Council approves Hy‑Vee PUD amendment and site plan for nitrogen tank and freezer expansion amid neighbor concerns

The Urbandale City Council approved a planned‑unit‑development (PUD) amendment and the Hy‑Vee site plan that will permit expanded bakery manufacturing with a nitrogen tank and freezer at 3303 86th Street.

Kristy Bales, Assistant Director of Community Development, and Hy‑Vee representative Jeff Stein explained the amendment will allow an expansion to add a freezing line for a new product line ("muffin pucks") and a 31–33‑foot tank on the south side of the existing building. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval of both the PUD amendment (use change) and the site plan (tank placement and screening), subject to the conditions in the staff report.

Hy‑Vee said it will install a ground‑mounted electric pump to reduce truck engine idling during refills and estimated refill deliveries at about once every couple of weeks. Stein also provided truck‑count estimates: current inbound deliveries of about four trucks per week would increase to approximately seven, and outbound deliveries would increase from about eight to roughly 13 per week — approximately 20 truck movements weekly in total. Hy‑Vee said no significant increase in employees is expected.

Neighbors raised concerns about prior noise, litter, smells and after‑hours truck idling. Alan Weavers, HOA president, said residents have experienced recurring problems and asked for commitments on mitigation. Hy‑Vee acknowledged the complaints, committed to addressing litter and to working with HOAs, and said operations staff understand the city’s quiet hours (9:00 PM–6:30 AM). Councilmembers asked for an escalation contact and discussed relocating employee smoking areas and ensuring compactors and truck activity comply with quiet‑hours rules.

Council approved the council letter to adopt the PUD amendment and later approved the Hy‑Vee site plan council letter 8426 (motions passed). Staff clarified that the PUD amendment applies to the parcel and that any additional tanks or substantial changes would require site‑plan amendments and separate council review.