Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-03-27 Bd Comm minutesMINUTES- • PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 14, 1973 The Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session on March 14, 1973, at 7:30 P.M., in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Members Present: June Davis James Roegiers Jim Sangster Dr. Robin Powell James Lindberg Joan Buxton Virginia Hebert Sarah Fox Members Absent: Harry Ostrander Staff: Gene Chubb Bob Lee Guests : Mdll dune 171 Lr, Wall ,� w & a r n+nu c: Bikeways ,Committee tarry Gray and Karen Willer, University ;,Students, 3 Chairman'. Roegiers called the meeting to order. Minutes of the February 14, 1973 meeting,were amended to read as follows: Page 2,; Paragraph 3, second sentence changed to read:- Mayor Brandt said the lease would probably begin.in 30 to 60, days, etc. Page 2, Paragraph 5, fourth sentence changed to read: Jim Lindberg' will be.a voting member of this Committee, Gene Chubb in an advisory capacity. The minutes were then approved as amended. Gene Chubb informed the Commission that the Contract for the auto crusher at Mesquakie Park ;had, been approved. The Contract that was signed was for a one year lease. At this time Mrs. Marianne Milkman, Chairman of the Bikeways Committee was introduced. She explained the Council had approved $5,000 for the Bikeway project,:contingent upon approval, of the, plans that are made for this, Bikeway. This .Bikeway path will be 6 feet, wide on one side of the road, and will run from the Mayflower on North Dubuque, across the Interstate,'out'old 218 as far as the road -} that turns off to the Coralville,Dam. Project Green will also • support this project with another $5,000. Parks and:'Recreation Commission • March.l4,' 1973 Page 2 Mrs. Milkman also asked the Commission about the following: 1.Bike Patterns in the Mercer Park Area. She explained that last year a bikeway was built at Southeast,Junior High around to Mercer Park. The Bikeway Committee feels that something '.should be done about children biking to the pool this summer. Discussion followed. Joan Buxton asked what, it would take to get something 'done about a stopsign at Dover and Bradford * A motion was then made by Sarah Fox, seconded by June Davis for a re-evaluation, of a stopsign-at the intersection of Bradford and Dover. Motion carried by unanimous` vote. The Commission requested that. Gene Chubb find out what information he can:and.Joan Buxton will take the idea to the PTA Safety Committee. The proposed stopsign .would face west on Bradford at Dover. 2. A Bikeway in the Southwest Park. Mrs. Milkman brought ,forth the; idea that with the creek running from W. Benton into the Southwest;, Park >area, it would n be aIdeal" spot to run a Bikeway, m possible over to Route l.. She questioned' whether the; Parks and_ Recreation Commission would recognize the., ... someuung Piike "this" to be included `whenthe Park`, is completed. Gene Chubb replied that there is nothing official on the internal structure;.however, from all of,the.concepts; discussed -a lineal p y ated,that.,a Bikeway is still pathway is Planned. Mr. Chubb alsoPst beingconsidered`-as an integral part of the park'." COMMITTEE REPORTS There was no report from the Program Study.Committee. The information will': beintroduced at'the April meeting. , Sarah Fox reported on the Ralston Creek Meeting at Regina High School. She stated that, the Community Development Department under,, the direction of Dennis Kraft is ;studying the''following alternatives: 1., That ;the community':can bear the ,cost. 2., Different kinds of structural controls. 3. 1 big dam in Hickory Hill.and a small one on the south :branch with possibly a diversionary tunnel (under Kirkwood and into the river), 4. Green Belt Mrs. Fox also reported that the City is gathering all its information from Dennis Kraft and that that information will probably not be available until late spring to go to the Council. Mrs'. Fox further expressed concern that the Commission ought to be on the lookout for ".• the dangers that Hickory Hill might be susceptible to. * Jim Roegiers pointed out that the Commission is very concerned about Hickory Hill with respect to Ralston Creek. Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1973 Page 3 Fees and Charges were reported by June Davis. After much discussion and consideration of the report of the Sub-Committee on Fees and Charges,,, thefollowing motions were made: * 1. Jim Lindberg moved, seconded by Sarah Fox to recommend to City Council that there be 10 cent swimming days rotating between the three pools Monday through Saturday, .(during the,summer-season), and that;Sunday.would be a regular fee day at all pools. Motion carried by unanimous vote. * 2. '.Sarah Fox moved, seconded by; June Davis that it be recommended to the City Council that any Iowa City,resident`who can show evidence to the City that they are currently qualified for either welfare or free or reduced price school lunches is eligible for free swimming, instruction. 'Motion carried by..unanimous vote. Jim Roegiers asked that when these recommendations go to the City Council that the Commission,be made, aware of .this, ,so that the. Sub-Committee-members will be 'available-for questions, etc. June Davis'su ggested to. the Commission, that possibly the City Ordinance'should be re-worded'regarding,reservations.' She further explained d that;as it is worded now, he:Ordinance sounds,as though ; you could: rent 'city, Park for ;$1.00. :She believes as presently stated the Ordinance is''ambiguous .'`;After some.discussion, it was requested . that Gene Chubb discuss this.matter with the Assistant City Attorney before making recommendation to the`City,:Council'. It was agreed that the Sub-Committee would try to meet with Ray Wells to discuss the possibility of reduced bus rates. At .this time,.Jim Lindberg reported.on the Regional Open Space Committee' He had attended one meeting since Park and Recreation's last meeting at which time he heard 'the request for,formal'approval by ,the Regional' Planning Group. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the next two. years program of 'development in Kent Park was approved for 50% federal matching funds. Gene.Chubb informed the Commission the federal funding for Oak Grove had been approved. He also stated that as far as the Project Green Mini-Parks are'concerned, the Parks and Recreation is not budgeted to _develop the Mini-Parks and this is not on a high priority basis at this time. Since there was no further business, ,the meeting was Motion by Jim Lindberg, seconded by Virginia Hebert. Respectfully submitted`, Secretary adjourned. Center.' -- - - -- -- Members Present: Donald Madsen . Emanuel Kaufman Mary Neuhauser Jim Sangster Members Absent: Staff: Emanuel Kaufman called the meeting to order 1 Earle Murphy Michael Lambert Dick,Wollmershauser Minutes.of.the March 5, 1.913 meeting were amended as follows: Page 1 g ,-'Paragraph 5,;second.sentence should.be deleted. The minutes were then approved As amended. Mr. Kaufman stated that the'.Ordinance should be changed in 'regard to the; control of.the River. The; first item.of business was!the election of a Chairman,. since Mr. Murphy had declined the.position. 'Jim Sangster moved, and was seconded by Donald Madsen, in the nomination of'Mary Neuhauser for Chairman. Since there wasbutone nomination; Mary Neuhauser was unanimously.approved as Chairman. Mr.' Kaufman at this time stated that he felt that one reason that the Riverfront Commission cannot get on its feet is because the Commission needs more members. Donald Madsen explained that the, City, Council, would.have to;,make any, additional appointments. -'Mr. Kaufman further' stated that he would like to`see someone recruited to represent outside organizations, i.e., the Sierra -Club or possibly the . Environmental Group. Mr. Kaufman!expressed the ,opinion that the g Commission can et more feedback and semblance of order that the people of Iowa City want if Commission membership were expanded to .seven. .. - * After some discussion, Mannie Kaufman moved, seconded by Jim Sangster that the Riverfront Commission recommend to the City Council that the Riverfront.Commission `be.'enlarged by two members to be appointed by the City Council. Riverfiont:Commissio March 15, 11973 Page2 ' At this, time Michael Lambert explained the Staff Report on the Work, Program which was requested by the Commission at the February meeting. Mr. Lambert further' informed the Commission that in the.past