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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-2002 Planning and Zoning Commissioni1c � Department __ Planning _~ CITJ` OF 10I A CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Location of Agenda Items, 8-15-02 Agenda Informal Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, August 12, 2002 - 7:30 Recreation Center Meeting Room B 222 South Gilbert Street Agenda Formal Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 7:30 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall (Civic Center) A. Call to Order B. Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda C. Announcement of Vacancies on City Boards and Commissions D. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Public hearing for an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to adopt the Southwest District Plan for the area located generally South of Melrose Avenue, West of the Iowa River, North of Highway 1 West and East of the Iowa City Landfill. E. REZONING ITEMS: REZ02-00013 Discussion of an application submitted by the City of Iowa City for rezoning of 1.) an 8.69-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue from High Density Multi -Family Residential (RM-44) to Low -Density Multi - Family Residential (RM-12) or Medium Density Multi -Family (RM-20) with a Conditional Zoning Agreement; 2.) a 1.45-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue from Community Commercial (CC-2) to Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM-12) or Medium Density Multi -Family (RM-20) with a Conditional Zoning Agreement; and 3.) a 1.45-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue from Medium Density Single Family (RS-8) to Community Commercial (CC-2). 2. REZ02-00010 Discussion of an application submitted by Craig Petit for a rezoning from Low Density Multi -Family (RM-12) to Sensitive Areas Overly Low Density Multi - Family (OSA-12) on 1.06 acres to allow a 12-unit multi -family building located on the west side of First Avenue south of Stuart Court. (45-day limitation period: August 15) 3. REZ-02-00015 Discussion of an application submitted by James D. Goss for a rezoning of approximately 6.6 acres of property from Low -Density Multifamily Residential, RM-12, to Interim Development Single Family Residential, ID-RS, located on St. Clement's Alley south of Dodge Street. (45-day limitation period: September 8) F. VACATION ITEMS: 1. VACO2-00004 Discussion of a request by the University of Iowa to vacate portions of Harrison and Prentiss Streets and an adjoining alleyway west of Madison Street. 2. VACO2-00002 Discussion of an application submitted by CRANDIC Railway Company and the University of Iowa for a vacation of the right-of-way of portions of Front Street and Prentiss Street generally located south of Burlington Street and west of Madison Street. 3. VACO2-00003 Discussion of a request by the University of Iowa to vacate Grand Avenue Court from Melrose Avenue to a line 295 feet to the north. G. Consideration of the August 1, 2002 Meeting Minutes. H. OTHER: I. ADJOURNMENT Upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission Meetings: Informal Meeting Cancelled - Laborday September 16 September 30 October 14 November 4 November 18 Formal September 5 September 19 October 3 October 17 November 7 November 21 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM August 9, 2002 To: Planning and Zoning Commission From: Karen Howard, Associate Planner Re: Southwest District Plan At your meeting on August 1 you made several requests for additional information regarding the Southwest District Plan. We have also received several requests from citizens for changes to the draft plan since the last meeting. To be prepared to vote on the plan on Thursday, we suggest that you advise us on Monday which amendments you would like us to incorporate into the draft. In addition to the amendments and attachments that we forwarded to you in your August 1 packet (attached), we received the following suggested revisions: In the attached email, Chuck Meardon, attorney for the Ruppert family, requests that the body of the plan includes language reflecting the possibility of RM-20 zoning with a conditional zoning agreement on the Ruppert's undeveloped property located along Highway 1 in the Roosevelt Subarea. This change would be consistent with the more detailed analysis included in Appendix C of the plan. We received a request from Brad Houser to include language that would open up the possibility for higher density residential uses, such as townhouses or apartments in the vicinity of the existing homes along Rohret Road. Mr. Houser owns about 15 acres of land west of the Carson property. As stated in the memo dated July 26, staff suggests that the plan map for the Rohret South Subarea designates the existing residential properties along Rohret as "Single Family/Duplex Residential" to reflect the possibility of subdivision of the larger lots when sewer service is extended to the area. This designation indicates that a zoning