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Home My WebLink About1997-04-22 Info PacketIP1 IP2 IP3 IP4 IP5 IP6 IP7 IP8 IP9 IP10 IPll IP12 IP13 CITY OF I0 WA CITY CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET April '11, '1997 Memorandum from City Manager: Community Service Workers Memorandum from Assistant City Attorney Dilkes: Update on Airport Land Acquisition Project Memorandum from City Clerk: Special Meeting for PCRB Public Input Memorandum from City Forester to City Manager: Utility Tree Pruning Memorandum from Solid Waste Planner to City Manager: 1996 Curbside Recycling Collection Report Letter from Mayor to Downtown Strategy Committee Members: Thank-You Letter from Planning and Community Development Director to Mary Mascher and Dick Myers: House Concurrent Resolution 21 March 1997 Building Permit Information Article: Scenic Overlooks [Baker] Agenda: Meeting Agenda: Johnson County Board of Supervisors April 11, 1997, Informal Meeting Proposed Traffic Calming Hump Design for Willow Creek Drive Area Memorandum from PCD Assistant Director: ' Johnson County Board of Supervisors April 10, 1997, Formel. Park-Teg Design of Alignment for 1'/~3 Extension of First Avenue to North Dodge Street City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 7, 1997 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Community Service Workers In March, Dennis Mitchell, Linda Woito, Lisa Handsaker and Sylvia Uejia met with Judge Goddard to discuss the City as a work site for individuals who are required by the Court to perform community service hours. Judge Goddard explained that community service is sometimes requested by individuals who are motivated to perform the service in lieu of a fine or other consequences. The types of offenses for which community service might be ordered include public intoxication, urinating in public, 5th degree theft, simple assault or other similar offenses. More serious offenses would be handled by adult corrections. Generally the person is given a sentence of a specific number of hours and a period of time in which to complete those hours. The individual would arrange directly with the City to work these hours. Some suggestions of the types of jobs included cleaning City Plaza, picking up cigarette butts on public property, cleaning the public flower beds, washing City vehicles, walking the dogs at the Animal Shelter and cleaning the parking garages and parking lots. Supervision would be the responsibility of the City. In addition, liability for any injuries would be the City's. After discussing these issues at staff meeting with department directors, some of whom indicated they have had experience in this area, we will begin our participation as a work site for community service individuals. The courts advise individuals seeking to perform community service that they should contact the City offices. We will provide them with the information and act as a liaison between them and the City supervisor. In the past we have had problems with individuals who did not show up to perform their community service hours or who required an extraordinary amount of supervision. Hopefully this will not be the case; however, if supervisors experience excessive problems I will ask that they let me know so that I can advise the court of what types of problems we might be experiencing. bc1-3SA.wp5 1971 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: April 11, 1997 The Honorable Mayor Naomi J. Novick and Members of the City Council Eleanor M. Dilkes, Assistant City Attorney ~ Update on Airport Land Acquisition Project The purpose of this memo is to briefly summarize the activity taking place in connection with the airport land acquisition project that is being conducted by the Airport Commission's consultant, ACSG, Inc. We have negotiated an amendment to ACSG's contract in response to the FAA's comments. The changes deal with the form of the invoice and the actual specification of the amount of the fixed payment (profit). The not-to-exceed figure for the first phase of the project has been reduced by approximately $200 from $44,661 to $44,458. ACSG is making good progress on the first phase of the contract. The windshield (ballpark) appraisals of the' land and avigation easements that need to be acquired are nearing completion. Greg Bridger of ACSG has made contact with the owners of both mobile home parksmTerrace Hill on Dane Road owned by Mrs. Fitzgerald and the mobile home park on South Riverside Drive owned by Mr. Schellin. An informational meeting for mobile home park residents of the Fitzgerald park was held on Thursday, April 10, to discuss the Airport Improvement Project and how it will affect them. This informational meeting was scheduled with the consent of Mrs. Fitzgerald. ACSG is working on the relocation plan which is the primary planning document for the project. The purpose of this plan is the ensure that all displaced persons will be able to relocate to functional equivalent decent, safe, and sanitary replacement structures. ACSG is beginning preliminary consideration of whether a last resort housing plan will be necessary. This is a plan developed when it is determined that there is little, if any, comparable replacement housing available to displaced persons. In that case a plan for providing last resort housing assistance must be developed. The methods of providing that assistance can vary, including the provision of a replacement housing payment in excess of the maximum statutory limits ($5,250 for renters; $22,500 for owners). I note that the Press-Citizen reported incorrect information about the payment of relocation benefits following the meeting at which the City Council approved funding of ACSG's contract. The Press-Citizen article indicated that the maximum relocation payment will be paid in every instance. The assistance available to displaced persons is far more complicated than this. I have literature that explains the various types of assistance available and will provide that to any of you upon request. On another note, the Airport Commission is currently investigating options for the Update -Airport Land Acquisition Project April 11, 1997 Page 2 development of the airport property north of Runway 17 (behind and south of Wardway Plaza). This property is not needed for airport purposes, and a concept plan developed in connection with the Master Plan designated this area for commercial development. The Airport Commission has been approached by owners of the Wardway Plaza about developing this area. Because the development will involve the disposal of public property and particularly in light of the magnitude of this project, City staff will recommend the preparation of a prospectus by the City's planning department for development of this area. This is the area the Science Center is interested in. The Airport Commission has made it clear that it is committed to providing the Science Center with space in this area. If you have any questions, please contact me. cc: Ron O'Neil, Airport Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk Steve Atkins, City Manager Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager Linda Woito, City Attorney Karin Franklin, Director of Planning & Community Development Johnson County Board of Supervisors eleanor/airport.mrno City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 11, 1997 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Special Meeting for PCRB Public Input At the request of the Mayor the following schedule is being suggested on the Police Citizen Review Board: · April 18 - Council receives draft ordinance from City Attorney April 21 - Council schedules work session discussion on ordinance April 22 - Council announces a special work session for public input (choose ONE from three dates below) April 28 29 3O - Special Work Session on PCRB ordinance (Choose ONE) Council Chambers is being held for all three nights. Please check your calendars and let me know which ONE date best works for you. I would like to release the hold on the Chambers as soon as possible. This special work session would be televised. Cable TV has a preference for April 29 because they have crews reserved for Tuesday evenings. However, they will bring in crews as needed. The sooner they know the better. Again, please check your calendars and give me a call (5041) as soon as possible, ALL MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 7:00 P.M. CC: City Manager City Attorney Cable TV J CITY OF IOWA CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: RE: Steve Atkins Terry Robinson April 4, 1997 Utility tree pruning On March 24 I received two complaints about tree pruning performed by MidAmerican contractors at 1147 E. Court and 1227 Sheridan. I contacted the local MidAmerican representative, Jason Warren, and met with him regarding the problems. In the next two days I also met with Jim Puentes from Davenport, the Superintendent of tree pruning for MidAmerican, and Steve Pietzyk, Division Manager of utility tree crews for Wright Tree Service in Des Moines. Wright Tree Service is the contractor that supplies tree pruning services to MidAmerican. They agreed that the quality of'the pruning was not what they expected. They had already spoken with their crews and planned to review their pruning standards again subsequent to our meetings. They agreed to make their crews available for workshops that I will conduct regarding tree pruning. I will also provide to them written pruning guidelines that are specific about the quality and style of pruning expected for city trees. I plan to send a letter to MidAmerican outlining some suggestions I have regarding informing the public about pruning. In years past, there were some unwritten rules followed by Iowa Illinois representatives that were very effective, but are no longer followed. I feel they need to be resurrected. I will keep you informed regarding my progress. cc: Terry Trueblood City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 4, 1997 To: Steve Atkins From: Brad Neumann~'" Re: 1996 Curbside Recycling Collection Report Below is a summary of 1996 curbside recycling collection data. I compared the average tonnage collected throughout two time periods: April-June 1996, the first three months after residents received a recycling container; and after the unit based pricing and bulky waste programs began, July-December 1996. Curbside Collection April, May, June July-December Data Table 1996 Monthly 1996 Monthly Average Average Newsprint 90.81 tons 89.42 tons Plastic 7.35 tons 7.47 tons Tin Cans 6.71 tons 6.91 tons Glass 15.05 tons 13.53 tons Cardboard 25.03 tons 24.49 tons Additional Comments High - 100.32 tons in December High -.10.77 tons in October No significant highs or lows Low - 10.86 tons in November High - 31.74 tons in May Overall, it appears that curbside recycling collection amounts have remained constant since Iowa City began its unit-based rate programs for refuse and bulky waste, and provided curbside recycling containers. Refuse collection at the curb has remained constant with an average of about 100 tons less per month since the new programs began. If you have any questions, please give me a call at 356-5235. CC: Bud Stockman Gerry Kaefring Chuck Schmadeke Jeff Davidson Im\memos~bn3-28.doc April 7, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY John Gross PO Box 1846 Iowa City IA 52244 Dear John: On behalf of the City Council, I would like to thank you and your fellow committee members for the extensive time and effort put forth to prepare Iowa City's Downtown Strategy