The Pella City Council held a public hearing for the first reading of an ordinance rezoning land for a proposed housing development in the Bos Landen neighborhood at their meeting Tuesday evening.

The ordinance, if adopted, would rezone 33 acres of land from its existing agricultural classification to low-density residential. Bos Ridge LLC is applying to make the change to the vacant lots that are designated for housing development in the city’s most recent comprehensive plan.

Also at their meeting, the council approved the final contract for improvements to the west electric substation, an engineering services agreement to repaint the interior of the north water tower, and heard budget presentations for the upcoming fiscal year from Pella Historical Society, Historic Pella Trust, the Pella Dog Park Foundation, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Each group was given 15 minutes to share their proposals.

No formal action was taken in regards to the fiscal year items, which will be further discussed in February at budget work sessions.

Pella Historical Society is asking council to consider a request to divert 12 percent of the hotel-motel tax fund to the non-profit to bolster marketing efforts. Currently, the city gives the Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau 60% of the fund, but have indicated their desire to move away from percentages to set numbers annually for money coming from the levy.

The Pella Dog Park Association proposed development of a five-acre dog park on Truman road, which could cost upwards of $300,000, which they say could be a share between the city and donations with both finances and duties in operating a potential space for canines.

Historic Pella Trust indicated their desire to create an educational walkway from the Sunken Gardens park to the historic Tuttle Cabin on Lincoln Street via an unused alleyway. The too are seeking donations to pay for a majority, if not all of project, seeking an agreement from city staff to own and maintain at least a portion of the developed area once completed.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church indicated they would like to see 218th Place leading up to their location converted from gravel to hard-surface, primarily for safety reasons and potential future development. Representatives from the church indicated they could provide upwards of approximately $250,000 to help fund the estimated $670,000 asphalt overlay for the road stretching through only a portion of the city limits.