Last week, the Jefferson Planning and Zoning Commission approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for new townhomes and condominiums.

JCorporation, Incorporated is the company that is proposing a 44-unit development by the City’s water tower.  Duane Jensen with JCorporation said they have worked with PUD’s before.

“We’ve probably done a dozen PUD’s in the Des Moines-Metro area.  And it’s (PUD’s) a very good, flexible way of dealing with existing zoning (and) taking some of the requirements and adjusting them (or) amending them to fit a particular product that we’re building.”

   Jensen said they are in a purchase agreement with Dennis Lautner, who owns the land where the development would be located on Central Avenue.  The north portion will be two-story townhomes with separate parking and a two-car attached garage.  The south portion will be two-story condos with outdoor parking.  Jensen noted that they would like to rent the units for $1,300 to $1,500 per month for the townhomes and $750 to $800 for the condos.

The plans outline three, four-plex buildings for townhomes and four, eight-plex buildings for the condos.  Jensen told Raccoon Valley Radio that they will try to complete a portion of the development this year.

“Our intention would be to start with the two, eight-plex buildings-which would be the condo buildings-and one, four-plex (townhome) building.  The goal would be to have them for rent before Thanksgiving.”

Since the Commission approved the proposed development, it will have to go to the City Council to change an ordinance, which will require three readings.  The first time the Council will consider the project will be on June 9th.