for the future. The plan recommended by your Downtown Strategy Committee will be a great start on improving our City's core. We all understand that it will be referred to on a regular basis as the Council schedules downtown changes for the next few years. City staff is in the process of preparing a proposal for the City to begin to implement the components of the Downtown Strategy. As details develop, we will keep you informed. Thank you again for a job well done! We all appreciate your good work. Sincerely, Naomi J. Novick Mayor cc: City Council Karin Franklin David Schoon 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA $2240-1826 · (319) 356-3000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 FirstName Victoria John Dick Gary Nancy Joanne Stephen Bruce Suzanne Marc Gretchen Bob Martin Shirley Marge Matt LastName Gilpin Gross Summerwill Lundquist Burhans Fritz Greenleaf Sorrell Gleeson Beltrome Holt Finch Haynes Wyrick Dane Hirst Address1 114 South Clinton PO Box 1846 1006 Highwood Street 5 Bedford Court 115 East College Street 24 Highland Drive 345 Magowan Avenue 816 Woodside Drive 717 Kirkwood 48 IMU 921 Bowery Street 320 E Washington Street 2004 Ridgeway Drive 132 Potomac Drive 4120 Dane Road SE 351 Bowling Green Place City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City Iowa City State IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA IA PostalCode 52240 52244 52246 52240 52240 52246 52246 52246 52245 52242 52240 52240 52245 52245 52245 52245 April 7, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY The Honorable Mary Mascher State Capitol Des Moines, IA 50319 Dear Ms. Mascher: I would like to encourage you to move forward with House Concurrent Resolution 21, establishing a special commission to study growth management in the.State of Iowa. As Iowa evolves from a predominantly rural state to one which is increasingly urban, the issues of growth management, the preservation of prime agricultural land, and the preservation of our heritage become increasingly important. The commission you have outlined appears to be well-balanced in terms of its urban and rural components. This balance is important in realistically meeting the needs of the state in the next century. If the commission you envision is established, I would like to offer the cooperation and assistance of the Iowa City Department of Planning and Community Development. Sincerely,~.// , , Kafin Franklin Director, Department of Planning and Community Development CO: Stephen J. Atkins, City ~anager Iowa City City Council *' Im\kf4-7.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA J2240-1826 · (.119) 3~6-J000 · FAX (319) 3~6-$009 Steve Atkins CITY OF I0 WA CITY BUILDING PERMIT INFORMATION KEY FOR ABBREVIATIONS Type of Improvement: ADD Addition ALT Alteration DEM Demolition GRD Grading/excavation/filling REP Repair MOV Moving FND Foundation only OTH Other type of improvement Type of Use: NON RAC RDF RMF RSF MIX OTH Nonresidential Residential - accessory building Residential - duplex Residential - three or more family Residential - single family Commercial & Residential Other type of use building.rpt Page: 1 Date: 04/04/97 From: 03/01/97 To..: 03/31/97 CITY OF IOWA CITY EXTRACTION OF BUILDING PERMIT DATA FOR CENSUS BUREAU REPORT Permit Applicant name Address Type Type Stories Units Valuation No. Impr Use BLD97-0086 UNITED TECHNOLOGY 2500 HIGHWAY 6 EAST ADD NON 1 0 $ 45000 AUTOMOTIVE 30' X 40' WAREHOUSE ADDITION FOR INJECTION MOLD REPAIR ADD NON permits: 1 $ 45000 BLD97-0097 BOB CRYDER 80 OBERLIN ST ADD RDF 1 0 $ 16000 12 , X 14' THREE SEASON PORCH ADD RDF permits: 1 $ 16000 BLD97-0100 TOM SENEFF 1370 OXFORD PL ADD RMF 1 0 $ 11250 12' X 16' T~REE SEASON PORCH ADD RMF permits: 1 $ 11250 BLD97-0106 ANN BURNSIDE & LINDA 618 RONALDS ST ADD MCQUIRE 9' X 22' KITCW6EN AND GARDEN ROOM ADDITION WITH 10' X 18' WOOD DECK RSF 1 0 $ 52000 BLD97-0113 RUDOLF KUENZLI 705 S SU~4IT ST 6' X 11' KITCHEN ADDITION AND 6' X 19' UNCOVERED DECK ADD RSF 1 0 $ 30000 BLD97-0075 RICHARD AND MARY ANN 1201 W BENTON ST PARK 10' X 34' MASTER BATH AND BEDROOM ADDITION ADD RSF 1 0 $ 27000 BLD97-0103 ROBERT WOODBURN 3109 E COURT ST 6'X14' DECK AND 14'X 14' THREE SFJ%SON PORCH ADD RSF 1 0 $ 17000 BLD97-0105 MAUREEN IRISH & BARB 2215 D ST GORVIN 21' X 24' ATTACHED GARAGE ADD RSF i 0 $ 12500 BLD97-0099 THOMAS EDWARD 2733 LINDEN RD NAUGHTON 16' X 28' LIVING ROOM AND BEDROOM ADDITON ADD RSF 1 0 $ 11400 BLD97-0093 JEFF & RUTH NIELSEN 236 RAVEN ST 12' X 12' SCREEN PORCH ADD RSF 1 0 $ 9000 BLD97-0123 BILL MCCREEDY 905 S 7TH AVE ADD RSF 1 0 $ 4500 10' x 6' LAUNDRY ROOM ADDITION TO A S.F.D. ADD RSF permits: 8 $ 163400 BLD97-0084 PROCTER & GAMBLE 2200 LOWER MUSCATINE RD REMODEL BATHROOMS TO MEET THE ADA AKD INSTALL STAIRWAY ALT NON 0 0 $ 125000 Page: 2 Date: 04/04/97 From: 03/01/97 To..: 03/31/97 CITY OF IOWA CITY EXTRACTION OF BUILDING PERMIT DATA FOR CENSUS BUREAU REPORT Permit Applicant name Address Type Type Stories Units Valuation No. Impr Use BLD97-0082 IOWA CITY FREE MEDICAL CLINIC INTERIOR REMODEL 120 N DUBUQUE ST ALT NON 0 0 $ 37000 BLD97-0092 MIC",{AEL TSCHANTZ 330 S CLINTON ST INTERIOR REMODEL OF SALON ALT NON 0 0 $ 18000 BLD97~0080 DONALD GOEDKEN 940 GILBERT CT INSTALL GABLE ROOF OVER FLAT ROOF ALT NON I 0 $ 12266 BLD97-0071 MCGLADREY & PULLEN 125 S DUBUQUE ST ALT NON 0 0 $ 2000 INSTALL DOOR IN THE 4TH FLOOR ELEVATOR LOBBY ALT NON permits: 5 $ 194266 BLD97-0083 DARRELL L BOLEl%TDER 905 N GOVERNOR ST ALT RDF 0 0 $ 1000 DUPLEX BASEMENT FINISH ALT RDF permits: 1 $ 1000 BLD96-0643 AUR APARTMENTS 439 S JOHNSON ST ALT RMF 0 0 $ 200 CREATE ONE HOUR OCCUPANCY SEPARATION BETWEEN LAUNDRY ROOM AND EXIT CORRIDO ALT RMF permits: 1 $ 200 BLD97-0079 PHILLIP & K/%REN 1040 E COURT ST REISETTER ADD REC ROOM AND BATHROOM TO BASEMENT ALT RSF 0 0 $ 26000 BLD97-0096 RICK DORAN 1218 DEERFIELD DR ALT RSF FINISH KITCHEN AND BATHROOM IN BASEMENT TO CREATE AN ACCESSORY APARTV~NT BLD97-0074 TODD NOREVUIL 422 ELMIRA ST CONVERT BASEMENT TO HABITABLE SPACE 2 0 $ 15000 BLD97-0116 TOM BERTELL 52 BARRINGTON PL CONVERT BASEMENT TO HABITABLE SPACE ALT RSF 0 0 $ 2500 BLD97-0102 DALE & LINDA SCOTT 1116 TEG DR CONVERT BASEMENT TO HABITABLE SPACE ALT RSF 0 0 $ 2000 BLD97-0087 BOB STIIfA 419 WOODRIDGE AVE BATHROOM WINDOW REPLACEMENT ALT RSF 0 0 $ 900 BLD97-0114 RAVINDAR TICKU 530 WASHINGTON ST INSTALL TWO EGRESS WINDOWS ALT RSF 0 0 $ 80O BLD97-0108 ROBERT PORTER 1905 FLATIRON AVE INSTALL EGRESS WINDOW IN BASE~NT ALT RSF 1 0 $ 350 ALT RSF 0 0 $ 13500 Page: 3 pate: 04/04/97 From: 03/01/97 To..: 03/31/97 CITY OF IOWA CITY EXTRACTION OF BUILDING PERMIT DATA FOR CENSUS BUREAU REPORT Permit Applicant name Address Type Type Stories Units Valuation No. Impr Use AJ~T RSF permits: 8 $ 61050 BLD97-0107 MITCHELL-PHIPPS- 1501 MALL DR GATENS 99475F OFFICE/RETAIL BUILDING NEW NON 1 0 $ 450000 BLD97-0091 SOL~GATE 713 MORMON TREK BLVD DEVELOPMENT 241'-6" X 65'-0" CO~9~ERCIAL BUILDING NEW NON 1 0 $ 440000 BLD97-0038 FLUKE ENTERPRISE 1555 S 1ST AVE NEW NON 1 0 $ 15000 8' X 12' TEMPORARY BUILDING NEW NON permits: 3 $ 905000 BLD97-0118 BEN CHAIT 112 PENTIRE CIR 4 UNIT CONEOMINI~TJM WITH TWO CAR GARAGES NEW RMF 2 4 $ 546438 BLD97-0085 MTH DEVELOPMENT CO. 1528 MCKINLEY PL NEW RMF 2 4 $ 241160 4 UNIT CONDOMINIUM NEW RMF pelfnits: 2 8 $ 787598 BLD97-0090 JEFF MILLER 125 KEN~DY PARKWAY S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 1 i $ 232721 BLD97-0111 KIRK EMERSON 45 BRUNSWICK CT S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 2 1 $ 203024 BLD97-0088 DUFFY BUILDERS 949 BARRINGTON RD S.F,D. WITH THREE CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 2 1 $ 191958 BLD97-0110 CHRIS & JACKIE EDEN 1241 ~L~MILTON CT S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 2 1 $ 176583 BLD97-0094 MIKE EVANS 8 LAREDO CT CONSTRUCTION S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 2 i $ 164276 BLD97-0072 JEFF MILLER 1226 GOLDENROD DR S.F.D. WITH TW0 CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 1 1 $ 147300 BLD97-0098 KEVIN KIDWELL 1352 GOLDENROD DR S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF 1 i $ 121870 BLD97-0089 DENNIS SPENCER 1020 BRYAN CT NEW RSF I 1 $ 119005 CONST. S.F.D. WITH TWO CAR GARAGE NEW RSF permits: 8 8 $ 1356737 Page: 4 ~ate: 04/04/97 From: 03/01/97 To..: 03/31/97 CITY OF IOWA CITY EXTRACTION OF BUILDING PERMIT DATA FOR CENSUS BUREAU REPORT Permit Applicant name Address Type Type Stories Units Valuation No. Impr Use BLD97-0104 SCHINTLER BUILDING 1550 S GILBERT ST REP MIX 2 0 $ 1600 PARTNERSHIP NEW ROOF ON EXISTING MIXED USE BUILDING REP MIX permits: 1 $ 1600 BLD97-0115 RICHARD KRUSE 505 COLLEGE ST TUCKPOINTING BUILDING PEP NON 0 0 $ 8600 BLD97-0129 PEDIATRICS 605 JEFFERSON ST PEP NON 0 0 $ 1000 ASSOCIATES REPAIR WATER DAMAGED FLOOR AT THE MAIN ENTRIES TO THE CO~ERCIAL BUILDING REP NON permits: 2 $ 9000 BLD97-0101 ~ KORTANEK 801 EASTMOOR DR REP RSF 0 0 $ 5000 REPAIR FIRE DAMAGED GARAGE ROOF REP RSF permits: 1 $ 5000 TOTALS 16 $ 3557101 ~fHE ARTS ~ti~ ~ Cemeteries, such as Olmsted' s Mountain Vi~ in Oakland, Calif, have often ~netioned as public par~ P H O T O G R A P H Y ~d plated more ~ 500,000 ~ees, ~sh Remitits' notions of the subic ~d · e pict~esque, O~sted worked more a p~ter ~ a g~dener to ~ce ~d e~loit "~ genus of ~e place." To cele- Frederick Law Olmsted's landscapes have taught Centre for ~c~tect~e ~ 1987 co~s- us how to t nk about nat e for 100 years io. a v.oto .p. . Ro~ B~ley ~d ~e Fhe~der to ex- plore O~sted's l~ds~pes. The resets of B~ Ma~co~ Jo~s Ja. O~sted, ~ehc~s used ~avey~ds for ~e~ seven-ye~-long e~e~tion m~ up ~e Frede~ek ~w O~sted, no on~ ~s-eity fo~ ~ p~ie~-t~e ~e~ wheh o~ed last week h New York ~d wo~d be~ovo it. One of ~ose ~ss idea ofnat~o ~om O~sted. ~a~e]s to Co]~bus, O~o, ~d WeUesley, yo~g men ofpro~se who never fi~sh The d~ger, of eo~se, ~es h t~g ~s Mass., aeeom~ed by a h~dsome but what they sty, O~st~d was a ~&ye~]d work for ~ted. Visitors to Ce~tr~ P~k ~stra~y bhef~ok, Yie~g O~sted f~er on Staten Isl~d, N.Y., when hs ~e o~en s~sed to le~ that it is not (H9pages. MITPress. $2~). bluep~t for Centr~ P~k, desired ~ col- nat~ l~dseape but was completely m~- Esehe~g pre~ ~s~s for ~e most labo~tion ~th ~e ~ehteet C~ve~ Va~ made by workers who mo~ed ne~ly 5 ~- p~, ~ese photo~aphs convey what it won the ci~s eom~tition for a desi~ ~ ~on c~bie y~ds of stone, ~h ~d topso~ feels ~ to stud 1858. Ma~e~y, ~e~cably, lowed up ~ a ~d ~sion. ~htoam~ofp~seo~ .~ ..... :r ....... : Tupper ~omas puts it, "ne~ly ~ventedmoreth~E~son. A ~.,... ~ '~ ~:~"~ ~..j~/?~~ loved to death." (The Cen~ ~elude Cenff~ P~k ~d Niag~aRese~e, Jaekson P~k ~ ~ .- . .. ~ck on the Great ~m.) ~ C~cago, the D~d Hffis sub- ~- ':: .... ' O~sted's l~ds~pe-~c~tect · ~sion~Afi~ta, ~e Brimore ~ ... ,j:~,, .; .~.... : sons e~ended ~s ~sion from Mo~tm View Cemete~ ~ ~ '~ has come ~ong ~ 100 ye~s to Capitol ~o~ds. O~sted not ~ , ~ ..' :.~:. re&era ~e ~edcm l~d- ~ s~pe as epic~y ~ he ~d. The ' ~ ~ . - · CCA show ~au~y ~vento- ody desired ~e nation s most ; fmous pubic spaces, he ~tr~ ~ / .,¢' ,.. :.