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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-23 Bd Comm minutesi CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Board of Adjustment: February 13 Item Number: 5.a. MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS FEBRUARY 13, 2019 — 5:15 PM EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ryan Hall, Amy Pretorius, Zephan Hazell MEMBERS ABSENT: Connie Goeb STAFF PRESENT: Jesi Lile, Sarah Walz, Sue Dulek OTHERS PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm ROLL CALL: APPROVED Lile announced that the Board currently has four members and that Goeb contacted her earlier that day to let her know that her flight had been delayed and she would not be able to attend the meeting. Another member, Amy Pretorius, has a conflict of interest and cannot hear the special exception, which left only two members, so the meeting did not have a quorum. The special exception EXC18-00008 will be deferred to the next meeting on March 13, 2019. The City Council will be appointing another board member at the meeting Tuesday February 19, so the board will be full again and will have four members who can hear the special exception in March. Upon learning that Goeb would not be able to attend, Lile notified the applicant and a few neighbors in opposition to let them know. Given that Goeb is not present, Lile suggested that the board defer their selection of the chair and vice chair to March, as well as Board procedures as they will have a 5th member then. Lile then explained that they could proceed to approve the minutes or that could be deferred as well. Pretorius motioned to defer, Hazell seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion carried 3-0. ADJOURNMENT: Pretorius moved to adjourn this meeting. A vote was taken and the motion carried 3-0. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ATTENDANCE RECORD 2018-2019 NAME TERM EXP. 2/14 5/09 6/13 8/18 12/12 2/13 COX, ERNIE 12/31/2020 -- -- -- -- -- -- GOEB, CONNIE 12/31/2019 O/E X X X X O/E HALL, RYAN 12/31/2022 X X X X X X HAZELL, ZEPHAN 12/31/2021 -- -- -- -- -- X PRETORIUS, AMY 12/31/2023 -- -- -- -- -- X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member i CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Board of Adjustment: March 13 Item Number: 5.b. MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MARCH 13, 2019 — 5:15 PM EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Connie Goeb, Zephan Hazell, Ryan Hall, Amy Pretorius MEMBERS ABSENT: Ernie Cox STAFF PRESENT: Jesi Lile, Sue Dulek OTHERS PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:15 ROLL CALL - Present: Goeb, Hazell, Hall, Pretorius (Cox absent) NOMINATION AND SELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR & VICE CHAIR: APPROVED Hall moved to nominate Goeb as Board Chair, Pretorius seconded the motion, all were in favor. Goeb moved to nominate Hall as Vice Chair, Pretorius seconded the motion, all were in favor SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM: Item EXC18-00008: an application submitted by Linda Annis for a special exception to allow for a buildable, non -conforming lot in the Low Density Single Family Zone (RS -5) located between 409 & 415 Kimball Road in order to build a single-family home. Lile told the Board that the day before Staff had received a request from the applicant to defer this item until the next meeting on April 10, in part due to the unavailability of her attorney. Staff has no objection to this request and has alerted the neighbors. Goeb asked if anyone wished to move to defer EXC18-00008 to the April 101h meeting. Hall motioned to defer, Hazell seconded the motion. Goeb, Hall, and Hazell voted to defer, Pretorius abstained due to a conflict of interest (3-0). REVIEW BOARD PROCEDURES: Lile asked the Board if they had any questions or concerns about the procedures they have received recently. Goeb asked about the language concerning the temporary alternate. Dulek replied that Staff was working to clarify that language. This section pertains to alternates being allowed in appeals due to conflict of interest, but that alternate cannot be involved in the purchase or sale in real estate. Goeb wants to know why this is more strict than the guidelines for being on the Board, which states that the majority of members cannot be involved in the purchase or sale of real estate. Hazell wanted to know if there was talk of removing the clause or keeping it. Dulek replied that Staff did not know, but whatever they proposed would be brought back to the Board for discussion. Hazell stated that he thought the clause was a good idea. Hazell also wanted to know why the Board could only add an alternate for appeals, not regular cases. Dulek responded that City Council decided (due to the Lusk case) that most of the time appeals are where City Staff is challenged, and it is more needed to make sure that a full Board hears the appeal, rather than special exceptions where cases are not as adversarial against Staff or the public. Goeb clarified that the only appeals were appeals of administrative and staff decisions, whereas applicants cannot appeal a special exception, it must go to court. Dulek clarified that appeals come to the Board of Adjustment first, and it is important to Staff and City Council to have a five -member Board. Special exceptions are different because they are typically more routine. Hazell wondered if the Board could decide they would like an alternate if there was a more controversial case. Dulek replied that all of that was decided through City Ordinance, and that it could be recommended to City Council. CONSIDER DECEMBER 12. 2018 MINUTES: Hall motioned to approve the December 12, 2018 minutes, Hazel seconded, approved (4-0) ADJOURNMENT: Pretorius motioned to adjourn, (4-0). BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ATTENDANCE RECORD 2018-20198 NAME TERM EXP. 2/14 5/09 6/13 8/18 12/12 2/13 3/13 COX, ERNIE 12/31/2020 -- -- -- -- -- -- O/E GOEB, CONNIE 12/31/2019 O/E X X X X O/E X HALL, RYAN 12/31/2022 X X X X X X X HAZELL, ZEPHAN 12/31/2021 -- -- -- -- -- X X PRETORIUS, AMY 12/31/2023 -- -- -- -- -- X X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused = Not a Member Item Number: 5.c. AW1I Q- CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Community Police Review Board: March 12 Final/Approved COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD MINUTES - March 12, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Chair King called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Monique Galpin, Latisha McDaniel, David Selmer, Orville Townsend MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Staff Chris Olney, Legal Counsel Patrick Ford STAFF ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Iowa City Police Capt. Brotherton RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL None. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by Townsend, seconded by Galpin, to adopt the consent calendar as presented or amended. • Minutes of the meeting on 02/20/19 Motion carried, 5/0. NEW BUSINESS City Council Liaison proposal — The subcommittee of Townsend and McDaniel met with Legal Counsel to prepare a draft proposal, which will be available in the next meeting packet for the Board to review and discuss. OLD BUSINESS Community Forum Discussion — King stated that the Community Forum flyers were completed and available for members to distribute, Olney added that the 1st general news release will be sent out on March 25th. Proposed Ordinance Change Discussion - King informed the Board that the Ordinance change was being voted on for final passage at the March 12th Council meeting. Olney stated that when approved a copy of the Ordinance and transcription will be included in the next CPRB packet. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None. BOARD INFORMATION King reminded Board Members of the attendance policy and the importance of having all members present. STAFF INFORMATION None TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS (subiect to change) • April 9, 2019, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm • April 29,2019,6:00 PM, IC Library Meeting Rm A (Community Forum) CPRB March 12, 2019 Page 2 • May 14, 2019, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm • June 11, 2019,5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm • July 9, 2019, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by Galpin, seconded by Townsend. Motion carried, 5/0. Meeting adjourned at 5:44 P.M. Final/Approved COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2018-2019 (Meeting Date) KEY: X TERM 4/17/18 4/23/18 5/8118 6/12/18 7/23/18 8/21/18 9/11/18 10/9/18 11/13/18 12/11/18 1/8/19 2/20/19 3/12/19 NAME EXP. Donald 7/1/19 X X X X X X X O X X X X X King Monique 7/1/20 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Galpin Orville 7/1/20 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Townsend Latisha 7/1/21 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ X O X X O X McDaniel Royceann 7/1/21 X O/E X O/E ----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------- ------ ------ ------- Porter David 7/1/21 X X X X X O X O X O X O X Selmer KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Not a Member Item Number: 5.d. Awl Q- CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Historic Preservation Commission: March 14 MINUTES APPROVED HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION EMMA J. HARVAT HALL March 14, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Agran, Kevin Boyd, Zach Builta, Sharon DeGraw, Helen Burford, Gosia Clore, G. T. Karr, Cecile Kuenzli, Quentin Pitzen, Lee Shope MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow OTHERS PRESENT: None RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action) CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Boyd called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA: There was none. PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins Upper City Park. Bristow said since these are City -owned properties, in addition to the normal process of going to the Commission and then Planning and Zoning and City Council, this item was presented to the Parks and Rec Commission and will be presented to the Senior Center Commission. She said Parks and Rec did vote and there was one dissent on the City Park Cabins. One member questioned the criterion about integrity because one cabin had been relocated to the park in 1918. Bristow explained the City Park Cabins, or the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins as they are officially known, are located in City Park. She said the property boundary description was determined by City Engineering for the National Register Nomination. Bristow shared a photo of the cabins from November, after going through a complete rehabilitation. She also shared a 1933 photo of a celebration for the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County. They were meeting in Upper City Park when they could no longer meet at the fairgrounds. The larger cabin is called a dogtrot cabin because it is made from two boxes, each one being one room. The rooms have a space between them and share a single roof. The intermediate space is called the dogtrot. Bristow shared a 1916 photo of the dogtrot cabin, constructed in 1913. She said it did not have a standing seam metal roof, it was something like a tar paper roof. A photograph from the Weber collection at SHSI was displayed, entitled the "Replica Trading Post." Bristow said it was known that the Old Settler's had been meeting at the fairgrounds. They occasionally made some commemorative cabins illustrating the old ways of cabin construction to commemorate the people who settled Johnson County and to memorialize that HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 2 of 11 action. As time went on and the fairgrounds changed ownership, they had to relocate. The City determined they could have a space in City Park for their cabins. Bristow said they were originally going to move them, but they were determined to be in too poor condition to move. They instead decided to have a celebration where they would have a cabin building, similar to a barn raising. The Settlers were so interested in doing this that they donated logs for the project. They had bronze letters that they used to mark which log they had donated and who it was memorializing, or in memory to, but we don't think any of that still exists. Bristow explained they built the dogtrot cabin and it was a big celebration, and they continued to meet in City Park from that point on. Eventually they decided the smaller cabin from the fairgrounds could be moved. A local mover did some minor repairs and moved it to City Park in 1918. She shared a picture showing its original location on the fairgrounds from the 1890s. The photo was from the Patterson Collection at SHSI. She said a lot of the photographs of the cabins were from that Collection. Bristow said the cabins were used by the Girls Scouts, school groups, and they really had a lot of good use until sometime in the 1970s, when they started to deteriorate. She said by the time the City wrote a grant to help with the roof portion of the project they had significantly deteriorated. She shared photos from at least two years before the grant was received. Bristow shared a photo from last summer of the cabins being rehabbed at Heritage Woodworks in Clemons. She said that while some material had to be replaced because it was in such bad condition, this group could use similar wood and they used the old ways of shaping the wood and fitting the building together, so the result was still the same commemorative log cabin. Another photo showed pieces tagged with little yellow labels. These were the original materials retained in the rehab process. She said the cabins were disassembled, taken to Heritage Woodworks, fit with new wood pieces, brought back, rebuilt and rechinked. Bristow said the grant called for the use of cedar shingles because they would last longer than the tar paper roof. The cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We know that the National Park Service has determined they are eligible for that. Bristow said the Commission's process uses many of the same criteria. She said the cabins need to have the same integrity that they did when the National Park Service reviewed it. She said we are assured of the integrity because, even though the grant was only for the roof, the State reviewed all of the work that was going to be done on the cabins. Bristow explained the State Historic Preservation Office agreed that the work being done was necessary and maintained the integrity of the buildings. Staff believed that they would be eligible as local landmarks for criteria a and b as they are significant to our history and the Old Settler's and commemorative movement that happened across the United States. They possess an integrity of location because one was built in this location and the other was moved by the Old Settler's during their period of significance. The small cabin was moved in 1918. Because it was moved by the same group around the same time the other one was built, and the other one was built because they were going to move them there, we do not find an issue with integrity here. Criterion c, which is the events, meaning commemorative and the Old Settler's Association, and criterion e, the characteristics of the architecture, which obviously they do have. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 3 of 11 Boyd asked if anyone had clarifying questions for Bristow before opening the Public Hearing. Public Hearing Closed. Kuenzli thought it would be appropriate to mention Heritage Woodworks in the history of the cabins to acknowledge their authentic rehabilitation methods. MOTION: Kuenzli moved to approve the designation of the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins off of Park Road in City Park as an Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, c, and e. Agran seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0. PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Ned Ashton House. 820 Park Road. Bristow explained the Ned Ashton House is located right next to the river. She said it has a Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie/Mid-Century Modern look to it. She noted it fits well into the landscape with its limestone, which was from Stone City. Bristow shared a photo of the front entry door facing Park Road with a screened -in porch area. She said this house was all built by Ned Ashton and his family. When they cast the big header for the garage door, they used rope nailed onto the inside of the concrete form to spell out the name Ashton and 1947. A view of the cantilevered breakfast nook was displayed. Bristow noted the owner and designer, Ned Ashton, was a very well-known bridge designer / bridge engineer. She shared a photograph of him working in the lower level. Ned designed the entire house using the same type of engineering principles and calculations that he would for any of the suspension bridges and other bridges that he designed around Iowa and elsewhere. Bristow said the images being shown were from a scrapbook one of his daughters compiled. The daughter notes there were 73 pages of calculations for the concrete. The foundation, footings, and columns were constructed just like he would for a bridge. This was advantageous along the river because it meant the house could flood and he had designed it for that. It also meant he had to design the footings to hold the 64,000 pounds of the chimney. He overengineered the house, but that helped save it, because it has been flooded and was actually flooding when he started construction. Bristow explained his principles as an engineer were also very forward thinking when it came to sustainability and reuse of materials. He bought in some packing crates, not small but gigantic packing crates, that were used to haul things for the war. He disassembled them, reused and straightened as many of the nails as he could. He used the wood for the concrete forms and then reused it in the framing for the walls and the roof on the first floor. He was very interested in passive ventilation. All these things are put into the design of the house. Bristow shared a picture showing the kids involved in the building. It was constructed between 1946 and 1954 and that all of it, including the land, was $16,000. Bristow said the importance of this house is in its design and its integrity, the character of the design, and also its relationship to Ned Ashton. Bristow shared a few things from the scrapbook HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 4 of 11 about Ashton's career and accomplishments. He was nationally known and had won several awards. She said part of the reason for moving forward with these local landmark designations right now, is not only do we have the City Park Cabins that are done and going to be opening again, but Parks and Rec is celebrating the 7011 anniversary of City Park Pool. Ned Ashton was the one who designed that pool. So that ties these two properties together. Staff found this property meets criteria a and b. It is associated with a significant person, so it meets criteria d and a in the fact that it has the integrity and character of its architecture. Boyd asked if anyone had clarifying questions for Bristow before opening the Public Hearing. Public Hearing Closed. MOTION: DeGraw moved to approve the designation of the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, d, and e. Clore seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0. PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Old Post Office. 