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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-17 Bd Comm minutes I, I ""If'"'. ~- ~ ~~~\ ..........~,.. ,'~, '1-- ~.... ~ "'-'-'....- - , '. , I',' , f-/'->~t:/~---"t' ,-;-~'-'I~J' , ','.' ".", . -~ 't' 't ' ~/-: . _. ":" . ,~ : ,~l '- '., . \, I.. , ---...., .. MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION July 7, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS: FORMAL ACTION TAKEN: FORESTRY GRANTS: John Beasley, Tom Bender, Bill Brandt, Deb Liddell, Jennifer Olson, Matt Pacha, John Pelton, Dee Vanderhoef, John Watson Kriz, Moran, Trueblood Naomi Novick Moved by Pacha. seconded bv Br~~dt. to apo:ove the minutes of the Mav 12. 93 meetin as written. Unanimous. Moved bv Pacha. seconded by Vajnde:hO~. to endorse the conceot. and Pro'ec G een's prooosal to seek grants relative to ~res;rving our urban forest, Unanimous, The final draft of the letter Project Green sent to the City Council regarding potential forestry grants was distributed. The grants are available from the USDA Forest Service Urban Forest Center, in addition to a Federal Cost-Share Grant. Project Green is asking the City to join them in this program by matching the amounts earned by neighborhood groups, Naomi Novick stated Nancy seiberling addressed the City Council on Tuesday, July 6, and the City Manager was directed to look into possible funding. Novick indicated the state grant would allow a survey of the city's older trees to be completed, and the federal grant would match local funds for developing educational aids to expand urban forest awareness, maintenance and protection techniques. Bender asked what the city would do with the cataloging of trees when completed. Novick indicated it would be a way of knowing where the trees are located, how old they are, and would be reference material for the city Forester in that many of these trees are located on city property, Trueblood stated the City Forester would like to have a computerized inventory of all the city trees, and this would aid in that process, Trueblood stated Project Green would like to receive a formal' endorsement from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Pacha inquired as to what the potential cost may be to the lt~o7 , , i i 'r ;; ~ 1, I: Iii I I II I I ,I II i I! i !I IF I I (:' 1'1 I i I /" I ~ ~ 11 1 'i U i ! I I.' ",; I , Ii! I I ! II , I- I I I I I,' 'I r I, , , :i I, . .. i. ,', t'~/. .6/', ,c. ",I::: ',' " , .. , , , ""1, ,U . , ';' ( _..' ,',' ,-' '-'.~ . department; Trueblood indicated the committee looking into the grants would not be meeting until later this month and at this time there were no specifics on cost, Weideman asked if the commission would like to wait before making a formal endorsement until such time the department is approached for funding, Pel ton stated according to the letter the USDA Forest Service Grant application is due July 19, and the commission's support of this grant application could enter the decision as to whether Project Green is awarded a grant. Trueblood stated the commission's formal endorsement would be helpful to Project Green in the grant application process, dM~~ed ~~ Pacha. seconded by Vanderhoef. to en 0 e t.. concept. and Project Green:s :r;~os~l t~ ~ee~ qrants relative to ore er i ur u ba forest, Unanimous, : ~ I I " ~ " i Ii: , ! I ! i " I' I" I' 'I' " r 11 I.' " h, r- I, I ;;' II I" Iii II " ! I I III ,I II .G " OTHER BUSINESS: Pacha asked if there was any information on how many trees have been lost in City Park and other areas due to flooding. Trueblood estimated over 100 trees and 70-80 acres of turf being lost if the water did not recede soon, He stated at one point all of City Park, including the park shop, tennis courts and the Boys Baseball fields, of which three of the fields were recently resodded, were under water, Bender asked if there was a contingency fund in the department's budget for things such as this, with Trueblood indicating the city has a contingency fund, but individual departments do not. He also stated staff has been instructed to keep track of and document all additional expenses incurred for possible federal assistance PUl"pOSeS, Weideman asked how the Neighborhood Open Space Plan was received by the City Council; Vanderhoef indicated she felt it was well recei ved and was pleased with the support received from the public, Vanderhoef stated a resolution to include the Neighborhood Open Space Plan as an amendment to Iowa ci ty' s Comprehensive Plan would be on the City Council's agenda for July 20, She stated the committee would begin working this fall on an ordinance to implement this plan, and hope to present it to the City Council in January of 1994. -2- :1 1~37 """'"- . ~ " \ I, :,', ':n":~l, t,:r' ,)-f', . ,"..".' ." -- " . -,... , ,:~,. '~:>:-:;:.:--- ...._~--.-----. -----.. +-.... ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Brandt. seconded bv Bender. to adjourn, Unanimous, The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m" at which time the commission departed for its annual park facilities tour, Howell and Robinson joined the commission on the tour, I , ij I " : I iI, , IF I Ii I I' I I {' ; I I j'i I ,~ I H . I n I , I ! I i , I I I I I I' 1 I I i i I I I . ~., ".; ..., ;.... " ,I :-u " " " , /f .; , -3- 1~37 \ J' ~ i " I /, '.-,.,.., .., ...,...~..,.._... ,.k"",. J.....,; I, , ' 1'1;, " . , , I .. t-/" 'L," '1- -t ' ' : ,", .' " . , t: " ' . I' . . - \~'..'. .< ',~' .~._.' . . ;"" .::, . -.,' .. - ", . " ; " " 001i'1 t PotfU~AmARY Subject to Approval . MINUTES JOINT PUBLIC HEARING IOWA CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIDN/JOHNSON COUNTY ZONING COMMISSION JULY 22,1993.7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS. IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER MEMBERS PRESENT: lowe City: Ann Bovbjerg, Casey Cook, Dick Gibson, Tom Scott, George Starr Johnson County: Milver Hora, Robert Saunders, William Terry MEMBERS ABSENT: lowe City: Pete Cooper, Sally Dierks Johnson County: Robert Rendall, Kae Wild STAFF PRESENT: Iowa City: Marsha Bormann, Karin Franklin, Monica Moen Johnson County: Rick Dvorek, John Shaw, Pat White Terry called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m. The members of the two commissions and the staff persons introduced themselves to the public. Terry expleined the hearing was being held in the Civic Center so thet it could be televised. , , \ , II' Ii III I' II ( I' :! iI' i I: I, i: L' , ( I , " I ! I Ii II II ,I ,I , " Terry seid the Fringe Aree Subcommittee members were asked' by their representative bodies (the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and the Iowa City Council) to attempt to create a Fringe Area Agreement that would be effective for both Iowa City and Johnson County for the next ten to twenty years. He said Iowa City is a growing, viable community and the City and County must work together; the sole purpose of the subcommittee has been to work cooperetively and fruitfully, and he Is extremely pleased to have been a part of the subcommittee. He elso commended both the City and County staff for their hard work. He noted the subcommittee is only advisory and has no authority other than to edvise their respective governmental bodies. Terry stressed the public is welcome at all meetings of the subcommittee and public Input is needed. He said no formel action on the proposed agreement would be taken at this public heering; the subcommittee will meet immediately following the close of the public hearing to take public comments into consideration. Franklin said the fringe aree is the extraterritoriel jurisdiction of lowe City; state law allows cities to epprove subdivisions within the two miles of their corporate limits. She said the state law is an enabling law which lowe City has chosen to exercise; as the City's current local laws stend, as soon as the City annexes an area, the fringe erea Is automatlcelly extended two miles. She said the authority within the two mile area is split between the City and the County; the County has the authority to zone, the City hes the authority with the County to review and approvo subdivisions. Sho said annexetions ere within the power of the City. Franklin said the Fringe Area Agreement Is e policy document that is used by the Johnson County Zoning Commission, the Iowa Ciiy Planning and Zonin9 Commission, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, and the Iowa City City Council to make decisions about development In this area. ' She said it has general statements, as opposed to specific stetements about specific properties; it Is In the zoning of the properties thet the polley stetements are carried out. Frenklin said the Fringe Area Agreement also puts property ,i /(,31 1I/IIIIIIf//(",.. --- -------~-~~ ~"'\.&..-,......---~---~... -----1~... ...~ .. __. '... r, - , ,..', ' (, ' , - - '.', ' t-/ '12./ ~ Ii ' , " " " . , ,,:', . .' .. ,,' ,", ' " ~.~ . '. '.-': "",' '-. ",~.' , ' ~ .,' ," " Planning and Zoning'Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Paga 2 ownars on notice as to what the intantlons of the City and the County are in terms of the land use end development within tha extraterritoilal area. Franklin said the egreement currently in place was adopted In 1983, efter a great deal of deliberetion by various Commissions, Boards, end Councils; emendments were made to the agreement in 1986 and 1987, dealing beslcally with development in the aree immedletely north of Iowa City along Highwey 1 end Rapid Creek Road and with street standards for development in various parts of the two mile area. She said the proposed agreement being discussed tonight Is an entirely new document in response to growth in the area generally and Is an effort to take e comprehensive view of the two mile area and growth in the county; the new agreement also ettempts to reconcile some of the pest differences in perspectivas on growth by the City and the County. Frenklln said the new agreement includes a lend use mep, which the previous egreement did not; the subcommittee and staff feel the land use map visually explains the intentions of the City and the County for the future of this eree. She said in the new agreement, the nine distinct areas outlined In the previous Fringe Aree j\greement have been combined Into three areas based on commonelties; it Is believed this will be less complicated. She said the proposed agreement is the culmination of discussions that started In the spring of 1992: since January of 1993, the subcommittee has been meeting to develop the document now being considered. . ~ 1 I Ii II I" I' I, I' I' :1 I: ." il' I I. i 1\ I. Ii { !: I 1 I,: II I , ,I i! I. r Moen reiterated the unique perspectives of the County and City with respect to development In the area surrounding Iowa City. She said the subcommittee was challenged with the opportunity to attempt to reconcile some of those differences and to develop e document thet does not unnecessarily compromise either the City's or County's goals and objectives. Moen said et the early stages of discussions, the County independently assessed the developability of lend within ,the Iowa City fringe eree; thet developability was based on cherecteristics that the County typically utilizes to assess whether a piece of land is more suited for development or should be retained for e9riculturel purposes. She said the County's conclusion wes that land to the north, west and southwest ~f Iowa City was more suitable, from the County's perspective, for residentiel development. Moen said Iowa City had independently done a study as to the developability of lend outside of its present corporete limits by looking at the City's future ability to provide municlpel sanitary sewer service; that ability Is based on topographic considerations which Is distinct from the County's perspective concerning lend developability. She said, as e result of the City's study, the City concluded thet development to the east, south and southeest of Iowa City is more suitable for residential development. Moen said it is staffs' opinion that the subcommittee has been successful In developing a proposed Fringe Aree Polley Agreement that successfully melds both the County's and City's Interests and does not unnecesserily compromise their unique interests. Dvorek said County staff was cherged with the responsibility of trying to determine, in reference to the County's Comprehensive Plan, In whet arees development should be promoted or discouraged. He said the County En9ineer's beslc philosophy was that all ,\ /(,31 -~--- '4 ..