-'. '. ,'. ': ties ~at ~edt~ce, but more dueed ~efi~ to the whole ~ ,- : ". th~ ~at, it goads us to ask, idea of pubic p~ks-before ~atum'a h~l~r: Rockefeller estate at Sleepy ~ollow, N.Y. what ne~? ~0 ~swswsss ~s~suaa~ ~4, ~997 To: IO~A CITY CLERK F~om~ Jo Hogarty 4-09-97 8:4§am p. 2 of 8 Johnson Counh.' Sally Slutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 10, 1997 FORMAL MEETING Agenda 1. Call to order 5:30 p.m. 2. Action re: claims 3. Action re: formal minutes of April 3rd 4. Action re: payroll authorizations 5:30 p.m. - Public Hearing on Conditional Use Permit, Zoning and Platting applications a) Discussion/action re: the following Conditional Use Permit: Application CU9702 of C. L. Conklm Jr., North Liberty, IA., requesting a Conditional Use Permit to operate a rodeo and stables on his property. The property is described as being located in the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 1; Township 80 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (Penn Twp) 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 Agenda 4-10-97 Page 2 b) First and Second .consideration of the following Zoning applications: Application Z9661 of James and Filimina Perkl, North Liberty, owner, signed by John Pratt, Coralville, requesting rezoning of 1.99 acres from A1 Rural to RS Suburban Residential of certain property described as being in the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 20; Township 80 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This property is located on the west ~!de of North Liberty Road NE, lying northwest of Johnston Way Road NE and southwest of North Liberty Road NE in Penn Twp.) .... Application Z9703 of Irvin Grout and Bob Grout, owners, signed by Bob Grout, Kalona, requesting rezoning of 1.0 acres from A1 Rural to RS Suburban Residential of certain property described as being in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 19; Township 78 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This property is located on the west side of Naples Avenue SW, approximately 600 feet south of its intersection with 540th Street SW in Liberty Twp.) Application Z9705 of James M. Whatley, Riverside, requesting rezoning of 1.83 acres from A1 Rural to RS suburban Residential of cotrain proport3, dogeribod aa boing in the SW 1/4 of tho SW 1/4 or ~ecuon lz; lownsmp ~v i~ortn; Range o west or me >tn r.ivi. Tog IOWA CITY C~RK From: Jo HogarL¥ 4-09-97 8:46am D, 4 of 0 Agenda 4-10-97 Page 3 5. Application Z9707 of Richard Stockman, owner, Oxford, signed by Norman Swenka, Oxford, requesting rezoning of 1.99 acres from A1 Rural to RS Suburban Residential of certain property described as being in the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 21; Township 80 North; Range 8 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This property is located on the south side of 295th Street NW, 1/4 mile east of Blackhawk Avenue NW in Oxford Twp.) Application Z9708 of Terril M. Baner, owner, Moline Illinois, signed by David Poula, Iowa City, requesting rezoning of 125.3 acres from A1 Rural to RS Suburban Residential of certain property described as being in the North 1/2'-0f-s'~ction 19; Township 81 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This property is located on the w6~ side'~ o~:'Blain' Cemetery Road NW, approximately 1/2 mile north of its intersection with the Amana Road NW in Jefferson Twp.). c) Discussion/action re: the following Platting applications: Application S9645 of Dorothy G. Dougherty Revocable Trust, signed by Glen Meisner of MMS Consultants Inc., requesting preliminary and final plat approval of Nealson's Subdivision, a subdivision described as being located in the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 2; Township 77 North; Range 5 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 1-lot, 1.82 acre, farmstead split, located on the north side of Highway 22, approximately 1/2 mile ¢a~t of its intcr~cction wifi~ White Oak Avcnu~ SE in Fremont Twp3 To, IOWA CITY CLERR From, Jo Houa~t¥ 4-09-97 9,20am p. ~ of ~ Agenda 4-10-97 Page 4 3. Application S9702 of Stephan M. Mann requesting preliminary plat approval of Pin Oak Estates, a subdivision described as being located in the SW 1/4 of Section 2; Township 78 North; Range 8 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 6-lot, 46.74 acre, residential subdivision, located on the east side of Orval Yoder Turnpike SW, approximately 1/8 of a mile north of the Orval Yoder Turnpike and 480th Street SW intersection in Washington Application S9705 of Mary Jo Ogden requesting preliminary and final plat approval of Wild Oak Ridge, a subdivision described as being located in the SW 1/4 of Section 22; Townshlp '80 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (this is a 1-lot, 3.72 acre, residential subdivision, located on the west ~ide of Jasper Avenue NW, approximately 1/4 of a mile south of its intersection with Forevergreen Road NW in Clear Creek Twp.) Application S9706 of Jerry Eyman requesting preliminary and final plat approval of Gateway First Addition, a subdivision described as being located inthe SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 and the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 5; Township 79 North; Range 5 west of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (this is a 2-lot, 31.228 acre, CP2 Commercial Subdivision, located on the north side of Herbert Hoover Highway SE in the west quadrant of the 1-80 and Herbert Hoover Highway interchange in Scott Twp.) Application S9707 of Doug Yansky and Dan Berg, signed by Doug Yansky, requesting preliminary plat approval of Crestview Second Addition, a subdivision described as being located in the NW 1/4 of Section 25; Township 79 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 4-lot, 46.372 acre, residential subdivision, located in the NW quadrant of the Highway 1 SW and Landon Avenue SW intersection on the north of Highway 1 in Union Twp.) _ ~o Application S9708 of Bob Grout requesting preliminary a~i~ final plat approval of Willow Grove Subdivision, a subdivision described as being located in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section To~ IOWA CITY CLERK F~om: Jo Hoga~¥ 4-09-97 8~46am p. § of O Agenda 4-10-97 Page 5 19; and the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 30; all in Township 78 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 24ot (1 residential with 1-outlot, 45.40 acre, residential subdivision, located approximately 600 feet south of the Naples Avenue SW and 540th Street SW intersection in the SW quadrant of said intersection in Liberty Twp.) Application S9709 of Dovetail Development, signed by John Pratt, requesting final plat approval of Barrington Heights First Addition, a subdivision described as being located in the South 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 28; Township 80 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 7-lot (6 residential with 1 outlot), 11.42 acre, residential subdivision, located on the west side of North Dubuque Street NE, approximately 1 ~0 mile n~rth of 1-80 in Penn Twp.) Application S9711 of Brad Amendt requesting preliminary and final plat approval of Amendt Third Subdivision ( a replat of Lot A of Amendt Second Subdivision), a subdivision described as being in the SE 1/4 of Section 11; Township 80 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 2-lot, 18.86 acre, residential subdivision, located on the north side of Sugar Bottom Road NE, approximately 3/4 of a mile north and west of its intersection with Newport Road NE in Newport Twp.) 10. 11. Application S9713 .of W-Four Partners, signed by Ed Williams, requesting preliminary plat approval of Williams Woods Subdivision, a subdivision described as being in the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 26; Township 79 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 7-lot (4 residential with 3 outlot)s, 21.38 acre, residential subdivision, located on the northwest side of Highway 1 SW, approximately 7/8 of a mile west of its intersection with Landon Avenue SW in Union Twp.) Application 89716 of Timberwood Estates, signed by ~ Iv~ral~"i27 requesting preliminary plat approval of Timberwood Estates, a subdivision described as being located in the East 1/2 of Section 18; Township 81 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 4-lot, 18.71 acre, residential subdivision, To~ IOYA ~IT¥ CLE~ From: Jo Eooar~¥ 4-09-97 8:4§am p, 7 of $ Agenda 4-10-97 Page 6 located on both sides of Seneca Road NW, approximately 1/4 of a mile east of its intersection with Blain Cemetery Road NW in Jefferson Twp.) 6. Business from the County Auditor a) Action re: permits b) Action re: reports 1. Clerk's March monthly report c) Update/discussion/action re: temporary appropriation changes necessitated by Department (28) Court Services involving s9me or all of the following additional Departments (01) Ambulance, (08) Sheriff, and (27) Juvenile Justice. _ .......... d) Other 7. Business from the County Attorney a) Report/discussion/action re: Office. b) Report re: other items lease of office space for Juvenile .Probation 8. Business from the Board of Supervisors a) Motion authorizing Chairperson to sign right-of-way contract with Aldrich J. Castek and Dorothy M. Castek for $430.00 for Johnson County Project L-C-8-5. b) Motion authorizing Chairperson to sign right-of-way contract with Bernard J. Marak, Phyllis M. Marak, Darrell L. Marak, and Carolyn M. Marak for $1,007.00 for Johnson County Project L-C-8-5. c) Motion authorizing County Auditor to publish notice to bidders re: bituminous resurfacing (oil contract) throughout various locations on Johnson County Secondary Roads. Action authorizing Chairperson to sign a letter of support for Eastern Iowa Community Mental Health Centers for (PATH) Pr~ects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness. To, IOWA CITY CLERK From, 3o Ho~a~ty 4-09-9? 8,46am p. 8 of 8 Agenda 4-10-97 Page 7 e) Motion accepting Bob Jackson's resignation from the Johnson County Task Force of the Heritage Area Agency on Aging and authorize Chairperson to send a letter of appreciation. f) Motion re: withholding up to $80,000.00 from ARC Block Grant and Community Services Allocation and to reallocated these monies within Department 46, Mental Health/Development Disabilities Services. (This is an adjustment within department 46 for the fiscal year 97. This reallocation is due to an adjustment of funding sources.) g) Action re: job description for S.E.A.T.S. Director. h) Actionre: Springcleanup. i) Other 9. 6:30 p.m. - Public Hearing for FY '97 budget amendment_.requests._ a) Discussion/action re: b) Discussion/action re: c) Other resolution amending the FY '97 budget. resolution changing departmental appropriations. 10. Adjourn to informal meeting a) Discussion re: job description for S.E.A.T.S. Director. b) Inquiries and reports from the public c) Reports and inquiries from the members of the Board of Supervisors d) Report from the County Attorney e) Other 11. Adjournment To: IOWA CITY CLERK F~omn 30 Ho~a~t¥ 4-09-97 12,18pm p. 2 of 2 Johnson Count* Sally Stutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolk¢om Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. La¢ina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 11, 1997 INFORMAL MEETING Agenda 1. Call to order 10:00 a.m. 2. Interviews with candidates for the position of Para-Transit (executive session to the extent permitted by law). discussion 3. Discussion re: candidates for position. Director 4. Adjourn 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086/d~/ Johnson Co~m~y Sally Stutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 10, 1997 INFORMAL MEETING Agenda 1. Call to order 3:00 p.m. 2. Work Session with the Conservation Board. discussion of program 3. Adjourn 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 I'mJ. ohn Fitzeatrick; I own residential property at 721 N. Linn .¢'~ ff.