designation of RS-5 or RS-8 may be appropriate in the future. If the Commission would like to accommodate Mr. Houser's suggestion, the plan map must be changed to indicate either "narrow lot/townhouse residential" or "low density multi -family residential." A plan map designation or "narrow lot/townhouse residential" indicates that a zoning designation of RS-12 may be appropriate in the future. A designation of "Low Density Multi -Family" indicates that RM-12 zoning would be appropriate in the future. The Commission should note that Mr. Houser's suggestion to designate his property for townhouses or apartments would be contrary to Mr. Carson's request for a gradual transition between lower and higher density residential uses in this area. The Commission also requested information about the width of the right-of-way along Benton Street. From Riverside Drive to Sunset Street the right-of-way varies from 65 to 66 feet. At Sunset Street it increases to 70 feet and remains at this width to the intersection at Mormon Trek Boulevard. The existing pavement width is 45 feet near the intersection of Benton Street and Riverside Drive. The pavement narrows to 25 feet from Orchard to Sunset and then widens to 33 feet between Sunset and Mormon Trek Boulevard. Regarding your question about school crossing lights, we are still investigating and will have more information at your meeting on Monday. We are presenting the plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting next Wednesday. We will let you know at your meeting on Thursday of any comments or suggested changes that they recommend. Karen Howard From: Chuck Meardon [ChuckM@meardonlaw.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 3:24 PM To: Karen-Howard@iowa-city.org Subject: Re: Rupert CZA Karen, thanks for Appendix C to the Southwest District Plan. As we discussed, however, the "body" of the plan, when it discusses the RM-44 zone, says only that the City recommends RM-12 (p. 25-26). If possible, we would be greatful if the plan was changed to reflect the possibility of RM-20 zoning with a CZA. I know this is in the appendix, but it would help to have it on the pages where the property is specifically discussed in the plan. Thanks for your help. Charles A. Meardon Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. 122 S. Linn St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319-338-9222 chuckm@meardonlaw.com This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you >>> Karen Howard <Karen-Howard@iowa-city.org> 07/30 4:15 PM >>> Attached is a first draft of the Ruppert property CZA. Take a look and let me know if you would like to meet with us to discuss this. <<RuppertCZA 7-30.doc>> Regards, Karen Howard Department of Planning and Community Development 410 E. Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 (319) 356-5251 karen-howard@iowa-city.org SUGGESTED REVISIONS Willow Creek Subarea Traffic and Pedestrian Circulation at Walden Square: There was considerable discussion at the public review draft presentation regarding traffic and pedestrian safety near the Walden Square commercial area along Mormon Trek Boulevard. The concerns expressed are valid and are in concert with what citizens discussed at the larger planning workshops. The language contained in the District Plan emphasizes that pedestrian and traffic control improvements are needed in the short term future in this location. The district plan is intended as a policy guide to future development and public improvements. Additional language could be added to the plan to emphasize the relative importance of these needed improvements. Rohret South Subarea Existing Residential Uses: Based on recent meetings with Steve Carson, staff recommends some revisions to the "Commercial Development" section on page 46. The Carson family owns a large parcel of property where the proposed stormwater lake is located. Mr. Carson resides at the farmhouse located on the south side of Rohret Road, which is adjacent to the proposed commercial area. He expressed concern regarding the proximity of the proposed commercial area to existing residences and suggested more of a transition from residential to commercial uses in this area. While the intent of a neighborhood commercial area is that it would be developed in a manner that would fit well into a residential neighborhood, staff concurs that a more gradual transition in residential densities might be desirable. Therefore, we have modified the Carson Lake Concept Plan to illustrate single family residential and townhouse development between the existing residences and the neighborhood commercial area, which effectively moves the commercial area one block to the east. In addition, staff recommends that language be added to indicate that new development should be developed in a manner that is sensitive to the existing residential uses. The overriding design concepts discussed in the plan for this area - main street commercial development, civic uses as a highway buffer, and mixed -use and medium density residential uses, such as