Neighbors Cooperate and Grow

On one of the coldest days in recent Iowa history, it is nice to have a heartwarming story.

The idea of two neighboring cities sharing a boundary and cooperating on land use concerns is rarer than one would think.  Infrequent enough that it is worth pointing out when it happens.

The two communities involved are gazelles.  Cumming is one of the fastest-growing small communities in the Metro (117 percent growth in the last Census).  West DesMoines is one of the fastest-growing larger cities in the Metro (22 percent growth in the last Census).

As part of the deal completed in late October, the cities signed-off on a Moratorium to not annex land beyond agreed-to boundaries for a ten year period.  The agreement also aims to avoid duplication in the review of plats on unincorporated land.

The cities are both expected to continue growing, and recent commercial and residential developments already underway in northwest Warren County and northeast Madison County back up that statement. Building permits are selling monthly for West Des Moines' new single-family housing development, called Fox Valley, and Cumming has experienced small business and high-end single-family growth in recent years, too.  A number of horse barns and small farms are present and popping up in this area, showcasing a great quality of life feel.

These cities also have joint interests in transportation planning.  Big plans exist for the Southwest Connector, which impacts both communities as well as multiple counties.  West Des Moines has finished work with Des Moines on a section of Southwest Connector to the north and east, and Warren County is finishing a study to take the Connector south and eventually west into Madison County.  The Iowa DOT is completing major improvements along Interstate 35 between Cumming and West Des Moines, which adds another highway lane as well as new interchange where Interstate 35 and G-14 meet.  Developers such as Knapp Properties have development interests in this area. 

Cumming is working through plans to upgrade the community’s wastewater infrastructure, especially necessary for any development project along Interstate 35.  The Cumming city council has also recently approved updates to the City’s comprehensive plan.  Cumming leaders held an event in 2011 touting Cumming’s future as a development destination.  The community already boasts attributes such as Ted Lare Design, the GreatWestern Trail, Howell’s, Iowa Distilling Company, and the Cumming Tap.

The cooperation between Cumming and West Des Moines should pay dividends down the road as developers weigh investment considerations.