Planning & Zoning Director
City of Glenwood, IA
2004-2006
After earning my bachelor’s degree in Geography & Urban Studies from the University of Iowa, I returned back home to the Loess Hills to work as an urban planner in Glenwood, IA. I reviewed site plans for construction projects, including a $25 million YMCA Community Center and $30 million high school, as well as numerous subdivision plats, including the largest in the town since the 1970s, Hickory Ridge, for which I also commissioned an annexation study and creation of an Urban Renewal Plan to help finance construction of utilities. I was also responsible for nuisance abatement, negotiated several 28-E Intergovernmental agreements between the city, county and school district, and published a monthly column in the local newspaper to discuss city-related issues.
Mills County YMCA
The first major project I was involved in for the City was the construction of the Mills County Community YMCA. The YMCA, along with the Iowa National Guard who owned the property, applied to the city for a site plan review permit to construct a new community center, featuring an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and gym facilities, and I was a the official in charge. I worked extensively with the YMCA’s architecture and engineering firm, Carlson West Povondra, to ensure that the project met floodplain regulations and honored the history of the National Guard Armory’s role in the Glenwood Community going back to the 1960s. Carlon’s preferred option - a new build resulting in demolition of the historic Armory - would have triggered floodplain regulations, resulting in significant cost and design challenges. I advised the firm to opt for an adaptive re-use of the existing facility, fitting a new ‘shell’ around the historic armory building, floodproofing the existing structure and raising the new shell above the 100-year flood elevation. In 2005, the Mills County Community YMCA won a Smart Growth Award from the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Glenwood Lake Park Campground Project
I worked closely with the Parks Director, Mike McKay, and the Park Board, lead by Gary Newman and Jean Jaskierny, on a number of projects during my time in Glenwood. The campground was a project that Mike and Gary had come up with as a way to generate revenue for the park. I helped to create site plans and grant applications, as well as organize letters of support from the City and Chamber of Commerce. We also amended the Comprehensive Plan with a Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicating the campground and Keg Creek Trail as major components in need of funding (both of which are now completed as of 2024!). All of these actions laid the groundwork for the campground, which came to fruition in 2005 after I was able to successfully secure nearly $50,000 in grant funding, including at $25,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation and $15,000 from the Schildberg Family Foundation.
The Glenwood Lake Park is a regional attraction, featuring a historical museum and recreated farm, and an important archaeological museum featuring Glenwood Culture artifacts. The Davies Amphitheater features live music and events year-round. And now, the campground provides a stable revenue stream and additional amenity for people visiting Glenwood. Book your stay now!
Keg Creek Trail Planning
Glenwood Senior High School Project
Being able to work in my hometown was a privilege and a joy. Perhaps the most gratifying project I worked on while in Glenwood was for my alma mater. Going back to my years in school there, the school district had tried and failed to pass a bond issue. In 2006 that dream finally came true! Mills County voters passed a bond issue and levy to build a new high school and remodel the old high school into a middle school. There were also funds for a massive investment in athletic facilities, including new football, soccer fields, and a swimming pool. However, the project was very complicated. As a planner for the city, I was deeply involved at every step: I was invited by the district to participate in the RFP process for choosing the architect and designs, I was invited to participate in the design charette held by the firm, and I reviewed the site plans for the city, ensuring that the plans tied into our Parks Master Plan, as well as future residential growth areas on the east side of town. As the project also involved a land swap between city, county, and school district, I led the 28-E Intergovernmental Agreement negotiations, and helped to come up with a planned for shared maintenance and transfer of park land, trails, stormwater infrastructure, pedestrian and automobile bridges, and athletic facilities.
The resulting campus spans Keg Creek, and helped to realize plans we set forth in the City of Glenwood Parks and Recreation Master Plan the year prior (which helped us to get the campground built). Today, the community enjoys at YMCA Community Center, school district and city-owned athletic fields, the Middle School, High School, Community Pool, Glenwood Lake Park, Mills County Historical Society Museum, Davies Amphitheater and the Keg Creek Trail all in the heart of the community. Being able to return to my hometown almost two decades later, and see the fruits of my labors being enjoyed by people who live there now, many of whom I have know since childhood, is immensely gratifying. Thanks, Glenwood!