-, ...,- ( ", '" t":'/,' LI' C,.' li- . " ,'. ~','., ' - " " , , , .1, "'" ' ,__, . :.~ " _.: "', '_ \ (I -, . , ," Plenning end Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 . Page 3 development should occur on hard surfeced roads; If this was not possible, development should be discouraged. He said the possibility of Incorporating impact fees or special assessment districts was also discussed for small scale developments along gravel roads. Dvorak said the County also solicited input from the Johnson County Board of Health; their recommendetions included that all wells of over fifteen hookups meet stete DNR raquirements and thet eny development of four to fourteen lots shere a common well. He said their other eree of concern was wastewater disposal; the Board of Health feels all developments of four or more lots should adhere to the rules adopted by the Johnson County Board of Health regarding onsite wastewater management districts. Dvorek seid the next area reviewed by the County wes conformity to the existing Comprehen. sivePlan; this was done through maps provided by the Soil Conservetion Service. He said four basic criteria were used: corn suitability retlng (CSR), lendscape positioning (flood plain areas), weter table levels, and the presence of hydric soils. He said the four criteria ratings were then averaged to develop a point system for the desirability of development. Dvorak displayed several maps created using tha listed criteria, as well as a summary map retlng the desirability of development from the County's perspective In the 104 sections surrounding Iowa City. Moen said, because development within a city occurs at urban densities, it Is incumbent upon tha City to provide municipal sanitary sewer service; without that system, houses could not be aggregeted to tha density that Is characteristic of an urban sattlng. She said the City's ability to grow was based on Its opportunities to provide future sanitary sewer service. Moen displayed a map which Identified the portions of the fringe aree that ere physically capable of ultimately being served by an Iowa City munlclpel senitary sewer system, basad on the City's projected improvements to the sanitary sewer system within the next twenty yeers. She seid the City's sanitary sewer service Is based on a gravity flow system; the City used the topography of the lend to determine how that land laid and, consequently, whether it could be served by a gravity flow systam. She said predominently within one mile east of Iowa City, approximately two miles south of Iowa City, and to a limited extent, to the west end southwest, are arees thet have higher ennexatlon potentlel es e consequence of their future ability to be servad by the munlclpel sanitary sewer system. She noted this runs counter to the County's enalysls and the challenge before the subcommittee wes to attempt to reconcile those dlffe(ences without compromising what both the County and City were seeking to echieve. Moen said the polley that is being considered is guided by the seme principles as the existing Fringe Area Agreement; the besls upon which the agreement hes been developed are twofold: to ensure that efficient development patterns occur in an non.urbenized setting and to ensure every effort will be mede to conserve and protect the fringe area's natural resources and environmental features. She said the existing Fringe Area Agreement divides the two mile erea Into nine distinct ere as; the proposad agreement aggragates the fringe area Into three areas, besed on developability end annexation potential. 1~1& , , " l 'I Ii a '" :.i ',' h II !' i' , I,' ,;: I " I I I" I:! ii Ii I' 'I I I I I I'i " I I , ,I " " " I, . (- ,~~/: ',L/'" ',L " ""f';-l' " ,:',:' :,',' : ,. j, F1 ,v , ,I ,; ",' _ . ~1' -. ~- J Plannin9 and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 4 FRINGE AREA A: Moen said the City does not project this area to be annexed into Iowa City in the long'range whereas the County feels this area is better suited for development. She said the subcommittee concluded that a limited amount of development could occur in this area provided the County's development standards are met. but development should occur In a clustered fashion. She seld the agreement suggests this area could be rezoned to RS3, which allows one dwelling unit per three acres; the cluster requirements would oblige the developer to place the dwellings on lots thet do not exceed one acre in size, with the remeining lend being held as open space. She said development In a clustered manner is preferable from Iowa City's perspective because if future annexation were to occur, the City would be ecquiring a lend use pettern that more closely resembles whet currently exists in Iowa City. FRINGE AREA B: , , , I I Ii Ii II I ii I' I,. , 1\' I !\ I I:' I !' I I,: i q I I I 1\ II II I, f Moen said the City anticipates annexation of the area within one mile east of Iowa City; beyond that area. the City loses its ability to provicje municipal sanitary sewer service. She said much of the area one mile eest of the City is presently zoned for residential development. She said It Is not in the Clty's interest to entertain applications for development in that area that is presently in the County and zoned for residential purposes because development would occur in a more rural fashion; instead it is preferable that land not develop until such time as it is annexed to Iowa City, so that it could be developed in en urban pattern and provided with sanitary sewer service. Moen said, in order to achieve that desired effect, the Fringe Area Agreement suggests that, within the area one mile east and two miles south of Iowa City. any land that is currently zoned for residential development be rezoned for agricultural purposes to discourage the ability to develop. She said if e property owner were interested in pursuing development, they would be motivated to approach the City to consider annexetlon and development at urban standards. She said beyond the area mentioned above, agricultural uses are preferred; the policy states thet land will not be rezoned to permit non-farm development. She noted the agreement does make some accommodation for a restricted amount of resldentiel development In areas in which agricultural uses are preferred. FRINGE AREA C: ,Moen said within Fringe Aree C to the west and southwest of Iowa City, the development policV is four.tiered and makes accommodations 1) for commercial end/or industrial development, 2) for development of lend which is presently zoned for non.farm development and which is also located within the City's growth area, 3) for development of land zoned for non.farm development and located outside the City's growth area, and 4) on a limited basis. for rezoning lend presently zoned A I, Rural. Moen noted Iowa City projects future commercial and/or industrlel development within the east end south quedrants of the intersections of highweys 1 and 218: the agreement recommends that any non-commercial zoning be downzoned to agricultural. She expleined the reesonlng for the downzonlng Is thet it is to the Clty's dlsbenefit to ecquire development that does not heve an urban charecter: at such time as, land In thet aree comes forward for development, the City would encourage annexation and development at urban standards. ;! I ~:ag - ~". - - '1---..----~... ~ ..-' ...... - ......... - -- - ~~ -, ...~ .... - i : '. t'-:-/' '" j,/ .:L.' ,;I t-,' . ". -,~~~. ":, ,', .,' - '" - "It.;.. '0' :.V ' ," ": ',; . _ ',. - I ~, '. ", Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22. 1993 Page 6 Moen said the area outside the City's growth aree with a zoning other than agricultural would be encouragad to develop according to the County's clustered subdivision standards; if that area were annexed into Iowa City in the distant future, the City would ba acquiring davelopment that resemblas the City's usual requirements. She said there are also accommodations for a limited amount of residentiel development on land outside the City's projected growth area and presently zoned for agriculture: the agreement allows for one additionel dwelling on one to three acres for a parcel of at least 40 acres. Moen said one of the important factors within the proposed Fringe Aree Agreement is the City's statement that it would not automatically extend Its fringe area upon annexation; presently the regulations guiding the location of Iowa City's fringe area mandete that upon annexation to Iowa City, the fringe area is automaticelly extended two miles beyond that point. She seid the subcommittee has recommended that tha City evaluate whether to extend the fringe area on e case.by.case basis in consultation with Johnson County. Moen said the major issues that will be confronting the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission. the Johnson County Zoning Commission, the Iowa City City Council. and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors ere the downzonlng recommendetion and the issue of non.eutomatic extension of Iowa City's fringe area. She said the proposal being considered represents compromises, but the subcommittee faels those compromises have been successfully addressed and serve to provide a workable document guiding development within the fringe erea. In response to a Question from Cook. Dvorak said the County'S Comprehensive Plan stresses the importanca of protecting prime farmland and the CSR is a mejor factor in determining what is considered prime farmland. Bovbjerg asked if the decision to extend the fringe erea would be me de when the City was conSidering annexation or after annexetion occurs. Moen said the timing mechanism has not yet been established but she anticipates that issue would be raised at the time an annexation proposal Is being considered. Saunders said the reason the County asked for this compromise was because of concerns about impacting residents who fall within the two mile fringe aree but will reelistlcally never be annexed Into the City. Franklin said the decision regarding extension of the extraterritorial aree is given to the City by the state and can be made without the concurrence of the County; the egreement proposes consultation with the County before the extension decision is made by the City. She seld the agreement does not abrogate that authority to the County. In response to Questions from Cook regerdlng the Johnson County Onsite Wasteweter Menegement Districts. Johnson County Public Heelth Director Grehem Demeron said the County currently has one wastewater manegement district within the entire county; et this point in time. it Is for new subdivisions that have fifteen or more lots or in some cases, smellar subdivisions that have particular problems. such as needing alternative sewege systems or having greet slope within the subdivision. He said currently there are approximately 12 subdivisions that fall within that category within the County. He said recently the Health /(,3 g '... ...., I , II' I I I i Ii I! I i I , I ! " " ir I: I' " ,: " I , , I I Ii 'I " . I, ..:. ',,' ", '- -. ' '. " , t I '1':/ "t t, , .,' . _ ' ' " It:..: ' , -l.;,,1 ' . , .' ,.: 7' ~' .', d, ,.., ~ , 4 _ ,. _' . \ .r-- .' '.. \ . . . . . ......-. Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 6 Depertment has been trying to include some of the existing subdivisions that were platted before 1968 but thet has not come to fruition yet. Public discussion opened at 8:07 p.m. Jim Throamorton. 