28 South Linn Street Bristow pointed out only the Old Post Office is being considered, even though it is attached to the Ecumenical Towers. They are two separate properties. Bristow thought many communities assume these kinds of neoclassical civic buildings would be landmarks because they really represent a very specific kind of early 20th century attempt to create a civic ideal and they obviously are landmarks. She said the City has maintained the integrity of this building When the new Post Office came into existence the City came in and renovated this building to be the Senior Center. It is a building the Senior Center Commission realizes is difficult to care for because it is historic and has plaster walls, high ceilings, and such. Bristow said the original Post Office was constructed in 1904. It was very dressed, very formal, with a little bit of a Mansard roof. She shared a picture of it in its final state with the door to the south on Washington Street. When they added to it, they completely replicated everything. In a way, during this time period, the fact that they went so far to copy the details of the original and just basically took this and made it bigger by more than two-thirds, that was kind of unique. It is unique in that they went to such great lengths to expand it in the same way. They added the full second -floor area where the Mansard roof was. Bristow shared a view after it was rehabbed by the City in order to open as the Senior Center, sometime after 1981. Bristow said the main integrity of the exterior of this building is impeccable. Bristow showed interior photos including some stairs in the southwest corner. She wasn't sure if they were from the 1904 version that went up to some kind of an upper level under the Mansard roof or if it was from the 1933 version. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 5 of 11 Bristow said the Senior Center Commission was always questioning the big limestone hunks that are out in the front yard and what to do about them. When the skywalk was put in between the parking garage and the building, an agreement was made to retain them. The project was to put in a skywalk and remove part of the midlevel cornice, which is sculpted limestone. Since skywalks come and go, patching that and making it match in any way would be impossible. It was decided that they would maintain those removed pieces and keep them facing the same direction in the same area of the site so they would weather the same. Unfortunately, they are so close to the traffic they have darkened from soot and exhaust, but they are on a very heavy concrete plinth in order to stay in that spot. She said the City will keep it and for a very good reason, but is not regulated by landmark designation. Bristow said the Senior Center Commission will meet next Thursday and she would go to answer any questions they have. (Note inserted after Meeting: Senior Center Commission meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum. Bristow will attend their April meeting to address any questions) Staff does feel the Old Post Office meets criteria a and b, and also a in the integrity of its architecture. Boyd asked if anyone had clarifying questions before opening the Public Hearing. Public Hearing Closed. Shope was curious if there was any indication of how it came to pass that they just replicated the architecture rather than, as the Federal Government does sometimes, put on a red brick addition. He wondered if it was Iowa City being Iowa City, or if it was public pressure. Agran asked about saving the material, and nothing saying the material had to be saved. He asked about a previous project on Brown and Gilbert where the owners were asked to save a window. Bristow said whenever someone removes an architectural feature, especially if it is stone or brick, so we know it's going to be hard for them to copy if they need to put it back, we always suggest heavily that they keep that with the house, but we cannot require it. MOTION: Agran moved to approve the designation of the Old Post Office, 28 South Linn Street, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, and e. Pitzen seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0. DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN PRIORITIES AND ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM: Bristow said the Commission's work plan is due as part of the annual report to the State. Bristow said she and Boyd talked about having the formal work plan discussion changed to November so when it's done, it is for the year starting within a month instead of doing it now three months into the year. Boyd explained his thoughts for doing the plan in the fall. He noted Commission terms were on a July -June basis. Waiting until fall would allow new Commissioners to make it through a few HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 6 of 11 meetings before setting the plan. Secondly, the budget process gears up in January, so doing the plan in November would allow the Commission to weigh in before the budget was set. He also thought a stand-alone meeting might allow more thoughtful planning as opposed to competing with other agenda items. Bristow noted that the City budget is based on a fiscal year and their annual report to the State was based on a calendar year, causing a bit of a disconnect. Bristow explained she would hit the highlights from last year's plan and provide a status, because some things would need to carry forward, and then point out a few things that are coming up. Bristow said the plan from last year was set up as different sections. There were key projects. Seven local landmarks were submitted and five were successful. Bristow said the Civil Rights Grant was supposed to be done in January. Due to delays an extension was requested. She noted that whenever a community has one Federal grant, its activity impacts all Federal grants, so they want to keep up-to-date. Bristow said Akay Consulting had been hired for the Downtown District Survey implementation. She said interiors of some buildings will be reviewed to confirm whether they are individually National Register eligible. Bristow said the Cabin Grant was complete and would be closed out by Parks and Rec. Bristow explained that they will have a presentation on the Historic Preservation fund in the future. Bristow said seven of eight projects approved during fiscal year 2018 have been completed and the eighth will be complete in the spring. She said for 2019 we have seven approved projects and one large one that is almost ready to be approved. Bristow said we could possibly take another applicant during the fiscal year as some of these projects finish up and come in under $5000. It would not likely be an entire $5000, though. Bristow said we have the intensive survey of 2040 Waterfront Drive. The consultant just dropped off the final project. Bristow said the National Register nomination of Clinton Street has been on her desk to review. It needs to go through the process at SHIPO anyway. It will not be reviewed by their nomination review committee until June. They will ask the Commission to review and comment on it. Bristow reported on the Summit Street Monument. She said the consultant is beginning now and will be done in time. He is reviewing the condition, making recommendations on how to repair or stabilize the monument, planning on whether we should relocate it and put a replica there or not. If it is moved, how should it be displayed and cared for. Bristow said the City's consultant for the Sanxay-Gilmore House has provided information and costs, which have been sent to the City Manager with a memo.Tthey are currently in discussions with the University about allowing it to stay in its location. She said she would provide a report to the Commission next time. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 7 of 11 Bristow said recruiting new Commission members was an item on the previous work plan. She said new members were located for each of the areas except for the East College Street District. She said a Jefferson Street representative may apply for the next term. Consideration beyond the work plan was discussed. Bristow noted the Preserve Iowa Conference was postponed. She said that senior staff still seemed supportive of moving forward with it at some point but, at the same time, it will be a staff commitment that will be impossible at this point. Bristow noted the Education Outreach section on the work plan was open-ended in 2018. She said they had a digital information priority. She said an intern will be working this summer on the storybook aspect of GIS. The Commission needs to decide what people should be able to search by, what images would go up, and what historic information should be populated related to the Downtown survey. Bristow said design guidelines need to be updated. Bristow noted tax abatement was in the plan. A property tax exemption is available and is tied to State and Federal tax credit processes. Bristow said another item is additional survey and education work. She noted the City has very little information on Kirkwood Avenue area, so it could start with a reconnaissance survey. She said this could be done by volunteers and neighborhood people. She thought it could be done with very little staff time if the Commission chose to take it on as a project. Bristow said last year a newsletter was developed to go out with our yearly mailing to all the property owners. Everybody liked it. The Commission liked it. Our intern wrote it and laid it out and got it ready for us. We do not have that ability now, so Staff is requesting that a subcommittee of the Commission be formed to write something to go in the newsletter and then get it laid out so all we must do is print it and include it with the letters. She said the letter must by done soon. The City now notifies property owners once a year about regulations, traditionally in the spring because that's when people start thinking about their projects for the summer. Kuenzli believed the newsletter was important because it is the Commission's PR with the rest of City government, as well as with the community at -large. She said the only way most people would have contact with the Commission would be if they had a house project that needed attention. Boyd believed there might be an opportunity to put out the newsletter in the fall and tie in to the awards: ask for nominations about stuff people have seen, talk about their work, invite them to the event, when it exists, and use that as a tool to talk about what it means to do historic work. Bristow said they needed to completely change how the Historic Preservation awards are done. She said if it takes as much staff time as it had for the past 10 years, the City wanted to do away with it. The awards have been held for 36 years. She noted it is always well -attended. Boyd asked to review the model used by the Human Rights Commission for their annual awards. He said as we are thinking about our events, we should think about other City successful award events. It seems we could ask them to provide some information. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 8 of 11 Bristow said money was received to mothball the Montgomery Butler House and the mothballing was failing. In order to move forward a determining a use would be the first step. Kuenzli asked if there might be an individual who would like to buy it, restore it, and live there. Bristow said it's in the middle of Waterworks Park, on City property, without direct driveway access. Bristow noted the City Communications Department might force the Commission to eliminate their Facebook page if it has no regular postings. Boyd went through a list of things that must get done by the end of the year. 1. The Civil Rights Grant to finish. 2. The National Historic Register part of the Downtown District. Boyd said he would have a memo next month regarding the steering committee. He noted there are a lot of people and groups offering to be involved. 3. The Certified Local Government Grants. Bristow said all three of them could lead to potential projects that need some Commission help, but they will all be done by June. 4. The Historic Preservation Fund. On Boyd's should -do list, as future work items: 1. Decide about a local district for the Clinton Street and Railroad Depot area. 2. Historic Preservation Awards. 3. Immediate need with the letter/newsletter. 4. Public relations more broadly. 5. Financial Incentives. 6. Digital library. Bristow added education and updating the Historic Preservation guidelines. Karr noted his priorities. He said informing the public what it means to be and live in an historic district and understanding what is really driving the addition of our districts. He mentioned looking at Clinton Street and Kirkwood down the road, and how it plays into the Downtown, as well. He thought there was a serious education gap because daily he looks at jobs in historic districts and people have no idea what it means. Karr also included the Downtown and taking a closer look at individual landmark status when the property owner did not want to be involved in it. We had that happen this year. He wanted to have an honest, frank discussion about that. Burford expressed concern that people don't know how to do tax abatements or understand how it benefits them. Bristow agreed with educating realtors so they can talk appropriately about properties they are selling. She thought a similar program might be useful for developers. Boyd said he would like to discuss landmarks and financial incentives, looking at what other communities have done. He wondered if there was someone who could come talk to the Commission about how they have used it and the types of things that have been done. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 9 of 11 Bristow said she would make a plan of the things that the Commission will be discussing on future agendas and talk about the idea of setting a priority at one meeting for the next meeting so we can compile the information we need. Then during the meeting when it is on the agenda, it can be discussed thoroughly, down to in some cases, the actual tasks that need to happen to accomplish this, and then how does it need to be assigned, depending on the activity. Boyd recommended discussing the newsletter as the priority for next agenda. Agran said he was in favor of setting a subcommittee to handle the letter. Then at the next meeting the Commission could move to approve it. DeGraw said she would go with what it is currently, update the photos, update anything out-of- date, and then have a draft ready for people to look at next time for approval. Agran thought the idea of forming a PR subcommittee would still be good, though, so the subcommittee could start to strategize a few plans for the awards, for instance, or for communication with people. Burford wanted to look for a model demonstrating the economic benefit of the work that is done by the Commission and the dollars that are brought into the community. She wanted the City Manager to see there is a large investment that happens in the community because of the work of the Commission and then maybe we could get more staff time. Bristow agreed that staff time and projects must be tied to the City's strategic plan and the financial stability of the community. REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF Minor Review —Staff Review. 809 South 7th Avenue — Dearborn Street Conservation District (new front and rear stoops). 527 North Van Buren Street — Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (non -historic rear step and canopy removal). CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 14, 2019 MOTION: Agran moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's February 14, 2019 meeting. Karr seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0. COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION: Agran provided an update on 410 Clinton, the brick Italianate house that did not get approved for landmark status. He said the City is in negotiations with the owner of that property to, in exchange for landmarking the building, give the property owner the opportunity to buy the two properties directly to the south and they are seeking increased development rights on that land. City staff sought Council's indications of whether they would approve that project, not in a commitment, but tentatively, so City staff did not pursue it down the road to find out later that City Council was not interested. They talked very basically about what that project could look like. