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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-04-18 Info PacketCity of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 13, 1989 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Proposed Park/Sports Complex - South Wastewater Treatment Plant The Parks and Recreation Commission has developed the attached program statement, which outlines their interest with respect to the construction of a new parks/sports complex. The complex would be located on the approximately 100 acres adjoining the south treatment plant site. At your informal meeting of Monday, April 17, I have scheduled this item for your review and discussion. As you may recall, we have suggested the development of a design contract with a park planning consulting firm to incorporate these ideas into a preliminary plan. In order to provide the consultant with some type of program guideline, the City Council would need to approve the general concept. The Director of Parks and Recreation and representatives of the Commission will be present so that you may discuss this matter. bj/pc2 X39 11-9-88 PROGRAM STATEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED PARK/SPORTS COMPLEX ADJACENT TO THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT I. Program Objectives (in order of priority) A. Centralize at this location, to the extent possible, all of the youth soccer activities for spring and fall league play, thus relieving pressure on Scott Boulevard, Willow Creek, Wetherby Park, and other locations. B. Provide a good adult softball complex at this location, to accommodate all adult softball leagues. C. Provide such auxiliary amenities to the park that users of soccer and softball facilities, and the families of the users, will find meaningful recreation/ leisure time activities to be enjoyed in conjunction with competition. D. Provide such sport -related amenities to make the complex a high quality experience for the softball and soccer participants. E. Retain a portion of the area in its natural state, thus providing for a natural preserve area and future development. j II. Program Parameters and Considerations I A. Soccer 1. Maximize number of fields (10-12 is optimum for current use). 2. Consider allocating area for future expansion and periodic "resting" of fields. 3. Spacing between fields is important to enhance both spectator comfort, and sound game administration. I j 4. Permanent goals are desirable where they can be installed without compromising the flexibility of the facility. 5. Hard -surfaced parking facilities should be as close as possible to competition sites, and should take into account the intergame increase in traffic. A. Soccer - continued 6. Central administration facility should include: a. Game administration area. b. First aid. C. Equipment storage for balls, nets, lining equipment, etc. d. Concession area. (Iowa City Kickers would volunteer to administer). e. Restrooms. 7. shelters (picnic and otherwise) in the soccer area should take into account the fact that soccer is often played in inclement weather. 8. The highly competitive portion of the facility should include bleachers, lights, and turf irrigation. (A scoreboard is not particularly desirable). 9. Availability of water for field maintenance is very important. 10. Rockford, Illinois, has a similar facility for comparison purposes. I B. Softball 1. Should include a four -diamond softball complex - lighted, completely fenced, dugouts, automatic irrigation, warm-up areas, bleachers, concession/restroom/maintenance facility, electric scoreboards, press boxes, etc. --all the amenities. 2. Central administration facility should include same items as in A.6. above. i 3. Tournament availability is an appropriate consideration. C. General Considerations 1. It is our opinion that this should be a family-oriented area whose design is geared to enjoyment by not only the sports participants, but also their families, friends, and companions. C. General Considerations - continued 2. Handicapped accessibility should be a very high priority throughout the planning/construction process. 3. Community groups should be involved with the planning process, to the extent possible. 4. An entrance to the park should be provided from the north, preferably near the extension of Sycamore Street. 5. Several picnic shelters and barbecue grills should be included to enhance the park concept. 6. Sufficient landscaping is very important to provide a park atmosphere. It is particularly important to "separate" the complex from the treatment plant with trees and miscellaneous landscaping. 7. Nearby, but separate play areas for younger children should be incorporated into the overall plan. 8. If possible, the park area should include a pond, with some type of recirculation device, perhaps a spray fountain, to prevent stagnation. 9. Ample, hard -surfaced parking should be a high priority. i -3- G39 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: April 12, 1989 TO : City Council FROM: City Manager R E : Pending Development Issues A request submitted by Aero Rental for approval of a preliminary and final LSNRD Plan for property located at the southwest quadrant of the Kirkwood Avenue and Gilbert Street intersection (45 -day limitation period: May 15, 1989). Amendments to the preliminary PDH plan submitted by Michael Hodge Construction Company for Summit Place, a 1.69 acre development located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and Marcy Street (45 -day limitation period: April 20, 1989). A request submitted from the Joseph Company to rezone approximately 28 acres on the south side of Highway 1 West from I-1 to CC -2 - conditional zoning proposal (45 -day limitation period: April 20, 1989). A request submitted by Sign Tech of Iowa, Inc., to amend the sign regulations of the Zoning Ordinance to permit animated identification signs that show stock quotations as provisional signs allowed in the CO -1, CN -1, CH -1, CC -2, CI -1, CD -2 and CB -10 zones. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Dale: April 7, 1989 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Commercially Zoned Land The other day, a developer approached Patt Cain expressing interest in a new shopping center in Iowa City (not Wal-Mart). Specifically, they were Interested in securing 20 acres of zoned commercial property. When we advised them there were no such large commercially zoned parcels in the community, the developer was somewhat disturbed. In order to provide you with some background on the commercially zoned land in our community, the attached represents a summary, which we maintain and update frequently, of the various commercial zoning in the city. As you can see, the largest parcel of now available for a shopping center is j approximately four acres. This information is not an Indication that we need to pursue a comprehensive review and recommendations concerning large scale commercially zoned parcels but simply to give you some Idea of the current Inventory of land available. We continue to receive frequent inquiries about the commercial development, as developers advise us of the desirability of the Iowa City market. tp5.2 1,4 G� I VACANT C"ERCIALLY ZONED LAND CC -2 Community Commercial Pepperwood Place - 2 lots .6 acres .56 acres Gilbert.Street - 2 lots .09 acres .009 acres Gilbert Court .08 acres Sturgis Corner (various parcels) 4.12 acres Highway 1 West - I lot .09 acres Highway 1 West & Miller Avenue 53 acres I i Highway 1 West frontage 4.1 acres i 1st Avenue OB acres Mall Drive subdivision - 6 lots Ohls subdivision - 5 lots Eastdale Mall - 3 lots 11.68 acres Lower Muscatine Road - 1 lot 21.94 acres ^� „p,,.;-, DEVELOPED AND FOR SALE - zoned CC -2 acres ,.18 05 acres .23 acres 22.11 acres ri i CO -1 Commercial Office Empire Addition - ACT Circle 4.93 acres Northgate Corporate Park 42-3 acrgss. 47.66 acres t CN -1 Neighborhood Commercial ' ( Mormon Trek & Westwinds Drive 10.00 acres (approximately) 7.00 acres (approximately) _ Court & Scott acres (approximately) 1st & Rochester .00 9.00 acres CI -1 Intensive Commercial 4 e1 Na.