1026 Friendfv Avenue, said he is a professor of Urban and Regionel Planning at the University of Iowa and thanked the Commission members for the opportunity to speak to tham. He noted that the hearing had elready lasted 50 minutes, yet he is the first membar of the public to speak despite what the published agenda indicated would occur at this meeting. He said he was uneware a presentation of the proposed agreement would be made and all his comments are based on the mete rials he received through the mail. He said he feels at a bit of a disadvantage and he is unsura whether to comment on the written materiel he received or on the presentation made tonight. Throgmorton seid he sees no reeson to object to the general intent of the proposed agreement, especially as expressed at the bottom of page 1 and the top of page 2 of Moen's July 14 memorendum. He said he had three pa,rticular issues to raise; collectively they suggest the details of the agreement will, if carried out, perpetuate a development pattern that is radically altering the cheracter Johnson County's cities and towns and which cannot be susteined ovar the longer term. Throgmorton said the proposed document constitutes a deal struck on behalf of two public jurisdictions and the subcommittee did virtually nothing to involve the general public in it's work. He said that stetement was not intended as personal criticism of anyone involved but rather as a comment from a person outside of the process wanting to have some say about it. He said surely the two Commissions have the right and responsibility to develop such agreements but asked why not do it in the full light of day all along the way. He questioned whether there is a clear need for a revised agreement and asked, if the revised agreement would have Important consequences, why not ensure that interested members of the public know what the subcommittee Is doing and why. He stated the public should have the continuing opportunity to influence the subcommittee's thinking along the way. He said the material made available to the public prior to tonight's public heerlng does not cleerly sey why a revlsad agreement is necessary, nor does it inform the public of the alternetive policies considared but rejected or what the consequences of the proposed agreement are likely to be; lacking that kind of information, he Is not persuaded that eny changes are necessary or that the proposad changes are the best thet can be achieved. Throgmorton said he strongly supports the proposed agreement's stated intention to preserve natural areas and environmentally sensitive arees but also observed that the agreement does not idantlfy where those resources end features are located or how they will be preserved. He urged the commissions not to adopt the agreement without first incorporating a map that explicitly defines the boundaries of those areas or, at least, provides quantitative measures that would anable any other person to easily identify their locations. He also urged the commissions not to adopt the egreement without clearly stating that the development of those environmentally sensitive erees will not simply be discouraged as currently phrased in the agreement, but will be actively prohibited. He asked if tho proposed polley will permit further devalopment in flood plains or in watlands or parmit further destruction of high quellty I , Ii I, 'I I; I. '. " il I .' H' I I: i. I, I, " !; Ii !; I' I; !I il Ii I i I ,I 1 1 :1 " II I! . It, '3~ i '.' ,.~ -- - ~~---~....~ ..-'......- I , ,', t-/ L/' t"~ ,;:t " , ""'" ", ~ I " ~ 1\' . " , ~. . _ . :'" 'I..:.:J' . ',.._ .'. . , ", ,', ' Planning end Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22. 1993 Page 7 ecosystems and associated biodiversity. Ha said if such consaquences would flow from this agreement. then it would not ba worth tha paper it is written on. Throgmorton said the proposad agreement says nothing about providing for ~ pattern of development thet can be sustained ovar the longar term. He said the conventional pettern of urben development depands on imports of natural resources, such as energy and materials. and on the export of pollutants. such as carbon dioxide end toxic chemicals; right now lowens Import 97 percent of the energy they use and export capitol at a rate of $5 to $7 billion per year to pay for it. He said. prorating on the basis of populetion. he estimates that capitol is flooding out of the City and the County at the unaffordable rate of $200 to $250 million per year. He said such a messive hemorrhaging of capitol cannot ba sustained yet the proposed agreement might, like dikes and levies along a river, simply accelerate the rete of outflow and worsen the consaquences when something goes wrong. He said. just as it Is possible to store floodwaters temporarily In wetlands end back chennels. it is possible to imegine an alternative pattern of development that would be far more affordable end more sustainable. He said that pattern would prohibit the development of fra9i1e or sensitive naturel areas and. develop the remaining arees in a more compact. more diverse. more pedestrian-orianted menner; what that implies In practice is that development should not be encoureged to sprawl in the conventional pettern exemplified by Attachment 1 of the proposed policy; rather development should be directed towards existing towns, while protecting the traditional character of those towns end it should permit development of the remaining portions of the County only at very low densities. , Ii ; , I"~ ! " I I ii I !l' I Ir I I; i I I ! I I I , I' .I " I " I Throgmorton urged the commissions to return the proposed agreement to the subcommittee with instructions to 1) conduct a series of public meetings based on principles of dielogue In which people can talk about the desirability and likely consequences of the proposel and of alternatives to It. 2) precisely define the locations of environmentally sensitive areas end specify the actions that will be taken to prohibit development in those arees, and 3) explore ways in which the City and County can, by joint egreement. promote a more compact. diverse. and pedestrien-oriented pettern of development, that reinforces the region's traditionel character and which can be sustained over the longer term. Throgmorton added he did mean to be overly critical of the people invol,'ad In the development of the proposed agreement because he respected them all a greet deel. Saunders asked Throgmorton to defina his concept of compact arees. Throgmorton said, insteed of segregating uses, provisions should be mede for more compact development so that ectivities ere in e more compect, concise form; i.e.. people do not have to drive everywhere to get everything that they nead end do everythin9 they need to do; Insteed, they can walk or pursue other modes of transportation to move around within the aree. He said exemples would be the Inner portions of West Branch, Iowa City, end North Liberty. Seunders asked how Throgmorton accounted for people's preferences not to develop that wey. Throgmorton said he had seen no evidence that people feel that way. He said If people are not provided with alternatives, they will not be able to pursue alternetives. He said people have to buy what Is being built. which Is currently large homes on large lots on the fringe of the City in e very disperse pettern; he said perhaps thet is what people want but he believes it is not sustainable in the long run and will come back to haunt future generations. Seunders IlD1d ...,.". - "'1----..-..;--~....... , . .' - '. , ' I ' -' , 'I t ' . ,,', 't '/ '. ~/ ", ' h ' ", :,~_ . ,,' , " '. ; - -'. Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 8 said he has seen resistance to mixing industrial and residential development; Throgmorton agreed it Is better to think in terms of mixing residential and commercial activities rether than residential and Industrial development. Rick Borchard. 4819 RaDid Creek Road. said he lives In the proposed Fringe Area A end agrees with Throgmorton on the availability of specific information regarding the proposad agreement. He noted Moen has provided him the minutes of the meetings and development plans as they have progressed but he had difficulty obtaining items such as information on road assessments, and County rural design standards. He said he knows this policy wes developed because of the disagreement of the philosophies of the two governments involved. He noted there are still some areas where the City would have some say in Area A and the County would have some say in Areas Band C but he cannot determine who would have the final approval. Borcherd said he hes concerns with emergency service vehicle eccess, the enforcement of speed limits, the water quality and quentlty, the number of houses that will be allowed in Fringe Area A and how 9rowth in the area will be limited, end how it will be determined when a road is saturated. He noted the County Engi"eer recommended thet development be allowed only on hard surfaced roads; he said if development is allowed on oiled roads, the County will have to consider right.of.ways and possible straightening of the roads. Borcherd said he also questions the reason behind the development of the proposed policy; although it is a new policy, it is merely a continuetion of something that wesn't agreed upon in the originel egreement. He said he wes very active In developing the original agreement and he has been very disappointed because it has been nibbled away by tampering and removing words like "discourage" and "agricultural uses preferred"; successive amendments heve resulted In more traffic, septic tanks, end wells. He said he feels this egreement is not neerly es specific as the ori9inal agreement and he feels it will just leed to more problems and more interpretations. He suggested, in view of the feet that there has been'a tremendous nibbling effect to the original agreement, that the density standard for Fringe Area A be reconsidered at one house par five acres rather than one dwelling per three ecres. Borchard said the political influence of the Johnson County Boerd of Supervisors will be greetly reduced In Fringe Areas Band C and emphasized in Fringe Aree A; he wondered how that would Impact future elections and how the Board of Supervisors will view the other areas. In response to questions from Seunders, Borchard seid he owns a 40 acre farm that he purchased in 1977; he built his home in 1980, and has 26 tilleble acres with the remelnder in crop reserve. Terry said the motivating factor for the subcommittee wes not the two governments not getting along; they were attempting to find a more cohesive wey to develop in the growth erees around lowe City, while still preserving the land and making the best use of it. Saunders said historically Borchard's difference with the County Zoning Commission has been that Borcherd would like to see a greet deel of finite information in the Comprehensive Plan; 1(,1t III !. , II ! II' ! I, , , :i Ii I 'I' I' ii' I I' I Ii r 1"1 !,. II I, II I i ~ Iii ;1 i II , 'I II I I II " " I, 11II "ff'"" . - - '1 - ~-- ~ ..-. .......- ..... ...----~-Tf'".. ....~ .. -~. .... ..., - , , , ( ,'-""'" f-' ",-, " ,'- , ~ /' ,',L/ ..:.; 'li' " ',' ,', ; :~ .' I~ ~\ '. ." 3 . ~~~ , ~'.". Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 9 he said that is what tha zoning ordinances are for end the reason for the Zoning Commission is to consider exceptions to those ordinances. He said while there are concerns about the current system, there will never be such a rigid set of rules that no personal interpretation is ellowed. He noted many other counties in the state have no zoning regulations: the subcommittee has tried to refine an existing documant that both parties agree to follow and has tried to come up with the best solutions to allow growth In the area. Borchard said since 1983, he has'seen the polley go in one direction; without more specific language in the egreement, he feels it will continue to drift in the same direction. Saunders seid one position of the Boerd of Supervisors is that not everyone can afford to buy 40 ecres and those persons cannot be ignored. Scott noted the County would still heve the final say on zoning decisions and the City would still have the final say on platting decisions within the extraterritorial aree; that would not change with the proposed agreement. Gibson said several speekers have suggasted the proposed egreemant is an advocate of development in the fringe aree; he thinks that is an absolutely incorrect assumption. He said he feels if each of the commissions were esked what their interest in the fringe erea was, it would be found that Iowa City would prefer no development In the fringe area so that it would be unencumbered with scattered, low density development upon annexation and the County would prefer not to have the City dictating how the County can control development in the extraterritoriel aree. He said the subcommittee has tried to find a compromise agreemant between the two bodies that will parmit both the City and County to exist in that area and to develop that area into the future; of necessity, any agreement is going to be a compromise because it is a purely political process that will Jollow, what he faels, hes been a rationale planning process. He said the subcommittee has triad to find e compromise to control the kind and extent of devalopment in the two mile extraterritorial erea. Borchard said he does not interpret the words 'permit resldentiel developmant by favorably considering', as stated In the proposad agreament for Fringe Aree A, as neutral. He said the original draft of the proposad agreement had one 42 word paragraph es e genaral policy stetement from Fringe Area A and then ked the subcommittee for adding en additionel paragraph to increese the definition. Gibson said he doas not Interpret the word 'permit' es an advocacy of development; it marely allows it. He said the proposed agreement is a compromise between two bodies who have somewhat opposing interests in this area. He said the County has an interest in developing Fringe Area A while the City does not; trede.offs of interests or lack thereof were made but does not mean the City is edvocating development in this aree. Hora said he feels Terry and Saunders have done e great job on the subcommittee and feels the proposed agreement Is a great improvament over the current agraement. Connie Mutel. 2345 Suaar Bottom Road. said it is fasclneting to her to consider creative and proactive alternatives in development patterns in the County; especially in a city like lowe City, it is fescinatlng to consider model planning and development schames that differ from the typical davelopment patterns currently baing usad. She said she feals those typical petterns heve ruined two cities she lived in previously; both were also univarsity towns and very attrective communities, but heve lost many of their spaclel features. It, 38 I ~ Ii Ii Ii. " I Il I I ,'(' If I I I' I " r ~ ' I 11 I'I , I I I I I , I ! I I I Ii' d II n ,I; t I ...."..,.. ____ __~~- -""__qJ.. .._'......__ - ___ .......r........___~-_I~.. ...~ ...~.-~......-, I , . . .- '. .' ) 1 I t- I '/ 't I' , ~ "',, , " " /" 'It:;..' ""':" "" , ' ' - "" ',,', " "', "~u" ,"', , , , ., .:'i",' _~., , . .,: ~ - " ~. 'c- . Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 10 Mutel urged the Commission to think in terms of long-term preservetion of natural features of the County over the next 100 years. She said the original inhabitants of the County were eastern deciduous forests, prairies, and wetlands that have existed here for nearly 8,000 years. She seld there are not very many of these left in the County and they are rare and special both In terms of preserving the ecological integrity of the County and as part of the County's heritage. She said there is currently no legal mechenism to protect these araas although the County has been developing a naturai areas survey es e tool to potentially Implement preservation of such areas. Mutel noted an August 1992 memo from the County Attorney, which called for consideration of the praservation of environmentally sensitive and natural areas in the zoning ordinances. She said these two items Indicate that the County has both a tool and the beginning of a desire to preserve tha few speciel areas she referred to, especially in the fringe area. She said in the long-run, and possibly even In the short-run, this might preserve a considereble amount of financial resources for the County and the City. Mutel quoted from an article written by a Boteny professor from Ames that discussed complications that arose on the sites of two separate development projects thet had been approved by the City of Ames Planning Office, noting the time and cost to the City of Ames to ensure p,rotection of the natural areas. She sllid Iowa City could learn from the Ames incidents; this is an ideal time to stipulate that natural areas will be identified and rated so that landowners will know from the beginning that very special natural arees would be protected by lew. She said such a stipulation would be beneficial to the City and the County, as well as to its residents. Seunders said the County Zoning Commission is well aware of the environmental concerns and is trying to address thoue concerns through the development of ordinances which carry the impact of the lew, rathar than placing it in the Fringe Aree Agreement. Mutel encoureged the County to state support of those ordlnences as strongly as possible within the Fringe Area Agreament and to proceed as rapidly as possible with development of those ordinances. She said there arc meny persons in the County who have had experience in these types of efforts and would be delighted to assist in forming a plan for Identifying and rating the natural areas end devising mechanisms for ensuring that their integrity remains. Linde Johnson-Lundauist. 2170 Prairie du Chien Road, said she is pleesed with the wording on the preservation of the natural arees in Johnson County because it is an 1m portent issue. She is also pleased with the clustered subdivision requirements, which will allow preservetion of natural areas. In response to a question from Johnson-Lundquist ragarding the proposal to Increase the minimum lot size in Fringe Area A to three ecres, Dvorak said the three ecre minimum resulted from the Repld Creek study and there ere no problems with the water quality In thet araa that he is eware of. He reiterated that any development would still be required to meet the County's criterie on an individual basis. Dvorak said the three ecre minimum Is partielly political and pertially as protection for the aree. Richerd Rhodes II. 2014 Rochester Avenue, said he agreed with some of the previous comments, especially regarding the ve9ueness of the proposed agreement. He seid, with respect to Fringe Area A, he sees nothing In the document or minutes about what the 1(,18 " - 1&1,,_ - I' I' ~ Ii II I' I, a :r I L t I; , h I Ii h i': II , I I,! I i , I , I I , i , I ,I " ,: I I ~........ "'I/f"r. - --'1--- ~..... ~ ,-I.......--.~ - ............-.....- --- -'-'~'" .... -\- -' ... -~. ~.-..-,----~--- . I -"~:-- .," - " . ' , ' . 't /' -"". ' f . . -/ t' ' , , " , -,""', , 7 - ",,' I .,' , ..'.' " . ~ _ """ - : '>, - . - :' ,," . , Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22. 1993 Page 11 planning bodies anticipate the ultimate population to be; he asked, if fully developed, what the populetion would be and questioned the impact on the infrastructure in the northern part of 10Vle City. Rhodes noted Rapid Creek drains into the lowe River above the Iowa City water plant; he noted the Increased density of settlement in the Rapid Creek area would result In increased drelnage of septic systems, lawn chemicals, and increased runoff; he questioned how this would affect the City's weter quality. Rhodes said he was pleased to see that the naturel resources and environ'mentally sensitive features are intended to be protected but said he agrees an inventory Is needed to know whet is there that needs to be protected. Rhodes said it is his understanding that the County considers land to be more suitable for development than agriculture if it is highly erodible; he noted some of the slopes In Fringe Area A are very steep end not suitable for settlement because they are highly erodible. Borcherd noted. in the clustered development concept. ownership of the open space is retained by the contractor. He said he would like to see codes or covenants developed to transfer ownership of the open area to the homeowners as the aree Is developed. Terry said the open space would belong to the homeowner's association rather than the contractor; If and when the area Is annexed, the homeowner's association would determine whether that lend would be sold for future development. Public discussion closed at 9:00 p.m. Scott asked the members of the two commissions for public comment prior to adjournment. Terry reitereted the proposed agreement is not a finite document, edding the details will be enforced through zoning ordinances. He also stressed the need for cooperation end compromise In eddressing both the City's and the County's future growth petterns. He seld the comments made by members of the public at the public hearing would be discussed by the subcommittee at a meeting directly following the public hearing, edding public input is very Important. Saunders stressed that all the meetings of the subcommittee and the commissions have been open to the public and there has been no attempt to exclude the public. He also noted that the County is well aware of the concerns of the cities. as reflected In the fact that one of the members of the Johnson County Zoning Commlssion,ls a resident of Coralville and another Is a resident of lowe City. He said the proposal to downzone certain ereas to prevent uncontrolle~ growth Is a very controversiel Issue; it will be a difficult job for the Johnson County Zoning Commission to convince the Board of Supervisors thet Is a worthwhile goel. He said the proposal represents rether sharp alternatives to what has been going on for the past ten to fifteen yeers. I fD 38 - ! " ~ i' I II' I,' " il I: 1\' I' r n I. , " I ii, I' , I; I I , ,/ II ,I '. ! ,. - - '1 - ~-- ~ ..-'......- ..... .- I 't~f""t'l 'iL '/-1 ' ',',' " :' . , '...L . . .' ,~' '-V': . ". . . ",; , -.,'. ,. -". ~~. ,< \' " Planning and Zoning Commission/Johnson County Zoning Commission July 22, 1993 Page 12 Hora said the subcommittee has worked very herd and spent a greet deal of time in meetings to discuss all the issues Involved. He asked if it Is such an 1m portent Issue to have public input, why didn't more people attend tonight's public hearing, adding he feels the low attendance indicates to him that the proposed agreement meets the concerns of most citizens. Scott reiterated the spirit of cooperetion between the two commissions and the stalls of both the County and the City, as mentioned by Terry. He said the process was started over a year ego in a Joint letter to the Board of Supervisors and the City Council requesting the appointment of a subcommittee to review the Fringe Area Agreement; there were a number of reasons for the request, Including the location of the City's new wastewater treetment facility and the pressures for growth in that particular area. Scott said he shares Throgmorton's frustration with the lack of public participation; he would prefer to see more persons involved on the front end of discussions such as these. He said many times people assume 90vernmental and advisory bodies do not like a large amount of public input; he said he would challenge that particular premise. He said the public cannot expect governmental agencies to protect their interests; it is up the public to involve themselves and protect their interests. Scott said 'public bodies need to include public input in their decision-making process and he feels the Iowa City Plenning and Zoning Commission has done a good job of incorporatin9 public input into decisions. He said his sensitivity to many of the issues raised et tonight's meetin9 have become more acute todey than when he joined the Commission twelve yeers ago. Scott urged the public to continue to participate in the processes the! affect their daily lives. 