The City Council of Ottumwa approved the first reading of an ordinance that would renovate an office building to a homeless center.
Zach Simonson, Community Development Director of Ottumwa, talks about the Family Crisis Center remodeling and zoning classifications.
On August 6, the City Council members discussed remodeling the Family Crisis Center to hold homeless individuals and families. The Family Crisis Center currently acts as an office space and Simonson discussed constructing it for future housing to assist individuals to get back to being self-sufficient.
Simonson told the Council, “This will act as sustainability to move on and a stepping stone to help the community. . .this is not a shelter it’s a housing service center for Ottumwa.”
Additionally, Simonson addressed Ordinance No. 3233-2024 which classified the zoning of property.
The Council discussed that it is not under the Iowa code to require a 200 feet radius zone. The Council wants to “Go above the Iowa Code” to make sure the public receives notices concerning neighborhood changes and City Council meeting information.
The City approved both motions with a three to one vote.
That is awesome