HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Agenda Packet 02.16.2022
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Formal Meeting – 6:00 PM
Emma Harvat Hall
410 E. Washington Street
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda
4. Case No. SUB21-0013
Location: South of N. Scott Blvd and West of N. 1st Avenue
An application for a preliminary plat of Hickory Trail Estates, a 48.75-acre subdivision with one
residential lot and one outlot to be dedicated to the City for public open space.
5. Consideration of Meeting Minutes: February 2, 2022
6. Planning & Zoning Information
7. Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact
Anne Russett, Urban Planning, at 319-356-5251 or anne-russett@iowa-city.org. Early requests
are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission Meetings
Formal: March 2 / March 16 / April 6
Informal: Scheduled as needed.
STAFF REPORT
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Item: SUB21-0013
Hickory Trail Estates Preliminary Plat
Prepared by: Parker Walsh, Associate
Planner
Date: February 16, 2022
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Applicant:
Nelson Development, LLC
Jacob Wolfgang
515-720-6170
Jacob@nelsonconstruction.com
Contact Person: Axiom Consultants, LLC
Brian Boelk
bboelk@axiom-con.com
Owner: ACT INC
Brad Spillman
313-303-8402
brad.spillman@act.org
Requested Action: Approval of preliminary plat
Purpose:
Construction of Hickory Trail Estates, a
senior living facility.
Location:
West of N. 1st Avenue and south of N.
Scott Boulevard
Location Map:
Size: 48.75 Acres
2
Existing Land Use and Zoning: Undeveloped/Vacant Open Space,
Low Density Single-Family
Residential with a Planned
Development Overlay (OPD/RS-5)
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: North: RM-12, Low density Multi-family
Residential
RDP, Research Development Park
ODP, Office Development Park
South: P-1, Neighborhood Public
East: RS-8, Medium Density Single
Family Residential
ID-RS, Interim Development –
Single Family Residential
ID-RP, Interim Development –
Research Park
West: P-1, Neighborhood Public
RS-5, Low Density Single Family
Residential
Comprehensive Plan:
2-8 units / acres
District Plan:
Northeast District
Neighborhood Open Space District:
C-8
Public Meeting Notification: Property owners west of the subject
property in the Hickory Heights
development and owners east of 1st
Avenue received notification of the Planning
and Zoning Commission public meeting.
Subdivision signs were posted on the site at
both Scott Boulevard and 1st Avenue.
File Date: January 13, 2022
45 Day Limitation Period:
Waived by applicant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The applicant, Nelson Development LLC, is requesting approval of the preliminary plat of
Hickory Trail Estates, a 2-lot, 48.75-acre low density single family residential subdivision
located west of N. 1st Avenue and south of N. Scott Boulevard. The applicant intends to
develop 8.85-acres as a senior living facility containing approximately 134 bedrooms for
its residents. The applicant intends to dedicate a 38.98-acre outlot to the City as
parkland. A future rezoning to a Public (P) zone would be done by the City once the City
acquires the dedicated land. A rezoning to Low Density Single Family Residential with a
Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RS-5) has been approved as well as a Preliminary
3
OPD and Sensitive Areas Development Plan.
The subject property was rezoned to Low Density Single-Family Residential with a
Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RS-5) with the following conditions:
a. Prior to issuance of a building permit:
i. Submission of a landscape plan detailing the location of proposed shade
and evergreen trees on Lot 1. The landscape plan shall be approved by
the City Forrester.
ii. City Council approval of a final plat subdividing the subject property to
conform to the zoning boundaries established by the zoning ordinance,
and acceptance of the public improvements required thereby, which shall
include;
i. Construction of trail connections, generally in locations as
shown on the OPD Plan dated 10/28/2021, and
ii. Construction of an 8’-wide sidewalk extending from the subject
property’s eastern property line to 1st Avenue.
Per staff’s direction, the applicant did not hold a Good Neighbor Meeting for this
application since one was recently held for the rezoning.
ANALYSIS:
Compliance with Comprehensive Plan: The IC2030 Comprehensive Plan and the
Northeast District Plan encourage a compact, conservation design approach when
sensitive areas are present. The Future Land Use Map of the IC2030 Comprehensive
Plan identifies the subject property as appropriate for residential development at a
density of 2-8 dwelling units per acre. The Northeast District Plan identifies this area as
appropriate for single-family residential development, as well as some neighborhood
commercial. As shown on the plat, the majority of the subject property will be dedicated
to the City for additional parkland. Only 8.85 acres of the subject property, the area of
the proposed senior housing facility, will be developed. This is in keeping with the
compact, conservation design approach envisioned.