1 ~ , , . I' ~ II; Ii j:, :: II ii' if I; 11 It I. 1;' I: I , I!' I i I , I I I I I I I 'I 'I Scott presented a list of the upcoming meetings scheduled to discuss the proposed Fringe Area Agreement: a Fringe Area Subcommittee meeting immediately following the close of the public hearing to give steff direction on additionel input or changes if they feel it Is necesserYi the Iowa City Planning end Zoning Commission will set a public hearing for August 19 on a Comprehensive Plan amendment to incorporate the amended Fringe Area A9reement at its July 29th meeting; the Johnson County Zoning Commission. depending upon notificetion requirements, will schedule a public heering on either August 9 or at its September meeting. Terry thanked the members of the two commissions, staff, tho public olliciels who ettended tonight's meeting, the cable TV people end the viewers, and most of all. the public who attended and participated in the public hearing. Saunders moved to adjourn et 9:11 p.m. Bovbjerg seconded. The motion carried unenimously. Minutes submitted by Nancy Schreiber. \p6I'ICI.722 i ItD38 - - - . '. .. " - I' t- Ij- "'''',.,--~" " - "." t {" L" ' ,.."~._..- --,"-" '" '. "" ,., , , , , . .' '.","." '. ' .., . , " .' -' 1- " . ..' ~ . . / '1 '" , ........ i I I' , PWl#II/~ ~ 'NJN/llr, m€EfIN~ ;:JUtq ';~I ,Q98 7:00 i'rS6-'?,m, ~it.a.SE. Si9~ IN: ~Q.m.E..: I. ~ ~,~;, /Jjq.r /?/' , J. J,,,, 1\"-,,, "",,,..:}..I,, 3. ()/C K i1 d!2 (H4 Q.i'\ . ~ ,..' ,/,. 4, \'; '-'. . ..' ..~;.. ~( ~~- !,~ ~"~ -ad ,. Ib.:j~v'1L It- ~~~.Jr 7. 8. 9. , , , , ' 10. II. Ij, 13. III. I !' , " , Ii \'.' ,I. 'Bcl.cl.qe.s.s: //{I.5 &J iJ,~l q. J L. 102-' FI\"<^",,J~ / , ,rl, C Ii l C' 'i.~ / 'i ,t<"V'--<. Cu.:'w. I.,~ , " ..... .:.. jJ:.': . \ .: ..,'.', , .' :2-17(J ,t1/ld"IYI/J. d't:t. ("k~ ~./.. 'Let Y d ~~ rI - ":-.- '/" '..1," ."i ..' r\-~ . ~,......, -..,/ / '. - '- t. as :1 . ....~...... '.... t::l.:t..__ 'IIfIl"'fr. - - '1 ~.. 9\-- ~ -'.. ~- . .. ..... ....- ---- ~'~... --~_. .,.. - ,y " , (,'., t-/ "1/ '-I' '-t " . I' 'tc.;. " -/ f. , ':." . i ~' ': , , '. ..' : . '. . " , -. -. ~ --....!t',~., ~ '. ,':' - , ~\2:> } MINUTES FRINGE AREA SUBCOMMITTEE JULY 22,1993 - 9:20 P.M. CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS I!:'\')(f'n In'.~.~ ,I I i;"'l,il;lll d ':m ., ~~w:i"ju.. 'i 1 SUbjoct to App;O;aj MEMBERS PRESENT: Iowa City: Tom Scott, Dick Gibson Johnson County: Bill Terry, Robert Saunders STAFF PRESENT: Iowa City: Moen, Franklin, Bormann, Schreiber Johnson County: White, Dvorak, Shaw Gibson said there appeared to be a lack of understanding on the issue of ownership of the open space in a clustared davelopment; he said it was his understanding the residual would be resarved for future development. Saunders said those non-buildable outlots would be owned by the homeowner's associatign; he said Borchard's question was who would be responsible for the maintenance of those outlots while the developer still owns the majority of the lots in the subdivision. In responsa to a question from Gibson, Saunders said the outlots are designated as non-buildebla on the plat and the homeowner's association draw up bylaws to Indicata how the maintenance function is managed. Gibson asked whether the homeowner's association could theoretically elect to sell that outlot; Saunders said it would still not be a buildeble lot. White said the outlot would be markatable. Gibson asked, following annexation to the City, if the homeowner's essociation could sell the outlot and if the City could allow rezoning and development. Shaw said the outlot would only be encumbered as an open space under the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance and would lose its encumbrance upon annexetlon. White said, assuming the outlot is encumbered as part of the platting process, annexation would not eliminate a recorded encumbrance. In response to a quastion from Gibson, White said the encumbrance could be changed by a post- annexation amendment to the plat. , \ I I, Ii II, l' [i I il. II I I, IL I !, Ii , I.! I' I,: I' d :1 I , , II I I I ,/ Ii II !1 u White seld there ere a number of options on how to treet the open space in a clustered subdivision; the option that seems most prevalent now is a non.buildeble outlot but individual ownership, joint ownership, or condominium ownership are all possible. He said there Is nothing in the Zoning Ordinence that would restrict the particular form of ownarship structure. Franklin said this agraemant does require that space to ba reserved; White egreed. Franklin noted concerns about natural areas and environmentally sensitive areas were expressed by several speakers at the public hearing; she said the City's need to amend the plet efter ennexation to remove an encumbrance on the open spece is good in thet there may be some open spaces that will be reserved through the platting process because they are environmentally sensitive or contain netural features that, even upon annexation, the City would potentially went to retain as such. I: i i I Scott said if the open space areas ere part of a homeowner's agreement, it will be extremely difficult to chenge the density once it is developed and annexed. Franklin egreed. Scott said it wes his understanding that the open spece would be held by the developar, rather than a homeowner's essociation. White said the historical problem with the developer hOlding it Is that developers lose interest and fail to maintain the property and pay the taxes due; if the title Is vested In a homeowner's associetion or individual owners, there Is usually a higher level of Interest In meintaining the land and meeting the tax obligetions. Franklin noted It Is highly unlikely the erea in question would ever be annexed by lowe City. Moen said she thinks it will depend upon the interest that a particuler homeowner's association acquires in its open space; "it proves to be a veluable recreetionel or netural resource, the homeowner's association may It, 3' i! . . I., '. I" ' , ( . - ' /: '-,' . t ' ' , " .,,~ /' , 'L "~I' "/ , " " ,_':\~", ,J 1:.-.' ,': ~., "1, '. " :~ "_ .' "'," " _ \, ' Fringe Area Subcommittee July 22. 1993 Page 2 be inclined to preserve it for that particuler purpose whereas if It is piece of ground that the neighborhood views as opportunity to generate some revenue for other benefits or amenities, it mey be sold upon annexation. Scott said he feels the subcommittee needs to be absolutely honest in its explanation and expectations for future development of open spaces upon annexation. Franklin agreed, saying historically people are very protective of where they live. Terry said he would prefer to see the common ground owned by a homeowner's association. Saunders said the County has no power to require a homeowner's association to be creeted for ownership of the common ground. White seid legally it could be required but he would not recommend that option; each situation will have enough peculierities that it would be preferable to leave options open to find what works best for each particular situation. He seid e legal option would be to cluster and have the non.buildeble lots all owned by one owner. In response to a question from Gibson, Moen said in Fringe Area A there are no immediate prospects for annexation but It is conceivable that could change in the future; it is to the City's benefit to acquire lots that more closely resemble an urban development pattern. She said without the clustering requirement, the City would be ecquiring lots thet were a minimum of three acres In size end It would be much more liifficult end unlikely that those three acre lots would be resubdivideQ to accommodate additionel homes. She said one acre lots are an accepteble size in terms of urban density; if the homeowner's association prefers to do so, upon annexation they could resubdivide the larger open area. Gibson said he agrees with Scott that the homeowner's essociations would probably choose not to redevelop that land. Franklin said the shorter term interests of the City are two.fold: to protect the natural arees and to diminish the density of this area. She said this has been e compromise; in the ideal for Iowa City, Fringe Area A would not develop until it was In the corporate limits. She said, recognizing that some development is 90ing to take place, the City would prefer to have as Iowa density as is politically feasible because all the traffic from that development will strain the infrastructure on the northern side of lowe City. . , ~I I I II Ii I, . :) I ... 1 Ii II' i. r , I \ I !, 1 ! ' , I I' ; 1'1 I I , I ., I' , Moen seid the City is alweys confronted with providing open space for neighborhoods, and while the City would not be obliged to necessarily develop the outlots upon annexation, it does provide an open space aree for that immediete neighborhood. Terry said clustering would make City service hookups simpler if the area were ever annexed. Scott agreed there were definite advantages to the clustering aspect but said he feels the subcommittee needs to be very honest in its expectations; if the outlots are homeowner associetion controlled, in ell likelihood, upon annexation, the lend will be retained as open space. In response to a question from Franklin, Dvorak seld the clustered subdivision regulations require a common well for the subdivision but a common septic system would not be required unless the minimum lot size were decreased to hell an acre. White seid those reguletions hed es their goal central systems; what evolved wes totelly opposite of the wey the regulations were written. He said the septic system wes envisioned to be the exception rather than the rule but obviously that never ceme to be. Franklin said one of the issues addressed at the public heering was the request to lower the density In Fringe Aree A even further. Saunders said there wes one reference to one dwelling per five acres; he said from conversations with the Boerd over a six year period, he believes the Board would not support large lot requirements because they feel it keeps a lot of people 1~'3~ r .,' ((:q.:-,,"p" " ,_ "': ~':' ' -'.. - " . ,'.,..:." " . , Fringe Area Subcommittee July 22, 1993 Page 3 from being able to efford to purchase land in the County. Scott said the density reflects what the two bodies think is politically palatable. Franklin said there were also verious comments regarding addressing the environmental issues; she seid the agreement includes statements about protection of natural arees but it requires movement on the part of the County in terms of ordinance edoption or any stronger statements that the subcommittee may want to suggest. Scott said the desire for specificity always comes up when dealing with general planning documents: they must continually repeat that the specificity belongs elsewhere. He said he Is unwilling to write that degree of specificity in the Comprehensive Plan or any general planning document. Gibson agreed, adding each of the bodies will have to address the environmental issues individually and persons Interested in steps toward preservation of natural areas should be advocating that point to their representetive bodies. White said the alternetive drafts that the County Attorney put in front of the Supervisors would not have required the inventory to be done but the Board didn't evidence a greet deal of interest In moving forward. He said he could provide drefts to begin discussions concerning preservation of natural and environmentally sensitive ereas if the Johnson County Zoning Commission wishes to take up the issue independently. Saunders said the Zoning Commission has discussed that possibility. White said what triggered the memo he wrote and the drafts he ultimately put together wes trying to tell people that the 1977 Comprehensive Planning document mede a commitment to protect natural arees and nothing was ever done to implement that commitment. White said one of the points about specifiCity and the functions of a planning document is that there is going to need to be some implementation; the agreement appears to require some implementing ordinances on the part of both the City and the County. Scott and Saunders agreed. Scott said pert of the Commissions' charge is to make recommendations to the elected bodies that appoint them; he said he feels they would not be doing their duty if they did not prod those bodies. Saunders noted the County has become more sensitive to environmentellssues over the past six years, citing the number of garbage dumps that have been cleaned up in the pest three years. Scott said he wes Willing to present the proposad Fringe Area Polley Agreement to the two planning and zoning commissions as written. Bormann noted Linda Gentry did not review the agreement before It was sent out In the packet to the commissioners end hes since mede some non'substantive, stylistic changes. White seld he found the agreement legally sound. Dvorak noted the Johnson County Health Department wished to make some minor Changes in the termlnologV as well. The meeting wes adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Minutes submitted by Nancy Schreiber 11..7.22 1(0'59 · , ' , : : , , )', \ II' Ii I, l:i il " I: :" il, I! I" I' It I:, I: , II f: I ~ I' : II Ii I ! I, j :1' j II I I: \ i I~ I 'I 1 \ i \, Jrr -- i 1'<J~ '1 I I I I '"' ...; -~-.... , r. '," 'r-/' ':,Id ;i' i:t -,' .' "',.' :'.. , ," , ,I . J, .