townhouses and small apartments adjacent to the neighborhood commercial area - should remain the same. Recreation Center: During the planning workshops, citizens expressed a desire for a recreation center on the west side of town. Additional comments were received following the presentation of the draft on July 18. Staff suggests that a sentence be added to the last paragraph on page 46 that emphasizes this point. Large -lot Residential: The proposed plan map for the Rohret South Subarea illustrates the location of existing large -lot residential uses. After sewer is available to the Rohret South Subarea, these lots could be further subdivided if the owners desired to do so. Since the "plan map" is intended to illustrate appropriate future uses, staff suggests that the existing residential lots be illustrated using the darker gold color signifying single-family residential use rather than designating them as large -lot residential. Language should also be added to the text that emphasizes this point. Additional possibility for a trail connection: After reviewing the plan, a citizen pointed out to staff the potential for an additional trail connection using the existing culvert underneath Highway 218 from the Willow Creek Subarea in the vicinity of Abbey Lane to the proposed Carson Lake neighborhood. If a regional stormwater facility is built to retain water in the Rohret South Subarea, the existing culvert may not be needed for stormwater run-off and can be used for a trail connection underneath Highway 218. Staff suggests that language be added to the plan that reflects this possibility. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: August 8, 2002 To: Planning and Zoning Commission From: John Yapp, Associate Planner F679-- Re: REZ02-00010, Sensitive Areas Rezoning, Lot 3, First and Rochester subdivision Part 1 Staff has learned from the applicant's engineer that a revised design plan for the Sensitive Areas Development Plan for Lot 3, First and Rochester Subdivision Part 1, will not be available until Monday August 12. Staff will distribute the revised plan at the Commissions informal meeting on August 12. Staff will not have had a chance to review the plan in detail. To: Planning and Zoning Commission Item: REZ01-00015 GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicant: Contact Person: Requested Action: STAFF REPORT Prepared by: Shelley McCafferty Date: August 15, 2002 James R. Goss James R. Goss 1039 St. Clement's Alley Iowa City, IA 52245 Rezoning from RM-12 to ID-RS Purpose: To have single-family residential development on a property with a single-family residences and wooded slopes Location: Size: Existing Land Use and Zoning Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: Comprehensive Plan: File Date: 45-Day Limitation Period: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: St. Clement's Alley, south of Dodge Street and St. Peter's Alley 6.6 acres RM-12, single-family residential North: CC-2, single family residential, offices South: RM-12, cemetery East: RM-12, cemetery West: RM-12, single family residential Single-family/duplexes residential July 25, 2002 September 8, 2002 The applicant, James R. Goss, has requested that 6.6 acres of property on St. Clement's Alley, south of St. Peter's Alley be downzoned from RM-12, Low -Density Multifamily Residential, to ID - IRS, Interim Development Single Family Residential. James Goss owns the property at 1039 St. Clement's. The properties at 1026, 1030, and 1029 St. Clement's Alley are owned by Donald K. Vrchoticky, Kristine Vrchoticky, and Kenneth Parrott respectively. The applicant initially applied for Low -Density Single Family Residential zoning, RS-5. However, after staff determined that there is inadequate infrastructure on this property, staff recommended that it be zoned ID-RS and the applicant agreed. The properties are currently used for single-family residences, which includes a historic brick house at 1026 St. Clement's Alley. The property under consideration was the third location for the Goss Brickyard, and therefore may be historically and/or archeologically significant. The property 2 also contains a wooded ravine with regulated slopes that comprises approximately 3-acres of the property, therefore the property would be subject to the Sensitive Areas Ordinance if additional development were to occur. Staff is unable to identify the entire zoning history of this property. Before 1969, the property between North Summit and St. Joseph's Cemetery was zoned for Two -Family Residential (R-2). In 1969, George Baculus applied to rezone two parcels on North Summit Street to Three -Family Residential (R-3) so he could add additional dwelling units to the property. At that time, the Planning and Zoning Commission did not recommend this rezoning to City Council, however, Council passed and adopted the rezoning. At this time, Fred Goss wrote a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission objecting to this rezoning. It is unclear when the remainder of this property was rezoned for Low -Density