Planning & Zoning

Meetings

• 6:00 PM
• Meetings are held as needed with standing meeting dates every quarter on the second Wednesday of the following months (Jan, April, July, October) Meetings may be added or cancelled as deemed necessary
• P&Z meetings are held at West Burlington City Hall

Council Chambers
122 Broadway St.
West Burlington, IA  52655

Agendas & Minutes

The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on applications for rezoning, subdivision plat approval, and amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.

The commission members review the applications in terms of their impact on the neighborhood, community, environment, and the City’s utilities and transportation systems. The commission’s recommendations are forwarded to the Council.  

Zoning / Subdivision Code of the City of West Burlington (Link)

Staff Support to Boards and Commissions

Staff processes applications and prepares reports and recommendations to the City Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Subdivision Process

A subdivision is a division or re-division of land into two (2) or more lots for the purpose of transferring ownership or future development.  It can also refer to the consolidation of parcels, for the same purpose.  Chapter 170 of the West Burlington City Code regulates Subdivisions.

The approval process for Subdivisions consist of three stages: the submittal of a sketch plan, the preliminary plat approval process, and the final plat approval process.

If the proposed Subdivision is located outside of West Burlington city limits, but within the City’s extraterritorial subdivision review area and would qualify as a Minor Subdivision the plat may be approved administratively by the City Administrator. 

STEP 1:  Sketch Plan Review
This process is carried out between the applicant and City Staff. The applicant will meet with City Staff to review all ideas and concepts for the proposed subdivision and the City will inform the applicant of the process, application requirements, fees, approval process, and key timelines/deadlines. The applicant should bring a concept plan for the proposed subdivision to this meeting. Once the pre-application conference is held, the applicant may file the preliminary plat application.

STEP 2: Preliminary Plat Application
The property owner/subdivider should complete an application for preliminary plat approval.  Submit the application along with all required supporting documentation and application fee to the City Clerk’s office.

A list of all required information is included in Chapter 170 of the West Burlington City Code. If the application is deemed incomplete, the applicant will have 30 days to provide all the incomplete information. If the information is not provided, a new application will be required.

Once all information is provided, the Zoning Administrator will notify the applicant of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting date and time. The zoning Administrator will also provide the application to City Staff, local utilities, school district, public safety agencies, and other applicable groups. These groups will have 15 days in which to provide comments to the Zoning Administrator before the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Planning and Zoning Commission, following a 10 calendar days notice, will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation on the Preliminary Plat to the Council.

The City Council will take action on the Preliminary Plat application. The Council may take action on the application to approve, deny, or table for further evaluation. The Council has 60 days once the application is deemed complete to take action on the application.

Final Plat Application

After Preliminary Plat approval, the applicant may file an application for the Final Plat. The Final Plat application should include all necessary information that is included in Chapter 170 of the West Burlington City Code, including a final subdivision development agreement if applicable.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will review and make a recommendation on the Final Plat to the Council.

City Council will take action on the Final Plat application. The Council will pass a resolution accepting the plat to officially approve the Final Plat.

After Council approval, the applicant should file the plat with the Des Moines County Recorder's Office within 30 days and give a record of this recording to the West Burlington City Clerk before the plat is recognized as being official.