Although the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan discourages the use of cul-de-sacs, the
Northeast District Plan emphasizes the use of cul-de-sac streets and single loaded
streets, where appropriate, to preserve sensitive areas. The preliminary plat
incorporates a single-loaded street and a cul-de-sac due to the dedication of additional
parkland to the City.
Subdivision Design: The proposed subdivision contains Lot 1, an 8.85-acre residential
lot for the proposed senior living facility and Outlot A, a 38.98-acre outlot dedicated in its
entirety to the City for public open space. The subject plat proposes the designation of
public right-of-way through the extension of Hickory Trail, which would end in a cul-de-
sac. The proposed senior living facility will be accessed off of the Hickory Trail
extension.
According to section 15-3-2A-4 of the City Code, cul-de-sacs should be avoided unless
it can be demonstrated that existing constraints prevent the extension of the street to
access existing streets within or abutting the subdivision. Due to the proposed
dedication of Outlot A to the City as neighborhood open space, the portion of land that
4
could provide a through street connection to Scott Boulevard within the subject property
has been removed. Because of this constraint, the applicant proposes the extension of
Hickory Trail ending in a cul-de-sac in order to limit environmental impacts to the
sensitive features on the subject property and avoid extending into the dedicated land.
This design also aligns with the Preliminary Planned Development Overlay (OPD) plan
approved during the rezoning process.
Additionally, conditions of the rezoning include providing a trail from the subject property
that connects to an existing trail south of the property into Hickory Hill Park and an 8’
sidewalk extending from the eastern property line to 1st Avenue. The preliminary plat
shows the trail extension into Hickory Hill Park, as well as the extension of the sidewalk
on the south side of Hickory Trail east to N. 1st Avenue.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas: The Preliminary Planned Development Overlay and
Sensitive Areas Development Plan were approved as part of the rezoning for the
subject property. Since the proposed sensitive areas development plan meets the base
requirements of the sensitive area’s ordinance, a Level II review by the Planning and
Zoning Commission and City Council is not required.
The subject property contains regulated wetlands, stream corridors, woodlands, and
slopes. Development on Lot 1 will impact roughly 0.49 acres of critical slopes and 1.39
acres of steep slopes. All protected slopes are on Outlot A and will remain unimpacted
due to the dedication of land. There will be approximately 4.8 acres of impacted
woodlands, leaving roughly 81% of the total woodlands on the subject property
unimpacted. West of the proposed development contains a regulated stream and 50’
stream corridor buffer. The plat proposes construction limits that would leave the stream
and 50’ buffer unimpacted. The remaining sensitive features on the subject property, the
second stream corridor and two existing wetlands, exist only on Outlot A. The sensitive
areas on Outlot A will remain unimpacted by development as shown on the approved
Sensitive Areas Development Plan.
Neighborhood Open Space: The Preliminary OPD Plan, approved as part of the
rezoning, included the dedication of 38.98 acres of open space to the City for the
expansion of Hickory Hill Park. The preliminary plat is consistent with the approved
Preliminary OPD Plan. The plan includes Outlot A, which contains 38.98 acres of land
to be dedicated to the City for future parkland. Future programming and planning for the
dedicated parkland will be done as part of the Parks & Recreation planning process and
the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program by the City Council.
Storm Water Management: Storm water management for the subject property will be
provided via an existing downstream detention basin in Hickory Hill Park. Public Works
staff has reviewed and approved the preliminary storm water management plans.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the preliminary plat
will be considered for approval by the City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The preliminary plat addresses two of the rezoning conditions: the provision of the trail to
Hickory Hill Park and the extension of an 8’ wide sidewalk to 1st Avenue. Staff
5
recommends approval of SUB21-0013, an application submitted by Nelson Development,
LLC, for a preliminary plat of the Hickory Trail Estates subdivision, a 1-lot and 1-outlot,
48.75-acre subdivision located west of N. 1st Avenue and south of N. Scott Boulevard.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Location Map
2.Preliminary Plat
3.Approved Preliminary Planned Development Overlay and Sensitive Areas
Development Plan
Approved by: _________________________________________________
Danielle Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
DODGE STREET CT
BLUFFWOODDRN DODGE STSTUA
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CTCONKLIN LNHICKORY TRL
HICK
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PL
ACT D R
BRIST
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LN EVERGREENCTN 1ST AVEACT PLHICKORYHEIGH TS LN
N DUBUQUE RDTAMARACKTRL
SUB21-0013Hickory Trail Estatesµ
0 0.1 0.20.05 Miles Prepared By: Parker WalshDate Prepared: February 2022
An application submitted by Axiom Consultants, LLC.on behalf of Nelson Devlopment , LLC.for a preliminary plat of 48.75 acres located west of N. 1st Avenue and south of N. Scott Boulevard.
