(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will meet 5:30-p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15th, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. City Administrator John Lund says “The agenda is set up to facilitate a very orderly and structured meeting that is fair to the applicant, abutting & opposite property owners, and the general public.

The Chair of the Board will have the right to limit individual comments to a set length of time, or limit the time in which the public hearing portion of the meeting will end. Those rules will need to be established prior to the opening of the public hearing. It is the Board’s decision, but given the level of interest and ensuring all are heard, a 2-minute limit per speaker may be appropriate. A general time cutoff of the public hearing is the Board’s call.

The Council chamber can contain a total of 59 people, that is the fire limit.” Lund says “We will have seats for around 55, allowing for overflow individuals to come in and address the Board. We will be doing what we can to work with the press to broadcast the meeting to those that wish to hear it live, but prefer to stay at home. We will be opening the doors to the public at 5:10 P.M. there will be reserved seating for the Board, City staff, New Life Church, the owners of the building, the abutting & opposite property owners, the press, elected officials.”

Lund added “I expect around 20 seats or so will be available to the general public, which will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. I have faith in Atlantic that even if things become heated, the public will all keep things civilized, it is the Iowa way. That said, officers will be present if needed to help keep things in order. We will require sign-in sheets to help facilitate speaking and ensure correct spelling of names in the minutes.”

The agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of Agenda.
3. Nominations for Chair.
4. Order to Appoint New Board of Adjustment Chair.
5. Nominations for Vice-Chair.
6. Order to Appoint New Board of Adjustment Vice- Chair.
7. Approval of the May 11, 2020, Minutes.
8. Overview of the Board of Adjustment’s Role as a Quasi-Judicial Body and The Legal Framework for Decision-Making.
9. Rules and Procedure Regarding the Public Hearing.
10. Public Hearing to Consider a Conditional Use Permit Application by New Life Church for the Properties located at 28 W. 5^th and 410 Poplar Streets that would allow for the operation of a Church in the C-3 “Central Business” District as allowed by Section 12.30(10) of the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa.
    1. Opening Statement by New Life Church.
    2. Statement from Property Owners of 28 W. 5^th and 410 Poplar.
    3. Statements from Abutting and Opposite Property Owners.
    4. Statements from the General Public.
11. Question & Answer Period Between the Board and New Life Church.
12. Order Regarding the Conditional Use Permit Application by New Life Church for the Properties located at 28 W. 5th and 410 Poplar Streets that would allow for the operation of a Church in the C-3 “Central Business” District.
13. Next Regular Meeting: Not Scheduled.
14. Adjournment.