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 10 of 11 Agran wanted to bring it up, partially because that property sold and transitioned owners during the process of identification and landmarking. He noted since he has been on the Commission there have been three prominent properties that have been leveraged by developers to get increased development rights somewhere else. He believes the City uses that as a strategy for protecting properties. He noted City Council will not vote to landmark a building but then, directly after that, the building gets landmarked as part of a negotiation for increased private benefit at the expense of the public. He noted other examples to be the Unitarian Church and Tate Arms. Agran did not believe it was an effective strategy to mortgage public agreements about how zoning works to protect individual properties. Though it does protect the properties, developers could approach owners of properties listed as potential landmarks to buy those properties, knowing they could then leverage them for gain. He said 410 Clinton had very little development potential on that site, so there was very little loss of development potential on that site if it had been landmarked. Now we're looking at landmarking it and giving away a lot more. Agran thought a conversation should happen at the City Council level or City Manager about how do we proceed as a Commission in identifying and protecting properties without leaving them and the City vulnerable to being leveraged for private gain. He believes the City got played and is concerned as a Commission member and as a citizen how the City proceeds. Karr said it was not a good precedent to set. In a previous City meeting, Bristow noted Staff commented it could be difficult for the Commission to make a decision to take down one historic house to save another. This was related to the Sanxay-Gilmore House and the two properties on Gilbert Street. Bristow thought the 410 Clinton situation was similar. You must put one property over another, which is not something preservationists usually like to do. While the house at 410-412 Clinton is very important and should be preserved, the house at 400 Clinton is also individually eligible for listing in the National Register. Boyd noted City Council had an opportunity to decide what policy would exist for everything, to make sure it was known and public for all to use. He said they chose not to do that and now they are offering benefits one -by -one. If Council wants to know what the Commission thinks they should ask in a public way, putting it on an agenda so the public could come into the discussion too. ADJOURNMENT: Agran moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Karr The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m Minutes submitted by Judy Jones HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION March 14, 2019 Page 11 of 11 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2018-2019 TERM NAME EXP. 4/12 5/10 6/14 7/12 8/9 8/23 9/13 10/11 11/08 12/13 1/10 2/14 3/14 AGRAN, THOMAS 6/30/20 X X X O/E X X X O/E X X O/E O/E X BAKER, 6/30/18 X X X -- -- - ESTHER BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/20 X X X X X X X X X X X X B U I LTA, ZACH 6/30119 X X X X X X X X X X X X X BURFORD ,HELEN 6/30/21 -- -- - X X O/E X O/E X X X X CLORE, GOSIA 6/30120 X X X X O/E O/E X O/E X X O/E X X DEGRAW, SHARON 6/30/19 X X X X O/E X X X X X X O/E X KARR, G. 6/30/20 X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X T. KUENZLI, CECILE 6/30/19 X X X O/E X X X X X X O/E X MICHAUD, PAM 6/30/18 X X X - -- -- -- -- - PITZEN, QUENTIN 6/30/21 -- -- X X X X X X X X X X SHOPE, LEE 6/30/21 -- -- X X X O/E X X O/E X X SWAIM, GINALIE 6/30/18 X X X -- WAGNER, 6/30/18 X X X FRANK i CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Human Rights Commission: March 19 Item Number: 5.e. APPROVED Minutes Human Rights Commission March 19, 2019 Helling Conference Room, City Hall Members Present: Jeff Falk, Cathy McGinnis, Bijou Maliabo, Jessica Ferdig, Barbara Kutzko, Tahuanty Pena, Adil Adams, Jonathon Munoz. Members Absent: Noemi Ford. Others Present: Andrea Cohen. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendation to Council: No. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM. Approval of February 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes: Kutzko moved to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded by Falk. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5- 0. (Pena abstained) (Maliabo, Munoz not present). Funding Request for Archibald Alexander Elementary PTO: This is a funding request to offset the cost of the first annual Father -Daughter, Mother -Son Night at Alexander Elementary School. To date, the Commission has supported community funding in the amount of $1,106.00 for fiscal year 2019. Kutzko moved to approve $200.00 for this request, the motion was amended by Adams to $250.00, Pena seconded. Commissioners discussed whether the event was exclusionary, but then noted that it was open to all according to the application. They also inquired as to whether the funding the group requested from another City department was granted. The PTO is doing the event in conjunction with the South District Neighborhood Association (SDNA) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The SDNA received funding through the Social Justice and Racial Equity grant for fiscal year 2019. Munoz made a friendly amendment to fund at $150 to cover the price for food per the budget submitted with the request, McGinnis seconded. The motion passed 7-1 (Adams in the negative). Proclamations: Two proclamations have been submitted for the Council meeting of April 2, Iowa Marriage Equality Day (April 3) and National Fair Housing Month (April). Pena will accept both on behalf of the Commission at the Council meeting. Strategic Plan and Committee Updates: There are four committees that assist in advancing the strategic plan. The four committees are Housing (*Falk, Adams, Pena); Public Safety (*McGinnis, Munoz, Maliabo); Education (Falk, Ferdig, Pena, Kutzko); and APPROVED Minutes Human Rights Commission March 19, 2019 Helling Conference Room, City Hall Community Outreach ('Adams, Falk, Munoz). Asterisks designates chairs of the committees. Housing Committee has not been active aside from a couple of affordable housing advocates that came to talk to the Commission about area programs. Cohen did the update for Public Safety. Cohen has been working with the committee on hate speech that is occurring in Iowa City. Cohen would like to create a data base of hate speech occurrences in Iowa City to assist with identifying individuals/groups doing it and to track trends. Cohen has met with the University of Iowa Dean of Students, Resident Assistance Coordinator, and the Director of Women's Resource and Action Center. Cohen would like to see the University conduct how to respond to hate speech trainings for students. The trainings should include role playing so that students would know how to respond when it happens to them. Ideally, she would like to see a community toolkit that would borrow from resources across the country. The toolkit would include what to do if it happens to you and mechanisms to handle and deal with the trauma that it inflicts. Education Committee is meeting later this evening. Community/Outreach Committee has nothing new to report. Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant: On May 15 the Commission will hold a work session that allows feedback from the public on the grant process. All the groups who submitted applications for fiscal year 2019 will be invited to come and provide feedback. A few Commissioners feel that a listening post may be preferred over a work session to make the feedback process less formal and perhaps more candid. Feedback from surveys on the process have been sent to applicants and 10 have been received to date. The need for an actual work session is perhaps a way to get some information that comes from how someone is talking about the process versus a statement in a survey. Commissioners also need to think of the procedure that will be followed at the work session. To make it productive and allow all who wish to speak to have that option. This will be discussed at the April Commission meeting. Youth Awards: The event will be May 8 at The Englert. The Mayor will deliver brief remarks. Pena will deliver the welcome, Munoz the presentation, Ferdig will distribute the awards, and Kutzko will deliver the closing. 2 APPROVED Minutes Human Rights Commission March 19, 2019 Helling Conference Room, City Hall Reports of Commissioners: Malibo spoke on an incident she had at her daughter's school that involved derogatory remarks made towards her by another parent. Munoz mentioned that the League of United Latin American Citizens 308 will be sponsoring a Loteria Night at The Mill as part of a fundraiser on March 31. Ferdig is assisting on the planning for the 3rd Annual Science of Health Equity Summit being held on April 4, at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health Building. Pena recently participated in a meeting with a member of the Housing and Community Development Commission. The discussion centered around ways the two Commissions can work together to avoid funding the same organizations within the same grant cycles. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 6:58 PM. 3 Member Attendance Sheet Member Term Exp. 1/8 1/24 2/19 3119 4/16 5/21 6/18 7/16 8/20 9/17 10/15 11/19 12/10 Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Present McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Present Munoz 1/2021 Excused Present Present Present Kutzko 1/2020 Present Present Present Present Falk 1/2020 Present Present Present Present Pena 1/2020 Present I Present ExCused-I Present Adams 1/2022 Excused I Present Present I Present Ferdi 1/2022 Present Present Present Present Ford 1/2022 Present Excused Present Excused KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Not a Member i CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Library Board of Trustees: February 28 Item Number: 5.f. i96"IWAt K--')VVCITY `r,w. PUBLIC LIBRARY 123 S. Linn St. • Iowa City, IA 52240 ar , me Susan Craig •cw" 3193563200-eex 3193563494-wwwxpLOrg BOARD OF TRUSTEES Minutes of the Regular Meeting FINAL APPROVED February 28, 2018 Members Present: Diane Baker, Wesley Beary, John Beasley (in at 5:06 pm), Janet Freeman, Carol Kirsch, Robin Paetzold, Jay Semel, Monique Washington. Members Absent: Kellee Forkenbrock. Staff Present: Terri Byers, Elsworth Carman, Maeve Clark, Kara Logsden, Anne Mangano, Patty McCarthy, Elyse Miller, Brent Palmer, Jason Paulios, Angela Pilkington. Guests Present: None. Call Meeting to Order. President Paetzold called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm. Public Discussion. None. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of the January 24, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were reviewed. Freeman asked for clarification about the Neighborhood Center grant. A motion to approve the Regular Minutes was made by Baker and seconded by Kirsch. Motion carried 7/0. Items for Discussion/Action. FY20 Downtown Building Calendar. Kirsch asked about the difference between regular staffing and holiday staffing. Freeman reiterated how pleased she was the library remained open during the polar vortex. A motion to approve the proposed FY20 Downtown Building Calendar was made by Freeman and seconded by Washington. Motion carried 8/0. Policy Review: 813: Unattended Children Policy. No changes were recommended to the policy by staff. No Board action required. Family Parental Leave Policy. Paulios explained that a union/management meeting was held 1/9/19 at which time Paulios requested this benefit be extended to American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) staff. The Board has approved this benefit for Administrative/Confidential staff. Byers said a side letter offering the benefit was offered to library staff and fire staff. Kirsch asked about the side letter is. Byers explained a side letter addresses a specific issue to be addressed rather than opening the entire contract for one specific purpose. A request to extend the Family and Parental Leave Policy to cover eligible American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has been approved by the City of Iowa City. This side letter would take effect as soon as the City Manager signs off on it after Board approval. A motion to extend coverage of the Family and Parental Leave policy to eligible AFSCME staff was made by Kirsch and seconded by Semel. Motion carried 8/0. FY20 State Accreditation: Americans with Disability Act Checklist for Existing Facilities. Carman explained this is a new aspect to the accreditation process, comprising four sections, of which only one needs to be addressed by the library. We directed our focus on the first section of the checklist. Semel asked if we received any ADA complaints or requests from patrons. Carman said we are adding door openers to the Business Office. Beasley asked who owned the building. Carman said the City owns the building. Beasley thinks since the City owns the building it should be included in the process and thinks the City needs to fill out the ADA section. Paetzold said this checklist is a part of the accreditation process, and not about ADA compliance. Kirsch said her experience with the State Library is they are not policing things. Beasley wants a qualifier on the accreditation signature page stating that part 1 of the ADA checklist is subject to review by City staff and the library reserves the right to amend and revise based on City input. Carman thanked staff for their efforts on the accreditation document. Staff Reports. Director's Report. Carman noted the library stayed open during the polar vortex. We had some HVAC issues, one causing the east doors to be closed for a couple of days until the problem was fixed. Carman is meeting with outside agencies and getting to know other constituents in the community. Carman noted the Cleveland Public Library is going fine free. Semel asked about radical hospitality Carman mentioned when he was a candidate. Semel is also curious about what the hiring process was like from Carman's perspective. Departmental Reports: Children's Services. Freeman asked about the student success card and how will home -schooled students and Willowwind students would be included. Pilkington said homeschooled children in Iowa City are part of the school district. Pilkington said once the student success card has been distributed to the school district, it will offered to Regina and other schools. Collection Services. Kirsch asked about the discovery kits. Mangano said the bike kit has bike tools and things one needs for fixing a bike. Typically the kits have books to support the specific activity plus the tools to help execute the activity. For example, the Birdwatching discovery kit has binoculars, a map, and books about birds. The checkout period is three weeks with no renewals. Patrons may place a hold on a discovery kit. IT. No comments. Development Office. McCarthy thanked Baker and West for helping at the Hy -Vee wine tasting fundraiser. This event was 5% ahead of last year; we received $2947. McCarthy reminded everyone the Friends Foundation is hosting a community opportunity to Meet the Director on Thursday, May 16, 2019, from 4-6 pm in the downstairs gallery. Spotlight on the Collection. No comments. Miscellaneous. No comments. 2 President's Report. Logsden, McCarthy, Paetzold have been meeting to assist Carman in meeting community members, service clubs, peer institutions, community partners, etc. Carman appreciates the group's assistance. Nominating Committee. Paetzold said three people have volunteered to participate on the Nominating Committee. Semel had concerns about last year's process, which he pointed out did not violate the By- laws. Semel said that two of the committee members nominated themselves last year. Paetzold stated that two members were nominated by others and included in the slate. Also, the Secretary was nominated for a third time. He believes the Board needs to look at this. Kirsch said arithmetically, only three people can be officers. Paetzold said the selection is done by the committee, the vote is by the entire board. Paetzold said last year a call was put out for Board members to nominate officers and a slate was presented. Beasley said that he would like the issue to be included in the process when the Board reviews the By -Laws. A By -Laws review committee has been established with Beasley, Semel, and Washington. They will come back to the group in May with recommendations. Baker, Kirsch, and Freeman will serve on the Nominating Committee with Baker to chair. They will meet next month to talk about the process. Announcements from Members. Committee Reports. Foundation Members. No meeting. Transition Committee. Kirsch said subjects discussed include: legacy budget questions; working with Byers on union matters; Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature (COL) relationship, the fine free implementation project. Also discussed was what is policy and what needs to be policy, for example, opening the lobby during the polar vortex. Carmen appreciates the Board responsiveness and coordinator assistance he has received. Paetzold encouraged him to ask for help if he needs it. Communications. None. There were a number of articles in local press this month. Disbursements. The MasterCard expenditures for January, 2019 were reviewed. A motion to approve the disbursements for January, 2019 was made by Baker and seconded by Beasley. Motion carried 8/0. Set Agenda Order for February Meeting. Move Director evaluation to August. Library Copyright Policy. Adjournment. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Freeman and seconded by Washington. Motion carried 8/0. President Paetzold closed the meeting at 6:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Elyse Miller 3 Board or Commission: ICPL Board of Trustees ATTENDANCE RECORD 12 Month KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E Absent/Excused NM = No meeting Meeting Date Name Teriration ExpDiane 4/26/18 5/24/18 6/28118 7/26/18 8/23/18 9/27/18 10/25/18 11/15/18 12/20/18 01/24/19 2/28/19 3/28/19 Baker 6/30/19 X x x x x X x x x O X x Wesley Beary 6/30/21 Not on Board x X x x x O/E x O/E John Beasley 6/30/21 x X x x x x x x x x x O Kellee Forkenbrock 6/30/23 x x O/E x x O/E x x O/E x x x Janet Freeman 6/30/19 X X X O/E O/E x x O/E x x O/E x Adam Ingersoll 7/30/18 O/E X X x X Off Board Carol Kirsch 6/30/23 X x x x O/E X x x x x x x Robin Paetzold 6/30/23 O/E X X X x x x x x x X O/E Jay Semel 6/30/19 X x x x x x x x O/E x x x Monique Washington 6/30/21 X x O 1 O x I O/E x x O x x O/E KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E Absent/Excused NM = No meeting i CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Planning & Zoning Commission: March 7 Item Number: 5.g. -� CITY OF I®WA CITY "'t "'►# ll� go', aM E M 0 R A N D U M Date: March 22, 2019 To: Mayor and City Council From: Anne Russett, Planning & Zoning Commission Re: Recommendations from Planning & Zoning Commission At their March 21, 2019 meeting the Planning & Zoning Commission approved the March 7 minutes with the following recommendation to the City Council: By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends adoption of CPA18-00002, an application to amend the North District Plan land use map from Multi -Family Residential (8-13 dwelling units per acre) to Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres and from Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) to Multi -Family Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres. By a vote of 4-2 (Baker and Martin dissenting) the Commission recommends approval of REZ18-00013 and SUB18-00006, an application for a Sensitive Areas Development Plan and rezoning of approximately 73.15 acres of land from Interim Development -Low Density Single - Family (ID -RS) zone, Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone, Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone, and Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM -12) zone to Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone for approximately 45.48 acres of property and Planned Development Overlay / Highway Commercial (OPD/CH-1) zone for approximately 23.83 acres of property; and a Sensitive Areas Development Plan. And an application for a preliminary plat for Forest View, a 73.15 -acre subdivision, to create 11 commercial lots, 4 multi -family lots, 60 single-family lots, and 9 outlots with the conditions outlined in the draft conditional zoning agreement including: -1. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, the applicant execute an affordable housing agreement with the City that outlines the specifics of the relocation plan for the residents of Forest View. 2. On Lots 5-8, development shall be subject to the standards for Large Retail Uses, which calls for details and features that provide visual interest, reduce the perception of the mass of the building, provide attractive entrance features and quality materials. 3. On Lots 5-8, buildings shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet from Forest View Drive. 4. On Lots 9, 10, and 11 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations. 5. On Lot 1-4 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations with a few exceptions (e.g. build -to line standards; location of parking, loading, drives, and aisles; and drive-throughs.) 6. Development shall be subject to detailed design guidelines that address signage (including a master sign plan), building materials, and lighting. 7. Upon final plat approval, the owner execute a subdivider's agreement with the City that addresses, among other things, the need for annual certification of private storm water management systems to ensure that the systems will be properly maintained. 8. All single-family development shall have clearly defined main entrances identified by either a porch or a canopy, transom and sidelight windows, pilaster and pediment, or March 22, 2019 Page 2 other architectural features; and that the main entrances of each dwelling unit must face the street. 9. Owner shall maintain a landscaped buffer between the proposed single-family, manufactured housing community and the existing single-family neighborhood. 10. Owner shall ensure a 40 -foot area along N. Dubuque Street remain unimpacted by the development. 11. One of the multifamily buildings is to be for senior housing 12. $100,000 dedicated by the owners for recreational equipment in Outlot D and Lot 49. This recommendation is contingent upon approval of the comprehensive plan amendment by City Council, evidence of ownership of all property to be developed, and confirmation of [DOT and FHWA approval of North Dubuque Street access. Additional action (check one) No further action needed Board or Commission is requesting Council direction _X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action - Done MINUTES APPROVED PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 7, 2019 —7:00 PM — FORMAL MEETING E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Carolyn Dyer, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Mark Signs MEMBERS ABSENT: Billie Townsend STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Kent Ralston, Anne Russett, Danielle Sitzman OTHERS PRESENT: Jimmy Becker, Jason Friedman, Deb Heiken, Jon Dentel, Marcial Utalo, Donna Davis, Claudio Narcio, Margarita Baltazar, Paula Giudici, Rafael Morataya, Margarita Rodriguez, RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends adoption of CPA18-00002, an application to amend the North District Plan land use map from Multi -Family Residential (8-13 dwelling units per acre) to Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres and from Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) to Multi -Family Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres. By a vote of 4-2 (Baker and Martin dissenting) the Commission recommends approval of REZ18- 00013 and SUB18-00006, an application for a Sensitive Areas Development Plan and rezoning of approximately 73.15 acres of land from Interim Development -Low Density Single -Family (ID - RS) zone, Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone, Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone, and Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM -12) zone to Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone for approximately 45.48 acres of property and Planned Development Overlay / Highway Commercial (OPD/CH-1) zone for approximately 23.83 acres of property; and a Sensitive Areas Development Plan. And an application for a preliminary plat for Forest View, a 73.15 -acre subdivision, to create 11 commercial lots, 4 multi -family lots, 60 single-family lots, and 9 outlots with the conditions outlined in the draft conditional zoning agreement including: 1. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, the applicant execute an affordable housing agreement with the City that outlines the specifics of the relocation plan for the residents of Forest View. 2. On Lots 5-8, development shall be subject to the standards for Large Retail Uses, which calls for details and features that provide visual interest, reduce the perception of the mass of the building, provide attractive entrance features and quality materials. 3. On Lots 5-8, buildings shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet from Forest View Drive. 4. On Lots 9, 10, and 11 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations. 5. On Lot 1-4 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations with a few exceptions (e.g. build -to line standards; location of parking, loading, drives, and aisles; and drive-throughs.) 6. Development shall be subject to detailed design guidelines that address signage (including a master sign plan), building materials, and lighting. 7. Upon final plat approval, the owner execute a subdivider's agreement with the City that Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 2 of 18 addresses, among other things, the need for annual certification of private storm water management systems to ensure that the systems will be properly maintained. 8. All single-family development shall have clearly defined main entrances identified by either a porch or a canopy, transom and sidelight windows, pilaster and pediment, or other architectural features; and that the main entrances of each dwelling unit must face the street. 9. Owner shall maintain a landscaped buffer between the proposed single-family, manufactured housing community and the existing single-family neighborhood. 10. Owner shall ensure a 40 -foot area along N. Dubuque Street remain unimpacted by the development. 11. One of the multifamily buildings is to be for senior housing '12. $100,000 dedicated by the owners for recreational equipment in Outlot D and Lot 49. This recommendation is contingent upon approval of the comprehensive plan amendment by City Council, evidence of ownership of all property to be developed, and confirmation of IDOT and FHWA approval of North Dubuque Street access. CALL TO ORDER: Hensch called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA. None. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT (CPA18-00002): A public hearing on an application to amend the North District Plan land use map from Multi -Family Residential (8-13 dwelling units per acre) to Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres and from Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) to Multi -Family Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres. Russett stated the North District Plan was adopted in 2001, she showed a map of the area as adopted in 2001. In 2001 the area of the proposed Forest View Development was identified as appropriate for single family development and conservation design. The Plan also acknowledged the existing Forest View Mobile Home Park. In December 2016 the City received an application to amend the North District Plan for the Forest View Development. Based on what the development was proposing a Comprehensive Plan Amendment was needed due to the proposed changes in land uses from a lower density residential nature to commercial and higher density multifamily. Russett showed a map of the original concept the Plan amendment was based on, it had a hotel proposed along North Dubuque Street, a single family housing community proposed toward the center of the site and multifamily proposed toward the western edge of the site. In August of 2017 the City Council adopted an amendment to the North District Plan, this amendment changed the land use from low density residential to commercial along North Dubuque Street and 1-80 and low/medium mixed residential and multifamily (both at a density around 8-13 du/ac). The low/medium density residential was proposed at the center of the site and the multifamily to the west. Russett showed a map of the current future land use map as it was amended in 2017. The 2017 amendment also added several goals that generally address the relocation of the Forest View Mobile Home Park residents, the preservation of the scenic North Dubuque Street corridor, and also goals related to buffering commercial and Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 3 of 18 multifamily development from existing single family residential. In February 2018 the City received an application for the proposed rezoning and preliminary plat which the Commission will be discussing later tonight, and over several months the applicants for the rezoning worked with City staff on the concept for Forest View. During those discussions staff recommended changes to the initial concept that was presented at the time of the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Amendment. These changes included moving the hotel further north and west on the site, further away from North Dubuque Street, which in turn resulted in moving the proposed single family further west and the multifamily toward the center of the site. Russett explained these revisions were suggested to create a better transition between the existing single family to the west and the proposed single family, multifamily and then most intensive commercial uses. Russett stated that due to the staff driven changes in the concept that was originally presented as part of the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Amendment, staff is now recommending an update to the future land use map to reflect these changes. Staff received an application from the applicant to modify the future land use map. Russett showed an exhibit that aligns the land use map with the current rezoning proposal. Russett reiterated the proposed amendment only adjusts the land use map, the amendment will carry forward the goals that were adopted in 2017 related to housing, transportation and scenic corridor goals and it will also more accurately reflect the current land use proposal. She noted when reviewing Comprehensive Plan Amendments there are two criteria that these amendments need to be reviewed against. The first is that circumstances have changed, and/or additional information or factors have come to light such that the proposed amendment is in the public interest. Russett stated additional factors came to light after the 2017 Plan amendment was adopted. Frist the location of the hotel was recommended to be moved away from North Dubuque Street to maintain that scenic corridor. The shift in the hotel resulted in it being located in close proximity to the proposed single family community which was a concern from staff and the applicant, therefore the single family was shifted further to the west. Russett noted the current proposal does provide better transition from single family to multifamily to commercial. The second criteria is the proposed amendment will be compatible with other policies in the Comprehensive Plan. Russett explained this amendment supports several goals within the North District Plan including providing opportunities for new housing development that compliments existing neighborhoods, retaining single family residential character, and locating higher density housing closer to commercial areas. In addition, in 2017 a goal was added related to multifamily residential created adjacent to the Mackinaw Village neighborhood that any multifamily must incorporate design standards (setbacks, woodland buffer, etc.) to maintain the livability of the Mackinaw Village corridor neighborhood and with the current proposal the multifamily is being shifted away so it is no longer adjacent to the Mackinaw Village neighborhood. Staff finds the proposed amendment meets the two criteria and recommends approval of the proposed amendment to the North District Plan land use map. Baker noted that up until 2017 the Comprehensive Plan noted this area for residential only for almost 15 years and asked if under that Plan could a planned area development have been made that would have accommodated higher density residential for the entire area. Russett stated not for the entire area. Baker asked if there was always a necessity that certain parts of the area could only be used for commercial. Russett noted that in the 2001 Plan certain areas could only be used for multifamily. Baker noted however based on the original Plan the whole area could have been a mix of single family and multifamily with no commercial. Russett confirmed that was the original Plan. Baker asked if any plans were submitted for higher density Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 4 of 18 in that area over all those years. Russett is not aware of any applications. Baker acknowledged he is confused by this project because the concerns that lead to this recommended change should have been obvious even before the 2017 proposal was approved. The 2017 proposal was approved by staff, the Commission and the Council and now is coming back saying the hotel doesn't work in the original area and that should have been evident on the 2017 process. Russett explained that typically when looking at an amendment to the land use map there is not detailed concepts and it is more conceptual. Therefore once the applicant began working with staff on the concept in more detail and the rezoning process it is when more details emerged and it was felt the land uses needed to shift. Baker asked then what the possibility was for once they begin working on more details with this new land use map and amendment there would be more shifts and need to revisit. Russett does not anticipate any issues. Hensch opened the public hearing. Jimmy Becker (Blackbird Investments) is the representative of the ownership of North Dubuque, LLC and the co -applicant, Forest View Tenant Association. He stated that they are here to help the residents of Forest View experience the American dream and collaborate with the greater community to enhance connectivity, in all sense of the word. It is their hope to have the residents into their new homes before the next winter. As everyone knows this winter has been very unforgiving and has been especially challenging for the residents of Forest View. Becker acknowledged there are major milestones yet to be accomplished but requests for the Commission to approve the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the Sensitive Areas Development Plan, preliminary plat and rezoning of the overall site. He added they hope this decision can be achieved this evening. Becker stated that per the Commission's request and in collaboration with City staff they have diligently worked over the last few weeks to address the items discussed at the last meeting and are available for the rest of this evening to address any further questions. Becker reiterated their primary objectives and addressed some of the issues from the staff report. Their four primary objectives are relocation, access, preservation and compliance. As stated at the last meeting this development will provide relocation opportunity and safe, quality, affordable housing for the residents of Forest View. It will also provide a secondary access within the development. It preserves trees, sensitive areas and the beautiful entryway. Finally it creates a Code compliant development that will be complimentary to the adjacent development and will not adversely impact the surrounding neighborhoods. With regards to items from the staff report, Becker stated on Tuesday they hosted a neighborhood meeting for residents to discuss traffic impacts. Molly Long, the traffic consultant, was present at that meeting to give a summary of the traffic report and answer questions. The meeting lasted about an hour and involved about 20-30 community members from Knollwood, Idyllwild, Peninsula, Mackinaw and Forest View along with two members of City staff. There was one question that required a follow up in absence of the civil engineer regarding visibility at the intersection effects on the turning lanes. In response, right turns on red will be permitted on all legs of the intersection as there is nothing impeding sight distance on the development. Second item in the staff report was with regards to traffic calming solutions. Becker noted they reviewed three options with City staff, first was a stop sign at the intersection of Haywood Drive and Forest View Drive, the second was a mini -turnabout island at the same intersection, and the third was onsite parking which is currently contemplated. Becker stated their traffic consultant concurred with Kent Ralston, the City's transportation planner, who felt the stop sign wouldn't work. North Dubuque LLC's civil engineer concluded the mini -turnabout island would negatively impact the Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 