month he has been in contact with about `10'different people from about 8,different :'agencies in'an'attempt to discern what information is .available on the, areas of the Iowa River at Iowa City, and what kind of cooperation can be expected from various Commissions and agencies. He also stated that he had contacted the Iowa State Geological'' Survey, the Water Resources Division of that, and also Mr. Howe at' the University who is one of the original members _of, the Natural' Resources Division, and also the`Superintendent'of Parks, Bruno Schielzeth, who is knowledgable about the the.plant ecology, of the: area. Michael Lambert also told the Commission that he had referred to the State Code and had gotten' the, pages' out that pertained to the Riverfront Commission. He plans to have the ,City Attorney's office draft a report to capuslize what .this means to the :present Riverfront Commission.' He hopes to have this information`interpretated so that it will be: in an understandable format for "the -Commission °members. Mrs..Neuhauser asked the staff if any timetables were available on how soon these things will be done. Mr. ;Kaufman stated that he would like to have flood plain maps made available to the Commission. He would like to have this done : within the ,next couple,of weeks.In, relation to these maps, Michael Lambert stated that Mr.'`Taranik of the Iowa Geological Survey has offered.complete cooperation as.'far as their services are concerned. The Commission then requested the staff to .obtain information from Waterloo, Cedar Rapids,' Ottumwa, Des Moines, on their Riverfront Commissions, and how they operate. Mr. :Kaufman introduced to the Commission, amendments concerning the Iowa River Usage, Ordinance on`the `second Page section `4 -(required equipment) etc.,, stating he believes that Class 3 and 4 boats should be,unless specifically approved by; this Commission, prohibited from the river. 'These are boats or vessels that are 26 feet or over in length: He also recommended that vessels should proceed at a no wake speed when within 50 feet of another vessel or shore. A no wake speed being defined as that speed which will not adversely affect another boat. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 1 , Secretary y e INN / '•'' ♦ 1. ate Arlorl II,"1.',111; I11AMI]swilFIT , r�.i ice• ' d _ INN / '•'' ♦ 1. ate Arlorl II,"1.',111; I11AMI]swilFIT ' G. Adjournment Agenda Planning & Zoning Commission March 22, 1973 A. Call for Order by Chairman B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of Special Meeting of March 14, 1973. D. Zoning Items 1. Z-7301. Edward W. Thomas Rezoning Request (vic. north of intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and eastern extension of_Rohret_Road),R1A,to R2. Filed: 3/1/73. 45 -day Limitation: 4/14/73. 2. Z-7202. Fanny; Duffy Rezoning Request (vic.;N.W. corner Orchard Street and West Benton Street) RIB to ,C2. Filed: 3/7/73. 45 -day- Limitation: _ 4/21/73. 3. 'Z-7303. Everett R. Snider Rezoning Request (vic. north and northwest'. of the parcel identified as Z-7302 immediately above, from RIB to C2). Filed: 3/14/73. 45 -day Limitation: 4/28/73. E. Subdivision Item 1. 577302. Preliminary Plan for a Large Scale Residential Development for Braverman -West (vic. southwest of intersection of Benton St. and Mormon Trek Boulevard). Developer: Mace Braverman. Engineer: Shive, Hattery & Associates (Jim Shive). 45 -day. Limitation: April 14, 1973. F. Other Business 1. Sub -Committee Report on Attachment to Existing Buildings. ' G. Adjournment SUBJECT: STAFF REPORT Planning & Zoning Commission March 22, 1973 Z-7301. Rezoning request of Edward W. Thomas for propertyfronting on Mormon Trek Boulevard:(vic.,: north and east of the intersection of Mormon Trek Blvd. and`Rohret Road). Filing Date:. 