¢~¢~bers oCth(~ City Couhc~i~. / ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~a~ you for the oppoaumty to appear before yo~tomght. ~am opposed to the proposed ordinance exempting boarding house use of ~temity houses ~om parking requirements presently required by city code. I voiced this opposition in my letter to Council, 17 March. I am here to let you know that w alr~dy have a major par~g problem in the 700 block of Noah Linn. This problem results from at least three factors: 1) Not all of the fraternities presently located along the 700 block of North Dubuque Street have sufficient parking to meet present code for fraternity houses. Two reasons for this are that the City of Iowa City, itself, eliminated parking in the widening and regrading of Dubuque Street in 1986; and, in 199'1, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at 702 North Dubuque Street, which has ample parking, chose to convert space -- that had been rented to other fraternities for parking -- into a sports arena, forcing the other fraternities to park on the street. The fraternity l~ase parking problem exists during the fall and spring semesters when the University is in session. Fraternity parking in the 700 block of North Linn is less of a problem during the summer and holidays, because the fraternities are not active at those times. 2) A second factor is the location of the CAMBUS stop in the 700 block of North Dubuque Street. Both the Red and Blue routes stop at the base of the alley that runs from' Linn Street to Dubuque Street; consequently, the 700 block of North Linn has become a parking lot for 3) university employees who choose to take advantage of free street parking, convenient to a CAMBUS stop. University employee parking in the 700 block of North Linn is a problem on weekdays, year-round. The third factor I bring to your attention is that many residents of the 700 block of North Linn do not have off-street parking and must park on the street. In our block there are presently two 4-plexes, a duplex, and a private home, with-out any off-street parking. v~ho~e~x e_. residents must park on the street. This is a daily problem. Not all fraternities and sororities, built prior to 30 December 1940, are of particular significance. A study needs to determine which of the pre-1941 fraternities and sororities should be preserved because of architectural, cultural, or historical significance. Identified structures need to be addressed on an individual basis to determine possible alternative uses, ways to facilitate those uses, and the impact of those uses on the immediate neighborhood. Some such structures may not meet present code requirements tbr fraternity and sorority houses. The residents of North Linn Street value the uniqueness of our neighborhood, with its diversity of housing that includes fraternity houses, multi-family units, and private homes. This diversity makes our neighborhood an exciting place to live. Many older structures contribute significantly to the character of our neighborhood and ought to be preserved. Alternative uses for historic fraternity and sorority houses that would comply w/city codes and would keep the properties on the tax rolls should be explored. The proposed ordinance would negatively affect m~~ neighborhood. A fraternity house at 716 North Dubuque Street rented parking from the Sigma Phi Epsilon house next door. That parking was lost in the development of the Sig Ep sports arena. The fraternity house at 716 North Dubuque stood empty for a couple years and is now occupied by very few residents. To allow a structure like this to become a boarding house based on the number of residents it had previously housed, without some provision to provide parking to replace the parking that had been rented from the Sig Eps would impose considerable hardship on our neighborhood where we already have a significant parking problem that needs to be addressed. The proposed ordinance provides for immediate, maximum, financial exploitation of properties that may or may not be of cultural importance, while ignoring the potential for considerable negative impact on the neighborhoods where such properties are located. ~!I°~urge you to reject the proposed ordinance and to direct city staff to 1) determine which fraternity and sorority houses built prior to 30 December 1940 ought to be preserved because of cultural or historical significance. 2) examine altemative uses that would preserve the structures, retain them on the tax rolls, and benefit our community. 3) draft an ordinance for consideration by council that would provide for the preservation of identified structures, on an individual basis, through alternative uses that would not negatively impact the neighborhoods in which the structures are located. Thank you for your consideration of these concerns. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: Apd19, 1997 To: City Council From: Re: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director, Department of Planning & Community Development -~/- Design of alignment for extension of First Avenue to North Dodge Street At the Apdl 7 City Council work session you directed staff to investigate the following as it pertains to the alignment for the extension of First Avenue to North Dodge Street: Investigate an alignment which more equitably distributes the acquisition of property from the Press-Citizen and the Gatens. If possible, attempt to use Iowa DOT right-of-way at the Dubuque Road intersection with Highway 1, thereby moving the proposed street alignment towards the Press- Citizen/Gatens properly line. 3. Do not move the alignment any further south on the Larson property. With these instructions, staff will investigate the realignment of the proposed First Avenue extension and report back to you at your Apdl 21 City Council work session. We will indicate to affected property owners in the area that there is not the opportunity for public comment at the work session, and that they should contact you directly if they wish to voice their opinion. I will distribute our analysis to the affected property owners as soon as it is prepared so that they have as much time as possible to digest it. I will indicate to them that you will receive the analysis in your Apdl 18 City Council packet. I would remind you that we need a decision one way or another at your Apdl 21 meeting, so that we can remain on schedule for this large public works project. The entire project consists of the extension of First Avenue, construction of a new water main, and the reconstruction and signalization of the Highway 1 intersection. Let me know if you have any questions. CC: Steve Arkins Chuck Schmadeke Karin Franklin Rick Fosse Affected property owners: Chuck Wanninger, Iowa City Press-Cit~2en Dick Ferguson, Joe Pugh; ACT Jeff & Michelle Larson Mike Gatens Gary Hamdorf John Clancy CITY OF IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET April 18, 1997 IP1 IP2 IP3 IP4 APRIL 21 iWORK SESSION Memorandum from Planning and Community Development Assistant Director: Alignment for the Extension of First Avenue to North Dodge Street Memorandum from Planning and Community Development Assistant Director and City Engineer: Iowa River Corridor Trail - South Extension from Burlington Street. Determination of Alignment for FY98 Capital Improvement Program Project Memorandum from Civil Engineer McClure to City Manager: Friendship/Shamrock Creek Channel Improvements Memorandum from Senior Building Inspector, City Engineer, and Fire Chief: Issues Raised by Iowa City Home Builders Association IP5 IP6 IP7 IP8 IP9 IP10 IPll IP12 IP13 IP14 IP15 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS · Letter from City Manage to Casey Cook (FIRST): 'r4~irl Development on Peninsula Memorandum from City Clerk: Meeting Schedule for March, April, May, June, July, and August Memorandum from City Clerk: Special Meeting for PCRB Public Input . Memorandum from City Clerk: Council Work Session, April 7, 1997- 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers Memorandum from City Clerk: Special Council Work Session - PCRB, April 8, t997; 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Memorandum from City Clerk: Absence Memorandum from Assistant City Attorney Holecek: Legal Opinion Concerning Characterization of River City Housing Collective, Inc. as Non-Charitable Organization for Property Tax Exemption Purposes Under Iowa Code Letter from City Attorney to Thomas Miller (State Attorney General): Request for Release of( ~c~ 5 Public Information: DCl Investigative Report #9609424, Dealing with the Eric Shaw Incident Letter from City Attorney to Dean Spinal Bernard, Wilfred, & Hubert Yeggy; Your Request for l L~c~,(~ Attendance at City Council Closed Meeting (Executive Session) Memorandum from City Manager. Case File Review - 1995 I L{ C~ ~'~ Memorandum from Office Kevin Berg to Capt. Widmer: Monthly Report on Activities for March ~ L~ c~I 1997 April 18, 1997 Information Packet (continued) 2 IP16 IP17 IP18 IP19 IP20 IP21 IP22 IP23 IP24 IP25 IP26 Memorandum from JCCOG Transportation Planner: Corridor Preservation Agreement for the/L/c~ c Extension of Oakdale Boulevard between First Avenue Coralville and County Road W-66 (Dubuque Street) Letter from Neighborhood Services Coordinator to Fianigan Court/Teg Drive Residents: Humps Along Teg Drive Memorandum from Joyce Carroll to City Manager: Chauncey Swan "Soft Music" Series Speed Letter from James Andrews to Iowa City Press Citizen Editor: Prayer Minutes: Public Access Television Meeting of February 20, t997 Invitation: Lieutenant Wayne Stagg Retirement Agenda: Johnson County Board of Supervisors April 1S, 1997, Informal Meeting Agenda: Johnson County Board of Supervisors April t7, t997, Formal Meeting Press Release: Historic Preservation Awards Program to be Held May 14 Press Release: A Celebration of Arbor Day Memorandum from Planning and Community Development Director: [Document in Council packet only] 1997 Comprehensive Plan/~0C Memo from City Mgr. regarding Cultural Center/Library Project: Operating & Capital Cost. Memo and information from City Attorney regarding the Police Citizen Review Board (PCRB). Agenda for the Informal & Formal meetings 4/22/97 of the Board of SUpervisors. Information regarding the proposed restaurant at 200 Scott Ct. (Mid-Town). Fire Protection Scenarios & Speed of Suppression. Letter from Board of SUpervisors regarding the Streb annexation & road maintenance for 420th St. SE. Financial Information regarding the Cultural Center (Parcel 64-1A) proposal. Memo from Police Dept. regarding update on Case File search. Memo from City Mgr. regarding Cable TV - City Productions. Agenda for the 4/23/97 Informal mtg. of the Board of Supervisors. Copy of Police Citizen Review Board (PCRB) proposed ordinance. (dated 4/22/97). City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1997 To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Asst. Director, Dept. of Planning & Community Development Re: Design of alignment for the extension of First Avenue to North Dodge Street 7-/'[ At your April 7 work session you directed staff to investigate alternatives for the alignment of the First Avenue extension to North Dodge Street. The primary purpose of the investigation was to determine if an alignment was feasible which more equitably distributed the acquisition of property from the Press-Citizen and the Gatens. We were also instructed not to move the alignment any further south on the Larson property. Staff has designed an alternative route to the C+ alignment which is shown on the following figure. Property acquisition is distributed approximately 60%-40% between the Press-Citizen and the Gatens. The alternative design adheres to our design standards, and the difference in expense between the two alignments is estimated to be negligible. One suggestion