The Iowa Department of Transportation is providing public notice of the renewal of corridor preservation for the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvements Project that includes Interstate 80 from the Missouri River east-northeast to U.S. 6 (Kanesville Boulevard) in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County. It also includes I-29 between 25th Avenue on the north to just south of U.S. 275, and I-480 from the Missouri River bridge on the Iowa side to the I-29 interchange.

The Iowa DOT implemented corridor preservation for the project Sept. 20, 2005, which was renewed on Sept. 18, 2008, and again on Sept. 16, 2011. It is the intent of the Iowa DOT to continue to utilize corridor preservation for this project. The Iowa DOT may need to acquire additional right of way or property rights within this designated area.

The notice is valid for a period of three years from the date of publication of the notification (Sept. 12, 2014) and may be refiled by the Iowa DOT every three years. The notice includes a depiction of the corridor preservation area on a map, which is available at www.iowadot.gov/ole/otherprojectinfo.html. Width of the corridor preservation zone varies depending upon the location within the corridor.

Per Iowa Code, each city and county within the designated preservation corridor is required to provide written notification to the Iowa DOT of: (1) an application for a building permit for construction valued at $25,000 or more; (2) submission of a subdivision plat; or (3) proposed zoning change within the area. Notification must be provided to the Iowa DOT at least 30 days prior to granting the proposed building permit, approving the subdivision plat, or changing the zoning. Written notification shall include all pertinent information regarding the proposed permit, plat, or zoning change.

If the Iowa DOT, within the 30-day period, notifies the city or county in writing that the Iowa DOT is proceeding to acquire all or part of the property or property rights affecting the area, the city or county shall not issue the building permit, approve the subdivision plat, or change the zoning. The Iowa DOT may apply to the city or county for an extension of the 30-day period. After a public hearing on the matter, the city or county may grant an additional 60-day extension of the period.

The Iowa DOT will begin the process of acquiring property or property rights from affected persons within 10 days of the Iowa DOT’s written notification of intent to the city or county.

For information regarding the corridor preservation, contact Scott Suhr, District 4 Planner, Iowa Department of Transportation, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, by phone at 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368 or email scott.suhr@dot.iowa.gov.