'March 1, 1973 45 -day Limitation: April 15, 1973. DESCRIPTION: The subject, parcel is composed of 1/64 of a`section, the southwestern most point being located at the intersection of Rohret Road and Mormon, Trek Boulevard, excluding a square of 2.67 acres with the north -south dimension of 350 feet and an east -west dimension of 310 feet. This site "has'a'total area of approximately 6..6 acres, With a, maximum east -west dimension of 620 feet, "and 'a maximum north -south dimension of 650 feet The subject.parcel is presently open, uncultivated land,.possessing a lone single family residence in the southwestern corner of the, tract,' with .several ;outbuildings including a barn. The land is basically' rolling to level beginning; with a relatively flat hill top paralleling and nearest Mormon Trek Boulevard,' sloping down in a northeasterly direction at an approximately 15 percent slope for about fifty"„feet, until the relatively flat bottomland.of the northeast portion of the site is reached. The'nei:ghboring uses'.of this parcel consist of cultivated farm land to the south, an undeveloped City park to the east,.a farm yard, buildings and house to the north, and to the west beyond Mormon Trek Boulevard a farm.' The farm west of this tract is currently zoned RIB for'` the entire extent of its common frontage. While this western neighbor is presently undergoing application for a Planned Area Development consisting of townhouses, the overall development density of this site will not exceed 6000, square feet per dwelling unit, the maximum development density permitted under R1B'zoning; ZONING The applicant requests the rezoning REQUEST: of the subject property from R1A to.R2 for the following reason; "Because, of the fact that this property is located around and adjacent to the Iowa -Illinois substation... STAFF The requested zone change would ANALYSIS: result in permitting at least double the development pme t density of the site as currently zoned, and the use of Page 2 duplexes permitted under the proposed zone change would more than triple the maximum "number 'of-dwellings permitted. The followings table summarizes the effect of rezoning on the development potentialof, this tract: Present R1A Proposed R2 Single family Single Family Duplex Number of Dwellings 28 57 95 The presence of the substation of Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric' Company is cited by the: applicant as reason for the rezoning.- A Staff inspection of the site revealed that whatever the shortcomings of the substation (The applicant cited transformer fan noise and lighting), the site is landscaped, with 'trees and shrubs and is apparently well maintained. Furthermore, this site was sold to the Gas and Electric Company by the applicant, with full knowledge of the use intended for it. The presence.of a City park to the immediate east of this property must be considered a`positive attribute of the site; as it is intended for; relatively' passive usage; and environmental preservation. Thus the envirommnetal influences on this site must to some degree conterbalance each other, with 'the amenity of the park off- setting the;presence ffsetting.the;presence of a substation, which is nevertheless a well landscaped and maintained site. .The past policy of the Planning and,Zoning Commission on land uses in this area has been basically that the most appropriate usage of the land in.this portion of, the City is single -family residential, as evidenced by the policies of the "Southwest Area Development Study." ' :(See May V, Development Pattern III as exerpted from this study).' Furthermore, during the rezoning of the property west of the subject .parcel (Z7109) the Commission indicated that, future rezoning in this area would be restricted to single-family' density.` STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is the recommendation of the Staff that this request be denied for the following' reasons: 1. Any negative effect created by the substation is the result of the sale of the site by the applicant, and as such constitutes a self-imposed hardship. 2. Any negative effect crea pd by the substation must be considered . in light of the positive effects of the adjacent City park, an amenity not of the applicants making. 3. The creation of a multi -family tract of land in this area is inconsistent with the zoning of abutting property. --, fir..• �� 'i(' �'�' •\ I I� North _f7 - E� Melrose. AverjDr . I �f� ... ,+ :•r`'��,�;L r 1 \ 1 Q Commercial (CH). fs � ®Multifamily (R3) .c/ii/i��i/%��i?� �'• � �. \t r Single Family I //// '(R1B) • (ro .PAD) y I I� �ii/i// 4F I, ' 0 LAND ..1 t / ySII—�r• i ��. r�u / t � MAP V. DEVELOPMENT PATTERN III. •� Y STAFF REPORT Planning & Zoning Commission March '22,''1973 SUBJECT: 2-7302 Rezoning request of Fanny S. Duffy for a;Parcel.north and west of the intersection of West Benton Street and Orchard Street from RlB to C2. Date filed: 3/7/73. 