�LiF6 i West Side Park 59.6 acres FirN ess 00 are (approximately) 1 Boyrum 6-1-.-6—acres CB -10 Downtown 64(1-a) (next to Holiday Inn) 89 acres CB -2 Central Busines Service City of Iowa city MEMORANDUM Date: April 13, 1989 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K Karr, City Clerk �4 Re: 1990 Census As you may recall, the City Manager has given me the opportunity to serve as the designated City staff person for the 1990 census. Associate Planner Monica Moen has agreed to help on this project. In order to direct the City's involvement in this census process and assure a thorough and accurate count, we will be forming a committee to assist In the management of this process. Monica and I have contacted men and women from all segments of the community to assist us. A membership list is attached. Our first meeting is scheduled for April 18. It is our desire to meet on a regular monthly basis, with additional scheduled meetings if necessary, until completion of the census. The basic reason for taking the 21st census Is the same as cited 200 years ago in Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, that is, to apportion representation among the States in the House of Representatives. Census numbers are also used to redraw State and local legislative districts. Beyond political representation, however, there is a great deal of Federal and State money in the final census numbers. Despite recent cutbacks, billions of Federal dollars for a wide range of programs are stili redistributed to local governments based on population, age, income, and other census statistics, These dollars reflect the $607,000 CDBG funds from HUD received by Iowa City alone. I'll be keeping you informed as we move closer to Census Day, April 1, 1990. cc: City Manager Monica Moen bc4.1 4 OA 1990 CENSUS COMMITTEE Marian K. Karr, City Clerk 410 East Washington Street 356-5041 Monica Moen, Associate Planner 410 East Washington Street 356-5047 Phillip G. Hubbard, Vice President Student Services, University of Iowa 105 Jessup Hall 335-3555 F. Jack Newman 2038 Ridgeway Drive 351-4167 Mrs. Dottie Ray 1851 Melrose Avenue 338-1960 I Pepe Rojas -Cardona, President -Elect Student Senate, University of Iowa Iowa Memorial Union 335-3263 Jean Snow, Director Elderly Services 28 S. Linn Street 356-5215 6 �fw� City of Iowa City - MEMORANDUM &4044 kae DATE: April 10, 1989 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Bill Sueppel, Assistant City Attorney WAS RE: Airport Commission By -Laws A question has arisen concerning whether it is necessary for the City Council Rules Committee to approve and ratify any changes to the Airport Commission's By -Laws. It is my opinion that the Rules Committee does not need to take any action to approve or ratify amendments to the Airport Commission By -Laws. The Airport Commission, once established, is granted all of the powers in relation to airports granted to cities under state law (Section 330.21, Code of Iowa, 1987). An Airport Commission is an independant and autonomous body with full power and control over the operation of the airport. (Op. Atty. Gen., May 1, 1978). The authority and autonomy that has been conferred upon the Airport Commission creates an independant commission similar to the Library Board. It is my understanding that the City Council Rules Committee does not approve or ratify amendments to the Library Board By -Laws. Likewise, I do not believe it is necessary for the Rules Committee to ratify amendments to the Airport Commission By -Laws. The Airport Commission By -Laws, like the Library Board By -Laws, fall Within the control of the Commission and need not be over seen by the Rules Committee. That being said, I have also attached a copy of the Airport Commission By -Laws, approved by the Commission, February 21, 1989. I believe that all of your concerns have been addressed and were incorporated into the finalized version of the By -Laws. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at my office. c.c. Steve Atkins Richard Blum Ron O'Neil 6 V03 BY-LAWS IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT COMMISSION ARTICLE 1. MEETINGS -- Section 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of this Commission shall be held monthly. Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the Chairperson or shall be called by the Chairperson at the request of 3 members of the Commission. Section 3. Place of Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held in the Terminal Building at the Iowa City Municipal Airport or .other appropriate meeting place should the Terminal Building not be available. Section 4. Notice of Meeting. Notice of the Airport Commission meetings shall be given in accordance with the Open Meetings Statute of the State of Iowa. Section 5. Ouoru A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, and the majority of votes cast at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decisive of any motion or election. A change in the by-laws shall require a i majority vote of the full Commission. (See Article V., Section 1.) Section 6. Action. Once a matter is discussed and voted on by a quorum, the majority vote shall prevail. Section 1. Proxies. There shall be no vote by proxy. Section 8. Public Discussion. Time shall be made available during all regular meetings for public discussion. I I I ARTICLE 11. MEMBERSHIP -- Section 1. Qualifications. The Airport Commission shall consist of five (5) members. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor and— approved by the City Council. All members of the Commission shall be qualified electors of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, and shall serve as such members without compensation but shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of their duties. Section 2. Term. New members shall be appointed for a six-year term. The appointment shall be made during the month of February, with the Commissioner assuming office upon appointment. Section 3. Incomolete Term. In the event any member is unable to complete his/her appointed term, the vacancy shall be filled for the duration of the unexpired term by the process described in Section 1. Section 4. kagnces. Frequent unexplained absences of a Commission member may result in a recommendation to the Mayor from the Commis- sion to discharge said member and appoint a new Commission member. Section 5. Orientation of New Members. meeting following their appointment, new with copies of the pertinent portions of Commission By -Laws, and other documents Commission members in carrying out their given an orientation briefing by members City Staff, the Airport Commission, and appropriate. Prior to the first regular members shall be provided the Code of Iowa, Airport that could be useful to duties. They may also be of the City Council, the others as may be deemed 6493 OFFICERS -- Section, 1. Number. The officers of this Commission shall be a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, each of whom shall be elected members of the Commission. Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of this Commission shall be elected annually at the March meeting in each year; if the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as is convenient. Section 3. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise shall be filled by the members for the unexpired portion of the term. Section 4. Chairperson. The Chairperson, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, appoint committees, call special meetings and in general, perform all duties incident to the office of the Chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed i by the members from time to time. Section 5. Vice -Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson or in the event of his/her death or inability or refusal to act, the Vice -Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the i restrictions upon the Chairperson. The Vice -Chairperson or his/her designated representative shall be responsible for keeping the official minutes of the Commission, filing the minutes and official documents and shall certify the bills approved for payment by the Commission. The Vice -Chairperson shall be designated as the Commis- I� sion Secretary. G093 ARTICLE TV. CONDUCT OF COMMISSION AFFAIRS -- Section 1. Agenda. The Chairperson, or his/her designated represen- tative shall prepare an agenda for all regular and special Commission meetings. Agendas are to be sent to Commission members, at least three days prior to the regular meetings. In the event of a special meeting, a minimum of 24 hours notice shall be given. Section 2. Recording Secretary. A recording secretary, not to be a Commission member, shall be provided for at all regular and special meetings. Section 3. Minutes. Minutes of all regular and special meetings are to be prepared and distributed to Commission members and the City Council within 2-4 weeks of the meeting. Section 4. Policies and Programs. Periodically the Commission shall review the policies and programs of the City, County, and Regional Planning Commissions relating to the Municipal Airport and make such recommendations to these bodies as are deemed appropriate. Section 5. Referrals From Council. Periodically, letters, requests for information, requests for recommendations, and other matters are referred to the Commission by the City Council. The Commission shall initiate consideration of such items at the next regular meeting following receipt and shall notify the Council of the disposition. Section 6. Attendance at Council Meetings. The Commission Chairper- son or designated representatives are to be in attendance at all City Council meetings, including informal sessions, at which matters pertaining to the Municipal Airport are to be discussed or action taken. The Commission Chairperson is to receive Council agendas prior to each Council meeting and is to be otherwise notified of meetings involving Airport business. Section 7. Annual Report. An annual report, detailing the ac- tivities of the Commission, shall be prepared by the Chairperson or his/her designated representative, approved by the Commission, and submitted to the City Council. 6 V03 ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS -- Section 1. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by the members at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose. All amendments must be approved by a majority vote of the full Commission. Section 2. These by-laws shall prevail as written unless any part thereof stands in conflict with the Code of Iowa, in which event the Iowa Code shall prevail. Section 3. In all procedural matters not specifically provided for in the by-laws, the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail. Amended and approved on 21 February , 19 89 airperson Vice Ciairperson G�3 W SOUTHEAST IOWA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE P.O. Box 1010 Oskaloosa. Iowa 52577 (515) 673.8746 — PRESIDENT — ATTENTION: Southeast Iowa City Officials and Associate Members LEROY PETERSON Council Member. OSkalOO$a The April, 1989 meeting of the Southeast Iowa Municipal League will — VICE PRESIDENT — be hosted by the City of Iowa City. REBECCA REYNOLDS -KNIGHT Mayor. Bonaparte Meeting Date: April 19, 1989. — DIRECTORS — RAYGASPERI Where: Highlander Inn, located at intersection of Interstate 80 6 Mayor, Keomah Village Hwy. 1, on northeast edge Of Iowa City. JEANETTE PHILLIPS Council Member, Muscatine Social Hour 6 Registration: 5:30 P.M. CARL RADOSEVICH Buffet Dinner: 6:30 P.M. Cost $11.00. Mayor, Ottumwa ROBERTA BOITSCHA Program: Karen Merrick, Historic Preservation , Mayor. Hillsboro — IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT — Business Fleeting: Progress report from Newsletter Committee JERRY RIGDON Report from committees on fund balance Council Member. Burlington Every elected and appointed City Official is welcome. You do not — SECRETARY -TREASURER — JIM HUFF need t0 be a member to attend. Please distribute this notice to City Manager, Oskaloosa Mayor, Council Members, City Clerk and Manager or Administrator. Next Meeting: May 17 in Washington. Please fill out and mail (or telephone) your reservation by April 17 to: Marian Karr, City Clerk City of Iowa City City Hall Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5041 Number of R City or Associate Member City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 13, 1989 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Pioneer TeleTechnologies You may recall several months ago we authorized a temporary arrangement with Pioneer TeleTechnologies (PTT) and the owner of a property in the BDI Industrial Park. This authorization was to provide a temporary home for PTT as they began their work on a new permanent facility in North Liberty. i Since that time PTT has put their expansion plans in the Iowa City area on hold and now plan to remain in the property they currently lease in BDI. Internally, they are attempting to improve the working conditions to attract and keep the necessary workforce. PTT officials have expressed general concern about the ability to find sufficient employees in the Iowa City area to meet their contractual requirements. i It is difficult to predict whether this new business might eventually expand into a new facility here; but, for the short-term, the business will remain. However, we need to be aware of the importance of labor force issues in the expansion of our local economy. Recently, PTT announced an expansion into Wichita, Kansas. According to the published report, "Iowa's rapid economic expansion and low unemployment rate forced PTT to look outside the state for workforce demands." bj/pc2 G os City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 13, 1989 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Pioneer TeleTechnologies You may recall several months ago we authorized a temporary arrangement with Pioneer TeleTechnologies (PTT) and the owner of a property in the BDI Industrial Park. This authorization was to provide a temporary home for PTT as they began their work on a new permanent facility in North Liberty. Since that time PTT has put their expansion plans in the Iowa City area on hold and now plan to remain in the property they currently lease in BDI. Internally, they are attempting to improve the working conditions to attract and keep the necessary workforce. PTT officials have expressed general concern about the ability to find sufficient employees in the Iowa City area to meet their contractual requirements. It is difficult to predict whether this new business might eventually expand into a new facility here; but, for the short-term, the business will remain. However, we need to be aware of the importance of labor force issues in the expansion of our local economy. Recently, PTT announced an expansion into Wichita, Kansas. According to the published report, "Iowa's rapid economic expansion and low unemployment rate forced PTT to look outside the state for workforce demands." bj/pc2 / , TP) t !_� � �c - G �s City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 12, 1989 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Sesquicentennial - Street Dance We have been requested by KRNA radio to allow a street dance from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. in the Plaza. The street dance will require issuance of a Type A sound permit. The ordinance specifies that the sound permit can only be issued during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. As I am sure you can appreciate, the street dance is one of the main events of the upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration. Additionally, it is to promote a fund-raiser for the Children's Miracle Network. To amend the ordinance would require a somewhat extensive process and quite frankly, I feel the sound permit policies to date have worked well. I have assumed the responsibility and have agreed and directed that a permit be issued which would extend the time from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 P.M. The parties have been notified and unless I would hear differently from the City Council, it would be my Intent to approve this permit. SJA/sp/PC-3 cc: Marian K. Karr G �� City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 11, 1989 To: Police Personnel From: City Manager Re: Police Chief Recruitment As I am sure you are all aware, we are actively involved in the recruitment process for a new Chief of Police. