Hy-Vee Inc. plans on building a micro-fulfillment center on the east side of its existing grocery store at 1725 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.

The 34,300-square-foot center will include two truck loading docks and five lane aisles for pickup of online orders. The West Des Moines City Council this week approved a major modification to the site plan.

According to a Forbes article, micro-fulfillment centers are mechanical systems that hold grocery inventory and automate the process for fulfilling online orders using robotics and automation. The centers can reduce the cost of fulfilling online orders because minimal human labor is required, according to the article.

Also this week, the council approved the preliminary plat and site plan for Picket Fence Communities, a nearly 23-acre single-family, rental housing development planned on the northeast corner of South 88th Street and Mills Civic Parkway.

The development, described as the first of its kind in Iowa, will include 196 single-family houses, all of which will be rentals. Some of the houses will include garages. Detached garages will also be available within the development that can be rented by residents. Each house will include a small patio and fenced backyard that will consist of artificial turf.

The development will include a clubhouse, outdoor pergola, fire pit and outdoor kitchen with dining areas. An Omaha-based group headed by developer Jerry Slusky is spearheading the development.