Multifamily Residential use. It is presumed that in 1983 when the City did a comprehensive, city-wide rezoning, because the cemetery was rezoned RM- 12 and additional property on North Summit was RM-12 that the St. Clement's property was also rezoned to RM-12. ANALYSIS: Under the current RM-12 zoning, multifamily dwellings are allowed at a density of 15 units per acre, and single-family dwellings are allowed at 14.5 units per acre. The Interim Development zones are intended to "earmark" the property for future rezoning while allowing the existing use of the property to continue without adequate City services. In this case, the Interim Development zoning will reflect existing single-family residential use. Compliance with Comprehensive Plan: The property under consideration falls under the North District Plan. The Land Use Map for this district illustrates the property adjacent to St. Clement's Alley on the south side of Dodge as single-family/duplex residential, which is the current use of the property. Rezoning this property for single-family use complies with the District Plan's goal to retain the predominantly single-family residential character of existing neighborhoods. Single-family use is also more compatible with the environmental features of the property. The North District Plan has recommends the protection of sensitive features and encourages clustered, conservation design housing to achieve this. Compatibility with neighborhood: This neighborhood is currently a mix of residential, commercial, and office uses. A number of residences in the area date from the turn -of -the - century and have a semi -rural character. Roberts Diary is located on the north side of Dodge Street and two small office buildings are located on the south side of Dodge Street. Directly to the south and east is St. Joseph's Cemetery. Several large -lot single-family residences of various vintages are located to the west along North Summit Street. Although the neighborhood is somewhat adhoc, single-family use of the property is most compatible with the neighborhood at this time. Public works: The most significant reason for this property to be downzoned are the deficiencies in public infrastructure. A number of these properties are not connected to the City sewer. Sewer would need to be extended from North Summit Street to service this area. St. Clement's Alley is a 16-foot wide chip -and -seal alley with a 24-foot right-of-way that has not been improved to urban standards. This alley would need to be upgraded to local street standards with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Currently, there are no plans for the City to make these improvements, therefore, if this property were to be redeveloped, the developer would likely be responsible for these improvements. It would clearly be inappropriate to allow multifamily development or even additional single-family development on this property due to the current deficiencies in infrastructure. 3 Sensitive Areas: Approximately 3 acres of the site is a steep, wooded ravine that defines the currently developed portion of the property on the east, south and west. Because of the extent of the sensitive areas and because a buffer between the sensitive areas and new development would be required, the area of property that can be developed is significantly reduced. Approximately 50% of the property could not be developed under the Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Under the SAO, development can be intensified on a portion of the property if the sensitive features are avoided. If the current RM-12 zone were retained, it is likely that the portion of the property that could currently be redeveloped, 1026 St. Clement's Alley, would not have the capacity for this more intense development due to its limited size and configuration. Staff feels that single-family residential use is more compatible with the sensitive features. Historic/Archeological significance: This property is the third and final location of the Goss Brickyard. The brickyard was originally located on Brown Street and is one of two brickyards that was originally located in the Goosetown vicinity. This was the last brickyard to operate in Iowa City. The brick house located at 1026 St. Clement's Alley was constructed from brick manufactured on site and there is evidence of the pit from which clay was extracted. At least four other brick houses were built by the Goss family near their brickyards. Further archeological and historical research is warranted on this property to determine if it is eligible as a local historic landmark. SUMMARY: Staff feels that due to the inadequate infrastructure and sensitive areas on the property under consideration, the current Low -Density Multifamily Residential zone, RM-12, is not appropriate. A portion of the property would be appropriate for the development of single-family homes and/or duplexes. However, before any additional development or redevelopment occurs on this property, the infrastructure must be improved to City standards. Property that is within the City Limits, but does not have sufficient infrastructure is zoned Interim Development. Although such property is typically agricultural and located at the edge the Iowa City, staff feels that Interim Development Single -Family Residential is appropriate for the property on St. Clement's Alley, south of Dodge Street and St. Peter's Alley. In the future, this property could be rezoned at which time staff would recommend that the rezoning be conditioned on improvement of the sewer and street. A Sensitive Areas Development Plan would also be required. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that REZ02-00015, an application from James R. Goss for a rezoning from Low -Density Single -Family Residential, RM-12, to Interim Development Single -Family Residential, ID-RS, on 6.6 acres located on both side of St. Clement's Alley south of Dodge Street be approved. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location map 2. Applicant's statement as to why the zone change is warranted. Approved by: Robert Miklo, Senior Planner, Department of Planning and Community Development 7 r-- CCU PROTEST OF REZONING �( TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ei •'A'''4� - PH ?'his IOWA CITY, IOWA - an, We, the undersigned, being the owners of twenty percent or more of the area of the property included in the proposed zoning change, or the owners of twenty percent or more of the property which is located within two hundred feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the zoning change is proposed, do hereby protest therezoning of the following property: OG1.tl� G Y � D oil/ `� Uvr is V �C�o ci�i o� Cerra/o.%/� �P�o•vc 33%- ��/�'�'� This petition is signed and acknowledged by each of us with the intention that such rezoning shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of at least three -fourths of all the members of the council, all in accordance with §414.5 of the Code of Iowa. Owner(s) Property Address-�, STATE OF IOWA ) ) ss: JOHNSON COUNTY ) On this y day of 2Q? , before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and Stat , personally appeared (1c. ' and to me known to be the identical pe(?sons named In and who executed the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed.J ' •F DIANA M. HUFF Commission Number 187143 ow. MY Comm. Exp. Ober 2 , 902 Notary Public in and for the State Xjbwa By: Owner(s) of Property Address STATE OF IOWA ) ) ss: JOHNSON COUNTY ) On this _ day of , 20_, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared and to me known to be the identical persons named in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed. Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa PROTEST OF REZONING TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IOWA CITY, IOWA We, the undersigned, being the owners of twenty percent or more of the area of the property included In the proposed zoning change, or the owners of twenty percent or more of the property which is located within two hundred feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the zoning change is proposed,, do hereby protest the rezoning of the following property: f%J,(1i�b Ql o bo�v°P�or�s This petition is signed and acknowledged by each of us with the intention that such rezoning shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of at least three -fourths of all the members of the council, all in accordance with §414.5 of the Code of Iowa. ner(s) of Property Address STATE OF IOWA ) ) ss: JOHNSON COUNTY ) On this day of , 20 vZ before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and Statp, ersonally appeared L,&jAA kGxmt r3Ak)" and ZLi N PuN.0 t-a& -J to me known to be the Identical persons named in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed. By: Krr CAMP 708MI Commission Number 706581 . My CommissionF��m ow October27 201i3 Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa Owner(s) of Property Address STATE OF IOWA ) ) ss: JOHNSON COUNTY) On this _ day of , 20_, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared and to me known to be the identical persons named in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed. Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa PROTEST OF REZONING TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IOWA CITY, IOWA We, the undersigned, being the owners of twenty percent or more of the area of the property included in the proposed zoning change, or the owners of twenty percent or more of the property which Is located within two hundred feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the zoning change is proposed, do hereby protest the rezoning of the following property: This petition is signed and acknowledged by each of us with the intention that such rezoning shall not become effective except' by the favorable vote of at least three -fourths of all the members of the council, all in accordance with §414.5 of the Code of Iowa. STATE OF IOWA ss: JOHNSON COUNTY Property Address On this _ day of , 200�, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared b auALA U17 cµor tand t I6fZ( S U2cN CM-1 c P/ _ to me known to be the identical persons na ed in and who executed the within and fP egoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed. By: SONDRAEFORT >� sion Number 159791 CommissionBxplres �r,dnnt_ -- Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa (Xvner(s) of STATE OF IOWA ) ) ss: JOHNSON COUNTY ) C= Property Address w On this _ day of , 20_, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared and to me known to be the identical persons named in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed. Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa CA t/15'c- ') City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM To: Planning & Zoning Commission From: John Adam Date: 7 August 2002 Re: VACO2-00002 and VACO2-00004, Front, Harrison and Prentiss Streets At the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting of 1 August 2002, various commissioners questioned the rationale of releasing a street right-of-way in order to settle a title dispute between two other parties (VACO2-00002). While it is true that the City of Iowa City will receive no monetary consideration for the released rights -of -way, this vacation request feeds into the larger issue of University -led redevelopment fronting Madison Street and the potential benefits deriving from it. The essential matters in these applications, however, are those relating to the advisability of vacating or releasing portions of streets from public ownership. The concern voiced by commissioners regarding river access is valid in the context of pedestrian circulation, but is adequately answered by the provision of access easements over both Harrison and Prentiss Streets. Access easements possess legal weight equivalent to ownership. Instead of the 15- to 25-feet-wide easements originally suggested at the Planning and Zoning meeting of 1 August 2002, staff recommends creating "blanket" easements across the whole of the requested vacation areas (both VACO2-00002 and VACO2-00004) on Prentiss and Harrison, not including the alley between them. As University development proceeds and as the City's need and desire for access to the riverbank reaches a planning and funding stage, the exact orientation and character of the accessway(s) can be determined. At that time, the City may assert its right to enjoy unencumbered access to the riverbank, just as it has had the power to do for several decades. Staffs analyses of the other two criteria detailed in the original staff report —circulation and emergency access —remain valid. Emergency access remains possible via Front, Court, Harrison and Prentiss to all structures and to the river through the power plant site. Front Street and the 100 blocks of Court, Harrison and Prentiss ceased to be part of the general traffic circulation pattern many years ago. Staff continues to recommend approval of both vacation applications. STAFF REPORT To: Planning & Zoning Commission Item: VACO2-00003, Grand Avenue Court, University of Iowa GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicants: Requested Action: Purpose: Location: Size: Existing Land Use and Zoning: Surrounding Land Use and Zoning File Date: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Prepared by: John Adam Date: August 15, 2002 University of Iowa Attn: Rod Lehnertz, Project Manager (319) 353-2235 Street vacation To allow adjacent property owner to acquire right-of-way for University development project. Grand Avenue Court from the north R.O.W. line of Melrose Avenue northward 295 feet 6,785 square feet Public University uses and residential, P and RS-8 North: University of Iowa, P South: University of Iowa, P East: University of Iowa, P West: University of Iowa, P July 16, 2002 The University of Iowa has applied for the vacation of the 23-feet width of Grand Avenue Court from the north R.O.W. line of Melrose Avenue northward 295 feet, a line approximately 242 feet south of the south R.O.W. line of Grand Avenue. The application was initiated by the University of Iowa for the development of an athletic learning center in the area facing Melrose Avenue. The facility site encompasses several of the houses along Grand Avenue Court and the University is currently in the process of demolishing those houses. The facility site will also cover the southern portion of Grand Avenue Court. 