SSSSWW W W W W
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WWWWWWWWWW W WWWWWWWWWWWWWSSWWSSSSSSSSSSSSSTSTSTSTST
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WWWWWWWWWWW ST
SSSSSSSSSSSTSTSTST
ST ST ST ST
ST ST ST ST ST STSTSTSTSTSTSTSTST STSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTST710720
730 720730OUTLOT A
38.98 AC
1,698,087 SF
740
750
760 740750
1
8.85 AC
385,355 SF
LOT "A"
0.92 AC
40,220 SF
S01° 15' 42"E 868.85'S87° 54' 07"W 1,302.79'N01° 07' 52"W 656.03'N01° 41' 29"W 1,094.72'N01° 37' 31"W
210.43'
N01° 20' 33"W 538.67'C1S2
7
°
1
4
'
3
3
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W
9
2
4
.
7
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'
S01° 14' 34"E 378.49'N77° 55' 52"E 649.63'220'
432'70'105'545'731'61'77'73'64'304'329'39'160'129'112'4.69%4.20%CURVE TABLE
CURVE #
C1
LENGTH
1332.94
RADIUS
1018.50
DELTA
74°59'06"
CHORD DIR.
S65° 18' 23"E
CHORD LEN.
1239.83
0 50 100
SHEET NUMBER:SHEET NAME:DRAWING LOGENGINEER:REVDATEDESCRIPTION OF CHANGESPROJECT NAME:CLIENT NAME:WWW.AXIOM-CON.COM | (319) 519-6220 Feb 02, 2022 - 1:03pm S:\PROJECTS\2020\200194\05 Design\Civil-Survey\Plats\200194 PP.dwg PROJECT NO.:DESIGN PROFESSIONAL:1 OF 1 NELSON DEVELOPMENTPRELIMINARY PLATHICKORY TRAIL ESTATESPRELIMINARY OPD &SENSITIVE AREAS PLAN20-0194BETTISPRELIMINARY PLAT
HICKORY TRAIL ESTATES
IOWA CITY, IOWA
NOTES:
1.ZONING AND ASSOCIATED MINIMUM LOT INFORMATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
LOT PROPOSED MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM REQUIRED SETBACKS
NUMBERS ZONING FRONTAGE WIDTH AREA FRONT SIDE REAR
1 OPD / RS-5 45'60'8,000 SF 15 5 20
2.THIS PROPERTY LIES WITHIN FEMA PANEL 19103C0195E (2/16/2007). THERE ARE MAPPED
FLOODPLAINS ON THIS PROPERTY.
3.THERE ARE PROTECTED SLOPES WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT. A BUFFER EQUAL TO
2 TIMES THE HEIGHT OF THE SLOPE IS PROVIDED.
4.ALL PROPOSED WATERMAIN TO BE 8". ALL PROPOSED SANITARY SEWER TO BE 8".
5.STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY IS HANDLED WITH THE EXISTING DOWNSTREAM
DETENTION BASIN IN HICKORY HILL PARK.