5 of 18 on -street parking so conclusively it was determined that on -street parking was the best option when looking to deter cars from speeding. Another item on the staff report was Outlot D and Lot 49, the recreation areas. Becker said they do have more detail this evening on those areas and noted that Thursday of last week the Center for Worker Justice and Forest View Tenants Association met to discuss the dimensions and areas as far was what their interest in building was. Becker showed some renderings of the lots and dimensions. Outlot D is the size of regulation soccer field. Lot 49 will house playground equipment, community garden and picnic area. Becker reiterated the ownership has committed $100,000 to this recreational space during development and that commitment will be reflected in the Affordable Housing Agreement their attorney is drafting in collaboration with the City Attorney's Office. Another item Becker wanted to discuss from the staff report was the cross section along North Dubuque Street and he acknowledged there has been some emails sent by the residents of Knollwood, so they presented tonight illustrations of the cross section. With regards to buffers for light and sound they have worked to refigure the lot for the gas station so the building will be at the back of the lot to deter vehicular traffic on that part of the lot. Per the request of the Knollwood neighbors they are also adding a tree buffer of evergreens behind the building. As far as the distance from the building and then neighbor to the south, it will be 224 feet and the total outlot space is 1.2 acres of tree buffer. With regards to elevations and signage Becker noted that with the exception of signage on the retaining wall on North Dubuque Street there will be no independent signs along North Dubuque Street. A summary of the Conditional Zoning Agreement was also provided in the staff report and that included the sample boards that will be used. Becker also included other community work Neumann Munson (the architect on the project) has done. Becker next showed the specs for the proposed manufactured housing which was requested by the Commission. With regards to specific signage and renderings Becker stated it was impossible for them to supply any images since the parcels will not sell until the property has been rezoned and owners are not yet determined. He acknowledged that they and all future owners will be required to comply with City Code and the Conditional Zoning Agreement. Martin asked about the Dubuque Street Trail and how that will fit into this development. Russett stated it will be on the east side of the project site and showed the location on a map. Baker asked if there is an option to also get a sound barrier structure in addition to the tree buffer for the neighbors to the south. Becker noted there is 1.2 acres of tree timber behind the evergreen tree buffer. Baker noted at the last meeting when asked if the entire project was predicated on having a commercial component the answer was yes as well as having a gas station at that location. He asks again if there was not a gas station at the location this entire 24 acre project will not work. Becker once again confirmed the necessity of the gas station and commercial area. Baker asked about moving the gas station further down Forest View Drive and Becker noted there are other issues such as traffic flow, topography and tree preservation. It was the position of the City not to have the gas station elsewhere in the project. Baker asked if it must be Highway Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial is not viable. Becker noted that even zoned as Highway Commercial there will be restrictions on the commercial that is more central to the development and follow Neighborhood Commercial guides. Baker next discussed signage and asked about the sizes of the signage noting the commercial will likely be franchise chains. Becker noted there are conditions of the signage sizes in the Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 6 of 18 Conditional Zoning Agreement. Russett added the signage sizes are in the City Code. Baker stated he is having difficulty visualize what that signage wall will look like. Russett noted there are a couple sign locations identified on the plans and staff will review the master signage plan for the development. Baker asked if it was the developer's position that this property can never be developed in any residential form solely. Becker stated it is their position this proposal is the best use of the space. Baker noted though it would be financially possible to succeed in a 100% residential development. Becker said they would not be able to assist the residents of Forest View Mobile Home Park if that was the case. He noted there are currently 76 residents that live in Forest View and with this plan the development is providing affordable rent to own (honoring their current rent rate). The commercial development will help support the affordable residential. This type of affordable housing solution has not been done before, affordable housing is not easy to achieve and most cities look to government assistance to obtain affordable housing, this project is self-sufficient and will create 57 affordable housing units. Jason Friedman (1 Knollwood Lane) shared a picture of his house and noted his family has resided there for 15 years. There are five houses in the development, they are unique and all designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright fellow. Friedman noted after the flood of 2008 the City put up the retaining wall and with eminent domain took out a huge row of evergreens that completely covered his property. 11 years later they now understand the Planning and Zoning Commission is potentially yielding to the pressure of motorists to place yet another gas station at the exit of Dubuque Street, surely to help with the extensive long lines at all the gas stations at exits 240, 242 and 246. Friedman stated having a new gas station as a neighbor is not a joke to his family and the other families on Knollwood Lane. He takes issue with the developer stating it will not be a significant impact on the neighboring families. Friedman wanted to be clear however, especially to the residents of Forest View Mobile Home Park, he is not opposed to this whole development, especially because he supports the improvement to the quality of life for those residents, but he is opposed to the commercial development. With regards to the tree buffer for outlot A, which yes under requirements is 10% and they went over and beyond with making it 15% but in reality 15% is not going to work as a buffer, especially a tree buffer. They will be able to see the gas station and want the buffer increased. Friedman agrees with Baker and feels there needs to be a sound barrier constructed and recommends a 10 foot privacy fence so they don't have to look at the gas station every day. Additionally Freidman notes the traffic study may say what it says but in the end it will be a lot more traffic and they are already dealing with a lot of traffic on North Dubuque Street and would like a privacy fence there as well. He asks for these modest modifications. Deb Heiken (4 Knollwood Lane) has lived in her home for 23 years. Her home borders Laura Drive on the west and the proposed commercial development on the north. When viewing the proposal map on the City website she figures her bedroom window will about 100 feet from the proposed gas station. Outlot A is a triangle shape going from 65 feet on one end up to over 200 feet on the other and the gas station is somewhere in the middle. While the picture looks good, it isn't that good in reality. Also with regards to evergreen trees, when the Friedman's had evergreens planted to block the noise from Dubuque Street deer basically ate them all. So these evergreens they are talking about planting may just be sticks after a while with all the deer in the area. Heiken stated everyone can agree that the thought of having a gas station in your back yard is horrifying. She noted the developer moved the hotel from where it was in the original Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 7 of 18 plans, Thye moved the high density residential area, so she asks them to please move the gas station. She acknowledged some sound proofing fencing and extra trees would be nice but in the end they will still be living next to a gas station and she can't believe the developer can't find another place to make it work. She asks the Commission to take into consideration her neighborhood's quality of live, they are a special neighborhood and unique, they are close-knit, tucked into the woods surrounded by trees and wildlife and the commercialization of this area will change all of that drastically. She asks the Commission what they would do if this were their neighborhood and asks them to "do the right thing". Jon Dentel (2002 Mackinaw Drive) moved back into the neighborhood in November 2017 and had previously lived on Algonquin Road. He has lived in Iowa City his whole life, grew up here, was an Eagle Scout and conservation has always been a big deal to him. He notes he has not received any communications on what is going on in the area and has missed previous meetings. Additionally he was not invited to any of the neighborhood meetings. With regards to conservation, from his bedroom window he looks out and sees owls in the trees, deer, fox, and squirrels. He acknowledged the deer are an issue in the area and wonders about the safety and driving when more trees are removed and the habitat changed, where will the deer go. Dentel also discussed the on -street parking and in Mackinaw Village there is on -street parking and with that the roads don't get plowed very well, there are issues when two cars are coming down the road and there is not enough room for them to go by each other. Marcial Utalo (1205 Laura Drive) (via translator) noted he also spoke at the last meeting. He lives in Forest View and support s this project. Maybe people think sure, because he lives in Forest View it helps him to support the project. He has lived for 15 years here and it is true there are deer in the street and in Forest View and it is very beautiful. But since he has moved here he has just kept in mind it is important to drive within the speed limit and be cautious in diving slowly. He has seen deer all over Iowa City and he is careful whether it is a 35mph or 50mph street to be cautious and have never had an accident. He does not think this should be the impediment that keeps this project from moving forward. With respect to rents here in Iowa City there are proposals for affordable housing but in reality and practically it plays out differently. The rents are $700 a month, $1000 a month, above $1000 a month. Yes much of this project is commercial but in terms of housing it will offer us an affordable option where they can actually afford to pay the rents. There are many of them that didn't have the opportunity to go to the university and don't have a high office, he has two jobs, he works from Sam to Spm and again from 3:30pm to 11:00pm. He works hard so he can pay the expenses for children and food. He understands everybody has their perspectives but he feels this project offers a really important precedent for the community of Iowa City and they should support North Dubuque and moving forward with this plan. Donna Davis (1205 Laura Drive #95) is a member of the Forest View Tenant's Association which has worked with the developers for the last three years to get this proposal going. They were so afraid when the trailer court and whole area was sold for development that they would all just be out in the cold but Ed Cole, the owner, would not make that kind of deal, he purposely went with developers that would work with the residents to provide for them. So every month at the Center for Worker Justice they meet, sometimes on their own, often with the developers, and have negotiated for what they need and what they want so this plan is all what they have worked for. The plan did change once, in a major way, which put them back to square one, and had to renegotiate everything and the main fear now is it will change again and it will be another two years before this is finished. Davis stated they all really have trailers that are falling down around Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 8 of 18 their heads, the infrastructure in the trailer court is old. the roads are bad (there are potholes you could lose a small car in), and none of this will change until the new development is built. She asks the Commission to consider all this in their decision. Claudio Narcio (1205 Laura Drive) has been a resident of Forest View for almost 10 years and is here to support the plan for a new Forest View. He grew up in this neighborhood, they are a peaceful community and they see each other as family. The plan for new housing is a plan the residents helped create and it would be a positive change. Good quality housing is important for kids growing up knowing they will have rooms to sleep in. He asks the Commission to approve this quickly as they have been waiting for three years now and a lot of the families, including him, are suffering, and why all of them, the community, feel they should move forward with this plan. Margarita Baltazar (1205 Laura Drive) (via translator) has lived for 13 years in Forest View. Many don't know when this plan began three years ago they organized, they formed their association and worked hard to define their demands. The came to the City to ask for new houses for low income people. It wasn't easy to form their demands they had to study and learn about the advantages and disadvantages of new houses. They raised their voices and were heard and achieved that the developers came to the Center for Worker Justice to have the first discussion to speak of their demands and the needs for Forest View. Since this point they have put forth agreements and have worked each month together. It is their project they have worked very hard on and where they have won a lot as well, for example houses that are accessible for low income people with central air, public streets instead of private roads, garbage collection from house to house among many other things. Baltazar stated they know their project, it has been the people who have worked hard on this plan together with the developers. They ask for humanity for Forest View, for their children, for senior citizens and for all the people of Forest View. They deserve a home with dignity, housing with dignity, and a more secure life because they don't know how much longer their houses will remain standing. Many would say why don't they just go rent another place, it is not easy and it is not within their reach to pay for an apartment of $700, $800 or more per month. Many of them have two or three jobs to sustain their families, they are a community that doesn't leave because they want to continue together with their neighbors, they have known each other for years and help one another, they are a family, and they are not unknown to each other. Baltazar asks the Commission to please approve this project, as mentioned they have had three years of meetings, two to three hours each month, to hear the needs and to discuss all the concerns of everybody at Forest View. It wasn't easy to arrive at this point and it was not easy to work on this project, they are not experts on this, but thanks for the Center for Worker Justice and many others they have given them the support they need to arrive at this point. They are arriving at a point now that is very important for Forest View, please take into account the life for everybody at Forest View, they are people who work with dignity to maintain their families and they have the opportunity now to have something that gives them dignity. It is not easy for them to be here so late with their children but they are fighting for their dream and for the dream of their children. Baltazar asks the Commission to please take into account they are very hopeful they will approve this project. It has been three long years and they want this project to move forward please. Paula Giudici (756 Mission Point Road) stated a really good thing about this plan is the relocation of the residents of Forest View Park into new homes in the same area and this is an important goal and needs to be maintained. They deserve homes that are affordable and are in good condition. Giudici asked if there were sidewalks throughout the entire development and street Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 9 of 18 lights, all the roads paved and tree plantings. Hensch acknowledged it is all part of the detailed landscaping plan. Giudici noted this is a very dense human population in a small area and feels the amount of space that has been set aside for green space is totally inadequate. She notes there is a lot of money to be made in this development, it is a major intersection, and the City should insist on more funding given to the green space in this development. Rafael Morataya (4419 East Court Street) is the Executive Director for the Center for Worker Justice and reiterated they have been meeting with the residents every month for the last three years on this project with the hope the residents will have new homes. Morataya has lived in Iowa City for a year and a half and has heard interesting stuff on green space, sidewalks, etc., but in a lot of neighborhoods there is a lack of this. So it seems this is just trying to find an excuse in this particular neighborhood and to people of color that are this community and have lived in the community 15 to 30 years. Morataya stated the hope is the Commission will move forward with this particular plan which is beneficial to the kids that live in the neighborhood now and then can remain in the same schools. The City can then use this development as a precedent because right now there is no other project that is similar. Margarita Rodriguez (1205 Laura Drive #121) has lived in Forest View for 29 years and has mentioned before she used to live in trailer #153, #72, #91 and now #121. She obviously wants to be in that neighborhood and is not going anywhere. Her children went to elementary, junior high and City High and have moved on (one in Air Force, on in Army Reserves, one is a physical therapist and one is in the ministry) but she is hoping they will come back to the area. She is hoping and praying this will be the last meeting, it has been such a long time. She understands everyone has choices and commitments to attend, but hopes the Commission will approve so they can all have new homes. Hensch closed the public hearing. Parsons moved to recommend adoption of CPA18-00002, an application to amend the North District Plan land use map from Multi -Family Residential (8-13 dwelling units per acre) to Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres and from Low -Medium Mixed Residential (8-13 du/ac) to Multi -Family Residential (8-13 du/ac) for approximately 24 acres. Signs seconded the motion. Parsons noted this amendment makes sense because it will assist with the transition from single family residential to the commercial where the higher traffic is. Hensch agreed stating this plan is far better than the original one. Baker stated he is supportive of this change in the Comprehensive Plan but that is not an indication on how he will vote on the rezoning plan. He stated given the choice between this and the previous plan this amendment is an improvement however he noted he would not have supported the previous plan had he been on the Commission at that time. Martin agrees with Baker. Signs and Dyer also agreed this plan amendment is better than the previous one. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 10 of 18 REZONINGIDEVELOPMENT ITEMS (REZ18-00013/SUB18-00006): Location: An area generally located south of Interstate 80, west of N. Dubuque Street, and east of Mackinaw Drive, commonly referred to as Forest View. An application for a Sensitive Areas Development Plan and rezoning of approximately 73.15 acres of land from Interim Development -Low Density Single -Family (ID -RS) zone, Low Density Single -Family (RS -5) zone, Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPDIRS-12) zone, and Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM -12) zone to Planned Development Overlay / High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone for approximately 45.48 acres of property and Planned Development Overlay I Highway Commercial (OPD/CH-1) zone for approximately 23.83 acres of property; and a Sensitive Areas Development Plan. An application for a preliminary plat for Forest View, a 73.15 -acre subdivision, to create 11 commercial lots, 4 multi -family lots, 60 single-family lots, and 9 outlots. Russett showed the proposed Forest View development project site and a map that showed the intended land uses of commercial, multifamily and single family and conservation items. Russett noted at the February 21 meeting several items were discussed and questions raised by the Commission were: • Differences between the existing Forest View mobile home park and the proposed single-family, manufactured housing community (e.g. density, size of lots, etc.) • More details on the plans for signage, particularly for the commercial component along N. Dubuque Street. • Concern that no elevations were provided. • Concern regarding the lack of detail in terms of recreational features and amenities for the proposed private open space. • Whether or not additional traffic calming features (besides the traffic circle) could be added to Forest View Drive. Particularly interested in planted medians. Russett noted all these items were discussed in the written staff report that was given to the Commission. Tonight she will focus on signage, elevations and traffic calming. In terms or signage Russett explained the draft Conditional Zoning Agreement identifies several conditions related to signage. The first is a development of a master sign plan, the plan will be reviewed and approved by the Director of Neighborhood and Development Services. This would include information on size of signs, types of signs and location of signs. Russett noted there are also additional conditions that will help to ensure signage in the commercial portion of the development is more in line with the neighborhood scale commercial development as opposed to typical signs for highway commercial. Specifically, staff recommends the following: • Lots 1-4: Only those signs allowed for CNA uses shall be permitted, except that in the event that a quick servicing vehicle use is established, electronic changeable copy may be allowed for gas prices only. No signs shall be oriented toward North Dubuque Street. • Lots 5-7: No free-standing signs shall be taller than 25 feet. No electronic changeable copy is allowed except for time and temperature signs and gas prices for quick vehicle servicing uses. Non -building signs along the Forest View Drive frontage limited to monument signs only. • Lot 8: Only those signs allowed for CNA uses shall be permitted, except that fascia signs may extend to the top of top story of the building. Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 11 of 18 • Lot 9-11: Only those signs allowed for CN -1 uses shall be permitted. • Cabinet signs where the entire face of the cabinet is illuminated are prohibited throughout the development. Russett stated the next concern was lack of elevations. No elevations have been provided with this application as the applicant has mentioned the development will be built over several years and some lots may be built by the development team and others may be sold. Therefore, staff has worked with the applicant on an alternative approach - outlining detailed design guidelines in the conditional zoning agreement. The design guidelines address building materials and outline additional site development standards. All structures shall be constructed of high quality, authentic materials and acceptable building materials include brick, stone, wood and cement board. The conditional zoning agreement states vinyl will only be allowed for the manufactured homes and there are certain materials that will be prohibited throughout the development such as smooth -faced concrete block. Additionally there are some conditions that specify some design standards and reference Iowa City Code. Development on Lots 5-8, regardless of size, shall comply with the Commercial Site Development Standards for Large Retail Uses which call for building details that provide visual interest, reduce the perception of the mass of the building and require attractive entrance features. For Lots 9-11 all development must comply with the CN -1 development standards which include restrictions on placement of parking, loading, drives and aisles. There are screening requirements, standards related to street -level windows to ensure a high degree of transparency, there are limitations on building length and articulations and standards to ensure building entrances are easily identified. For the multifamily lots all development must comply with the multifamily development standards which address screening, landscaping, building placement, and building articulation. Russett showed the proposed sketch of the manufactured housing area and a proposed floor plan of the manufactured housing units. Finally related to traffic calming, the applicant touched on this in his presentation, Forest View Drive has been designed with a couple of traffic calming features. Parking will be allowed on both sides of the street, and there is also a proposed traffic circle at the entrance of the manufactured single family housing community. At this time staff would not require additional traffic calming on Forest View Drive due to the primarily commercial nature of this roadway; however, if traffic calming was pursued staff would recommend median islands or pedestrian refuge islands. Russett noted since the Commission's last meeting staff has received four letters from members of the public regarding the project and those were handed out along with additional materials to the Commission tonight. Two letters were from Knollwood neighbors and those neighbors requested the following: 1. The buffer area (outlot A) be increased 2. That a sound proof privacy fence be built 3. Additional trees be planted. Additionally at tonight's and previous meetings some residents have proposed relocating the gas station, Russett noted staff discussed the location of the gas station several months ago with the applicant and recommended against changing the location of the gas station and switching it with the drive-thru restaurants. Staff was concerned with the noise of the speakers from a drive-thru would have an impact on the neighbors. Additionally with drive-thru restaurants vehicular traffic is allowed behind buildings and there might be more light and noise in that area. Russett stated the applicant has added some additional screening to the southern border of Lot 1. She added the gas station will require a special use exception that will have to go before the Board of Adjustment for review and approval. Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 12 of 18 The other two letters staff received were concerns related to maintenance of the single family homes and property values, traffic and impacts on the environment. Russett reiterated a Good Neighbor Meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss traffic concerns. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed Sensitive Areas Plan, the proposed rezoning with the conditions outlined in the draft conditional zoning agreement and approval of the preliminary plat. The staff recommendation is contingent upon approval of the comprehensive plan amendment by City Council, evidence of ownership of all property to be developed, and confirmation of IDOT and FHWA approval of N. Dubuque Street access. Staff has received an email from the FHWA confirming that they would allow the permit. The applicant is currently working with the IDOT on purchasing a portion of the right-of-way, the IDOT has accepted the offer and they are just working through the final details. The conditions outlined in the draft conditional zoning agreement are as follows: 1. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, the applicant execute an affordable housing agreement with the City that outlines the specifics of the relocation plan for the residents of Forest View. 2. On Lots 5-8, development shall be subject to the standards for Large Retail Uses, which calls for details and features that provide visual interest, reduce the perception of the mass of the building, provide attractive entrance features and quality materials. 3. On Lots 5-8, buildings shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet from Forest View Drive. 4. On Lots 9, 10, and 11 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations. 5. On Lot 1-4 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations with a few exceptions (e.g. build -to line standards; location of parking, loading, drives, and aisles; and drive-throughs.) 6. Development shall be subject to detailed design guidelines that address signage (including a master sign plan), building materials, and lighting. 7. Upon final plat approval, the owner execute a subdivider's agreement with the City that addresses, among other things, the need for annual certification of private storm water management systems to ensure that the systems will be properly maintained. 8. All single-family development shall have clearly defined main entrances identified by either a porch or a canopy, transom and sidelight windows, pilaster and pediment, or other architectural features; and that the main entrances of each dwelling unit must face the street. 9. Owner shall maintain a landscaped buffer between the proposed single-family, manufactured housing community and the existing single-family neighborhood. 10. Owner shall ensure a 40 -foot area along N. Dubuque Street remain unimpacted by the development. Hensch acknowledged the work staff has done and noted appreciation for the design guidelines and manufactured housing elevations. He noted that is perhaps the best they can get in future developments as well, it has been a chronic problem with obtaining elevations and having design guidelines in a conditional zoning agreement may be the answer. Hensch asked about traffic calming on Forest View Drive, and wondered how long Forest View Drive is and what the proposed speed limits will be and if a traffic calming would be a plus or a minus. He would like to see everyone go slowly and make this a safe neighborhood but doesn't Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 13 of 18 want the Commission to recommend something that will not actually be helpful. Ralston stated that normally in a neighborhood where it would be all front -facing residential homes they may be more concerned but since there will be the traffic circle towards the west end of the property that will calm traffic in that area. Primarily the middle stretch of the road is more of a commercial feel and urban feel so there is less of a concern. The speed limit posted will be 25mph and in City Code all streets that aren't posted are 25mph but in this case they will post it so everyone is aware. He anticipates the speeds on the road to be between 25mph and 30mph as that is the norm throughout the City streets that posted 25mph. Ralston stated the other big question is how much on -street parking there will be and they won't really know until they start to see the development built out. Forest View Drive as proposed is 28 feet wide and Code allows parking on both sides of the street at that width. Hensch asked if Ralston feels there is a need for additional traffic calming devices. Ralston does not believe they are needed at this time and to doing so at this point before the development is built out may cause more difficulties than solutions. If they were to move forward with any type of traffic calming they might install some median islands which is preferred method. Hensch asked about Outlot A noting he likes the landscaping plan that was presented but there is no landscaping plan for Outlot A because it is a timber area and wondered what percentage of that timber will be lost with development. Russett confirmed no timber will be lost in Outlot A, it will remain fully timbered. Signs stated it appears the gas station sits at a lower point of the topography than the majority of Outlot A. Russett confirmed that Outlot A is higher elevation than the gas station lot and the houses to the south. Dyer asked about the sign plan, the plan states shall use san serif type fonts, except for logos and required user franchise signage and she wondered if that means then there could be a large McDonald's sign. Russett stated it just means the sign could use the McDonald's font but the sign size would be limited by the Code. Martin stated there has been discussion on the dilapidated nature of the current trailer park and wondered who was responsible for the current road care. Russett stated those are currently private streets that are maintained by the property owner. Martin asked about the units themselves and who was responsible for maintaining them. Russett said that is up to the individual home owners. Baker stated at the last meeting they discussed the multifamily and it was stated the limits on bedrooms is governed by parking requirements. For example if the multifamily were to have a three-bedroom limit per unit it does not have to be stated, it will be determined by the parking requirements built into the Code. Russett said for multifamily buildings the City Code limits the number of bedrooms to three. She said they could not have a four-bedroom unit in a multifamily or anything greater than that. Baker noted the idea of senior housing was also mentioned at the previous meeting as being part of the multifamily development and if that should be a requirement. If the Commission made that a requirement and the developer could not fulfill it would they have to come back before the Commission for an amendment to the land use plan. Russett said they would have to amend the conditional zoning agreement, which would come back to the Commission. Baker asked if there Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 14 of 18 was any desire on part of the Commission to make that a condition. Hensch agreed he would like to see there be a mixed age range in the development. Baker asked about the gas station having to get a special exception but also noted that the reason to keep the gas station at that lot and not a fast food restaurant is because of the speakers and could the Board of Adjustment as part of the special exception also require the gas station does not have outdoor speakers. Russett said that could be considered as a condition of the special exception. Baker also asked about the sign standards, for Lots 1-4 it states "no signs shall be oriented toward North Dubuque Street" and does that mean they cannot be seen from North Dubuque Street. Russett said the intent is to not have any signs fronting North Dubuque Street and facing outward to North Dubuque Street. Baker noted no gas station will want to exist without signage, they want as much attention prior to getting there as possible and he wonders what will actually be seen while driving on North Dubuque Street. Russett said that will all be decided in the master sign plan. Baker asked if the recommendation of "no free-standing signs shall be taller than 25 feet" for Lots 5-7 is the standard or can that be adjusted down. Russett said it is not standard, in this area because it is Highway Commercial close to the freeway the normal limit is a 65 foot sign. She noted they chose 25 feet because it is a minimum for the neighborhood commercial zone district. Baker asked if one is driving north or south on Dubuque Street what would be seen above the current vegetation. Russett said that is hard to answer as the topography in that area is mixed. Baker said at night all the signage will be lit and will light up the area that is now seen as vegetation. Baker asked on the signage master plan if the signs on the retaining walls off North Dubuque Street would be on both sides of the entranceway and he understands why the developer would want signs coming into the city, as a pull from people from the highway, but people going north are residents and there is no need to have signage on the north way. Signs noted he doesn't see the signage as an issue. Baker confessed that North Dubuque Street is why he got involved in Iowa City politics many years ago and has been self-conscious about this entrance to Iowa City all these years and if a goal of the Comprehensive Plan is to protect this entrance then this proposal doesn't accommodate that. Dyer asked if was possible a project elevation looking straight on Dubuque Street to see how high 25 foot signs would be above the trees. Hensch said that was shown at the presentation last year. Signs believes quite a few of the trees in that area are at least 25 feet tall. Russett added the 25 foot signs are only allowed along the 1-80 side not the North Dubuque Street side. Martin asked how tall the street lights along North Dubuque are because those are significantly taller than the trees. Ralston will have to find out. Hensch opened the public hearing. Jimmy Becker (Blackbird Investments) noted there are members of their consulting team available at the meeting so if the Commission has any technical questions they are available to answer. Parsons asked about the evidence of ownership of all property and if they currently own all the property. Becker confirmed they do won all the property, he noted there is about 10,000 square feet of land the IDOT is disposing of and have accepted North Dubuque LLC's offer for that land but it has to be approved by the Governor Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 15 of 18 Dyer asked if there were to be any manufactured homes that will be wheel chair accessible. Becker said the homes will be built to code and if needed a wheelchair ramp can be constructed for residents that need it. Hensch closed the public hearing. Parsons moved to recommend approval of REZ18-00013 and SUB18-00006, an application for a Sensitive Areas Development Plan and rezoning of approximately 73.15 acres of land from Interim Development -Low Density Single -Family (ID -RS) zone, Low Density Single - Family (RS -5) zone, Planned Development Overlay I High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone, and Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM -12) zone to Planned Development Overlay/ High Density Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-12) zone for approximately 45.48 acres of property and Planned Development Overlay / Highway Commercial (OPD/CH-1) zone for approximately 23.83 acres of property; and a Sensitive Areas Development Plan. And an application for a preliminary plat for Forest View, a 73.15 -acre subdivision, to create 11 commercial lots, 4 multi -family lots, 60 single-family lots, and 9 outlots with the conditions outlined in the draft conditional zoning agreement as follows: 13. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, the applicant execute an affordable housing agreement with the City that outlines the specifics of the relocation plan for the residents of Forest View. 14. On Lots 5-8, development shall be subject to the standards for Large Retail Uses, which calls for details and features that provide visual interest, reduce the perception of the mass of the building, provide attractive entrance features and quality materials. 15. On Lots 5-8, buildings shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet from Forest View Drive. 16. On Lots 9, 10, and 11 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations. 17. On Lot 1-4 development shall be subject to the CN -1 zoning regulations with a few exceptions (e.g. build -to line standards; location of parking, loading, drives, and aisles; and drive-throughs.) 18. Development shall be subject to detailed design guidelines that address signage (including a master sign plan), building materials, and lighting. 19. Upon final plat approval, the owner execute a subdivider's agreement with the City that addresses, among other things, the need for annual certification of private storm water management systems to ensure that the systems will be properly maintained. 20. All single-family development shall have clearly defined main entrances identified by either a porch or a canopy, transom and sidelight windows, pilaster and pediment, or other architectural features; and that the main entrances of each dwelling unit must face the street. 21. Owner shall maintain a landscaped buffer between the proposed single-family, manufactured housing community and the existing single-family neighborhood. 22. Owner shall ensure a 40 -foot area along N. Dubuque Street remain unimpacted by the development. 23. One of the multifamily buildings is to be for senior housing 24. $100,000 dedicated by the owners for recreational equipment in Outlot D and Lot 49. Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 16 of 18 This recommendation is contingent upon approval of the comprehensive plan amendment by City Council, evidence of ownership of all property to be developed, and confirmation of IDOT and FHWA approval of North Dubuque Street access. Signs seconded the motion. Baker noted he is not in favor of this application, he has had concerns since it first came before the Commission, he was not happy with the original change in the Comprehensive Plan, in this proposal there are too many unanswered questions about the commercial zoning and feels this will have a negative impact on the entrance way of North Dubuque Street. Baker did acknowledge the City has an obligation to the residents of Forest View Mobile Home Park and is surprised nothing else has ever been done though other forms or means to help improve the condition of that particular housing area and regardless of this application outcome the City has an obligation to those residents. Martin agrees with Baker, especially the statement about the obligation to those residents. She noted this application has been before the Commission for a long time and she has thought about it a lot. When she first started on the Commission she was told it was the Commissioner's job to think about the City and all of the zoning requests for the long-term planning. It is the responsibility of the Commission to make the most thoughtful decisions that will have the largest impact on the community as a whole. With this application she doesn't see this as a benefit for the whole, it is a beautiful entrance into the City and to remove 70% of the trees in this area has a larger impact beyond the look, it will affect wildlife as well. One of the members of the public spoke about the feel of the neighborhood, the Forest View residents have a neighborhood, the Knollwood residents have a neighborhood, and this commercial and multifamily proposal is not a neighborhood. If the City Council is concerned about the "missing middle" and transitions then some small footage of trees between a home and a gas station is not a transition. Martin feels there are too many unresolved questions on this proposal and feels the Commission is being held hostage by telling them that only if they approve this proposal will they be able to help people and she doesn't believe it is true, they could still help people and keep the entrance to the City intact. She also noted the Dubuque Street Trail is very important, there are so many bicyclists in Iowa City and she had a friend who was hit while riding right there on Dubuque Street and was in a wheelchair for almost a year. The City worked on the Dubuque Street Trail for years and now it will be interrupted by highway commercial. She also noted the discussion of need for gas stations, there is no need there are a lot of gas stations in the area. This development has an opportunity to be more thoughtful of what types of businesses and housing is better for this area. Hensch stated his support of this application, he thinks the plan has improved each time the Commission has seen it. He acknowledged it is not perfect, but no plan is perfect, there is never a rezoning where all the neighbors are happy, the Commission just needs to do their best and in this case they are there now. Parsons acknowledged the applicant and residents of Forest View have noted this is an improvement of quality of life for them and many (with secondary access road) and for him the positives outweigh the negative so he supports the application. Dyer stated she will support the application but noted she is uncomfortable having no elevations and feels there has to be some idea of what will be built on these lots. In the past they have had elevations that have come at the same time as the request for rezoning. Planning and Zoning Commission March 7, 2019 Page 17 of 18 Signs acknowledged one of the challenges with this development is it will be built out over 10 to 15 years so he understands why elevations are unknown. They could bring forth now an elevation for a five -story hotel that in five years changes completely when built. He is in support of this application for many reasons and over the course of the two years the Commission has been part of this process he has heard some really nasty things. He acknowledged it is a beautiful entryway into the City but he feels the developers will keep it a beautiful entryway. If you look at some of the Minneapolis and Kansas City suburbs and areas where they have built these types of developments there are trees and shrubs and boulders and all kinds of things that he finds attractive. He agrees they are operating on trust here, but it is local owners, architects, engineers and builders who he feels do have the best interest of the community. The process has been incredible, the applicants have responded to every questions, every tweak, every thought the Commission has had. This is a plan where the developers have spent three years working with the community and the work they have all put into this is astonishing and he does believe it has the potential to become a national model. He noted some disastrous projects in this City (like the Rose Oak project) where hundreds of people were displaced with no care whatsoever. He realizes the housing element is just one piece of a much larger project but it has been tremendous. He is in support of this application. Parson echoed Signs noting this has been a very large project with sensitive areas and many issues but how the development team has worked with Forest View has been impressive. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-2 (Baker and Martin dissenting). CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: FEBRUARY 21, 2019 Signs moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 21, 2019. Martin seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Russett reminded the Commission the Planning & Zoning/City Council consult will be held Tuesday, March 12 at 5:00pm. Adjournment: Parsons moved to adjourn. Signs seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2018-2019 KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused -- = Not a Member 4/19 513 5/17 6/7 6/21 7/5 8/16 9/6 9/20 10/18 12/20 1/3 1/17 (W.S.) 2/4 2121 3/7 BAKER, LARRY -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X O/E X X X X X X DYER, CAROLYN X X X X O/E X O O/E O X X X O/E X X X FREERKS, ANN X O/E X X X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- HENSCH, MIKE X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X MARTIN, PHOEBE X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X O/E X X PARSONS, MAX X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X SIGNS, MARK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X TH EO BALD, JODI E X X X X O/E -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- TOWNSEND, BILLIE -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X X O/E X X X X O/E KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused -- = Not a Member Item Number: 5.h. i CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org April 23, 2019 ATTACHMENTS: Description Planning & Zoning Commission: March 21 r .,� CITY OF IOWA CITY Ol�. .��� . M E M 0 RAN D U M Date: April 5, 2019 To: Mayor and City Council From: Anne Russett, Planning & Zoning Commission Re: Recommendations from Planning & Zoning Commission At their April 4, 2019 meeting the Planning & Zoning Commission approved the March 21 minutes with the following recommendation to the City Council: 1. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of SUB18-00013, an application submitted by Allen Homes, Inc. for a preliminary plat of Rollins Pass, a 12 -lot, 8.02 -acre residential subdivision located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. 2. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of VAC18-00001, a vacation of the Hutchinson Avenue right-of-way north of Park Road in the Black's Park Addition subdivision, Iowa City, IA. 3 By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-1, an application to designate the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). 4. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-2, an application to designate the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P- 1/OHD). 5. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-3, an application to designate 28 S. Linn Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD) Additional action (check one) No further action needed Board or Commission is requesting Council direction ,X,_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action - Done MINUTES Approved PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 21, 2019 —7:00 PM— FORMAL MEETING E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Carolyn Dyer, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Mark Signs, Billie Townsend MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Hensch STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Jesi Lile, Anne Russett OTHERS PRESENT: John Yapp, Bryan Svoboda RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of SUB18-00013, an application submitted by Allen Homes, Inc. for a preliminary plat of Rollins Pass, a 12 -lot, 8.02 -acre residential subdivision located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of VAC18-00001, a vacation of the Hutchinson Avenue right-of-way north of Park Road in the Black's Park Addition subdivision, Iowa City, IA. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-1, an application to designate the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-2, an application to designate the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ19-3, an application to designate 28 S. Linn Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). CALL TO ORDER: Parsons called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA. None. CASE NO. SUB18-00013 Applicant: Allen Homes Inc. Location: Southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 2 of 10 An application for a Preliminary Plat and Sensitive Areas Development Plan for Rollins Pass subdivision, a 12 -Lot, 8.02 acres subdivision located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. Russett began the staff report with an aerial view of the property location at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. The City annexed this property in 2000 but has been undeveloped since that time. On August 21, 2018, City Council passed a Conditional Zoning Agreement to rezone the 3.19 acres of the project area from Interim Development Single Family Residential (ID -RS) to Low Density Multi -Family Residential (RM -12) and 4.83 acres to Medium Density Single Family Residential (RS -8). The Conditional Zoning Agreement requires 1) the developer keep the number and types of units identified in the concept plan to ensure compatibility with the existing neighborhood, 2) the dedication of approximately 12 feet of public right-of-way on Taft Avenue to the city at final platting, 3) a detailed landscaping plan to ensure adequate buffer along Taft Ave, 4) the creation of an outlot along the northwest portion of the property to provide trail connection at the time of platting, and 5) the dedication of right-of-way to provide access to the property to the south at the time of platting. Staff reviewed this preliminary plat against the Comprehensive Plan and finds it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan which encourages a density of 2-8 dwellings per acre and would allow up to 64 units on this site and the applicant seeks to build about 32 units. Russett showed the concept plan that was approved as part of the rezoning and the design reflected in the preliminary plat. The 11 single family homes are on the southern and western portion of the site and townhomes at the northeast corner of the site. 9 of the new townhomes will front the new proposed roadway, Rollins Lane, and 12 townhomes will front Lower West Branch Road. The preliminary plat shows Rollins Lane running through the site and connecting with both Taft Avenue and Lower West Branch Road. Sidewalks will run along both sides of Rollins Lane and there is also a trail connection that will connect with the existing trail network to the southwest in Stonebridge Estates Part Eight. The applicant has also agreed to build a pedestrian bridge over Ralston Creek to facilitate this trail connection. A dedication of 12 feet of public right of way along Taft Avenue to be dedicated to the city at final platting so that when Taft Avenue is reconstructed it will add sidewalks. All of the lots proposed on the site meet the minimum lot size requirements for the zoning. In terms of traffic, the proposed development will not add a significant amount of traffic on Lower West Branch Road or Taft Avenue. The subdivider will be subject to the arterial street costs (12.5% of the total construction cost) at the time of final plat. These costs will include the construction of a sidewalk along Taft Avenue. Rollins Lane will consist of a 28 -foot wide new road that will intersect both Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue, staff does not see the need to recommend any additional traffic calming measures. The subdivision will include two separate outlots. Outlot "A" will be located to the east of Ralston Creek, and will consist of 0.41 acres of private open space. Outlot "B" will be in the southern portion of the development, and will include 0.99 acres of land that will be developed at a later date. The applicant will pay fees in -lieu of providing on-site public open space. A stream corridor and stream corridor buffer areas have been identified on the site as well as Ralston Creek running along the western portion of the site. Additionally upon receipt of the preliminary plat, it was discovered by staff that the project site might contain hydric soils, the applicant submitted a Wetland Delineation Report and the report concluded that the subject area does not contain any wetlands. Stormwater management is identified on the plat and will be provided by underground piping. Final stormwater management plans will be submitted at final platting and Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 3 of 10 will need to be approved by the Department of Public Works. Sanitary sewer will run along Rollins Lane