-_ . . '1 . . ' - / " I '\" - ~-- ----., .-- MINUTES IOWA CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JULY 29,1993 - 7:30 P.M. CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL; CHAMBERS I PREU~'~NARY Sllllject to ApprovaJ MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Bovbjerg, Pete Cooper, Sally Dierks, Dick Gibson, George Starr MEMBERS ABSENT: Casey Cook, Tom Scott STAFF PRESENT: Bormann, Miklo, Schreiber CALL TO ORDER: Secretary Bovbjerg called the meeting to oreer at 7:46 p.m. RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL: 1. . Recommend approval, by a 5.0 vote, of SUB93-00 12. the preliminary end final plat of ' Windsor Ridge, Part One, a four lot, 5.57 acre subdivision loceted north of American Legion Road end west of Taft Avenue in Fringe Area 5, subject to: 1) City Attorney approval of legal papers prior to Council consideration; 2) submission and approval of a Grading and Erosion Control Plan by the Public Works Department prior to Council consideration; and 3) submission and approval of construction plans and design calculations by the Public Works Department prior to Council consideration. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There wes none. ZONING ITEMS: 1. Public discussion of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Section 36-58, Off-Street Parking Requirements, Section 36-60, Sign Reguletions, and Section 36-9, RFBH, Factory Built Housing Residential Zone, to ellow consideration of certain commercial uses as provisional uses in the RFBH Zone. Miklo seid staff recommends deferral of this item until September 2, 1993. Public discussion opened at 7:48 p.m. There was none. Public discussion closed at 7:48 p.m. Coo par moved to defer discussion of amandments to the Zoning Ordinance, Section 36.58, Off.Street Parkln9 Requirements, Section 36-60, Sign Regulations, and 36.9, RFBH, Factory Built Housing Residential Zone, to allow consideration of certain I' q() ; i ! : l., i ~ Iii" II " il Ii I!' :i t ~ i ,Ii'- Ii :1 II I j,t r< f: 11 J I I, } ii " " , , , ...",.~. - "'1 ~~ ~..... ~ ..,-, ....~-- , , , , ',' ,-" I~" ", '" I -, " I' - ~ / ' "L1' ..' 1 ,.-;, . , , -, ., .' r . " I . i, r ... ,. -. " '. , '1 J ; Planning and Zoning Commission July 29, 1993 Page 2 commercial uses as provisional uses In the RFBH Zone to September 2, 1993. Gibson seconded. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. 2. ANN92.0003. REZ92-0015. Public discussion of an application submitted by Sycamore Farms Company to annex an approximetely 420 acre tract of land located south of Highway 6 and the south corporata limits. and to rezone the parcel from County RS, Suburban Residential and R3A. Multi-Family Residential, to RS.8, Medium Density Single-Family Residential; RM'12, Low Density Multl.Family Residential; RFBH. Factory Built Housing Residential; CC-2. Community Commercial, end CN.l, Neighborhood Commercial. (45-doy limitation period: waived to September 2, 1993.) Miklo said staff recommends this item be deferred at the applicant's request to August 19,1993. Public discussion opened at 7:49 p.m. Thare was none. Public discussion closed at 7:49 p.m. Gibson moved to defer ANN92.0003 and REZ92.0015 to August 19, 1993. Dierks seconded. The motion carried on a 5.0 vote. 3. REZ93.0007. Public discussion of a City-initiated application to rezone an approximately 17.08 acre tract of land located generally on the east and west sides of Harlocke Street and north of Highway 1 West from RM-44, High Density Multi- Family Residential, to RM.20, Medium Density Multi-Family Residential (epproximately 5.5 acres) and RM-12, Low Density Multi-Family Residential (approximately 11.58 acres). Dierks said she is a resident of this neighborhood. and was on the neighborhood side of this issue when it was before the Planning and Zoning Commission ten years ago. To avoid the appeerance of a conflict of interest, she excused herself from the discussion. Miklo said the Commission had requested topographic maps, photographs of the area, and other information at its July 26 informal meeting. Staff planned to respond to that request at the Commission's August 16 work session. He added staff recommended deferral of this item until August 19, 1993. Public discussion opened at 7:51 p.m. Dave Dierks. 905 Weeber Street. presented a brief slide show, displeying the ley of the lend and the current traffic problems in the area. Dierks said, according to research he had done, twelve yeers ago Roosevelt Elementary had a student population of 162 students and there was discussion of Closing the school; bounderles were redrawn and students were bused in to increase lhose numbers. He said with the Irving Weber I(,~O , , 1 : I, ~ !; 1, II: I: Ii il ii, 1 I" 'I " " i :; Ii , 'I i, :1 I.: 1.; Ii ; " I I I !' I I r I I' , 'I , , .,i ;1 i , , ~ --.---"" ~ ~ ~..... ~ ;' ..... - I', ..:.." "..'.: -' /-': " , t f' L/' ,', "" ,c, , . \ ,. . r ~, '-', ""'..., "I, "'ll ' " ' :' ", ~,.:., .;:. -_. "" ~.' ,:,. ", .~- " .,' Planning and Zoning Commission July 29, 1993 Page 3 School being constructed on Rohret Road. those numbers will again begin to decline. None of the current tenants on Harlocke Street have school-aged children. If the area in question is downzoned to RS-5, there would be a better chance of keeping young children going to Roosevelt Elementary rather than necessitating building new schools. William Knabe. 1101 Weeber Circle, said he appreciated the opportunity to speak again to the Commission about an Issue which is so much an intricate part of the past. present, and future of the neighborhood. He said by now it should be very clear to the Commission that the residents of this area are most interested in preserving the quality of life in the neighborhood. its scenic beauty, the longevity and spirit of togetherness emong its neighbors, and its continued service and support to the community. Knabe seid the City's Comprehensive Plan supports the residents' recommendation for single-family residential development of this tract of land. He said there is sometimes confusion between the Comprehensive Plan and a Zoning Code; the Comprehensive Plan is a compendium of policy statements which have been worked out by the City for the purpose of the future development of the City. He quoted a paragraph from the Comprehensive Plan: "Once adopted, the plan provides notice to present and future governing bodies and to the citizenry of what to expect in terms of such issues as land use; economic development, the construction of public facilities, etc... The Comprehensive Plan also serves as a legal basis for development regulations and decisions. " Knabe noted the Comprehensive Plan also provides several definitions of a neighborhood. He said neighborhoods provide familiar surroundings and are a very Important component of Iowa City. He quoted from the Comprehensive Plan: "Residential neighborhoods are basic units of a city. Socially, neighborhoods are strong forces in the development of individual and family life. Neighborhoods provide a network of interactions which reinforce in residents a sense of identity and belonging. It is the policy of the City of Iowa City to preserve end protect the unique ettributes of Iowa City's public and private neighborhoods, as identified by the City, for the general welfare of the community at large." Knabe said the Comprehensive Plan attempts to provide necessary support for neighborhoods in terms of traffic, schools, and utilities. He said there is every effort within the Comprehensive Plan to give neighborhoods the prominent place thay deserve in the community. Knabe noted, according to the 1962 zoning map for Iowa City, the area in question was zoned R 1 A, Single-Family Residential. He said. according to the development sequence map included in the Comprehensive Plan, the same area Is due for development as Phase I, 1989-1991. That is, this area has the most capability of being developed in terms of City services end utilities. He said this reinforces tha nel9hborhood's view not to oppose development of this area, but area residents have concerns about how it is developed. ,"~O 'I I, II II I i ~ Ii. 1\' /L I, I: " I., j [. " II 1'1 :1 I I , I.' I Ii , I ;j . .' . . ".' i _' r/,' "L/" .(/.- "'ill' ' ,,' ' , , ';' '. J~ . '~" " 1 '; ~. I""!'"'_. ,<' ,I, T' .' Planning and Zoning Commission July 29. 1993 Page 4 Knaba displayed a map resulting from one of the amendments to tha Comprehensive Plan showing the sequence of residential development. The area in question was included in Phasa I on that map. He said this area has always been viewed as appropriete for residential development according to the Comprehensive Plan. He also displayed a land use map from the Comprehensive Plan, noting the erea in question was designated 2-8 dwelling units per acre. He said that allowed for either RS-5 or RS-8 zonin9. He said, according to the Comprehensive Plan, this area has always been viewed as property thet would be developed et the lowest possible residential densities. Knabe said the Harlocke-Weeber Neighborhood Association had presented a proposal including four recommendations to the Commission at the July 15, 1993 formal meeting. He said the first recommendation was that Harlocke Street should be mada into a cui-de-sac. He added the neighborhood is willing to see Harlocke Street extended to serve the area. assuming that the density assigned to the entire piece of property is no greater then RS-5, and es long es that extension ends in a cui-de-sac ' end is not connected to Benton Street, Miller Street, or Highway 1. In response to a question from Gibson, Knabe said the neighborhood had no objections to extending Harlocke Street completely into the undeveloped area. Knabe said the Neighborhood Association's second recommendation was to assign the lowest density possible, RS-5, to the property under review. He said the residents stend by that recommendation because it is a substantiation of the Comprehensive Plan. , , , " \ , Iii I, I' I! i: II I " " , I\' I I " ri n , I': i , " I I 'I , I I Ii , , II I Knabe said the third recommendation was that as much land as possible in the area under review be assigned as open space. He said the neighborhood would like to see the beeuty of the subject property preserved as much as possible. He noted thera was currently no park in this neighborhood. He beseeched the Commission to include the residents in any discussion of open spece in the development of the subject property. Knaba said the final recommendation wes that the Commission consider the subject property es part of a larger picture and declare the north side of Highway 1 from Miller Street to Sunset Street as residential. He said thet area is already designated as residential in the Comprehensive Plan, with the exception of a small piece of commerciel property on the west side of Miller Street. Knabe said the residents of the neighborhood are merely asking the Commission to implement the Comprehensive Plan. Knebe said a great deel of discussion took place ten years ago in an effort to find a compromise. He had spoken with three prominant developers in Iowa City and esked whether the subject property could be developed with a profit at an RS-5 zoning; all three concurred that it could end geve Apple Ridge and Village Green as exemples. Jeffrev Gaithier. 