LINN COUNTY, Iowa — On Thursday, Iowa’s News Now told you that the City of Atkins is opposing the sale of part of a 160-acre plot of land in unincorporated Linn County to Alliant Energy. The owner, Bowland Farms, has a purchase agreement with Alliant and the sale is for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center.
Earlier this week, Atkins city leaders sent a letter to the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission opposing Alliant’s request to rezone the just over 10 acres, from agriculture use to exclusive use. The change would allow for large scale facilities like industrial and energy facilities.
Atkins City Administrator Scott Flory says changing any part of the land to fit something industrial does not go along with what the city envisions for the future. He also says the area is closer that the 2.25-mile ordinance requirement…