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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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Planning and Zoning Committee receives school’s application for Planned Unit Development
by Ken Boesenberg |
The Manchester Planning & Zoning Committee held their regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 in the Manchester City Council Chambers.
On the agenda were several Public Hearings, both having to do with the West Delaware County Community School District.
The topic of the first Public Hearing was to discuss the school district’s application for Planned Unit Development.
This was made necessary because the plans did not comply with the City’s setback requirements.
The proposed site of the new gym would be within seven feet of the existing property line to the south. The city ordinance states that there needs to be front yard setback of not less than 25 feet and a side yard setback of not less than six and a half feet.
Prior to the Planning & Zoning Committee meeting the City had sent out notices to 60 surrounding property owners informing them of the Public Hearing and what was being discussed.
Manchester City Manager, Tim Vick informed the committee that he had heard from one property owner. That property owner had only one concern and that was that the parking area at the school could be increased.
Committee member, Scott Wegman asked if there were any flood plain issues and was told by City Building Inspector, Marty Kelzer that everything was within city code.
Tim Vick added, “retention ponds are now being planned and will be constructed. Although they will not solve the total issue the school will be meeting their requirements as set forth by the city.”
Several other committee members were concerned with saving some of the older trees on the property that will become the new parking lot.
Representatives of and for the school assured the committee that they would do what they could do to preserve what was possible. They also stated that there will be a certain amount of landscaping that will take place on the site to add to its astetic value.
With no public opposition or comment the first Public Meeting was declared closed.
The committee approved the application for the Planned Unit Development by the school district, 6-0.
The second Public Hearing was to hear the West Delaware County Community School District’s request to rezone parcel P from R2 (residential) to PUD (Planned Unit Development).
As with the first Public Hearing concerning application for Planned Unit Development there was no public opposition or discussion regarding the request for rezoning.
The request was then approved by the committee on a 6-0 vote.
The committee also heard from representatives of the Untied Methodist Church regarding their desire to place a new sign on city right of way property.
The sign would have been constructed in front of the church at 413 East Butler St and placed between the sidewalk and the street. This placement would be on city right of way property.
After much discussion by the committee it was decided not to permit the placing of the sign on the city right of way property because of setting a presidence for other businesses to do the same.
It was the concern of the committee that there could be any number of signage requests made involving city right of way property in many parts of town.
The committee encouraged the church to look into an alternative place on their property for the sign if at all possible. |
Hansen Auditorium dedication to be held
by Ken Boesenberg
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The new Hanson Fine Arts Center on the campus of West Delaware High School is ready for dedication.
The facility, which began back as early as 1990 has come from the dream stage to completion thanks to the foresight and generosity of many members of the Manchester community.
It wasn’t until September 13, 2005 that voters voted in favor of a major expansion project which included the construction of an auditorium.
It was understood that the school district would build the shell for the auditorium with furnishings needing to be paid for by public funding.
That public funding was headed up by Dave Dudley and according to Dudley was very successful.
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KEN BOESENBERG / Press
Pictured above is a view of the new Hanson Auditorium from the back of the auditorium showing the tiered seating and the main sound control panel. The facility has already hosted several events and is going to be rather busy right on up through the end of the school year. The dedication ceremony will be held this Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
“We were able to raise nearly $1.1 million with donations ranging from $250,000 to $5.00. There were some 350 donors to the project which shows a tremendous amount of support from our community,” commented Dudley.
The auditorium has already been put to good use with four events having been hosted. March 11 saw the West Delaware High School Choral Concert; March 14 there was an elementary assembly to celebrate reading; March 17 was All-State Speech Individual Performance Night and on March 18 the Vocal Concert for the fifth through eighth grades was held in the auditorium.
“We are looking forward to being able to host a number of cultural events which will be events that we would not have been able to have were it not for the new facility,” concluded Dudley.
The following events are scheduled to take place in the new auditorium over the next two months: Saturday, April 19 - Michelle Philgreen Dance Recital at 7:00 p.m.; Monday, April 28 - Band and Vocal Spring Concert at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 10 - Swing Into Spring at 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 12 - Band and Vocal Senior Recital and Music Awards at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, May 21 - West Delaware High School Baccalaureate at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, May 30 - High School Musical at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 31 - High School Musical at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 1 - High School Musical at 2:00 p.m.
The Hanson Auditorium Dedication will be held on Sunday, March 30 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
At 1:00 p.m. there will be facility tours given that will take interested parties through the new classrooms, band and vocal rooms, practice rooms, dressing rooms, the stage and the auditorium.
The dedication ceremony will start at 2:00 p.m. with a welcome by West Delaware School Board President, Gary Johnson. Manchester Mayor, Milt Kramer will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
Following the recognition of the Naming Opportunity Donors, Dorothy and Erling Hanson will be presented and recognized for their generosity in helping to make what was once just a vision become a dream come true.
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