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My name is Zach Hamilton. I am a resident on Shady Oaks Road, which is a hotbed for future development activity. Surveyors have been up and down the road, the mayor and city council members have confirmed that developers are interested in Marshalltown, and this area is marked for annexation and industrial zoning by the city of Marshalltown (see the Reimagine Marshalltown initiative). Something is happening.
I am currently advocating that the city give more forethought to the existing residents on this little highway. There are several families and households out here and each would be drastically impacted if the city allows for development without adjustments to the current zoning ordinances. These adjustments would need to specifically account for the existing rural nature of our homes. I have a lengthy letter that has been shared that I have written and shared with each city council member, planning and zoning, and the president of the Chamber of Commerce. This letter details my concerns but also presents what I believe are reasonable ideas for a path forward. The goal is not to stop development, but to see development occur in a way that works well for everyone.