PROJECT VICINITY MAP
1
HICKORY
TRAIL
Ralston Creek
NOT TO SCALE
PREPARED BY:
AXIOM CONSULTANTS, LLC
NICK BETTIS, PE
60 E. COURT STREET, UNIT 3
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
KEY NOTES:
15' UTILITY EASEMENT
30' SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT
30' PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT
TRASH ENCLOSURE
GENERATOR ENCLOSURE
A
N. SCOTT BOULEVARDN. 1ST
A
V
E
N
U
E
HICKORYTERRY FAMILY
REVOCABLE TRUS
T
HICKORY HEIGHTS
BK 44, PG 144 HICKORY HILL PAR
KHICKORY HILL PA
R
K HICKORY HILL PARKHICKORY HILL PARK1213141516
BEING PART OF AMENDED AUDITOR'S PARCEL #2005110 AS RECORDED IN BOOK 52,
PAGE 143 OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE, IN THE SOUTHEAST
QUARTER OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 79 NORTH, RANGE 6 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., IN
IOWA CITY, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA DESCRIBED AS;
COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID AUDITOR'S PARCEL, THENCE
N01°07'52”W, 656.03 FEET; THENCE N01°41'17”W, 1094.66 FEET; THENCE
N01°38'34”W, 210.49 FEET; THENCE N01°20'33”W, 538.67 FEET; THENCE TO THE NW
CORNER OF SAID AUDITOR'S PARCEL; THENCE 1332.94 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH RIGHT
OF WAY LINE OF SCOTT BOULEVARD ON A 1018.50 FOOT RADIUS CURVE CONCAVE
NORTHERLY (CHORD BEARING S65°18'23”E, 1239.83 FEET); THENCE S27°14'33”W,
924.73 FEET; THENCE S01°14'34”E, 378.49 FEET; THENCE N77°55'52”E, 649.63 FEET;
THENCE S01°15'42”E, 868.85 FEET TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID AUDITOR'S PARCEL;
THENCE ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE S87°54'07”W, 1302.79 FEET TO THE POINT OF
BEGINNING.
DESCRIBED AREA CONTAINS 48.75 ACRES AND IS SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS AND OTHER
RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
℄ROW℄ PAVEMENT1.50%
TYPICAL 26' ROADWAY SECTION
NOT TO SCALE 1
7" PCC
PAVEMENT
60' RIGHT-OF-WAY
26'
13'13'11'5'1'8'8'1'
6" SUBBASE
6" SUBDRAIN
4.00%2.00%
6" PCC TRAIL
WITH 4" SUBBASE
2.00%
1.50%4.00%TRAILHICKORY HILL PARKAPPROVED BY THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA
CITY CLERK DATE
LEGEND:
UTILITIES
COMMUNICATIONS
OVERHEAD LINE
ELECTRIC
FIBER OPTIC
GAS
SANITARY SEWER
STORM
WATER: DOMESTIC
EXISTING PROPOSED
GUY WIRE ANCHOR
UTILITY POLE
LIGHT POLE
GAS VALVE
STORM MANHOLE
STORM INTAKE
HYDRANT
SANITARY MANHOLE
WATER VALVE
CURB STOP
SITE
FENCE: BARB WIRE
FENCE: CHAIN LINK
FENCE: WIRE
FENCE: WOOD
CONTOUR - INTERMEDIATE
CONTOUR - INDEX
SIGN
STREAM CENTERLINE
100
CO
OH
E
FO
G
SS
ST
W
EXISTING PROPOSED
100
CONSTRUCTION AREA LIMITS
4" PCC
SIDEWALK
OUTLOTS:
LOT SF ACRES INTENDED USE
OUTLOT A 1,698,087 38.98 DEDICATED TO CITY FOR PARK SPACE
LOT A 40,220 0.92 RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATED TO CITY FOR
HICKORY TRAIL EXTENSION .
.
A
A
OVERLAND FLOW ROUTE.B
POINT OF
BEGINNING
APPLICANT'S ATTORNEY:
KIRTON MCCONKIE
ATTN:BRYCE K. DALTON
50 E. SOUTH TEMPLE, SUITE 400
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84111
BDALTON@KMCLAW.COM
APPLICANT:
NELSON DEVELOPMENT 1, LLC
ATTN:JACOB WOLFGANG
218 6TH AVE., STE. 200
DES MOINES, IOWA 50309
JACOB@NELSONCONSTRUCT.COM ABC12-21-202101-12-202202-02-2022CITY REVIEWREVISIONS PER CITY COMMENTSREVISIONS PER CITY COMMENTSSILT FENCE/SILT SOCK
CONNECT NEW 8' WIDE
GRANULAR TRAIL TO EXISTING
TRAIL IN HICKORY HILL PARK
PEDESTRIAN TRAIL
NOT TO SCALE 2
8'
2" OF LIMESTONE (GRADATION #8)
OVER 6" MODIFIED SUBBASE (GRADATION #14)
1.50%
EXISTING
TRAIL
ACT INC
.C
B
C
D
E
D E
.C
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 2, 2022 – 6:00 PM – FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Craig, Mike Hensch, Maria Padron (via phone), Mark Signs,
Billie Townsend
MEMBERS ABSENT: Phoebe Martin, Mark Nolte
STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Anne Russett, Parker Walsh, Esther Tetteh
OTHERS PRESENT: Jon Marner, Josh Entler, Dan Lopatka
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
By a vote of 5-0 the Commission recommends approval of SUB21-0012, an application
submitted by IWV Holdings, LLC. for a preliminary plat of the IWV Commercial Park subdivision,
a 2-lot, 62.36-acre commercial subdivision located at the southwest corner of Slothower Road
and Melrose Avenue/lWV Road SW.
