The Pella City Council will hold extensive discussion about two key initiatives moving forward at their policy and planning session following the regular meeting Tuesday.

The first topic will center around a proposed historic district overlay zone covering approximately three city blocks directly north of Central College. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission has been working to establish the new overlay for over the past year. While the discussion started several years ago, and was slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission believes the proposed overlay zone is ready to begin the public hearing process for the Collegiate Neighborhood Historic District. Generally, historic overlay districts are concentrations of buildings that possess a high degree of historical integrity and convey a district sense of time and place, and would place additional design review requirements for new construction or significant alterations or additions to existing structures.

Council will also consider additions to the proposed resurfacing of 218th Avenue, which was estimated to cost $1.25 million and include a new public sidewalk from the Shady Brook subdivision to the entrance of the city’s soccer complex. City staff will get feedback on a proposal that would also reconstruct Neil Drive and extend the sidewalk to Idaho Drive, which would cost an additional $450,000 if done in conjunction with the transformation of 218th Avenue into a full city street.

No formal action will be taken on either item during the policy and planning session following regular business at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. and is only available to watch online or by phone:

1. To access screen sharing and audio, visit https://join.me/CityofPella
2. To listen to audio only, call 720.650.5050 and enter access code 962-389-622 #