which was made on April 7 was to realign the intersection with North Dodge Street further to the north and east, in order to get closer to the Press-Citizen/Gatens property line. Our subsequent investigation has led us to not recommend this be implemented, for the following reasons: 1. The substantial expense due to a large amount of earth work. The negative impact to the Clancy property adjacent to the intersection due to tree removal in the ravine area. Realigning the intersection would also increase the probability that persons exiting the Clancy property driveway would' be encumbered by left turning vehicles at the new intersection. The substantial expense to realign the opposite side of the intersection (Dubuque Road). Our investigation of the alternative alignment led to a finding which we felt could negatively impact the Press-Citizen property, in spite of it requiring less right-of-way from the Press- Citizen. The northeast corner of the Press-Citizen's property is easily accessible from either of the proposed alignments of the new road. However, the lower portion of the Press-Citizen property has much more restricted access via a ridge where the Larsen, Gatens, and Press- Citizen property all meet. The alternative alignment reduces this access frontage from 200-300 feet to approximately 30-50 feet. The two portions of the Press-Citizen property are inaccessible from each other because of large ravines. This access concern was raised with the Press-Citizen to see if it changed their position on the alignment issue. They stated that as long as a minimum frontage is maintained to allow a street extension from their lower property to the new road, they prefer the alternative alignment. This will be a design consideration for us if you decide to direct us to design the new road according to the alternative alignment. I would appreciate your indicating at your April 21 work session if you prefer to have staff to continue with design of the original C+ alignment, or if you prefer the alternative alignment which more equitably distributes the acquisition of property from the Press-Citizen and the Gatens. Bring any questions you have to Monday's work session. Thanks. CC: Steve Atkins Chuck Schmadeke Karin Franklin Rick Fosse Affected property owners: Chuck Wanniger, Iowa City Press-Citizen Dick Ferguson, Joe Pugh; ACT Jeff & Michelle Larson Mike Gatens Gary Hamdorf John Clancy Attachments jccogadm\nortdodg.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1997 To: City Council From: Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development '"~// Rick Fosse, City Engineer ~ Re: Iowa River Corridor Trail - south extension from Burlington Street Determination of alignment for FY98 Capital Improvement Program project At your December 16, 1996 work session, we discussed several design issues related to extending the Iowa River Corridor Trail south from Burlington Street. This trail was originally planned to be constructed in 1997 on the west side of the Iowa River, from Burlington Street to Sturgis Ferry Park. This trail segment is the most significant trail project ever undertaken by Iowa City, both in overall length and in complexities due to existing development and high river banks downstream of the Burlington Street dam. The trail is now planned to be constructed in 1998 to allow time to study alternative trail alignments. At your December work session, you directed staff to: Investigate having the-trail cross the Iowa River at Benton Street or by another means so that it would proceed on the east side of the river to Napoleon Park, instead of Sturgis Ferry Park. Redesign the trail so that it goes behind the Master Muffler and Dairy Queen properties, along the riverbank. o Request that JCCOG reallocate surplus federal funds from the Melrose West project to the Iowa River Corridor (IRC) Trail project. JCCOG did reallocate approximately $388,000 from Melrose West Project to the IRC Trail project; the IRC Trail now has between $738,000 and 9788,000 in federal funds, depending on exactly how much in surplus funds remain from Melrose West. Four Alternatives Staff has developed four alternative alignments for you to consider; all four are consistent with the adopted Iowa River Corridor Trail plan. To be able to implement this project in 1998, we need a decision on which alignment to pursue by the end of April. We need to be able to finalize design of the trail this spring and summer, so that. it can be submitted for the necessary environmental and archeological clearances which must be'obtained before we can begin to acquire property. We hope to acquire property in the fall and submit the project to Iowa DOT in time for a late winter/early spring letting next year. A description of each alternative alignment follows as well as a cost estimate summary. The four alignment alternatives are shown in the attached figure. Iowa River Corridor Trail April 17, 1997 Page 2 Original Alignment.' Burlington Street to Sturgis Ferry Park, entirely on the west side of the Iowa River. This is the originally planned alignment for this segment, with an estimated con- struction cost of 91,640,000. With the trail designed behind Master Muffler and Dairy Queen, motor vehicle conflicts over the entire segment will be minimized. Sturgis Ferry Park will become the south trailhead. The owner of the Master Muffler property feels strongly that the trail should be con- structed behind Master Muffler. The owner of Dairy Queen does not oppose the trail, as long as it does not conflict with the rear door, patio, and wall at the rear of the property. All of the other property owners and/or businesses along this alignment have been previously contacted, and have expressed a willingness to work with the City on this project. Bo Napoleon Route #1: Cross to the east side of the Iowa River at Benton Street, continue along the riverbank to Napoleon Park. This option would cost slightly more than the original alignment, 91,877,000, but would have a lower cost per linear foot because it is longer. As shown in the attached figure, it would use the existing 8-foot wide sidewalk on the Benton Street Bridge to cross the river, and continue south along the east riverbank to Napoleon Park. Napoleon Park receives higher use than Sturgis Ferry Park, and will generate higher use of the trail. A trail terminating at Napoleon Park also creates opportunities for future trail extensions to the Iowa City Kickers' Soccer Park, and the South Sycamore Regional Wetland System. The owner of the City Carton property is opposed to the trail going through his property. The trail easement would reduce storage space and space necessary for trucks to maneuver on the lot. The Department of Public Works also has serious reservations about establishing a trail along the west side of the sewer plant. The northwest corner of the sewer plant property has very little room to accommodate a trail, and has an electrical switching station, power poles and outflow pipe very close to the riverbank. Establishing the trail adjacent to industrial land uses such as City Carton and the sewer plant also leaves much to be desired aesthetically. Metro Pavers would prefer the trail stayed on the west side of the Iowa River. If the trail is established through their property, Metro Pavers believes that a solid, opaque fence should be installed to limit visibility into their property, and prevent trail users from trespassing onto an industrial facility. Co Napoleon Route #2: Cross to the east side of the Iowa River via a pedestrian bridge south of Hwy. 6; continue south to Napoleon Park. This alignment with an estimated cost of t~2,299,000, the most expensive of the alternatives. The trail would be constructed along the west riverbank to a point behind the Iowa City Transit Building, where it would cross to the east side of the river via a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. There is no cost savings in attaching this bridge to the Hw¥. 6 bridge. Iowa River Corridor Trail April 17, 1997 Page 3 This alignment is more expensive than Napoleon route //1 due to the trail being constructed along the west side of the river between Benton Street and Hwy. 6, which requires more retaining walls; and the $330,000 expense of the pedestrian bridge. This alignment would provide access to the commercial businesses along Riverside Drive, and would avoid the industrial facilities on the east side of the river. Napoleon Route #3: Cross the Iowa River at Benton Street, and construct the trail around the perimeter of the City Carton and sewer plant properties to Ralston Creek. This option, with an estimated cost of $1,820,000, would cross the river at Benton Street, and continue to Ralston Creek via Benton and Clinton streets. It would then follow the creek to near Highway 6, cross the river under the Highway 6 bridge, cross the creek, and extend to Napoleon Park. Building the trail along this alignment would take the trail away from the river into an industrial area where there will be multiple conflicts with large trucks. It is because of these types of conflicts that the trail was designed to go behind properties on Riverside Drive. An 8' sidewalk would need to be constructed in the industrial area along Benton and Clinton streets. Summary of Cost Estimates Scenario A. Burlington to Sturgis Ferry Park B. Napoleon Route//1 C. Napoleon Route//2. D. Napoleon Route//3 Cost Federal Local Match % Local Funds Match $1,640,000 $750,000 $ 890,000 54% $1,877,000 $750,000 $1,127,000 60% $2,299,000 $750,000 $1,549,000 67% $1,820,000 $750,000 $1,070,000 59% Note: This amount assumes $350,000 in surplus federal funds from the Melrose West project. Staff Recommendation Staff is of the opinion that the most desirable option, and the option most consistent with the Iowa River Corridor Trail Plan, is a hybrid of Alternatives A and C. We recommend you proceed immediately with construction of the original scenario, Burlington Street to Sturgis Ferry Park. A second project should be added to the Capital Improvement Program and prioritized for a future year which would extend the trail from behind the transit building, across the river and south to Napoleon Park. Although it is tempting to try and extend the trail to Napoleon Park at the present time, we believe it will be difficult to do so properly with the alternatives available to us at this time. We believe the two-stage approach will ultimately result in a safer, more aesthetically pleasing river corridor trail. Iowa River Corridor Trail April 17, 1997 Page 4 Conclusion The items to be discussed at your work session on April 21 can be summarized as follows: 1. Which alignment of the Iowa River Corridor Trail extension south from Burlington Street do you wish to pursue? 2. Do you wish to phase the construction over more than one year? If so, which segments do you wish to have implemented in 19987 Attachment cc: Steve Atkins Jeff McClure John Yapp Casey Cook, FIRST Affected property owners ppdadmin\irctrail,doc River Corridor Trai~ Route Alternatives C,~APOLEON / A. STURGIS .~-%D NAPOLEON ROUTE #3 NAPOLEON ROUTE #1 I~JCCOG/ City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 8, 1997 To: Steve Atkins, City Manager From: Jeff McClure K~ Re: Friendship/Shamrock Creek Channel Improvements Following the April 7, 1997, City Council work session discussion and decision regarding the creek channel improvement project, it is my understanding that the Engineering Division is to proceed as follows: 3. 4. 