By a vote of 5-0 the Commission recommends approval of the new Good Neighbor Policy.
CALL TO ORDER:
Hensch called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CASE NO. SUB21-0012:
Location: SW Corner of Slothower Rd and Melrose Ave/IWV Rd SW
An application for a preliminary plat of IWV Commercial Park, a 62.36-acre, 2-lot commercial
subdivision.
Russett began the staff report with an aerial of the project site which is at the southwest corner of
IWV Road SW and Slothower Road. Russett next showed the zoning map noting this land was
recently rezoned to intensive commercial.
In terms of background, Russett noted in addition to the recent rezoning there was also a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment that came before the Commission and an annexation and all
of those have received their approvals by City Council and in the case of the annexation, the
State also approved. With the rezoning there were several conditions of which relate to this plat
that Russett reviewed. The conditions include a requirement that the applicant subdivide the land
to follow the new zoning boundaries, the plat must contain a buffer easement that's generally
350 feet wide along the southern end of the property, and a dedication of right-of-way along
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 2, 2022
Page 2 of 7
Slothower Road. Russett confirmed those items are addressed in this plat. Additional conditions
included at final platting are the owner contributing 25% of the cost of upgrading Slothower Road
to collector street standards, installing landscaping on the frontage of Slothower Road and IWV
Road, and improving Slothower Road at any proposed access points. Staff anticipates that will
be identified further in the future site plan approval. The last condition is that the lots fronting IWV
and Slothower Road loading areas and outdoor storage shall not be located between the front
facade of the principal structure and the public right-of-way.
Russett showed an image of the preliminary plat noting there are two lots, lot two fronts IWV
Road, and lot one fronts Slothower Road and IWV Road. At the southern end of the plat she
pointed out the 350-foot vegetative buffer that's identified as a condition of the rezoning as well
as along the east side of Slothower the plat identifies the additional right-of-way that should be
dedicated to the City. Russett also noted along the southern boundary of the plat where the
stormwater detention basins are, as well as the sensitive areas and the associated buffers.
In terms of the Comprehensive Plan the land use designation is intensive commercial for both
the Comprehensive Plan and the Southwest District Plan with the southern end of the land area
identified as open space or vegetative noise buffer. The proposed plat is consistent with the
direction of the Comprehensive Plan as it proposes two commercial lots and does incorporate
that 350-foot-wide vegetative buffer. In terms of sensitive areas, the plat identifies the stream
corridor and associated buffers, the wetlands and the buffers and this plat meets the base
requirements of the City’s sensitive areas ordinance. Regarding stormwater management,
Russett stated that's provided through two separate basins which are on the southern end of the
property and Public Works has reviewed the preliminary stormwater management plan and
approved it.
The role of the Commission is to determine if the preliminary plat complies with the City
subdivision regulations and other applicable Codes as well as the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff recommends approval of SUB21-0012, an application submitted by IWV Holdings, LLC. for
a preliminary plat of the IWV Commercial Park subdivision, a 2-lot, 62.36-acre commercial
subdivision located at the southwest corner of Slothower Road and Melrose Avenue/lWV Road
SW.
The next steps in the general land development process would be the final plat, which would go
to City Council, and then administrative reviews by staff in terms of site plan and building
permits.
Townsend asked if at this point they know what is going to be put on that land. Russett confirmed
they do not yet know what is actually going there, that will be part of the site plan review and
building permit review by staff.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Jon Marner (MMS Consultants) is representing the applicant. As Russett mentioned when the
Commission and the Council considered the rezoning and the Comprehensive Plan
Amendments, the applicant made an effort to incorporate those sensitive features on the
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 2, 2022
Page 3 of 7
southern portion of the property. To maintain them, they placed the stormwater management in
that southern portion of the property all the way across the extent of the property from east to
west, and then placed that 350-foot buffer again to provide some separation from the
neighboring properties and address those concerns.
