
City Manager Paul Eckert said at the time, "We're looking at opportunities presented by a new Hyperion opportunity such as in transportation, transit, environmental issues, housing possibilities and business opportunities."
In other business, city planner Chris Madsen updated the council on the Sign Code Review Committee.
The group is reviewing the city's sign laws and will make proposals on needed changes. For instance, the committee has concluded the city needs to describe what constitutes electronic signs and how long they should be approved -- from six months to five years.
Members of the committee include representatives of the planning commission and three sign companies and Councilman Jim Rixner. The committee was created last December.
City planner Paul Barnes gave a report on the citywide design manual, which is a project arising out of the Comprehensive Plan approved in 2005. The council has earmarked $60,000 in this year's budget and another $60,000 in next year's budget for the project.
Barnes said the design manual will create a framework for historic preservation, promote attractive and accessible commercial spaces, develop consistent design standards, propose that public art be displayed throughout the city and not just downtown and incorporate "green" design standards into community planning. Committee members include representatives of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and local developers.
City staff will recommend the council hire a consulting firm to assist in this project, Barnes said.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 5 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Guess What wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:14 PM:
sjl wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:42 PM:
dmm wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:31 PM:
poor Iowa wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:08 PM:
jam wrote on Sep 3, 2008 11:02 AM: