City of Waukee

Sustainable Waukee

As one of the fastest growing community’s in the State of Iowa, the City of Waukee recognizes the impact development and human activities have on the environment.  As the City of Waukee continues to grow and expand its boundaries, the City Council has identified the need for policy and guidelines to be established that ensures a practical, planned and sustainable approach to development which maintains an acceptable quality of life for generations to come.

 A Green Initiatives Committee has been assembled to assist in researching sustainable practices and make recommendation to Council.  As one of the initial steps in becoming more sustainable, the City Council has adopted a mission “to create a healthier, safer, and environmentally conscious Waukee that encourages and implements sustainable growth practices and maintenance of the community for both the current and future generations.”

A 1st Year Action Plan has been adopted to provide a plan identifying initial steps that should be undertaken by the City of Waukee over the next year.  These initial steps will allow Waukee to assess the current status of the City regarding environmental impacts, educate and create interest amongst the community and initiate policy and ordinance changes that are consistent with the mission, goals and objectives of creating a Sustainable Waukee.

The City of Waukee is interested to have you become an active and involved representative of its efforts to create a sustainable community.  To find out what new steps and efforts the City is making and how you can get involved, watch this webpage for more information.

Sustainability Workshop Opportunity

The Greater Dallas County Development Alliance will be hosting a Community Focused Sustainability Workshop for the City of Waukee on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 5:30PM at City Hall, 230 W. Hickman Road.  The free 2 hour session will go into detail on sustainable initiatives in the areas of: Public Policy & Planning, Renewable Energy, Neighborhoods & Housing, and Streetscape & Infrastructure.  A sustainable consulting group will deliver content such as examples of public policy and discussion on using policy strategies to engage community members, examples of sustainable design practices including stormwater management and green space and discussion of renewable energy options. 

We strongly encourage public officials, city staff, local boards and community groups as well as interested residents to attend.  The workshop will allow for the opportunity to discuss with the consultants, Waukee’s adopted Sustainable Action Plan and ideas on how to reach community-wide engagement of this plan.   If you plan to attend please RSVP to the Alliance at 515-987-2020 or lreiste@dallascounty-ia.org

Should Waukee Go Green?

The City of Waukee is interested to know how the community feels about going green.  Take the survey below to let us know how green Waukee can be.

Carbon Footprint Calculator

See what type of impact you and your family have on the environment by calculating your carbon footprint:

 

Notable Projects and Efforts

  • Waukee Schools Generating Wind Energy - the Waukee City Council approved plans from the Waukee Community School District to erect a wind energy conversion system on the District's property south of the Middle School.  This marks the first alternative energy project request and approval since the Council took on the task of pursing community wide "green" initiatives.  The School District's project was made possible by a $50,000 grant from Pepsi's Refresh Project. Information on the specific system and site location of the School District's project can be found here:
  • Wind Energy Systems - The Waukee City Council has adopted an ordinance to permit wind energy systems to be erected on properties in the City over 2 acres in size.  Although the initial ordinance does involve many residential properties at this time, City Staff working with the MAC to identify potential opportunities for residents to offset their household carbon footprint with the use of wind energy alternatives.  To view the adopted ordinance click here.
  • RRVT Extension and Beautification - The City has paved the majority of the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad corridor to provide a safe and accessible trail from the Waukee High School to the Raccoon River Valley Trail located on the north side of Hickman Road (HWY 6).  The completed trail includes an oasis at the 5-way intersection, bike racks on 6th Street, and neighborhood connections into the Windfield and Westgate Neighborhoods north of the High School. The City has also received nearly $14,000 from an Iowa Living Roadways Grant that will involve the planting of 63 trees and 9 shrubs from the 5-way intersection to Windfield Park.  City staff anticipates the planting to occur around the middle of October, 2009.  Also included as a part of the grant funding is the creation of wildflower and prairie grass areas along the sides of the trail.
  • Systems Management & Balancing - Recently completed at 925 SE Olson Drive, Systems Management & Balancing is set to be the first LEED Certified building in Waukee.  Information about the business' site and building can be found here:
  • Single Stream Recycling - "Single stream" recycling is a program where all recyclable materials (newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone books, cardboard, tin & aluminum cans, plastics (#1-#7), and glass jars/bottles are placed into one recycling toter which is picked up every other week.  Residents have been given a 96 gallon toter with a yellow lid indicating its use for recycling.  This effort has been done to help encourage more recycling by residents without the hassle of sorting the various material types.  The large toter is aimed to provide enough space for residents to recycle as many items as they accumulate over a two week span.