Hensch asked as a matter of curiosity, from the western border of parcel number two, how far is
it to the city landfill, it seems like it's not very far. Marner confirmed it is about 500 feet but tapers
a little bit as the western boundary follows a stream corner on that side.
Dan Lopatka (3216 Rohret Rd SW) owns a little property near the landfills and was just curious
because on that property he has seen a lot of equipment there for SIFCO. Josh Entler replied
that is not on the property for this application that he represents. Lopatka explained that a bunch
of landowners in Johnson County were opposed to a SIFCO and their electric transmission utility
line company in 2018 when they wanted to put through a 17-mile-long transmission line straight
through everyone's farms. At that time there was a big meeting at the South Slope building in
North Liberty and they overwhelmingly rejected it. However, for some reason, without
notification this year, they just are building transmission lines across the county from Swisher
down to Lone Tree without any notification. He had received personal guarantee from SIFCO
that they wouldn't do anything without notifying people of their next step so when he noticed in
the area all their towers going up, or at the beginning stages of towers being erected on
Slothower Road he was just curious what relation this commercial developer has to SIFCO.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Signs moved to recommend approval of SUB21-0012, an application submitted by IWV
Holdings, LLC. for a preliminary plat of the IWV Commercial Park subdivision, a 2-lot,
62.36-acre commercial subdivision located at the southwest corner of Slothower Road
and Melrose Avenue/lWV Road SW.
Townsend seconded the motion.
Hensch stated the Commission has looked at this multiple times with the annexation,
Comprehensive Plan Amendment and rezoning and he thinks this is a really good thing for Iowa
City. Intensive commercial is necessary to have a healthy, vibrant city and this location is great.
Signs agreed, the applicant did address all of the initial concerns and desires around isolating
the property so he is good with it.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF THE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY:
Russett noted staff asked the Commission to continue this item to tonight so planning staff could
work with the City attorney's office on some of the language in the policy which they have done.
The new policy is before the Commission tonight and is a policy that outlines the City's
expectations for Good Neighbor Meetings but that they are not a regulatory requirement.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 2, 2022
Page 4 of 7
Russett next highlighted of a few of the components noting there are three sections that are
incorporated into this policy. The first section is the purpose, which talks about the interest of
encouraging applicants to promote dialogue between land developers and neighboring residents
to foster goodwill, and hopefully resolve any concerns that may come up. In terms of the
meetings themselves, that's discussed in section two, and it discusses generally what the Good
Neighbor Meeting is, who generally attends, and staff endeavoring to attend those meetings as
well. Section 2 talks about what types of land development applications that should use the Good
Neighbor Policy and that includes annexations, Comprehensive Plan Amendments and
associated rezonings, and project specific amendments to the zoning map. The last part of
section two talks about urban planning staff being available to assist applicants with suggesting
locations for Good Neighbor Meetings, reviewing draft notices, distribution lists, as well as the
post meeting report. The third section discusses the process, first it discusses the date and time,
and it talks about selecting a date and time for the meeting no less than seven days prior to the
scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. It also talks about considering holding
additional Good Neighbor Meetings if the application does not go through the process in a
relatively quick manner, if it's stagnant or if there's multiple revisions and it hasn't been approved
in about 24 months, it recommends holding another Good Neighbor Meeting. In terms of
locations, meetings can be held in person or online. For in-person meetings, the location of the
meeting should be as close to the project site if possible. In terms of the notice, the notice should
be sent out to all owners and occupants of properties listed on the assessor’s website within 500
feet of the subject property. Those notices should be sent out seven days prior to the Good
Neighbor Meeting. The Policy also discusses that staff may have additional groups of people that
they recommend being notified of the Good Neighbor Meeting and staff will provide that
information to applicants. The last section is the reporting, and staff requests that the applicant
submit a summary report of the meeting, which staff will provided to the Commission and
Council.
Craig noted this version of the Policy is much better than it was, and she is glad they waited a
month to review it. She just has one curiosity question regarding the owners and occupants on
the assessor's website are all occupants listed on the assessor’s website. Russett noted
sometimes, but not the names of the occupants. The assessor’s site sometimes lists the number
of units in a building and in those cases occupants of those units can be notified.
Hensch asked if this would be effective upon approval by City Council. Russett confirmed that is
correct.
Townsend noted she is glad to see this Policy as it seems they’ve heard a lot of comments from
people over the years that said that they hadn't been notified of things that are happening. This
shows that we’ve heard them, and the City is responding, so thank you.