5. Make improvements at the downstream bend using reno mattresses to control the erosion Carry these improvements through the bend only (approx. Sta. 0+00 to1+25) Do not provide any creek channel improvements beyond this point Remove the tree blocking the Friendship Street storm sewer outlet Investigate sedimentation trap types and effectiveness at the Peterson Street sewer outlet Remove the rock and debris from the existing culvert Install grass pavers between Shamrock Drive and the culvert to provide a safe and less damaging path for City crews to clean the grate Redesign the culvert grate to minimize blockage and design a backhoe attachment to effectively clean the grate Complete final design and construct improvements this fall The above listed improvements will stabilize the erosion occurring at the downstream end of the creek and improve culvert capacity and reliability, but will not improve channel capacity. Please contact me if you perceived a different direction given by the City Council. Thank you for your time. cc. Rick Fosse, City Engineer c:~nsoffice\winword\proj¢cts~shamrockh'ncm_0408.doc 'CITY OF I0 WA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1997 To: Mayor Naomi Novick and members of City Council From: Ron Boose, Senior Building Inspector '~ ~'~ Rick Fosse, City Enginee~ Andy Rocca, Fire Chief. ~ Re: Issues raised by Iowa City Home Builders Association This is a response to the letter of February 21, 1997 from the Home Builders Association of Iowa City regarding division policies and code issues which they feel add unnecessary costs to construction in Iowa City. The responses are organized to follow the order of items in the last part of the HBA letter. I have attached a copy of the HBA letter for your review. Andy Rocca, Rick Fosse, and I will be in attendance at the informal council meeting on April 21 to elaborate on these responses and answer any questions. Item 1: Amendment to section 904.2.8 of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) regarding the installation of residential sprinkler systems. Discussion: Discussion surrounding this amendment actually began in 1993 with the adoption of the 1991 Uniform Fire Code. The amendment was not recommended by the Board of Appeals at that time however, City Council instructed the board and staff to continue to study the issue. With the publication' of the 1994 Uniform Building and Fire codes, discussion of the residential sprinkler systems resurfaced and the resulting local amendment was recommended for the following reasons: Local building practices appeared to be intentionally circumventing the intent of the code. The UBC requires automatic sprinkler systems in apartment houses 3 or more stories in height or containing 15 or more dwelling units. In Iowa City, apartment houses containing 12 dwelling units are very popular. Typically, the apartment house final grade was designed to circumvent the sprinkler requirement, resulting in a 2-1/2 story apartment house however, there are still 3 habitable floor levels. The same occupant load and fuel load is present as in a three story building but without the local amendment, sprinklers are not required in these building. Local fire losses. Recent fire loss history had demonstrated significant losses in multi-unit structures. Examples include: the 1993 Ernest Street apartment house fire ($125,000), the 1994 Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house fire ($1,600,000), and the 1994 Oakcrest apartment.house fire ($1,000,000). Maximization of Fire Department resources. Automatic sprinkler systems are designed to control or extinguish a fire until the fire department can respond. These are critical factors to consider along with first due and second due unit response times for a structure fire. As a result, the use of local fire department resources are maximized. The Iowa City Fire Department endorses the use of automatic sprinkler systems to augment its fire suppression and life-safety capabilities. The early warning and notification of building occupants, combined with automatic detection and suppression, are considered to be state-of-the-art fire and life-safety technology. Recommendation: Retain present code requirement. Item 2: Amendment to section 1907.6.5 of the Uniform Building Code regarding placement of reinforcement in foundation walls, Discussion: This amendment was adopted to provide a minimum design standard for placement of reinforcement in foundation/retaining walls without requiring each wall to be designed by an Engineer. Section 1603.1 of the UBC requires that "Buildings and other structures, and all portions thereof, shall be designed and constructed to sustain, within the limits of this code, all dead loads and other loads specified within this chapter or elsewhere in this code." The only exception is buildings constructed in accordance with the conventional framing requirements of chapter 23 which only pertain to wood framed walls. Section 1609.2 of the UBC requires that "retaining walls shall be designed to resist the lateral pressure of the retained material in accordance with accepted engineering practice." ( A retaining wall is any wall erected to hold back or support a bank of earth or any wall subjected to lateral pressure other than wind pressure.) This would require every basement wall to be designed by an engineer. This provision had not been enforced in Iowa City or Coralville and with the increased popularity of walk-out basements, we have been informed of increased failures in basement walls over the past several years. During the development of the local amendments to the 1994 edition.. of the UBC, the Board of Appeals was approached by a local structural engineer who had investigated a number of these wall failures. This engineer requested that the city either require every basement wall to be designed by an engineer as the UBC requires, or at the very least, adopt and enforce some reasonable standard for placement of reinforcement that was based on accepted engineering practices. The resulting code amendment was developed with the assistance of a structural engineer. We feel that this amendment reflects a reasonable compromise which provides an acceptable level of safety for the homeowner while adding minimal costs for the builder. The City of Coralville is using the same guidelines for determining placement of reinforcing in walk-out basement walls. Recommendation: Retain present code requirement. Item 3: Section 1203.3 of the UBC regarding ventilation of laundry rooms. Discussion: This provision has been in the UBC for several years but was not previously enforced in Iowa City. During the adoption process for the 1994 UBC, staff suggested either enforcing this requirement or amending it out of the local code. Since no objections were voiced at that time, we started enforcing this provision with the adoption of the 1994 UBC. The benefits of proper ventilation in a laundry room are probably marginal and staff does not object to deleting this provision from the local building code. Recommendation: Add a local amendment to the UBC to eliminate the requ_irement for ventilation in laundry rooms. Item 4: 3" roll curb verses 6" vertical curb. Discussion: There are four primary reasons why roll curbs are not in the Iowa City Design Standards: · The ride of roll curbs is not as smooth as regular curb cuts. Over time many property owners cut out the roll curb and install a regular Curb drop to eliminate the bump. This can be seen on Glendale Terrace. In these cases, the long term cost to the home owner is actually higher. Roll curbs have been used for the condos on Balfour Place, a private street in Village Green if you would like to try one. · Our snow plow drivers report that they have a hard time guiding the plows along roll curbs as opposed to full curbs. Over time, many streets are overlaid with asphalt to extend their life. If a street with a roll curb is overlaid, it will have no curb remaining. This effectively eliminates asphalt resurfacing as a maintenance technique. Drainage of streets with roll curbs require the use of gate type intakes instead of RA type curb opening intakes. This affects initial cost, maintenance and reliability. The initial cost is higher because more grate intakes are generally required for equal ' performance and the storm sewer pipe is under the pavement instead of behind the curb, which requires more expensive backfill techniques. Since the pipe is under the street instead of behind the curb, it is more expensive to access for repair. Finally, grate type intakes are vulnerable to blockage from leaves or other debris that washes to them. This results in blockages, local flooding and increased maintenance. The RA type curb opening intakes pass most debris through the opening and are more reliable. These factors can offset any savings achieved by not making a curb cut for a driveway. A technique that promises to reduce the cost of curb cuts on streets with full curbs is concrete grinding. As grinding machines become less expensive, grinding is becoming an economical alternative to sawing curb cuts and gives a more durable product. This can be seen on a few drives in the South Point Subdivision. I expect that in a few years this will be the method of choice. Recommendation: Retain present code requirement. Item 5: Iowa City Code section 14-1A-5 D regarding requirement to post a public right of way cleanup escrow prior to the issuance of any building permit. Discussion: This ordinance was adopted in the early 1980's in response to a general problem with contractors failing to properly clean mud from construction projects off of the city streets. It was initiated by a previous city council and has worked quite effectively. Withholding of the certificate of occupancy or sidewalk release for reimbursement of street cleaning costs as suggested by the HBA, shifts the burden of actually cleaning the street back on to the city. Mud from construction sites is generally tracked onto the city streets during excavation and foundation work which takes place several months before the need for a certificate of occupancy or a sidewalk release. This time separation reduces the motivation to clean the street when the problem is present. The most likely result would be that the city would have to perform the street cleaning action and then attempt to collect the associated costs from the contractor. This process would result in much higher costs to the city through street cleaning and collection activities as well as delays in actually getting the streets cleaned. Recommendation: Retain present code requirement. Item 6: Time to process permit applications. Discussion: The Building Inspection Division has been working to reduce turnaround time for building permits for the past several years principally through the cross training of staff members. At the current level of workload, throughout the month of March and the first half of April, plans for new single family dwellings and additions which were complete when submitted, have been processed in three days or less. This time frame will undoubtedly lengthen as the number of permit applications and inspection requests increase throughout the spring and summer. We make every effort to process single family dwelling permits within one week, even during the busiest times of the year. We currently have two staff members who divide their time between reviewing and preparing building permits and performing building and zoning inspections. Of course when demand is high for permits, demand is also high for inspections. Over the counter plan reviews are not a good policy. Hurried reviews only lead