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Home My WebLink AboutP&Z Packet 3.17.16 REVISED.pdf PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Emma Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street REVISED AGENDA: A. Call to Order B. Roll Call C. Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda D. Comprehensive Plan Item Consider a motion setting a public hearing for April 7 for discussion of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use designation of property located north of Melrose Avenue and east of Camp Cardinal Boulevard from Residential 2 to 8 dwelling units per acre to Office Commercial. E. Rezoning / Development Item Discussion of an application submitted by Ryan Companies US Inc for a rezoning of approximately 26.98-acres from Interim Development Single Family (ID-RS) zone to Planned Development Overlay (OPD-8) zone and a preliminary plat for Nepola Subdivision, a 3-lot subdivision with 170-senior dwelling units located on Camp Cardinal Road. (REZ16-00003/SUB16-00004) F. Rezoning Item Discussion of an application submitted by 1225 Gilbert, LLC & 1301 Gilbert, LLC for a rezoning from Intensive Commercial (CI-1) zone to Riverfront Crossings – South Gilbert District (RFC- SG) zone for approximately 3.25-acres of property located at 1225 S. Gilbert Street and approximately 1.3-acres of property located at 1301 S. Gilbert Street. (REZ16-00002) Applicant has requested indefinite deferral G. Development Item Discussion of an application submitted by Equity Ventures Commercial Development LC for a preliminary plat of Southgate Addition Part Two, a 3-lot, 3.07-acre commercial subdivision located south of Highway 6, east of Gilbert Street. (SUB16-00002) H. Consideration of Meeting Minutes: March 3, 2016 I. Planning & Zoning Information J. Adjournment Upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission Meetings Formal: April 7 / April 21 / May 7 Informal: Scheduled as needed. MINUTES PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 3, 2016 – 7:00 PM – FORMAL EMMA HARVAT HALL – CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Charlie Eastham, Ann Freerks, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Max Parsons, Jodie Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Sara Hektoen, Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: Ross Nusser RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ16-00014 an application to designate 716 North Dubuque Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. CALL TO ORDER: Freerks called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There were none REZONING ITEM (REZ16-00001): Discussion of an application submitted by Ross Nusser for a rezoning to designate the property at 716 N. Dubuque Street as a Historic Landmark. Miklo began the staff report showing a photograph of the property. The building was built in the early 1930’s as a fraternity house and was used as a fraternity house up until the late 1990’s when it became an assisted living facility. It was built with 21 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, and shared bathrooms. When it changed from a fraternity to an assisted living use it lost its right to a fraternity because of its lack of parking. The property only has two parking spaces. Miklo explained that there is a provision in the zoning code that allows landmark properties to be considered for special exceptions to allow a reduction in the parking requirements. The Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed the property and determined the property is eligible to be a landmark. The building maintains much of its original character with only the windows and a few minor changes to the landscaping have been made to the exterior. The Board of Adjustment also reviewed the request for the special exception and did approve the request with a number of conditions designed to ensure that there is an investment in the property in exchange for the reduction in the parking, which is a significant bonus. Allowing the use of the property as a fraternity should serve as an incentive to make improvements to Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2016 – Formal Meeting Page 2 of 5 preserve the property in the long-term as a landmark. The Planning and Zoning Commission’s role in this process is to determine whether the landmark designation complies with the Comprehensive Plan. The Central District Plan encourages restoration of historic properties. Staff feels that the historical landmark designation would conform to the Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends that REZ16-00014 an application to designate 716 North Dubuque Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark be approved. Parsons asked about the boundaries for the Northside Historic District. Miklo said that district begins a few lots to the east of this property, as does the Brown Street Historic District. Miklo showed a map of the area. Eastham asked about the Board of Adjustment’s conditions imposed on the granting of special exception, and asked if the Planning and Zoning Commission had any review over those conditions. Hektoen replied that they do not. Freerks opened the public discussion. Ross Nusser (applicant) came forward to answer any questions from the Commission. Hensch noted the concern about lack of parking and how that will be addressed. Nusser explained that was addressed at the Board of Adjustment meeting. They have provided a couple different parking solutions, one they will provide moped parking (one space for every two occupants) in the area where the deck is now (the deck will be removed). They will also provide indoor bicycle parking, and since this property is less than one mile from campus they feel many will walk. Freerks closed the public discussion. Hensch moved to approve REZ16-00014 an application to designate 716 North Dubuque Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. Parsons seconded the motion. Parsons believes this building has historical merits and is close in proximity to other historical buildings. Freerks noted there was discussion a few years back about where fraternities and sororities could place themselves in the community and this appears to be a well thought out solution to a number of issues. This is a path to stabilize and restore this building. She also noted her agreement with the points outlined by the Board of Adjustment. She noted that it provides for a revocation if there are problems such as a disorderly house. She encouraged the owner to educate the students that live there that this is a special use that they have been granted. A lot of people have worked toward making this possible. They have an opportunity for a stable environment to live and enjoy community. That this can continue for many years if well managed. She appreciated the applicant addressing the bicycle and moped parking needs and encourage the owner to educate that students about how difficult Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2016 – Formal Meeting Page 3 of 5 it would be to have a car here. Eastham agreed that this building is an important structure along one of the gateways into the city and it is a great way to have a plan to maintain its historic appearance for a use that will be economically viable over the years. He commented on the conditions regarding fraternity chapter meetings being held off-site and disorderly house convictions leading to the loss of the special exception. He suspects that the owner will pay attention to them as the project moves forward. A vote was taken and the motion carried 7-0. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Hensch moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 18, 2016 with one change noting that the link to Ed McMahon’s talk should be forwarded to Council. Martin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Martin nominated to elect Freerks as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Theobald seconded that motion. Freerks noted that two member’s terms were expiring. Dyer can reapply for a second term but Eastham has already served two full terms. Theobald nominated Hensch for Vice Chair. Martin seconded that motion. Dyer nominated Parsons to be secretary. Martin seconded that motion A vote was taken and the motions carried 7-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Miklo noted a national Planning and Zoning Commissioners meeting that is in Phoenix Arizona, only one Commissioner can attend and if interested to let Miklo know. Theobald mentioned she had gone to the Iowa State Shade Tree Short Course last week and the key note speaker was from Germany and she went to several different workshops that were community related; community tree plans, community tree inventory, preserving trees in developments, and enacting municipal tree and street Planning and Zoning Commission March 3, 2016 – Formal Meeting Page 4 of 5 ordinances. She note that some local landscape architects were in attendance and hoped that some of the practices would be applied in Iowa City. ADJOURNMENT: Theobald moved to adjourn. Parsons seconded. A vote was taken and motion carried 7-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2015 - 2016 FORMAL MEETING 4/2 4/16 5/7 5/21 6/4 7/2 7/16 8/6 8/20 9/3 9/17 10/1 10/15 11/5 11/19 12/3 1/7 1/21 2/19 3/3 DYER, CAROLYN X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X EASTHAM, CHARLIE X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X X X FREERKS, ANN X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X O/E X X X O/E X X HENSCH, MIKE -- -- X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X MARTIN, PHOEBE X X X X X X X X X X O/E O/E X O/E X X X X X X PARSONS, MAX -- -- X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X THEOBALD, JODIE X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X X X INFORMAL MEETING NAME TERM EXPIRES 5/18 DYER, CAROLYN 05/16 X EASTHAM, CHARLIE 05/16 X FREERKS, ANN 05/18 X HENSCH, MIKE 05/19 X MARTIN, PHOEBE 05/17 X PARSONS, MAX 05/19 X THEOBALD, JODIE 05/18 X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member