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you an update. Eight candidates have been interviewed for the position and following the interview, a few candidates were selected for detailed and lengthy background checks. Additionally, these selected candidates returned to Iowa City with their families for a series of follow-up interviews. I am sure you can appreciate the scheduling for such follow-up interviews is difficult, particularly in attempting to meet the candidate's family needs. We had extended an offer to an individual and the offer was rejected due to personal family commitments. Therefore, we are continuing our review process. I have chosen to interview additional candidates and therefore it may be some time before an announcement. While it may seem that it takes an extraordinary amount of time, the need for the extensive background as well as involving the families in this decision-making is crucial, I believe, to making the appointment. I will keep you advised. SJA/sp/PC-3 G 147 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1989 To: Mayor and City Council From: Susan M. Horowitz He: City Council Session on April 11, 1989 The Council session with Planning and Zoning Commission members was useful for acknowledging the work performed by the Commission and staff with respect to the updated Comprehensive land Plan. It was useful for providing all of us with a time deadline for reading the proposed theoretical and practical uses of land in Iowa City which we might not otherwise have done. My enjoyment of the get together was dampened somewhat by a lack of spirited discussion about major proposals or assumptions in the policies and sequence of development. Somehow only the Mercy Hospital expansion was actively discussed. I had hoped we would have broached the subject of taking more visionary approaches towards land use problems. For Instance, current traffic counts on North Dodge don't justify taking an aggressive measure to connect First Avenue to North Dodge and ACT has not progressed to a point of actively developing plans for the area. My thought is, why wait? Within the next 2- 3 years the City will incur increasing maintenance costs or devise other strategies to deal with increasing traffic southbound on North Dodge to below Burlington or even onto Jefferson to get to First Avenue. Couldn't Council be proactive on an Issue like this? We could minimize greater capital expenditures for a developed part of the City by taking an initiative of a street design in an undeveloped area which we eventually want and which could divert/alter traffic patterns now in the north and east sides of the City? Another example is the Benton Street bridge area. We appear to be promoting a traffic pattern such that from a two lane street (Benton) you head east, go past City Carton which has just leased the rights to the old Iowa City Cement property from Crandic to increase their operations, go around the County Administration Building and either hit a dangerous left turn at Gilbert or go straight onto a two lane collector (IGrkwood). I use these examples as worthy of discussion. 40 2 And finally, the point I was trying to make regarding the insertion of words such as 'environment or line items such as 9ransit strategy" into the Policies Summary of a plan had to do with my opinion that the printed word is useful for jarring one's memory and stimulating further thought. When a public document contains key words the thoughts surrounding those words don't fade away as easily. For instance, I am amazed at how glibly I can answer people who question 'Why haven't we made Jim Glasgow repair the damage he did behind the Cliffs?" it is unbelievable that we still do not have an ordinance that either retrospectively or prospectively protects our fragile lands and we have no recourse for that land scar or any future one. I really appreciated the collegiality with which we were all enjoying ourselves the other night but I was frustrated that we didn't go deeper into discussion about some of the issues with which Planning and Zoning spent so much time wrestling. I hope that perhaps some of these Issues could be either discussed in an Informal meeting or perhaps at our goals and objective session. Thank you very much. i'. tp5-2 I Wfd IOWA CITY.• An lllm(mted Flis(ary looks not only at the pioneer past,:dready well explored, but also at the recent past, where the dust has barely sculal. The book takes its readers in wools and pictures from the rising brick walls of early Iowa City to the falling and rising brick walls of urban renewal—and beyond. meanwhile, the parallel stories of Johnsen County and the University of Iowa unfold. With eyes, mind, and amens author Gerald Man- sheim observes, and for more than thirty-five years Iowa City has been the main object of his observation. In this beautiful 8%x II sesquicentennial volume lie presents 385 "Iniomd black -and -white photogmpbs and twenty-three color pbotoymplhs of Iowa City and its surroundings. Iowa Citians, long in residence or lately arrived, tend to be investigative, literate, and interactive; consequently Gerald Mansheim, in support of a remarkable collection of photographs, illustrations, and maps, has written them a red history. "fLe price far each book is $29.95; a special leather edition is available for 539.95. This book is directly awilable from the following spr6aring organizations. Hawkeye Medical Supply, Inc. Iowa State Rank and'1'mst Company First National Bank Hills Bank and Rust Company City of Iowa City 'rhe book is alw available from the Friends of I lisutric Preservation by mail. Ocher retail locations are: Pnirie Lights Books, Iowa Book and Supply Co., Iowa City Arca Chamber of Com- merce, and Johnson County Heritage Museum. p „T1 ORDER FORM 0 r p � ;> yox Pleasesend meths following copies of r 3 Iowa City: /ht 111m trated History. Number hard back books '0 = @ $20.95rb y —Number leather bound books ..t @ $39.95 = (Dy w Shipping and handling— ` o. books @ $3.00 each = O p 'local ?J 0 Check or money order enclosed. ~ Make checks payable to O "Friends of Historic Preservation' or charge to my 0 MasterCard, O Visa ti Card Number Expiration Datc amn, Signature Cn Ordered By: � Name kC4 Address C n City Stats 'Lip tai ` Send as a gift to: y Name Address 7 G City- State 'Lip r Send this form to b ta a Friends of I Iistoric ['reservation P.O. Box 2001, Iowa City, IA 52244 . G G a 91 IOWA CITY.• An lllm(mted Flis(ary looks not only at the pioneer past,:dready well explored, but also at the recent past, where the dust has barely sculal. The book takes its readers in wools and pictures from the rising brick walls of early Iowa City to the falling and rising brick walls of urban renewal—and beyond. meanwhile, the parallel stories of Johnsen County and the University of Iowa unfold. With eyes, mind, and amens author Gerald Man- sheim observes, and for more than thirty-five years Iowa City has been the main object of his observation. In this beautiful 8%x II sesquicentennial volume lie presents 385 "Iniomd black -and -white photogmpbs and twenty-three color pbotoymplhs of Iowa City and its surroundings. Iowa Citians, long in residence or lately arrived, tend to be investigative, literate, and interactive; consequently Gerald Mansheim, in support of a remarkable collection of photographs, illustrations, and maps, has written them a red history. "fLe price far each book is $29.95; a special leather edition is available for 539.95. This book is directly awilable from the following spr6aring organizations. Hawkeye Medical Supply, Inc. Iowa State Rank and'1'mst Company First National Bank Hills Bank and Rust Company City of Iowa City 'rhe book is alw available from the Friends of I lisutric Preservation by mail. Ocher retail locations are: Pnirie Lights Books, Iowa Book and Supply Co., Iowa City Arca Chamber of Com- merce, and Johnson County Heritage Museum. Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Tuesday, April 11, 1989 - 4:40 P.M. Highlander Inn Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission, Tuesday, April 11, 1989, 4:40 p.m., Highlander Inn. Mayor John McDonald presiding. Councilmembers Present: McDonald, Larson, Horowitz, Ambrisco, Kubby, Courtney. Absent: Balmer. Planning & Zoning Members Present: Scott, Wallace, Cooper, Cook, Hebert, Clark, Dierks. Staffinembers Present: Atkins, Helling, Karr, Timmins, Franklin, Moen, Schmeiser. Tape-recorded: Reel 89-20, Side 2, 1 -END; Reel 89.22, Side 1, 1 -END, Side 2, 1 -END. McDonald stated that the joint meeting with Planning & Zoning would allow Council the opportunity to discuss concerns and questions re the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan Update. Franklin explained that the Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that does not set law; the Council will need to pass ordinances to actually implement the plan. Franklin said the Comprehensive Plan Update will be in a loose-leaf type format to enable staff to periodically Insert new studies into the document. Franklin said although this is intended to be a Comprehensive Plan, staff still needs to address a number of Issues including how much commercial and Industrial land should be available in Iowa City and when that land will develop. Franklin said future studies will be inserted into the Plan and the document will constantly be brought up to date. Franklin said there will need to be a balance between continually keeping the document up to date and having a planning document that people can use to project what will happen. Franklin stated the greatest change since 1983 is the construction of the water pollution control plant. Franklin noted there Is a misconception that the plant will open up Iowa City entirely to unconstrained development. She stated that, in fact, parts of Iowa City, particularly south Iowa City, the Village Green area and the northwestern part of the City will still experience constraints without additional capital improvements. Franklin said the proposed Comprehensive Plan Update is still in draft form and changes will be made to it. The document will include more graphic presentations and there will also be page numbers for each section. POPULATION PROJECTIONS: Franklin said that any population projections made for the year 2000 are questionable because they are based on hard data from 1980; when the City obtains the population figures from the 1990 Census, the projections will be updated. She indicated that population growth In the County as well as in the City should be considered. POLICY SUMMARY: Franklin said the policy summary summarizes all of the policy statements from 1978.1983 and 1989 as they are updated by the Comprehensive Plan Update document. Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 2 Horowitz referred to the Economic Development section, pg. 5, "Iowa City is encouraging economic development to improve the standard of living of its residents... while controlling the negative aspects of such growth (incompatible land uses, decline in environmental quality)." Horowitz noted that the environmental concerns are separated out in the Policy Summary section and are not integrated with the other policy statements. She referred to Policy Summaries, pg. 1, Land Use Policies, Existing Land Use, #3, and suggested it should read, "3, Zone undeveloped land areas adjacent to existing uses in such a way as to maximize compatibility and minimize negative environmental impact." Horowitz raised concerns that information relevant to environment will be removed from the policy documents, and forgotten. Franklin stated all policy statements should be considered when making decisions. Horowitz said the summary of policies should be cross-referenced. Wallace noted that the purpose of the Policies section was to summarize the statements and not repeat the rationale for each statement, Kubby concurred. LAND DEVELOPMENT: Developable Land Analysis. Moen presented information relating to developable land. Moen stated there are approximately 14,000 acres of land within Iowa City, and 4,450 acres remain undeveloped. Moen said most of the land is serviceable by gravity flow sewers. Moen said 325 acres within the city are in watersheds that drain away from the municipal sewage treatment plant and have to be either developed at a very low density or developed by a mechanical means such as a lift station to enter into the municipal sewage treatment system. Moen explained that if all the undeveloped land zoned for residential purposes were to be developed to date, it is expected that an additional 31,800 people could live within Iowa City. Moen said the proposed sewage treatment plant and the improvements to the existing plant are expected to have an excess capacity that would only permit an additional 12,700 people within the community. Moen said if figures are Included for industrial and commercial expansion and development, there would be less sewer capacity available to accommodate new residential development. Moen said proposed sewer facility Improvement will not accommodate development beyond approximately 12,ODO people. Courtney said the City has the ability to expand the sewer facility beyond the present proposal. Moen said the new south plant could be expanded in the future to allow full development of the community. Moen said full development within the community cannot occur under the sewer facility plans made to date. Larson asked if it was noted in the Comprehensive Plan Update if a large population growth would impact on the proposed policy. Moen said the economy and factors that would generate an increase in the population have not been predicted. Franklin said information will be changed as soon as new census Information is received. Courtney questioned the statements that the non -student population would eventually decline. Franklin said the non- student population is based on local birth and death rates and computed migration rates. Larson said the projected decline does not take Into consideration Iowa City's economic development efforts. Wallace explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission spent their first two Comprehensive Plan Update meetings debating population figures. Moen said the Comprehensive Plan Update will not fall apart if a large increase in population would occur, but that the rate in which things happen will escalate, and the role the City has to make a commitment to provide public facilities will have to be re-evaluated. Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 3 DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE Moen said the proposed development sequence is a policy guide that identifies public decisions that are going to affect private interests for development; the development sequence allows the City to anticipate and to phase the improvements that will be required or demanded by development. Moen said the proposed sequence is exclusively related to the order in which residential development will occur. Moen reviewed assumptions made to determine the sequence of residential development (Comprehensive Plan Update, Developable Land, Development Sequence, Assumptions, pg. 1). Moen said Assumption 1, "proximity to existing development," governs the sequencing of development. Development in close proximity to existing development will not require as extensive an expansion of municipal services as development farther out. Therefore, more population can be obtained at the least public cost to the City. Moen also noted that it is assumed the proposed wastewater system improvements will be implemented and will have a dramatic affect on the ability of the east side to accommodate development. Kubby asked what will happen if the population should increase and the CIP budget decrease. Moen said Council will need to weigh the costs and benefits of future growth and determine whether to spend municipal dollars for improvements for this development and whether changes are justified. Franklin said that if there is a spurt of growth the City Council could shift the burden of major infrastructure extensions to the developer through impact fees. Larson