2 ANALYSIS: There are three criteria generally useful in determining the advisability of the release of a street right-of-way. A release would be inadvisable if it would interfere in vehicular or pedestrian circulation, interfere in the right of access to any private property, or inhibit access of emergency or utility service vehicles. Another issue Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council may wish to consider is the disposition of the Cannon -Gay House at 320 Melrose Avenue, an Italianate-style dwelling built in 1884 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as an Iowa City landmark. The City's approval of this vacation will allow the redevelopment of the neighborhood along Grand Avenue Court and along Melrose Avenue and therefore may affect this historic dwelling. Both the National Park Service and the City have recognized the historic significance of this structure by awarding it landmark status. To assure that this vacation does not contribute to its destruction, the City may wish to condition approval of this vacation on assurances from the University of Iowa that it will adhere to the Historic Preservation regulations as they apply to Iowa City Historic Landmarks. Circulation: Grand Avenue Court provides a link between Grand Avenue and Melrose Avenue, but most traffic likely finds it easier to utilize Byington Road and South Grand Avenue, which are configured for circulation around this block. The lack of sidewalks along this street makes it undesirable for pedestrian traffic and, as with the vehicular traffic, other routes around this block are configured for easier use. Private Access: Other than the University's, one property has access onto Grand Avenue Court. It is owned by Leola Bergmann, 124 Grand Avenue Court (Lot 5 in the Right -of - Way Vacation Exhibit), who has signed a Vacation of Street Agreement (see attached copy). The University has agreed to handle snow removal for Mrs. Bergmann as long as she lives in her house. She has informed staff that she has no problem regarding access since she always uses Grand Avenue to the north as her means of ingress and egress to Grand Avenue Court. Emergency Access: Grand Avenue Court is a narrow street that may require a turnaround at the end of it if there are no means of vehicular access through the University development to the south. Because only one house will remain on the street and its distance from the nearest arterial is approximately 240 feet, no major impediments to emergency access exist. An existing sanitary sewer line runs down to Grand Avenue from a point approximately 100 feet north of Melrose Avenue. If the University caps the sewer at Leola Bergmann's house, no easement will be necessary for this vacation. A six-inch water main connects through the requested vacation area to another main running under Melrose Avenue. An easement at least 30 feet wide will be required over the water main in this area. CONCLUSION: The small neighborhood that once existed on this street now consists of a single residentceand property owner who has consented to the vacation of the street south of her property. Adequate means of ingress and egress remain for this residence and the release of the street will not impact the circulation of general traffic in any significant way. The 3 provision of emergency vehicle access appears to be adequate. Provided the University of Iowa commits to preserving the Cannon -Gay House, staff finds no reason to deny the vacation of southern portions of Grand Avenue Court. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that VACO2-00003, a request to vacate the south 295 feet of Grand Avenue Court, be approved subject to the creation of necessary utilities easements and subject to assurances that the University will comply with the Iowa City Historic Preservation regulations for the Cannon -Gay House at 320 Melrose Avenue. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Right -of -Way Vacation Exhibit 2. Site map Approved by: Robert Miklo, Senior Planner, Department of Planning and Community Development T:\PCD\John A\Active Files\VACO2-00003.doc C1771' OF IOTTACITE'qNP SITE LOCATION: Grand Avenue Court VACO2-00003 PREPARED BY: SHIVE-HATIERY, INC. 2834 NORTHGATE DRIVE IOWA CITY, IA 52242 (319) 354-3040 RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION EXHIBIT A PART OF GRAND AVENUE COURT IN GRAND AVENUE COURT ADDITION IOWA CITY, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA GRAND AVENUE 41' 41' 12 N 11 T60.65'60.65' ON8 7 U 60.65' 60.65'W N ALLEY W 242.60 75' 13 Zo 6 0 4 1 NOTE: ALL DISTANCES SHOWN 15 ; "=: � 4 ARE THE RECORD DISTANCES AS 16 Q ( 3 SHOWN ON THE FINAL PLAT OF GRAND AVENUE COURT ADDITION RECORDED IN BOOK 3, PAGE 101 AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY 17 '0 RECORDER'S OFFICE. AREA OF GRAND AVENUE COURT TO BE VACATED. 18 1 75'. MELROSE AVENUE DESCRIPTION That part of Grand Avenue Court in Grand Avenue Court Addition to Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa (final plat recorded in Book 3, Page 101 at the Johnson County Recorder's office), lying North of Melrose Avenue and South of the North line of Lot 4 of said Grand Avenue Court Addition extended Westerly to the Northeast corner of Lot 15 of said Grand Avenue Court Addition. Area: 6,785 square feet more or less. I hereby certify that this land surveying document was prepared and the related survey work was performed by me or under my direct personal supervision and that i am a duly licensed Land Surveyor under the laws of the State of Iowa. 0 50 100 200 SCALE IN FEET Jonathon Bailey date License No. 12531 ORIGINAL SCALE 1" = 100' My license renewal date is December 31, 2002 Tiny minu-r nc WAv %/An A-rwim cvuiorr I 00n WrT nin