to increased errors. Time spent at the counter reviewing and issuing permits reduces the amount of time that can be spent reviewing and preparing permit applications for those applicants who do not demand instant service. We have streamlined the permitting process where possible. Plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and some building permits are issued by mail which allows the contractor to begin work as soon as the permit application is received. For building permits this method is limited to applications which do not require the submittal and review of plans such as roofing or siding permits for commercial buildings. The recent addition of payment by credit card has added the option of submitting these permits by fax. Five to seven working days is not an unreasonable amount of time to wait for a building permit. I have spoken with the Building Officials from Coralville and North Liberty and their permit processing time is very similar to ours. Coralville will issue a permit "over the counter" on occasion but it is not standard procedure. In many parts of the US even a simple permit for a deck or porch can take 3 to 6 weeks to process. Our service is much better. Most contractors who work in Iowa City on a regular basis are well aware of the normal processing time for permits and plan their work schedules accordingly. For these contractors the permit processing time presents no delay. The failure of some contractors to properly plan ahead should not impose a burden upon staff to rush permits through plan review, lengthen the waiting time for non-counter permits, and increase the probability of errors. Counter permits create an inequity in favor of those who fail to plan ahead and in detriment of those who do. Recommendation: Retain current policies for processing of permit applications. Item 7: Procedure for compliance with State energy code requirements. Discussion: The current city policy for assuring compliance with the state energy code is a review and certification of the building plans by a licensed architect or engineer. This policy has been in place for many years. It is very simple and easy for us to administer but we are not adverse to exploring other methods. Having division staff perform the heat loss calculations is not a viable option. We already possess the software that. the HB^ refers to. In fact it is free for anyone to download off of the internet. This software makes it easy to see if a proposed building is in compliance with the Model Energy Code once you have the information necessary for the program to perform the calculations. The time frame required to extract this information from a set of plans is not minimal. If the city were to perform this function for builders we would require much more detailed information on plans than we are now provided and the processing time for all permits would lengthen. The option of having someone other than a licensed architect or engineer perform the audit may be workable. The above mentioned software produces a standard form displaying the inputted data and the resulting heat loss calculations. It also provides a place for the preparer to certify that the information is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. This standard form could be quickly reviewed by city staff during normal plan review. The form could be completed by the HVAC contractor, the general contractor, or any other individual with the interest and knowledge to work through the program. Recommendation: Staff will work with the HBA to devise a procedure which will allow the energy review to be performed by any qualified person provided that it is submitted on a standard certification form. cc: Glenn Siders, Chair, HB^ Legislative Committee HOME E)UILDERS ASSOCIATION OF IOWA. February 21, 1997 Mayor Naomi Novick City of Iowa City 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 P.O. IS) o x Iowa City, Iowa 52244 Phone:(31 F a x: (~)1 9) ~)~7-9823 FEB S 1997 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE RE: Code Issues Dear Mayor Novick: In response to your request to identify various code issues that may be costly our association has identified three building code items, three policy items and one engineering standard. With the enclosed attachment we will attempt to provide costs and suggested code language to alter these provisions. The Home Builders Association of Iowa City (HBA of IC) has dealt with a few engineering standards that seem to consistently be identified as problems for our membership. HBA of IC has not attempted to study the entire engineering standard package in detail. Our association has not addressed any zoning code issues or other Iowa City code issues such as land development, subdivision standards, etc. It is important to understand that we do not necessarily agree with many sections of the Uniform Building Code and feel several items in these codes add significant cost to a structure. However, because national codes have been developed by professionals in the construction industry, it is difficult to justify or ask that various sections of code be amended on the local level. HBA of IC compared the Iowa City codes or amendments thereto, with not only surrounding communities but larger communities such as Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. HBA of IC did make comparisons to the State Building Code. Attached to this letter, is a summary of items our association identified as problematic. For your convenience, we have also included a summary of all items addressed by our membership. Our association would be willing to present this information to you at an informal council meeting to provide additional detail. We strongly request that you consider the informal council work session so that our association will have the opportunity to address these issues, answer questions and discuss this information in detail. affiliated with NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS & HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF IOWA Page 2. Mayor Naomi Novick February 21, 1997 HBA of IC appreciates the opportunity to look into these issues and we hope to be of some assistance in pursuing potential solutions. Sincerely, Glenn Siders Chairperson Legislative Committee cc: Ron Boose Rick Fosse Summary of Code and Policy Items - City of Iowa City Attachment to letter dated February 2'1, 1997 ITEM 1) Required sprinklers for nine or more units 2) Distance between exits in multiple family dwelling 3) Concrete wall reinforcement requirements 4) 3" roll curb vs. 6" curb. 5) Allow PVC underground plumbing 6) Erosion control escrow 7) Inspection stickers 8) Time to issue a building permit 9) Omit basement insulation 10) Energy audit by engineer 11) Water service stub on new lots 12) Romex in multiple family 13) Allow trench footings 14) Omit additional neutral on 220 outlet 15) Omit fresh air in utility room 16) Omit 8% light requirements for basements 17) Require gas line test by plumber or mechanical contractor 18) Omit fire damper requirement on supply registers 19) Increase 4" balusters spacing 20) Allow egress and greater than 65% light under screen porch roofs 21) Omit exhaust fan requirement for laundry rooms 22) Omit outlet requirement for kitchen islands & peninsula ACTION *Challenged Not Challenged *Challenged *Challenged Not Challenged *Challenged Not Challenged *Chal.lenged Not Challenged *Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged Not Challenged *Challenged Not challenged RATIONAL Exceeds code requirement Interpretation Exceeds code requirements Cost advantage City amending We have. better suggestion Would add cost Time is money State guideline Challenged at State Level Duplication of effort No savings Code change allows Justification National Code requirement Necessary National code Statewide practice Life safety code Justification Justification Cost and necessity National Code * Issues that are being challenged by HBA of IC ITEM 1: Amendment to the Uniform Building Code is Section 904.2.8 reads as follows: an automatic sprinkler system shall. be installed throughout: 1. Every apartment house with three (3) floors of residential occupancy, three(3) or more stories in height or containing nine (9) or more dwelling units: Z Every congregate residence of three floors, three (3) or more stories in height or having an occupant load of twenty (20) or more,' and 3. Every hotel three (3) or more stories in height or containing twenty (20) or more guest rooms. Residential or quick response standard sprinklers shall be used in the dwelling units and guest room portions of the building. For the purpose of this section, area separation walls used to define separate buildings shall have no openings. EXCEPTION: Sprinklers may be omitted in a townhouse style building containing less than nine (9) dwelling units and three (3) floors of residential occupancy. This amendment substantially increased the required use of residential sprinkler systems in apartment and condominium complexes. Prior to the amendment, the requirement in the code was to provide a sprinkler system in buildings more than three (3) stories in height or containing sixteen (16) or more dwelling units. This amendment has essentially reduced the allowed number of units by 50% going from fifteen (15) units to eight (8) units, and has reduced the requirement from essentially three (3) stories to two (2) stories. HBA of IC recommends that this amendment be omitted and the original language remain in the building code. This recommendation is supported by research provided by the State Fire Marshal who indicates that there are no statistics to justify that there is a greater hazard in a fifteen-unit apartment than there is in an eight-unit apartment. A quotation from Blackhawk Sprinkler Systems indicates that the cost to provide sprinklers for a commonly built 12-unit condominium would be $18,800.00. This would increase the cost per unit by more than $1,500.0~. There are many fire fighting officials that are instrumental in developing the Uniform Building Code. HBA of IC agrees that systems are preferred and we support installation of such sprinkler systems on a voluntary basis. Our association also investigated insurance rates if sprinklers we provided in residential construction and found that there is only approximately a 20% reduction in the base rate of residential insurance. This would amount to a savings of $200.00 per year in insurance premiums for a 12-unit complex. ITEM 2. Section 1907.6.5 EXCEPTION #2 Upgrades the reinforcing and design criteria for concrete walls on residential single family construction. This amendment increases the size of concrete walls and reforcing methods that are now required for certain distances of a wall that have a lateral force applied to it. This amendment was approved by the Iowa City Building Code Board of Appeals based on a recommendation of one local engineer who has indicated that the reason needed for this amendment was because of failures found in the Iowa City area. What was not documented by this engineer, is the criteria that showed whether or not the reason of the failure was because of poor craftsmanship or because the wall was not constructed in compliance with the Uniform Building Code standards. It was not evident or documented that the failures found were the result of an inadequate code. The Home Builders believe that many of the failures are not caused by installing walls properly as the building code currently reads but because of poor construction practices. The lack of quality control such as