Supervisors question City of Fairfield’s planned annexation of Maasdam Barns

FAIRFIELD – The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors met with representatives of the City of Fairfield to discuss the possible annexation of land south of town.

The city is seeking to annex land south of Libertyville Road as part of the creation of the Sunrise Trail Subdivision, a 35-acre parcel of land west of Jefferson County Health Center where Grow Fairfield plans to develop as many as 70 units. However, all three supervisors voiced concerns during their meeting Monday morning, Jan. 6, about the city’s desire to annex Maasdam Barns along with the land that comprises the new subdivision.

Supervisor Lee Dimmitt said he didn’t like the idea of relinquishing control over the historic barns, and was worried about the barns being subject to city rules. Supervisor Susie Drish agreed, remarking, “Maasdam Barns were there before any of us were here, and we want them to stay with the county.”

Representing the City of Fairfield were City Administrator Doug Reinert and Public Works Director and City Engineer Melanie Carlson. Carlson explained that it was not possible to only annex the Sunrise Trail Subdivision since this would make Maasdam Barns an “island” outside the city’s jurisdiction surrounded by land within the city’s jurisdiction. She said the state once allowed such islands but not anymore, and that’s why annexing Maasdam Barns is critical for the Sunrise Trail Subdivision to move forward.

“If the city doesn’t grow, it hurts the county,” Carlson said. “We can’t expand to the south without taking in these islands.”

Carlson sought to reassure the supervisors that Maasdam Barns would remain county property, and that the city had no intention of changing it.

“I want Maasdam Barns to stay the way it is just like you do,” Carlson said.

Carlson said Maasdam Barn’s historic designation protects it from being changed, and she told the supervisors that the city would come up with a proposal to more formally protect Maasdam Barns and present it at an upcoming supervisor meeting.

Reinert reiterated Carlson’s statement about the importance of growth, and noted that Fairfield’s population has stayed the same for the last 20 years. Carlson added, “We need the county to be a partner on annexation on the south side of town.”

Dimmitt said he was not opposed to growth or to this subdivision, but he had a difficult time ceding control of the land.

“I don’t want the city to impose ordinances” on Maasdam Barns, Dimmitt said.

The two entities talked about the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district planned for the area to pay for roads, water and sewer. Dimmitt asked if only the properties in the subdivision would be included in the TIF, or whether it would include Maasdam Barns. Carlson said Maasdam Barns is already tax-exempt so it would not be part of the TIF district.

The supervisors said they will plan to discuss the annexation at their next meeting on Monday, Jan. 13. If the city does not have a formal proposal ready by then, the supervisors will just table the discussion.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com