1 108 Weeber Circle, recognized and appreciated the efforts put into the development of the Comprehensive Plan. He fell it provided a good benchmark on how to proceed with this issue, He had reviewed the basic policies Included in the I "~O '-- IlIIl --4l. . ~. - - "l - ~....-~ ..-'.....- ........ ...~---~-1~.... ....~_. ...~ , . I - t(.../' . "" '-I' ;otl . ".' , . ,\ . 1"--' ./ , ' U' . .' . \ I. " , , I." ~,'_. '.b . , ", - I'j " Planning and Zoning Commission July 29. 1993 Page 5 Comprehensive Plan and cited the fOllowing policias as germane to the issue at hand: re-eveluate zoning districts in neighborhoods where identified conflicts exist; utilize woodlands, flood plains and creek areas es positive locational criteria for parks and open space; locate low densitY.1esidential uses along local streets; utilize physical barriers such as parks and Iineer greenweys as transitions or buffers between different lend uses; where possible, zone to achieve gredual land use change; require architectural or natural bullers between Incompatible land uses; minimize the negative impacts of arterialtreffic on residential neighborhoods; designate potential arterial streets prior to development to ensure adherence to all erterial street standards, particularly those standards addressing limited access, adequate buffers, and sufficient rights-of-way; preserve to the maximum extent possible, the desired characteristics of existing residential neighborhoods through appropriate street design; provide for adequate secondary access to residential subdivisions through the subdivision approval process; in instances where development is deemed desirable and land ownership restricts provision of necessary secondary access, the City may intervene to condemn . land for access; establish a system of welkways in Iowa City and provide safe passegeways for bicyclists; require minimum open space allocation as part of the subdivision process; locate neighborhood parks within walking distance of all residents living in areas where housing densities are greater than two dwellings per acre; rehabilitation and investment in existing neighborhoods should be encouraged to maintain existing housing stock and preserve desirable neighborhood characteristics, particularly in older neighborhoods; preserve and promote the creation of buffer areas and open space; and preserve and protect unique attributes of Iowa City's public and private neighborhoods. Gaithier encouraged the Commission to consider the policies he had cited from the Comprehensive Plan and the investment the residents have made in their neighborhood when deciding the proper zoning designation for this area. Brenda Takata. 941 Weeber Street, agreed with the comments made by other ' residents of the neighborhood. She had only lived in the neighborhood for two weeks but becoming a resident of this particular area had been a dream of hers for eight years. She said she had spent nearly eight years investigating different areas of the country to find the highest quality of life. After much research, she had chosen Iowa City and this particular neighborhood. Takata said she wes passionately committed to the preservation of the character of this neighborhood. It was very upsetting to her to find that character might be in jeopardy. She was amenable to more single-femily homes in the area, but only if there was a demonstreted need for more homes. Charles RUDoert. 1406 North Dubuoue Road. read from a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission. briefly outlining the zoning history end topography of the subject property, He requested that the ,land remain zoned as RM-44 at the present time. He did not understand the request to cui-de-sac Harlocke Street since it was already closed off. He believed tho airport would never be located so as to place this property in an airport overlay zone, as implied in the recommendations to the Commission presented by the Herlocke-Weeber Neighborhood Association at the July 15, 1993, meeting, ItD~O , , . " ~ 1 II: I' I H. r ,; I' I II i i I' il- ,: I;' I I, Iii Iii \1 II , I I t I II I: ',j , " , ','." ( . 0 - - I ,1 '" '.,' '~-/','L/ ""'/'-t, ", ",,: '; ,f~~"., ::: .', I.J. ,-. :. ". '" , .' , " i. Plenning and Zoning Commission July 29, 1993 Page 6 Public discussion closed at 8:46 p.m. Gibson moved to defer REZ93.0007 to August 19. 1993. Cooper seconded. ~ motion carried on a 4.0 vote. Gibson noted the Commission had received conflicting testimony on the history of the zoning and Comprehensive Plan provisions for this aree. He requested that staff review and provide a factual history for the August 16 informal P&Z Commission meeting. Recessed et 8:50 p.m.; reconvened at 8:57 p.m. with Dierks rejoining the meeting. 4. REZ92-0008. Public discussion of an application submitted by Michael and Vicki Lensing to rezone an approximately 8,850 square foot tract of land located at 617 Kirkwood Avenue from RS.5, Low Density Slngle.Family Residential, to CC.2, , Community Commercial. (45.day limitation period: July 29, 1993.) Miklo said staff had received a letter from the applicant requesting the epplication be amended to include 605 Kirkwood Avenue and that the proposed zoning be changed to CO.1, Commercial Office. He said the letter also requested the application be deferred until the September 2, 1993. formal meeting. Miklo said staff would notify surrounding' property owners of the revised proposal and present a memo with a recommendation regarding the revised proposal to the Commission for the September 2 meetin9. Cooper moved to defer REZ93.0008 to September 2, 1993. Starr seconded. ~ motion carried on a 5.0 vote. 5. REZ93-0013. Public discussion of a request submitted by Windsor Ridge Development Co. to amend the conditional zoning egreement for an approximately 240 ecre trect located east of Scott Park, south of Lower West Branch Road and north of American Legion Road that was rezoned from County RS, Suburban Residential, to RS-5, Low Density Single.Family Residential, on March 3D, 1993. Miklo reported the applicant had requested deferral of this item until August 19, 1993. Public discussion opened at 9:00 p.m. There was none. Public discussion closed et 9:00 p.m. Starr moved to defer REZ92.0013 to August 19, 1993. Cooper seconded. Dierks reported she had spoken with a representative of the Iowa City Community School District and had learned that the eestern most boundary of the school district I~~O , , , : I j , " I 'I 1 I, I Iii 1\ , I i " :i II I " I" " 'I, 1 r I" I I I I.' 1\ I !:i . Ii , I I:' II I; I ! Ii (. I I I , I I I II ,! I ;! . , . . '-.' : t'" " - -. , , ~-/ 'L/ "I" Id ' , . ' , , ' ',' : ': . '__' ':, _... " . ,~, J ':1 ,D " '" _'. ,I . : " j Planning end Zoning Commission July 29, 1993 Page 7 is east of Taft Avenue. Bovbjerg requested staff obtain a map of the school district boundaries for the August 16 informal P&Z Commission session. The motion carried on a 5.0 vote. DEVELOPMENT ITEM: 1. SUB93.0012. Public discussion of an application submitted by Windsor Ridge Development Co. for preliminary and final plat approval of Windsor Ridge, Part One, a four lot, 5.57 acre subdivision located north of American Legion Road and west of Taft Avenue in Fringe Area 5. (45.day limitation period: September 3. 1993.) Miklo seid the subdivision is in general compliance with applicable subdivision regulations and is ready for approval. He pointed out the subdivision will create parcels, portions of which will be used for public streets to gain access to the larger , subdivision that will be within the city limits, portions will be used for open space, end portions may be later subdivided into residential lots once this area is annexed Into the City. He seid staff recommended approval subject to legel pepers, a Grading and Erosion Control Plan, and construction plans being approved by City staff prior to Council consideration. Public discussion opened at 9:04 p.m. There was none. Public discussion closed at 9:04 p.m. Cooper moved to approve SUB93.0012, the preliminary and final plat of Windsor Ridge, Part One, a four lot, 5.57 acre subdivision located north of American Legion Road and west of Taft Avenue In Fringe Area 5, subject to: 1) City Attorney approval of legal pepers prior to Council consideretion; 2) submission and approval of a Grading and Erosion Control Plan by the Public Works Department prior to Council consideration: and 3) submission and approval of construction plans end design calculations by tha Public Works Department prior to Council consideration. Dierks seconded. The motion carried on a 5.0 vote. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 15. 1993. MEETING: Starr moved to approve the minutes of the July 29, 1993, meeting as distributed. Gibson seconded. The motion recolved a 3.0.2 vote. with Coooer and Dierks abstalnlna. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Consider setting a public hearing for August 19. 1993. on a resolution amending the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan by incorporating the amended Fringe Area Policy Agreement between Johnson County and Iowa City. liD~O , ' " \ I Ii I: I 1\ , II. I " " II, I I I I . I ' , , , ;./ I Ii ;} I' , " I I I I I j I I I I , I II, 'i (, :i " " " "'IIf"". --- ~~ ~- ~... ~ ,-'.....- '---"..--.-. ^-,.. .... ... - [- ,': n: ,:h"H, f] ,',: ,:'., , ,', -.: --, . . / " '.., , I ';,' -- "-... Planning and Zoning Commission July 29, 1993 Page 8 Gibson moved to set a public hearing for August 19, 1993. on a resolution amending the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan by Incorporating the amended Fr!nge Area Policy Agreement between Johnson County and Iowa City. Starr seconded. The motion carried S.D. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION INFORMATION: Mlklo noted he hed distributed a revised Urban Planning Division Work Program. The revisions were requested by the Council. which had a higher priority for ordinance emendments protecting wetlands, ravines, and wooded areas and revisions to the Planned Overlay District section of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the City to apply it to specific properties. Starr said he apprecieted the comments on the agenda referring to information in previous packets. He found it extremely helpful. In response to a question from Dierks. Miklo said the Weeber Street property is posted for RM.1'2 and RM.20. In the event the Commission decides to pursue another zoning classificetion, staff would need to re'post the signs and send out letters to all property owners within 200 feet to provide proper notice of the change. He said further discussions are needed about amending the Comprehensive Plan. He commented staff needs clear direction from the Commission before notifying the property owners. ADJOURNMENT: Starr moved to adjourn at 9: 12 p.m. Gibson seconded. The motion carried on a S.O vote. Ann Bovbjerg, Secretary Minutes submitted by Nancy Schreiber ....~1I7,29,mn '-'.'<,<..-"..,..,..<> . ,~qo -.-'-" .--. , ; I , , II , , ' t' Ii " 'I I, I, " i , I I , Ii 11' I!' 11 Ii " ~ I' n , ,I i 'I I I r II , , " , , , "'ff'I'. - i i /, " ',' \j' ",-~-, ~- ~ ..-'..... -- - -- ................ ---- 'f- ........,...... ... - ~ .,....,.,... \ t::, F1':i~/ H' :~ t ' :',', ,',,') : . -. . / (''I I, .\' --_. ~'o~) MINUTES COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY NEEDS JUNE 23. 1993 . 8:00 P.M. IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY. MEETING ROOM A MEMBERS PRESENT: ., ,Grace Cooper;' MaryAnn Dennis, Paul Egli (new member), Sue Feeney. Rusty Martin, Unda Murrey, Andy Penziner. Bruno Pigott. Keith Ruff. Marls Snider MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Oxley STAFF PRESENT: Marcl Lindsay, Marianne Milkman, Steve Nasby ~LL TO ORDER: Dennis called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CCN MINUTES OF MAY 26.1993. MEETING: . , Murray moved to approve the minutes of the May 26, 1993 meeting,. Ruff seconded. ~ motion carried 10.0. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER: Introduction of new member, Peul EglI from the Housing Commission. Peul replaces RobIn Paetzold as the representative to CCN from the Housing Commission. PUBLIC/MEMBER DISCUSSIOfo.j: At this time. the July meeting was discussed. CCN members had asked Nasby to inquire whether the Emergency Housing Project (EHP) would like the CCN members to visit their facflitles In lieu of their July meeting. Nasby contacted Merge Hoppln of EHP who suggested that 3.5 members of the CCN Committee could be servers for en evanlng at EHP and the rest of the Committee wes welcome to come to EHr and partake wilh the residents In theIr evening meel. The 'CCN members decided thet five of them would serve at EHP and the date would be Tuesday. July 27. The memb9rs that volunteered to serve were Pigott, Cooper, Martin, Feeney and Murray. Cooper also volunteered to coordinate the visit. '-"~~-'_k."~"_h"~', '''' '....._u..........,.. 1(, ~ l \ , J , i Ii 1 Iii I q - Ii il I" :1 j, " " ,:1,. l! : II ( r' 'I'; 'i , ), 'I J \: I , ""'JIIIII'"""'III(". I'; --- .--~~ - ~ ..........-.. - ..........--- -1~" - ~""'~..-".......--- \("'" "'II\'F ...~....-...,... -. \ , , , " , ,'t-:-/. L/ 'fY' .:t " , ' ' ::, " .. I ' " . . I , . '. _ ,.! ,:, _.~.. . I . .' \1 'I," "'-.. Committee on Community Needs June 23, 1993 Page 2 CITY COUNCIL UPDATE: Mery Ann Dennis announced a vacancy on the Board of Appeals. She also announced that there will be a City Council election on July 13 and thet people could begin voting absentee ballot at this point for that election. The candidetes are Bruno Pigott and Kathy Moyers. HOUSING COMMISSION UPDATE: Egli stated thet the CHAS has now become the main focus for the Housing Commission and its project at present is the Family Self.Sufficiency (FSS) program of the Public Housing Authority. FSS documents have been' submitted to the Housing Commission. These ' ' preliminary drafts will be reviewed and revisions made. In response to Milkman's question, Egli explained the FSS program, giving a basic overview and some of the stipulations. Milkman eleborated on how escrow accounts accumulated for the clients. She also explained that training in self.sufficlency skills for the persons Involved in the program would be undertaken. Lindsay said HUD mandates this program If Iowa City's Public Housing Authority wants additional Section 8 certificates and vouchers. Egli stated the next meeting for the HOUSing Commission was July 13 at 8:00 a.m. In the Iowa City Recreation Center. LIFE SKILLS MONITORING REPORT: Present from LIFE Skills were Gillian Fox, Executive Director, and Carolyn Corbin, who is the Housing Speciellst. Fox said they are receiving CDBG funds end that these funds are being used in support of thair housing curriculum program. Corbin stated, that the LIFE Skills program and housing curriculum had begun es more of a teechlng tool to keep persons In housing; however, now the focus hes slightly chenged because meny of the people who came to LIFE Skills had either already lost their hOUSing or were in a position where they were about tCllose their hOUSing. Also, there were a,number of clients that came to Iheir program that did not feel that they necessarily needed the hOUSing curriculum training. The clients coming to LIFE Skills at this time reelly need help finding hOUSing, so locating hOUSing is the focus of the program at this point. ",ql - ---'-. .- ~ \ ; I , I , II' ~ II! " Iii, I': , I, ( I' /:, I; , i; - ';,~ ::;'1 t: Ii ': I, 1 I! i " r , I I , Ii ! I I, i _-'l~_, , , '- . -l ' ' f - k ' . "'-V., " , ' ,:",'U ,;",l.:.,tj, :_- . , " ,,' " " '.---. Committee on Community Needs June 23, 1993 Page 3 LIFE Skills has served 39 individuals to date, exceeding their target of 30 for the year. Three quarters of the individuals served have found, housing or remain in their hOUSing units. The curriculum Is still being done for people in ~ousing in order to help them stay in that housing. LIFE Skills Is hoping this will help keep people out of the shelters. Also, LIFE Skills Is elso working to build reletionshlps with landlords, which is a very important pert of their program. Corbin expressed hopes to go to the Iowa City Landlord Association meeting leter in the year. Corbin feels it was important for landlords to have a person to contact for help with problem tenants. Corbin feels haVing this outlet for the landlords would enable, LIFE Skills to intervene before tenent problems force landlords to begin eviction, proce~ures. Corbili also noted thet many persons with Section S vouchers and certificates were haVing problems findin9 housing because landlords don't understand the program. The Local Homeless Coordinating Soard also has a 'Berriers to Affordeble Housing" peper which was provided to the CCN members. In addition, LIFE Skills has been doing outreach end are hoping to contact people who need their services. Corbin has been going to EHP, DVIP, and the Free Lunch pr09ram to find people who are in need of housing. Outreech Is a veluable end very important service to continue, in spite of a workload already exceeding their expected goels. Corbin said they also want to continue with the curriculum to keep people in hOUSing. However; most people have not expressed an interest in this, so they are doing more of an educational program through personal one.on-one contact and hands-on training. Corbin feels the progrem Is much needed and has gotten support from service agencles. In response to a question, Corbin said that eppro~imately 75% of their plients either receive Section S assistance or are on the waiting list. Fox said that some of their clients have been evicted from public housing units and some also owe the PHA money. They cannot get back Into public housing or on the list until the debt is peid beck, which is e big problem for a number of their clients. , The hOUSing curriculum has become a more hands-on training instead of classroom training. LIFE Skills clients practice Interviewing before they actually go to a landlord or an epartment manager. It Is Important for these clients because presenting themselves properly helps them /(,q I I, ~ I ( i, I ;; ~ Ii: Ii II' I, r ;1 I.. !I If I. I'i I: v Iii I: I i ! I, J i' " , 'I I, Ii , - . . -. - ~- ' '- It'" " r ' -, r "" ,,',,' '. " .", ,It /' ,,~/, h-" :~ ,,'. , , ",' , ~ , " t.... ',. ~(. ,- . / , " Committee on Community Needs June 23. 1993 Page 4 obtain housin9. Corbin has been checking on some clients informally by either stopping by their apartments or by talking to them over th~ phone and discussing their needs. Fox stated that a lack of money for',security deposits and/or rent is the biggest problem for a number of clients. In response to e question, Corbin answered that approximately 10-16 % of their clients had some sort of disability. In response to another question, Corbin seid that they operate on a first-come first-served basis, however, someone with an Immediate need for housing assistance would take priority. Milkmen esked if the ten week curriculum that they use was too short, and do they do follow up with their clients. Corbin answered that there's an official two month follow-up provision in the ~IFE Skills training but they also do it i,nformally through personal contacts because they see these people on a weekly or monthly basis. Fox elso stated that the agency was a/ways availeble to former clients and they will try to help them even If they are not officially enrolled in the program. This prevents persons they have helped from becoming evicted and becoming repeet consumers at LIFE Skills. Milkman asked what the incentive Is for,/andlords to house persons receiving Section 8 assistance. Fox said she egreed with the public comments at the CHAS meeting and specifically discussed the damage deposit requireG for e family with Section 8 assistance. Corbin seid it's sometimes hard or impossible to serve single Individuals who do not qualify for essisted housing because they do not wish to admit to heving a disability. LIFE Skills feels that these single individuals are falling through the cracks. 1992 CDSG MONITORiNG REPORTS: Pigott reported on the United Action for Youth (UA Yl acquisition of 422/owa Avenue. Pigott stated that UAY was1rying to raise $40,000 as e match and they were doing this through a series of fundralsers. Pigott said UA Y hes raised approximately $24,000 to date. He said he would contect UA Y end update those figuras. Murray reported on the Free Medical Clinic Laboratory project. She stated that the lab was completed and everyone wes very pleased, end felt it was a good project. Grace Cooper reported on the Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship Dup/ex Acquisition. She statad thet the 1992 CDSG allocation was for tha acquisition and renovation of four duplexes and that the GICHF would be taking hard-to-house persons off of Public Housing Authority liD ~ l ---.-.. ...- \ \ I' f ~ Ii ,II ir I~ I:; > I: 1" : Iii I /;, !: I'! I I I I I i! i "':"_.,.,....1f/IIIIII///(""... --- ---~ ----..,. -....--- "-e.. ..-, WlI..'" -- - -- ............--... ~ - - -- " , . , , ", .' , ". - r" -, , , ':' "fl ' :L/ " Fll1rc; '.',' . ",' ;. -. ," ,- ,,.... / . " i 'r --'-'-~"- Committee on Community Needs June 23, 1993 Page 5 lists as prospective tenants if they were denied housing previously. LIFE Skills is now assisting five households that ara involved .with the GICHF program. Cooper also stated that ., GICHF had become a United Way egency and had hired a staffperson, MaryAnn Dennis. Cooper added that the Fellowship now has a security daposit loan program. MONITORING REPORT FOR 1993 CDBG PROJECTS: Committee members chose 1993 CDBG to monitor in the coining year. A schedule will be sent out in the next packet for the September meeting. OTHER DISCUSSION: In response to a question ebout the status of the Press-Citizen Building project, Milkman stated that the new wrinkle in the project is the fair market rents (FMRs) recently published by HUD, because they lowered the FMRs for efficiency end one-bedroom units in Iowa City. Milkman stated that Burns says that he will go eheed with the project at this time. Milkman edded that a lot of cities experienced a decline in fair market rate rents, and that many projects were based upon the higher rents. Milkmen said FMRs decreased by about $70 for a one-bedroom, which is' ebout 15% of the feir merket rete. She seid In some cities the rate decreased by epproxlmately 30%. Milkmen said 1980 fair market rents for Iowa City were low; however, Iowa City petitioned end got them raised. Milkman said that she end the PHA are working together to do their own rental survey and to petition for higher FMRs. Milkman stated thet Burns' option on the building wes up, but there are not meny potential buyers. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Murray, seconded by Pigott, on a 10-0 vote, to edjourn at 8:55 p.m. , 1'Pd<<IJ91nin1\<cna.ll i.( I 1 , , : ~ '(,~l . ....--.,-....--.-. '. , II: , , ! I , ' Li Ii :. I, Ii 1\ if 'I Ii II' .. I,' I, Ii 'i , If I,: i'! 'I I: ~ I,; I I i I, :\ I I II 'I I " ,i ....,. ~ -- ........... ...~ - ... ...- ......~ ~--~ .-.-....-- _____~...I' ~ I~'" -.. ~ - ,.. ~. ,r -, ~ \ , , , " . (:-' n'". L/ ' U, b" , :,,' . . - , / / >"j ", , "'- ..-......-- ---~. --- 1993 CDBG MONITORING SCHEDULE I Seotamba( Mmh I City Land Acquisition - Dennis No monitoring reports I Prass-Cltlzan BUilding - Oxley 1 , I ESA Smell Repair Program. Ruff Ailtil Octobe( Press-Citizen BUilding - Oxley Systems, EHP, MECCA - Egli Downpaymant Assistance. Murray ESA Small Repair Progrem - Ruff MYEP Business Training. Feeney DVIP - Pigott I Systems. EHP, MECCA - EgII i, , I I, f: Ma!l ;:1 .:: Novalnbe( I I MYEP Business Training - Feeney Ii 1 Selvatlon Army - Snider City Lend Acquisition. Dennis ,I ; ICARE - Martin Salvation Army. Snider I, II II /1: GICHF (2 projects) - Cooper ICARE - Martin \ ~ 1\ d r Januarv ~ 'r L :H. I , Aid to Agencies. Murray GICHF . Cooper I City. County United Wey Hearings. Martin Downpayment Assistance - Murray LIFE Skills. Penzlner Aid to Agencies - Murray ! LIFE Skills. Penzlner , I' i Februar,< No monitoring reports ";, . ,;' ,." I 93mon.ch,ml ! 'I, I i " , ' 1\: " . ----..-.... 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