and flow to the southwest via an easement between Lots 5 & 6. The proposed sanitary sewer will not affect the current layout of the remnants of the old stone bridge. Staff recommends approval of SUB18-00013, an application submitted by Allen Homes, Inc for a preliminary plat of Rollins Pass, a 12 -lot, 8.02 -acre residential subdivision located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. NEXT STEPS: Pending approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission, a resolution for approval of the preliminary plat and sensitive areas development plan will be forwarded onto the City Council for consideration. A final plat is required prior to development. Dedication of right-of- way, a final landscaping plan, and a final stormwater management plan will all be required at the time of final platting. Parsons opened the public hearing. John Yapp (920 4th Avenue) representing Allen Homes, Inc. was available for any questions. Signs asked if the applicant would be constructing a walking bridge over Ralston Creek. Yapp confirmed they would to connect to the trail on the south side of the creek. Parsons asked about the little stump road between Lots 9 & 10 and if the City was anticipating future development to the south. Yapp believes the City wanted to keep that possibility open, the current property owner is not interested in development but a future property owner might be. Parsons closed the public hearing. Signs moved to recommend approval of SUB18-00013, an application submitted by Allen Homes, Inc. for a preliminary plat of Rollins Pass, a 12 -lot, 8.02 -acre residential subdivision located at the southwest corner of Lower West Branch Road and Taft Avenue. Baker seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CASE NO. VAC18-00001 Applicant: Bryan Svoboda Location: Hutchinson Avenue between 526 and 604 Park Road An application for a vacation of public right-of-way submitted by Bryan Svoboda for approximately 11,000 square feet of Hutchinson Avenue located between 526 and 604 Park Road. Lile presented the staff report beginning with showing an aerial view of the property and a zoning map of the area. As noted the area is currently owned by the City and surrounded by RS -5 zoning. The area requested for vacation is approximately 11,000 square feet. The applicant owns the properties at 526 and 604 Park Road, and is requesting this vacation to gain ownership of the road for use as a private driveway. Lile showed the original plat of Black's Park Addition which was platted in 1916. It shows an extension of Hutchinson Avenue, Magowan Avenue, Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 4 of 10 Ferson Avenue, and Gould Street, none of these streets were ever developed. Lile then showed what Black's Park Addition looks like today, the City vacated right-of-ways in Black's Park Addition from the 1940s through the 1980s. Hutchinson Avenue was never extended and part of the right-of-way was vacated. In 1973 a 10'x80' vacation of Hutchinson Avenue was granted to the previous property owners of 526 Park Road because they built an addition on their house that was partially in the right-of-way. Since that time three special exceptions have been granted, one in 1989 to reduce the right-of-way setback at 604 Park Road in order to build a garage, in 2007 to reduce the Hutchinson Avenue setback at 526 Park Road to build a kitchen addition and a covered porch/entryway, and in 2015 to reduce the setback at 604 Park Road to build a porch. Lile noted that also in 2007 one of the Board of Adjustment members asked staff why the City did not vacate this area of Hutchinson Avenue and at that time it was because the property owners to the north were opposed. Lile explained in a vacation there are six factors to consider: 1) Impact on pedestrian and vehicular access and circulation; 2) Impact on emergency and utility vehicle access and circulation; 3) Impact on access of adjacent private properties; 4) Desirability of right-of-way for access or circulation needs; 5) Location of utilities and other easements or restrictions on the property; 6) Any other relevant factors pertaining to the specific requested vacation. Regarding pedestrian and vehicular access Hutchinson Avenue north of Park Road has never been constructed and serves as a private driveway. There is very steep topography to the north of Park Road and according to the Public Works Department Hutchinson Avenue will not be extended due to this topography. The proposed vacation will not impact pedestrian circulation. Park Road has sidewalks on the north side, which will be unimpacted. Lile noted there are no emergency service access to properties off the Hutchinson Avenue right- of-way, everything can be serviced from Park Road. The property owners at 524 Park Road would not be able to extend Hutchinson Avenue for access to the north side of their property if this vacation was granted. Because of the steep topography Public Works states an extension is highly unlikely and in case of future development there is access from a second curb cut off Park Road that leads to a shed on the north side of the property of 524 Park Road and in the case of future development that access point could be improved. Lile stated the primary function of Hutchinson Avenue is to provide access to 526 & 604 Park Road. Development to the land north of 526 Park Road would be better served from access via Park Road. The Public Works Department and private utilities have confirmed there are no public utilities, private utilities or easements on this right -of way. As for any other relevant factors, Lile stated the applicant currently provides all snow removal service and maintenance to this section of Hutchinson Avenue. Additionally, a purchase agreement is under review. The section of Hutchinson Avenue north of Park Road has been functioning as a private drive for 526 & 604 Park Road for decades and an extension of Hutchinson Avenue is highly unlikely due to the steep topography of the area. The property owners at 524 Park Road could have access to their property from the second curb cut on Park Road if they ever decide to redevelop. Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 5 of 10 Staff recommends the approval of VAC18-00001. a vacation of the Hutchinson Avenue right-of- way north of Park Road in the Black's Park Addition subdivision, Iowa City, IA. NEXT STEPS: Upon recommendation of approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the proposed vacation will be reviewed by the City Council. The City Council will consider both the vacation and conveyance of this land. The applicant has made a purchase offer for the vacated right-of-way. Additionally, in order to gain access to 604 Park Road directly off of Park Road and not the Hutchinson Avenue right-of-way, he will need to apply for a Minor Modification and Curb Cut Permit in order to reduce the driveway spacing and for a new curb cut and driveway at 604 Park Road. This process will need to be reviewed by Staff. Signs asked if the City had received any communication from the owners of 524 Park Road. Lile stated they have not. Baker asked about the purchase offer for the vacated right-of-way and if the City set the price and how value of the land was determined. Hektoen stated the City does not set the price, it is a negotiation like any other purchase agreement, and it is at fair market value based on comparable sales and assessed value. Parsons opened the public hearing. Bryan Svoboda (526 Park Road) noted the staff report was compete and he didn't have much to add. He stated this is a win-win for him and the City. He noted that in the original blue prints of his house there was a garage on the side and this street would have been used as a driveway. This has never been taxable land, and he has been the one maintaining the right-of-way and put asphalt down because it was originally gravel. Vacating the parcel allows the land to become taxable land and also will allow for a house to be constructed on the site and allow for more generated property taxes. Parsons asked why the property to the left of the proposed vacation was torn down. Svoboda noted he tried to save that house, hired an architect from Chicago to help, they tore it down to the studs to start the remodel and when the quotes started coming in they were just outrageously high. He also noted the shared driveway situation was not good and the garage placement left no room for guest parking so the guest parking became in the shared driveway and Svoboda could not get into his house. At his house, he constructed an area to the back where he can fit eight guest cars in as to not block the shared driveway and he plans to do the same on the new house he is proposing to construct on the vacated property Baker asked if the plans for the new house were complete. Svoboda replied he does not, he has a trip planned to go to Chicago and meet with the architect tomorrow. He noted it will be in the style of the other homes in the area. Parsons closed the public hearing. Baker moved to recommend approval of VAC18-00001, a vacation of the Hutchinson Avenue right-of-way north of Park Road in the Black's Park Addition subdivision, Iowa City, IA. Martin seconded the motion. Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 6 of 10 Parsons noted with the topography there is no way to extend Hutchinson Avenue so this vacation makes complete sense. Signs noted that he drove out to the site and the pictures shown tonight do not really show the severity of the slope. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CASE NO. REZ19-1 Applicant: City of Iowa City Location: Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins, off 100 Park Road in City Park. An application submitted by the City of Iowa City for a rezoning of approximately 0.6 acres of property located at 100 Park Road from Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) to Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD). Russett noted this item, and the next two as well, are all rezoning items of City owned property to establish Iowa City local landmarks, staff has been working on moving these local landmarks forward for a while and felt now was the appropriate time because of the upcoming celebration for the reopening of the City Park Cabins along with the 70'" Anniversary of the City Park Pool and wanted these designations to move forward prior to these celebrations next month. The cabins and the Ned Ashton House are connected with the City Park Pool because Ned Ashton was actually the engineer for the City Park Pool. The third request is for the senior center, which doesn't really have a connection to the celebration but decided to move forward with it as well because it is a historic resource owned by the City. Russett began the report of the City Park Cabins by showing an aerial map of the location, the proposed rezoning is not for the entire City Park, just for the area where the cabins are located. She also showed photographs from of the cabins throughout the years, up to the current rehabilitation. Russett noted the Historic Preservation Commission at their meeting last week did recommend approval of this rezoning and Planning Staff has also been working with Parks and Recreation Staff and this rezoning application was presented to the Parks Commission a couple weeks ago. Staff recommends approval of REZ19-1, an application to designate the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Parsons opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, Parsons closed the public hearing. Signs moved to recommend approval of REZ19-1, an application to designate the Old Settler's Association of Johnson County Cabins as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Martin seconded the motion. Signs noted the rehabilitation of the cabins is very nice and impressive Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 7 of 10 Martin added she is grateful to see this happening as she has grown up in Iowa City and has visited those cabins many times. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CASE NO. REZ19-2 Applicant: City of Iowa City Location: Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road An application submitted by the City of Iowa City for a rezoning of approximately 1.82 acres of property located at 820 Park Road from Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) to Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD). Russett showed an aerial of the property location, it is right along the Iowa River. She also showed photographs of the house. Russett noted the significance of Ned Ashton and the work he did on this house. The house was built by Ashton and his family in 1947, he estimated the stone chimney weights 64,000 lbs. and he built the footings of the house accordingly to support that structure. He also used large quantities of rebar, wire mesh and pre -stretch concrete in all areas of the house and there has been virtually no cracking in the concrete in over 60 years. The building of the house was a family affair and his whole family was involved, it was constructed between 1946 and 1954 and the entire cost of the house including the land was $16,000. Ashton was an engineer and was the bridge engineer for the 1 St 2nd and 31 Avenue bridges in Cedar Rapids, he was also the engineer for the Julien Dubuque Bridge and he also designed the intake towers in the Hoover Dam. As mentioned before Ashton was the engineer for the City Park Pool. Russett noted the Historic Preservation Commission at their meeting last week did recommend approval of this rezoning. Staff recommends approval of REZ19-2, an application to designate the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P- 1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Signs asked why the whole P-1 area around the house isn't included in this rezoning. Russett said the focus was on the house itself and therefore any exterior modifications to the house would be subject to historical review and not other structures on the site. Parsons asked if the surrounding P-1 was near the flood plains. Russett confirmed it was and it did flood in 2008. Parsons opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, Parsons closed the public hearing. Signs moved to recommend approval of REZ19-2, an application to designate the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Townsend seconded the motion. Parsons believes this house is unique enough and with the history around Ned Ashton this Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 8 of 10 warrants a historic designation. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CASE NO. REZ19-3 Applicant: City of Iowa City Location: Old Post Office, 28 S. Linn Street An application submitted by the City of Iowa City for a rezoning of approximately .37 acres of property located at 28 S. Linn St. from Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) to Neighborhood Public Zone (P-1) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD). Russett showed an aerial of the property along with the zoning map of the area. She showed historical photos of the building from when it was the post office and then in 1981 when it was converted to the senior center. The wrought iron on the exterior is a significant architectural feature of the building. Russett noted the Historic Preservation Commission at their meeting last week did recommend approval of this rezoning. Staff recommends approval of REZ19-3, an application to designate 28 S. Linn Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P-1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Parsons opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, Parsons closed the public hearing. Baker moved to recommend approval of REV 9-3, an application to designate 28 S. Linn Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Neighborhood Public (P-1) to P- 1 with a Historic District Overlay (P-1/OHD). Townsend seconded the motion. Parsons noted it is a unique building and worthy of the designation A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: MARCH 7, 2019 Signs moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 7, 2019. Townsend seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Russett gave an update on the consult between the Commission and City Council regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission March 21, 2019 Page 9 of 10 proposed rezoning at 2130 Muscatine Avenue from commercial to residential and the Mayor has requested the Commission discuss a couple of items at an upcoming meeting. 1) Since there was a lot of discussion on Good Neighbor Meetings and how they are not required, but maybe should be required or extend the notification range further out. The Mayor asked the Commission to discuss that and provide a recommendation to Council. 2). The Mayor would like the Commission's input on concept plans, when they are required or when they are not required. They are typically not required for rezonings but often requested so the Commission should have a discussion on when it is appropriate for additional detail to be provided at the rezoning stage. Russett stated she would put this topic on an upcoming agenda. Parsons asked if staff would have recommendations on these items. Russett said staff will prepare a memo with perhaps examples of what other jurisdictions do. Russett also noted that on April 2 the City Council is having a work -session where they will be discussing some concerns related to recent residential infill project. This came about with regards to the Lusk Avenue house. Signs will be attending the APA conference this year on behalf of the Commission Adiournment: Dyer moved to adjourn. Baker seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2018-2019 KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member 513 5/17 6/7 6/21 7/5 8/16 9/6 9/20 10/18 12/20 1/3 1/17 (W -S.) 2/4 2/21 3/7 3/21 BAKER, LARRY -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X O/E X X X X X X X DYER, CAROLYN X X X O/E X O O/E O X X X O/E X X X X FREERKS, ANN O/E X X X -- -- HENSCH, MIKE X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E MARTIN, PHOEBE X X X X X X X X X X O/E X O/E X X X PARSONS, MAX X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X SIGNS, MARK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X THEOBALD, JODIE X X X O/E -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- TOWNSEND, BILLIE -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X X X O/E X X X X O/E X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member