(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council on Wednesday approved an order for the Mayor and Council to sign a letter of support for an Empower Rural Iowa-Rural Innovation Housing grant application for Vision Atlantic. The approval came with some changes in the wording of the letter.
At its May 7, 2025, meeting, the Atlantic City Council adopted Resolution #39-25, a “Resolution of Support for the Vision Atlantic Workforce Housing Tax Credit Application.” The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program is one of several state incentives aimed at encouraging housing development.
Vision Atlantic proposes to construct ten new workforce housing units within the Camblin Hills subdivision, along with other units in a new subdivision, in which over 140 units will be constructed. The City of Atlantic has already demonstrated its commitment to this project by entering into a Development Agreement with Vision Atlantic. Under this agreement, the City has pledged Tax Increment Financing (TIF)-funded Market Rate Housing Payments in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000, which will serve as part of the required local match for the Program. Vision Atlantic has all other funds secured for the project.
City Councilperson Elaine Otte questioned the wording as part of the required local match for the program. Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett stated the question is -the letter refers to the Tax Increment Financing, which does not apply.
Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman says it is not new money they are talking about, or additional money the city is putting into the project.
The City Council approved the Letter of Support for the $50,000 grant, deleting the word as part of the required local match ($25,000) for the Program, and updated the misprinted date.
The grant requires a cash match of $0.50 for every $1 awarded. For example, if $50,000 is requested, the applicant must provide a secured cash match of $25,000. These funds must be spent during the grant period, and in-kind or unsecured contributions are not eligible. Documentation verifying the source of matching funds must be included in the application.
Vision Atlantic will serve as the grant applicant and will use its own fundraised resources to meet the required match. A formal letter of support has been prepared for inclusion with the application.
The completed application must be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by August 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. This grant opportunity is being offered as part of the State of Iowa’s Rural Revitalization Program and represents a one-time funding opportunity for the community.
Grants are awarded to communities that have already demonstrated progress in housing efforts and that present clear, outcome-driven proposals.
Program Officer Sacha Wise has clarified the City’s role in the application process, stating that:
- A letter of support, signed by the City Council or Mayor, specifically referencing this grant application, is required.
- The review committee will verify whether the resolution is signed and explicitly addresses support for the application.
Other Activity:
*The City Council approved an order to Approve the Comprehensive Plan Contract Amendment #1. This amendment will allow for a visual tracking of the conditions of property in Atlantic, as time passes. This was done with the 2018 Comprehensive Plan through the SWIPCO Housing Condition Survey, 2017. This study is very time consuming as it requires visual inspection of every single property in town, so additional expense is involved.
*Following a public hearing, the city council approved No. 1061 “Vacating that Portion of the Right-of-Way Between 401 Laurel St. 405 Laurel Street., and 411 Laurel Street.” At the June 18, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council reviewed a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding a request from Mr. Rob Stamp to vacate a phantom alley on his property. The Council directed the City Administrator to work with the City Attorney to prepare the vacation of the alley.
This request was first brought forward at the May 21, 2025, City Council meeting, when Mr. Stamp asked that the phantom alley near his property be vacated. At that time, he was informed that the process begins with a written request to the Council, which is then referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review and recommendation before Council action is taken.
Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen, Wastewater Superintendent Tim Snyder, and representatives from AMU’s electric and water divisions have inspected the alley and confirmed that no hidden utilities or easements exist on the property. This is another true “phantom alley”—though originally platted, if it was ever paved, it has since disappeared. The majority of the alley lies within the floodplain. The adjoining lots are zoned a mix of “I-1” (Light Industrial), “I-2” (Heavy Industrial), and “R-3” (High-Density Residential).
Given its location in the floodplain, proximity to industrial property, and the fact that alleys are no longer common in modern residential planning, the alley holds little to no value for the City in terms of future development.
At its June 10, 2025, meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed Mr. Stamp’s request and voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council for vacating this section of alley.
Under Code 137.04, the Council must make the following findings before approving any vacation of a street or alley:
- Public Use – The street or alley is not needed for public use, and therefore maintaining it at public expense is no longer justified.
- Abutting Property – Vacating the alley will not deny property owners reasonable access to their adjoining lots.
* The Atlantic City Council adopted an easement across Palm Street for the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.
*The Atlantic City Council adopted an order to Approve Change Order #2 for the Downtown Street Project, adding Iowa Avenue to the List of Projects.