45 -day Limitation: 4/21/73. and Z-7303 Rezoning request of Everett and IEdna Snider for a Parcel north and west of the Parcel identified in Z-7302 from R1B to C2. Date filed: 3/14/73. 45 -day Limitat- ion:4/28/73. SITE The two requests, being contiguous DESCRIPTION: and for the same zoning change, and due to the Z-7303 requests statement that the applicants"wish to "join" the .applicant for Z-7302 in her request for C-2 zoning, will be treated °as 'one. This in'no way means, that the.merits of the in-: dividual tracts will be lost by common treatment, only that their com- malities will betaken'into consideration;simultaneously. The area of the first request (Z-7302) is .57 acres, while the second is 1.55 acres. z, These tractsare bounded on the..east by, Orchard Street which is abutted'', by an auto dealership, on the north by a residence and open area, ,on the west by residences, and on the south by West Benton Street which is -abutted by residences. The.site is currently occupied by,8 single -:family dwellings, three of which front on'a private drive to the interior.of the site. STAFF The proposed zoning change would ANALYSIS: presumably result in a change in the, use of the property to one of the uses'' permitted in the C2 district, which with the current zoning ordinance means any oftheuses permitted in RIA,- R1B, R2, R31 R3A1 R3B, Cl, CH or C2. The maximum permitted building height would be three stories or 45 feet, whichever is less. A ten foot side yard would be required on Orchard Street, a thirty foot rear yard, and a five foot side yard on the west- ern boundary of the site would also be required on this site. A 25 foot front yard would also be required. (MC Section 8.10.23) In addition, if apartments were built upon the site, the maximum number of dwellings per acre would be 21, or a total of 45 dwelling units would be possible on this 2.1 acre site under C2 zoning. Access to Benton Street would be restricted within 20 feet of the in- Page '2 . ` tersection of Benton Street and Orchard Street. The proposal of this zoning,for•the subject parcel is apparently based upon -a belief that it would merely constitute an extension of then existing commercial zoning 'n east of Orchard Street. Several points _' g are pertinent to this contention: 1.); The commercial usage east of Orchard Street is the outgrowth of the: expansion of a.busines s originally confined in its frontage to Riverside Drive (Hartwig Motors). 2.) The nature of`this".land usage is.extensive rather than in- tensive. Relatively few products are'sold,,but each _possesses 'a high value., A relatively large open area is needed 'to conduct this business, the most prominent usage characteristic of which is the number of parked automobiles stored outside. Orchard'Street, under this proposal, is apparently assumed to not function as a boundary'for commercial activities; on West Benton Street; an assumption which would result in the extension of commercial uses not only all along the northern side of West Benton Street, but, the southern side as well. In'short, this proposal might reasonably be seen as the first step to- ward the creation 'of a commercial strip, -along .West Benton Street. A stafit f1. inspection of the site and its neighboring uses evealed that the surrounding',dwe11" gs are in:good.condition and, show rfew'signs of deterioration,,although two dwellings on the site itself were in ill repair. STAFF It is the recommendation of the RECOMMENDATION: staff that these ;requests be denied MEN both separately and together for the following reasons: 1.) The existing usage of the 'properties is appropriate. 2.) The proposed rezoning of the property would ,significantly conflict with the neighboring'usages, 'with the sole exception of hugea3) The natueofthe proposed usage of the property is unknown, ; and as such numerous usages are possible which would conflict with the neighboring and taverns residential usaamples) g tling'plants truck terminals,.theaters: . are but a NORTH Q 690 12010 .1800 GRAPHIC SCALE • 1"= 660' FILE 2-1303 I r, r � 'LlYi I r � 'LlYi r 1 I SI. 1% M:. l I.