MASON CITY — Motorists traveling two stretches of Cerro Gordo County roadway could face new 45 mph speed limits, while three rural properties near Clear Lake could receive new residential zoning classifications as the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors prepares for its Monday, November 16, 2026, meeting. The board will also consider more than $1,200 in mobile-home tax abatements involving properties in Mason City and Clear Lake.
The proposed actions are outlined in a 16-page county meeting packet that includes two speed-limit resolutions, three Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations and two requests from County Treasurer Nikki Fessler.
The road proposals follow a public hearing scheduled by supervisors earlier this month, while the zoning applications involve separating existing rural residences from larger agricultural properties without taking additional farmland out of production.
County proposes 45 mph limits on two roadways
Two resolutions prepared for the November 16 meeting would establish 45 mph speed limits on sections of 300th Court and Thrush Avenue.
Resolution 2026-75 would establish a 45 mph limit on 300th Court, extending west from the US Highway 65 right-of-way near Orchid Avenue to the dead end of 300th Court. The proposed restriction would apply in both directions.
Resolution 2026-76 would establish a 45 mph speed limit on County Road S56, also known as Thrush Avenue, from the southern Mason City city limits to the intersection of S56 and 240th Street. That limit would apply to northbound and southbound traffic.
According to the proposed resolutions, Cerro Gordo County engineering staff investigated the appropriate speed limits. The resolutions cite Iowa Code Sections 321.255 and 321.285, which authorize speed limits following engineering and traffic investigation.
As NorthIowaToday.com reported following the November 2 supervisors meeting, a public hearing on the proposed limits was scheduled for 10:20 a.m. November 16. NIT also previously covered the proposal to lower speed limits on the two roads.
The latest packet provides the proposed 45 mph restrictions and locations, but it does not include the traffic counts, crash histories or full engineering findings behind the recommendations.
Road decisions have been a recurring county issue. In September, supervisors closed a stretch of Swallow Avenue and approved more than $601,000 in county bills.
Three Clear Lake-area properties seek residential rezoning
Supervisors are also expected to consider three recommendations from the Cerro Gordo County Planning and Zoning Commission involving about 11.33 acres near Clear Lake. The applicants seek to change parts of existing agricultural properties from A-1 Agricultural District to A-2 Agricultural Residence District.
All three proposals concern existing homes and associated buildings rather than newly proposed subdivisions. The commission reviewed the requests November 5 and recommended approval.
Marlen and Nancy Stricker seek to rezone approximately 4.73 acres at 22831 Jonquil Avenue. The proposed parcel includes an existing residence and detached shed. County staff said the northern parcel meets A-2 setbacks; some other existing farm structures to the south are considered exempt from county zoning requirements under state law because of their status at the time of construction.
The proposal would separate the existing residential site from the larger agricultural tract while preserving access to farmland. Staff concluded that the division generally aligns with the county comprehensive plan and would not adversely affect continued farming.
Two additional applications along Heather Avenue
Jon and Linda Matson submitted two separate requests along Heather Avenue.
At 21600 Heather Avenue, the Matsons propose to rezone approximately 3.31 acres containing a house, detached garage and shed. County staff said an existing residential parcel created in 1982 is less than an acre and fails to meet current district standards. The proposed division would create a larger residential parcel, with a driveway easement maintaining access to farmland.
At 21557 Heather Avenue, the Matsons seek rezoning of approximately 3.29 acres with an existing residence and detached garage. Staff reported that both structures meet A-2 setbacks and that farm access from Heather Avenue would remain available.
Staff recommended approval of both requests, noting that no additional farmland would be converted to residential use.
The applications follow other rural land-use decisions. In October, supervisors approved the rezoning of an approximately 5.78-acre agricultural parcel.
Mobile-home tax abatements total $1,236
County Treasurer Nikki Fessler has submitted two tax-abatement requests totaling $1,236.
One asks the board to abate $644 on a mobile home previously located at 1400 7th Avenue North, Lot 16, in Clear Lake. The treasurer’s November 13 letter says the home was moved out of the park in August 2026.
The second asks for an abatement of $592 on a mobile home at Quincy Terrace, Lot 20, in Mason City. According to Fessler, an affidavit of transfer of title was filed with her office November 4.
Both abatements require board action. The proposals concern specific mobile-home tax accounts, not a countywide property tax reduction.
The board has considered similar requests previously. NIT covered mobile-home tax abatements alongside a county budget amendment and elected-official raises in May.
County business continues after claims and manure reviews
The November 16 agenda items follow a November 9 meeting at which supervisors approved $414,232.66 in county claims, reviewed three livestock manure management plans and discussed real estate in closed session.
Those agricultural reviews followed NIT reporting on concerns over nearly 2.9 million gallons of hog manure and proposed application sites near waterways and communities.
The supplied November 16 packet does not include a new manure management plan or county claims register. Its proposals instead concern speed limits, existing rural homes and mobile-home tax accounts.
None of the proposed resolutions, rezonings or abatements should be treated as approved until supervisors act. The board’s speed-limit public hearing is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. Monday, November 16, at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse in Mason City.