asked if residential development pays for itself. Franklin said there is a study that was done in a community outside of Chicago that demonstrated that if all costs are considered, including schools, the residential development does not pay for itself, but if schools are taken out of the equation of the cost of residential development is closer to the revenues generated by the development. Moen explained the community was divided into eight developable areas and within each area subgroups were defined according to the development potential of that area. Moen said 20 different subgroups were estimated within the corporate limits and each of the subgroups were evaluated based on development criteria as outlined on pages 2 and 3, Comprehensive Plan Update, Developable Land, Development Sequence, Development Sequence Criteria. Moen said staff also considered the development potential of areas immediately outside the corporate limits, primarily in Fringe Area 5 and Fringe Area 6. Moen reviewed the criteria and Sequence of Residential Development Residential Subgroup Scores as outlined, Moen said based upon the development sequence criteria identified, three phases of residential growth were identified, Moen referred to a map marking the planned phases of residential growth. Moen stated that the rate of development can accelerate in areas that are closer to existing development where fewer infrastructure improvements are needed, In the converse, the further the development is from existing development, the less population there is to assist in paying for the services extended; the areas are then least developable. Moen said an out - of -sequence development policy is incorporated in which the developer would be responsible for all of the costs of the development, including costs the City normally subsidizes. Moen said the developer would be reimbursed for the costs at such time that development progresses to that area or the development comes in sequence with the Comprehensive Plan. Cook noted that the Phase I areas of residential growth which include many in -fill areas seem to be more politically volatile. Moen said some of the Phase I areas are not easy to develop because of topographic and environmental constraints and cost of developing those areas may be more 7 // Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 4 than developing a flat piece of land. Clark said neighborhood opposition should be considered. Wallace suggested the final copy of the map should be made easier to distinguish the planned sequence of residential development. Kubby asked if only 100 persons move into Iowa City each year, who will move into the developable areas. Moen said the policy doesn't dictate that development occur, but is the public statement re the order in which it should occur. Larson asked why the City should estimate the most desirable sequence of development. Franklin said the City should estimate a sequence of residential development to allow the City to plan capital improvements. Franklin noted when the City considers the expenditure of public funds for capital improvements, the cost of City services (Police, Fire, Library, etc.) should also be considered. Kubby said by adding more environmental policies to the Comprehensive Plan Update, the Council will need to develop legislation to implement those policies. ANNEXATION POLICY: Moen said annexation occurs within a community when there is public interest to exercise control over a tract of land or for a public benefit such as controlling the development of land. Moen referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Land Development, Annexation Policy, pg. 1, "For reasons of providing area for expected residential growth, sufficient land exists within the community to accommodate new development; annexation of land for that purpose is, consequently not justified." Moen said if there is sufficient land within the existing corporate limits, it is then not desirable to annex additional land to accommodate residential growth. Moen presented Information regarding completing neighborhoods. Moen said a neighborhood is a collection of individuals that can collectively support the services that are required within an area. Moen stated that if annexation is contemplated, staff cautions that consideration should be given to annexing enough territory to develop a complete neighborhood. Moen said the City may use annexation to establish more control of land (Comprehensive Plan Update, Land Development, Annexation Policy, pg. 2 Land Use Control). Moen said there are municipal responsibilities and financial implications associated with annexation. Moen said the City will need the financial capability to extend services to an annexed area (Comprehensive Plan Update, Land Development, Annexation Policy, pg. 2 Cost/Benefit Considerations). Horowitz referred to the Northwest Area where boundaries for office development space in the residential area have been redesigned and asked if it is in the Interest of Iowa City to connect the City's sewer system with Coralville. Atkins said that concept has been discussed; because of the two watersheds in the Northwest area, it would be difficult for Iowa City to serve the area, and Coralville probably could serve that area. Moen said that staff expects annexation pressure in two areas within the County, immediately east and Immediately south of Iowa City. Moen referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Area Studies, Fringe Area 5 Study and Fringe Area 6 Study. Moen explained the east area of Iowa City will benefit substantially by the proposed sewage treatment facility improvements; consequently, the east area will be capable of reaching full development within the timeframe Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 5 of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Moen said that given the sewage treatment collection system will be capable of handling additional input, there will be pressures exerted beyond the corporate limit to annex. The Planning & Zoning Commission has taken the position that there is no need to annex land within Fringe Area 5 to accommodate additional residential growth; extension of services to annexed areas can only be achieved by limiting development opportunities within the city; and if development is permitted within Fringe Area 5,lt be done with the realization and full knowledge that development opportunities within the existing corporate limits are going to have to be restrained in order to accommodate development outside the corporate limits. Moen said staff had suggested there was no need for annexation of Fringe Area 5 and the Planning & Zoning Commission felt that the pressure to annex should be acknowledged and added to the development sequence. Horowitz asked what impact would there be on the fringe area agreement that addresses roads. Moen said the Fringe Area 5 agreement requires the application of City/Urban design standards and is consistent with the Fringe Policy. Moen said there is an area that annexation for the public benefit should be considered. Moen explained staff does suggest that the industrial parking area immediately east of the BDI development be expanded beyond Scott Boulevard. Moen stated it would benefit the City to acquire the tax benefits associated with the tax benefits associated with that annexation and industry could benefit by the extension of city services to the area. Moen said the new sewage treatment facility will be located within Fringe Area 6. Because of decisions to place drop connections along the Southeast interceptor, it betters the opportunity for development; and consequently, pressures to annex portions of Fringe Area 6 are anticipated. Moen said the Southeast interceptor that will connect the sewage treatment plant to Iowa City will be at a depth that will make all of Fringe Area 6 capable of being sewered by gravity sewers. Moen said within Iowa City's commitment to accept federal assistance for the new sewage treatment plant, Iowa City is obliged to make certain no environmentally sensitive areas are threatened as a result of the extension and development