Hensch asked for any public comments.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 2, 2022
Page 5 of 7
Dan Lopatka (3216 Rohret Rd SW) just wanted to add he didn’t know what the Good Neighbor
Policy was and asked if it applies to residential only or to all zoning designations including
commercial. Hensch replied to all zoning designations. Lopatka also thinks it should be different
radii for commercial versus residential, maybe for residential they only need 500 feet but for
commercial it seems like they might need 5000 feet. He also wonders how this policy compares
to other municipalities or states or counties nationwide as it seems like certainly in some
locations, they might want many miles of radii of notification. 500 feet notification might suffice for
residential, but for commercial it seems ridiculously small. That is his impression.
Townsend moved to recommend approval of the new Good Neighbor Policy. Craig
seconded the motion.
Hensch stated he feels this is very good, it's adequate and it's frankly better than any other
jurisdiction that he is aware of. The intention is so that developers can hear what the neighbors
have to say and hopefully resolve some issues before they come to planning and zoning. He is
not naive to think that this is going to be a magic bullet and going to solve the issues and is quite
confident after this is implemented the first thing they will hear from somebody at a public hearing
is they didn't receive a notification. However, this is what being a city and a community is all
about and trying to communicate with one another in that presumption of goodwill, rather than
always thinking somebody is trying to pull something. He thinks this is a great thing and also
applauds staff for pursuing this and for Council for considering this.
Signs noted early on in this process staff did some research with other cities and communities
and came up with some numbers and at that point 500 feet was a pretty generous number and
what they found across some comparable sites.
Craig noted they are also talking about within the city limits of Iowa City and not a rural area.
She can see why 500 feet might sound like a small amount in a rural area, but within the city
limits of Iowa City it is quite a distance.
Townsend noted additionally there's going to be something online about things that are going on
in planning and zoning for people to see what new buildings are going up correct. Russett
confirmed they have a new permitting software, which is a searchable database, so any member
of the public can search by address, case number, or project name and get more information on
a particular development.
Signs gave a little plug for that new system, he used it for the first-time last week to research
some history of the property they just bought for their office, and he was able to get permits back
to 1997 so he was very impressed.
Padron noted on the section number three, in the process regarding date and time of the
meeting, there is nothing about the time actually, but she is hopeful that the developers will
choose a time that is easiest for everybody to attend, for example in the evening.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 2, 2022
Page 6 of 7
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: JANUARY 5, 2022:
Signs moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 5, 2022.
Townsend seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
Russett introduced two new associate planners in the department. Parker Walsh and Esther
Tetteh. This is Parker's second week and Esther’s fourth.
Esther introduced herself and noted she just graduated from Iowa State University, she is
originally from Ghana. Parker is also a graduate from Iowa State and recently moved here to
finally begin his career.
Hensch wanted to commend Signs and Townsend as they have perfect attendance, 10 meetings
in a row. That is very hard to do as life goes on and everybody has lots of conflict. Their civic
dedication needs to be recognized and appreciated.
Craig noted a very good friend and colleague Carol Spaziani who worked at the library for many
years passed away this week. She was a force to be reckoned with and was very active in the
League of Women Voters, Johnson County, and other civic organizations, and worked very hard
on issues like Fair Housing and Urban Renewal back in the day. She noted it takes committed
people to work on those issues and sit through those meetings and hammer these issues out.
What those people did 40 and 50 years ago is the basis for what they're doing today and
hopefully it’s progress in the right direction. She would talk about going door to door to get
petitions signed to have Iowa City adopt a fair housing ordinance, so they’ve come a long way
thanks to people like Carol, who saw something that wasn't right and went out and tried to fix it.
ADJOURNMENT:
Craig moved to adjourn.
Townsend seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2021-2022
7/1 7/15 8/5 8/19 9/2 9/16 10/7 10/21 11/4 1/5 2/2
CRAIG, SUSAN X X O/E X X X X X X X X
HENSCH, MIKE X X O/E X X X X X X X X
MARTIN, PHOEBE X O/E O/E O/E X O/E X O/E X X O/E
NOLTE, MARK X X X O/E X O/E O/E X X O O
PADRON, MARIA X X X X X X X O/E X O/E X
SIGNS, MARK X X X X X X X X X X X
TOWNSEND, BILLIE X X X X X X X X X X X
KEY:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member