that can occur because of the availability of services. Moen said there are wetlands in Fringe Area 6 that should not be modified, destroyed or changed as a result of actions by the City. Moen said development of the south area of Iowa City should occur before development within Fringe Area 6 occurs. Moen said recognizing that development pressures may occur in Fringe Area 6, any development within Fringe Area 6 that does occur, should occur in conformance of city urban design standards. Moen said that ff development is allowed within a Fringe Area, some development within the existing corporate limits will be denied because of the limited sewage capacity available. Horowitz expressed concern that the provision of open space and the sequence of development did not apply to in -fill development. Moen said that Issue was not evaluated separately. Moen pointed out that the existing Infrastructure In the Inner City can accommodate additional development. Franklin said the Open Space Policy was never adopted and that, at a minimum, the policy needs to be adopted for the developing areas where it is feasible. Horowitz said it has not been well thought out how to develop the developed areas. Franklin suggested that these Issues could be part of the neighborhood planning discussed in the Inner City study. Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1969 Page 6 Horowitz referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Summaries, pg. 4, Community Facilities Policies, and suggested there should be a companion statement that reads "Purchase or acquire through dedication future sites large enough to accommodate schools, parks and other public facilities prior to the redevelopment of the neighborhoods which they are intended to serve.' Horowitz said the City is involved in redevelopment and a redevelopment policy should exist. Franklin said a needs assessment was not done for the Inner City area or the developed area. Franklin referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Summaries, p. 4, Community Facilities Policies, d. "Locate neighborhood parks within walking distance of all residents living in areas where housing densities are greater than two dwelling units per acre." Franklin said that policy applies to the entire city and gives directions to the City Council to foster the provision of neighborhood parks. Kubby said the Comprehensive Plan Update does not address parking needs in the high density residential area. Franklin said there was discussion in transportation section about transit and parking. Kubby said the Comprehensive Plan Update should address high density development and parking together. Casey Cook asked Horowitz if she distinguished between redevelopment and existing Inner City areas as in -fill development. Horowitz said she lumps it all together. Wallace asked if there was discussion about the annexation of Fringe Area 6. Moen said there was a suggestion at a Planning & Zoning Commission discussion that it may be desirable to annex the territory of land in which the interceptor and plant are located. Moen said if Council permitted development in Fringe Area 6, it should be consistent with the out -of -sequence development policy. POLICY ISSUES: Economic Development. Franklin said this section takes a more proactive stance and suggests the City may wish to participate in putting in infrastructure to encourage economic development. Kubby referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policies, pg. 3, Economic Policies, a, f, & g. Kubby said "a. Encourage commercial activity to take place in existing core areas or neighborhood commercial centers and discourage the proliferation of new major commercial areas; seems to conflict with "f. Provide and protect areas suitable for future industrial and commercial development; and 'g. Provide for the extension of infrastructure which will Induce development In areas designated for industrial and commercial growth' Franklin said staff can look at that section. URBAN ENVIRONMENT POLICIES: Franklin said these policies were adopted by the City Council. Kubby asked it buffer areas (pg. 3) apply to the entire city. Franklin said yes. Franklin noted these policies do require implementation ordinances. Scott said the Urban Environmental Policies are frustrating because the public will refer to the Comprehensive Plan Update policy statement and believe that there is something to prevent development. Larson said staff needs to present options to Council re how to Implement the urban environmental policies. Kubby said until the Urban Environmental Policies are implemented she has a philosophical conflict, re how to vote on development involving environmental issues, Clark said it is not fair to developers to not know what environmental policies will be applied. Councilmembers and Planning & Zoning Commission members discussed Urban Environmental Policies. Scott said environmental r- ii Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 7 concerns will be addressed when Planning & Zoning Commission considers the Subdivision Ordinance. Larson asked Planning and Legal staff for direction as to what are the policy options to accomplish in -fill development of environmental areas. Atkins said Council needs to prepare a work program for staff - outlining the five or six issues that need staff's immediate attention. Housing. Franklin said this section is based on the 1983 Comprehensive Pian Update and the Community Development Plan for 1987-89; stresses meeting the housing needs of special populations and rehabilitation of existing housing stock; addresses houses for new households and new families; and speaks to the possibility of the City becoming involved in providing affordable housing through participation in public/private ventures. Horowitz said parking should be addressed in this section. Franklin said parking problems are being addressed all of the time. Franklin asked if Horowitz felt the requirement for parking should be increased. Horowitz said yes. Franklin said it felt the requirement for parking is increased, the density for an area will be lowered. Casey said that maybe the ownership of cars should be discouraged. Casey said that increased parking requirements could reduce the City's ability to create affordable housing. Horowitz suggested the use of satellite parking. Larson asked if the First Avenue Housing project was discussed by Planning & Zoning. Franklin said it was not discussed in much detail, however everyone knew of the project. Atkins said a report re First Avenue project is being prepared for City Council and policy guidance re that project may be needed from Council. Kubby said it parking is not addressed in the housing section, what should decisions be based upon. Scott said parking is addressed on the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Issues, Housing, pg. 5.." Incentives such as density bonuses in planned developments and public participation in infrastructure improvements may be provided to produce more affordable housing," and pg. 2... "The City may, to foster the construction of affordable housing, enter into public/private partnerships to lessen the burden on the private sector of infrastructure costs." Franklin referred to the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Issues, Housing, pg. 4 Housing on Large Lots. Franklin said it has been pointed out in studies that in order to make it economically realistic for a developer to want to develop within the city, the City will need to look at its standards. Franklin said the large lot policy should not dominate the City's housing policy because it would fly in the face of affordable housing. Franklin explained this section raises the possibility of large lot development but also cautions that we have to look at the ramifications of large lot development. Larson asked if the out -of -city development of expensive housing, is viewed as a big problem. Scott said the developers that are developing large homes outside of Iowa City say Iowa City is missing out on a large number of projects because of the City's inability to provide large lot development. Horowitz asked that if the City would lower standards to allow large lot development, what basis would be used to review development in the fringe areas. Atkins said lower standards could be proposed for development of large lots within corporate limits without allowing such things as gravel roads. Clark said two acre lots, septic tanks, and no sidewalks could be allowed within certain areas within the corporate limits. Regarding secondary access, Scott said the Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended the possibility of condemnation proceedings to provide secondary access. Scott said the Planning & Zoning Commission is becoming increasingly more frustrated with their inability to I // Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 8 approve lots in particular subdivisions because of the lack of secondary access. Scoff said a public/private participation needs to be considered to put streets through properties to provide secondary access. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CENTERS Franklin said neighborhoods are defined to stress that the grocery -drug type of complex was the basis for the Neighborhood Commercial Center and the Neighborhood Commercial Center may be opened up to Include other uses provided that they provide for the day -today conveniences of neighborhood residences. Franklin said neighborhood emergency service medical clinics are addressed in this section. in response to Kubby, Franklin said convenience stores are permitted now. NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN SPACE: Franklin said this section is a reformatting of the open space plan that was presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission and was tabled indefinitely in 1985. Franklin stated this policy sets out that neighborhood open space for the entire city should be looked at, provides set selection criteria, looks at developing areas of the city, defines districts, does a needs assessment, and indicates that the potential way to implement acquiring open space in the developing area is through the mandatory dedication of open space through the subdivision process or fees in lieu of dedication. Franklin said this Is only policy and would need legislation adopted to implement this policy. Kubby asked if a timeframe has been established to look at open space in developed areas. Franklin said the issue of open space in developed areas is on a long pending list. McDonald said a majority of Council can decide which items on the pending list should be addressed first. Schmelser stated staff needs Council to prioritize items on the pending list, Schools. Franklin said in each of the area studios, the number of students that would be generated by full development of the area was calculated. Franklin said in most areas there will be a need for a new school facility or the school district will need to do something, such as boundary changes. Transportation. Franklin said there Is a policy statement on secondary access that addresses: 1) when the City will require secondary access; and 2) endorsing the concept that the City will become involved in condemnation. Franklin said a street network plan for the urbanized area will be developed by the JCCOG Transportation Division. Franklin said this section contains a statement about a coordinated policy on transit and parking, based on the Idea that the transit system and the use of the automobile to get from residential areas to the downtown are systems which are providing the same service. Kubby said the City does not have a transit policy. Horowitz said there was a transit policy in 1978. Franklin said that a transit policy should address coordination of transit and parking. Atkins stated he has been directed by Council to prepare a report addressing that issue. Horowitz suggested establishing a separate transit and parking policy under the Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Issues, Transportation, pg. 7, Transportation Policies. McDonald said Council needs to address the transit Issue soon. Council discussed transit and parking issues. Joint Meeting City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission April 11, 1989 Page 9 Implementation. Franklin said this section points out ways in which the Comprehensive Plan Update is implemented. Franklin said this section includes the CIP schedule that follows the development sequence, Comprehensive Plan Update, Policy Issues, Implementation, and Capital Improvements Schedule. Franklin said these Capital Improvements are improvements that would need to be done to carry out development In the different phases of growth. Council discussed implementation of the policies. Franklin suggested that an action plan could be prepared. Horowitz asked if the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map designation and the intended compatible zone designation is a new zoning designation. Franklin said these describe generally the zones that are currently on the zoning map and are from the 1978 plan carried forward. In response to Horowitz, Franklin said RS -5 is under la or 1b of the residential 2-8 du/acre. McDonald asked if there were any specific areas that still need to be addressed. Ambrisco asked if Planning & Zoning received any input from Mercy Hospital regarding the changes to the commercial office designation on Bloomington and Jefferson. Scott said Planning & Zoning did receive Input from Mercy Hospital officials. Scott said Roger Garret had stated opposition to the proposed changes on the north side of Bloomington Street. In response to Larson, Scott said most of the comments about second floor office uses were received from Dr. Kammermeyer. Scott said Mercy Hospital did not disagree with the discussion relating to converting existing housing stock into the use of medical office space, Scott said Mercy Hospital's objection Is that they want to expand in all directions. Scott explained the Planning & Zoning Commission was concerned that the residential structures in the area on the north side of Bloomington Street retain their residential character and that the areas south and east of Mercy Hospital probably will be redeveloped. Scott said Mercy Hospital officials need to make those differentiations. Scott said the major difference between Mercy Hospital's position and the Planning & Zoning Commission discussion is the goal to retain residential character in the area north of Bloomington Street. Ambrisco asked what would happen if the commercial zone were removed out of Bloomington Street. Scott said the area would then have to be rezoned and would probably be rezoned to RM -12. Horowitz asked if there was a discussion about the pros and cons of retaining the housing stock north of Mercy Hospital versus retaining the housing stock south and east of the hospital. Scott said the Planning & Zoning Commission looked at the area and determined that the housing stock, with exceptions, in the south and east areas is not in residential character. Franklin distributed a map of the area. Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission talked about specific houses, uses and zoning in the area. Scott said present zoning allows Mercy Hospital to expand west and east and these provisions would allow further expansion to the south. Horowitz asked if there was a discussion regarding mixed uses in the area. Schmeiser said mixed use is permitted now. Courtney said the current parking and building regulations preclude conversions because it is not economically feasible, Scott said it was discussed to reduce the parking requirements for office uses for conversions if the residential character is retained. Councilmembers noted appreciation and applauded staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission for work done on the Comprehensive Plan Update. McDonald noted more discussion will be held prior to final adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Scott urged Council to attend the Comprehensive Plan Update public hearings scheduled April 24 at Ernest Horn, April 25 at Shimek, and April 26 at South East Junior High School. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m,