backfilling or applying lateral pressures to the wall before the concrete has had adequate time to properly cure out would be a good example. Because this code section is an engineering design, and many factors dictate the type of construction needed, it is difficult to associate a cost to this project. In talking with many of our general contracting firms and concrete subcontractors, we have estimated the additional cost with this engineering practice to be $1,200 to $1,500 per home. It is the association's recommendation that we omit this amendment and leave the building code requirement as established nationally. Again, it is necessary to understand that numerous engineers are involved in this research before the Uniform Building Code is codified and implemented. ITEM 3. Section 1203.3 of the Uniform Building Code which requires exhaust air in laundry room facilities. This section of the code requires that laundry rooms in a residential structure provide an exhaust fan regardless of the size of the facility. We are estimating the cost of providing this exhaust system at $75.00 to $100.00 per every laundry room situation. It would be HBA of IC's recommendation to omit this requirement or at the very least provide a minimum and maximum square footage where this code requirement would apply. HBA of IC's particular concerns came from mechanical contractors that felt if you had a laundry facility in a large area (washer or dryer in an unoccupied basement) the benefits for the requirement are non-existent. On the other end of the spectrum, contractors voiced serious concern in an area that is too small such as in a commonly built 3' x 5' closet off a corridor where you have a washer and dryer. The contractors said the exhausting of the air in that area could interfere with the required fresh air provisions for gas fired appliances and could suffocate the combustion air. The code requires that all gas appliances provide fresh air or combustion air to burn properly. In a small room of this type, the exhaust fan could suck the air out and would create inadequate combustion. This statement is supported by Bernie Osvald, Mechanical Inspector, for the City of Iowa City. ITEM #4: An item that was commonly mentioned by our association as a cost factor was one found in your engineering design standards. That item is the inability to provide a 3" roll curb as opposed to the commonly found 6" vertical curb. It was found that the engineering department at this time is resistant in allowing roll curbs. Although there are justified arguments with the disadvantages of roll curbs, HBA of IC believes the arguments for the advantages of using roll curbs are greater. A cost with a roll curb is difficult to establish because it is unknown at this time what the savings to a developer might be if they had the opportunity to provide roll curbs on the entire street as opposed to a 6" vertical curb. Our association has estimated a price per driveway access to a street. Currently, the average cost to cut out an existing curb and replace it with concrete is $510.00. HBA of IC has received prices on grinding a curb. $200.00 was an average figure to grind a curb which would be an added cost of $310.00 by not allowing roll curbs. ITEM 5. Currently the City requires per year, a $1,000 cash escrow or $500 per project escrow for any building permit issued for new construction. This escrow is required primarily to assure that streets are maintained and proper deanup occurs. The savings for this project is simply whether you pay $500.00 per project or provide an annual $1,000 cash escrow. The Home Builders Association agrees that a method needs to be in place to assure maintenance and cleanup. HBA of IC would ask the City. to consider using an occupancy permit or possibly the delay of a sidewalk release until the property is deaned. HBA of IC has found that many lending institutions will not dose a house until these two documents are in place and we feel that this would insure that the city would reach its goal. ITEM 6. The most common policy item that was problematic for the Home Builders and the general public was the amount of time it takes to receive a building permit. The current code does not indicate a time frame in which building permits are processed. The time frame for simple projects in Iowa City such as a deck, simple addition, screened-in porch, etc. can take as long as one week to ten days to process. In.a community where the construction season is short, this causes significant problems for builders and homeowners. It would be very difficult to put a dollar amount on time delays--but time is money. Our association did some research on other communities and found that counter reviews are common. This type of review is done in local communities and even larger communities such as Cedar Rapids. In a personal conversation with the plan review examiner, for the City of Cedar Rapids, it was found for simple projects, which if plans contained complete construction detail, a permit would be issued within less than one hour and issued over the counter. The plans examiner indicated that if the plans were complete where they could perform necessary calculations, plans for a new single family home could be administered over the counter as well. The examiner also indicated that if review was needed by other departments certain days (in Cedar Rapids situation, every Tuesday and Thursday) were set aside for this plan review and permits would be issued in approximately three days. The plans examiner also indicated that there were no problems when it was time to inspect the project. It was indicated to HBA of IC for simple projects, even in the busiest season, permits were issued in no less than one week. In all communities that we talked with, they have one plans examiner to review plans and issue permits. HBA of IC strongly urges the City to develop a policy that would expedite the plan review process to allow for a timely review and issuing building permits. In Iowa City, we have three people that review plans and can issue permits. ITEM 7. The City imposes pre energy code compliance on single family dwellings by a certified professional architect or engineer. The cost for this service is $75.00 per permit. In a recent study completed by Jim Schoenfelder, energy coordinator, for the City of Iowa City, eight out of ten homes were not in compliance with the Model Energy Code. Jim held a seminar for our builders and indicated that minor modifications could be made to bring these homes into compliance. HBA of IC would offer two recommendations. One recommendation would be to have the City do the plan review for the energy code compliance on a computer' program designed to calculate energy efficiency. The time frame to perform this calculation is minimal. The Home Builders Association would be willing to provide the City with this software because of the benefit and the money we think the builders would save. A second recommendation; would be. to allow people other than professional architects or engineers such as HVAC contractors to review the calculation and provide the City with documentation that a home was in compliance with Iowa State Energy Code. In closing, although we are not in agreement with many of the current code requirements. It is very difficult to justify reducing or eliminating these codes because they are a national standard and must be addressed at that level. If we can be of assistance in helping the city researching these items, or other codes and standards such as zoning or engineering, please let us know. April 16, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Casey Cook, President Friends of the Iowa River Scenic Trail PO Box 3433 Iowa City, IA 52244 Re: Your correspondence of April 1, 1997 pertaining to trail development on the Peninsula Dear Casey: Thank you for your correspondence of Apdl 1, 1997. Groups such as the Friends of the Iowa River Scenic Trail are essential when we are planning extensions of our trail network. At present time it is the City Council's intention to take advantage of the opportunity which you outlined in your letter. We plan to take advantage of the easements created from the new water plant project and have many of those easements double as the Iowa River Corridor Trail. I believe a majority of the City Council supports this as an opportunity for our trail system. It is important, however, for FIRST and other bicycle/pedestrian advocacy groups to stay on top of this issue as we proceed through the various approvals for the water plant project. John Yapp, our pedestrian/bicycle coordinator will keep you apprised as the project progresses. Please feel free to contact him at any time for an update. Thank you for your continuing efforts. Sincerely, Stephen J. Atkins City Manager CC: City Council ~ City Manager John Yapp Jeff Davidson jccogtp~nnfirst.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY. IOWA J2241-11~'I · (316) 35&-S000 · FAX (316) City of Iowa .City MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: April 18, 1997 Mayor and City Council REVISION #8 Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Meeting Schedule for March, April, May, June, July and August At your meeting of March 3 the following meeting schedule was agreed to: Monday, April 21 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 - Special Work Session/PCRB - 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 5 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 - Regular Formal, 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 12 - Special Formal/Exec. Session (Evaluations) - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 - Special Formal/Exec. Session (Evaluations) -.7:00 p.m. Monday, May 19 ~ Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 2 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 16 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 30 - Regular Work Session - CANCELED Tuesday, July 1 - Regular Formal - CANCELED Monday, July 14 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 28 ~ Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 29 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 11 - Regular Work Session - CANCELED Tuesday, August 12 - Regular Formal - CANCELED Monday, August Tuesday, August 25 - Regular Work Session - 7:00 p.m. 26 - Regular Formal - 7:00 p.m. Regular two week schedule resumes. Revised Schedule #8 Page 2 All meetings are scheduled for the Council Chambers unless noted otherwise. Please mark these dates on your calendars. CO: City' Manager City Attorney Department Directors cclerk/schedule,doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: April 18, 1997 Mayor and City Council Marian K. Karr, City Clerk ~-~ Special Meeting for PCRB Public Input A special City Council Work Session has been set for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, in Council Chambers to hear citizen comments on the proposed Police Citizen Review Board Ordinance. This special work session will be televised and will be for the sole purpose of citizen input on the proposed ordinance. Please mark your calendars. CO: City Manager City Attorney Cable TV City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1997 To: Mayor and City Council From: City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, April 7, 1997 - 7:00 PM in Council Chambers Mayor Naomi J. Novick presiding. Council present: Novick, Baker, Kubby, Lehman, Norton, Thornberry, Vanderhoef. Staff present: Atkins, Helling, Woito, Karr, Fosse, Nasby, Franklin, McClure, Long, Barnes, Head, Shank, Jensen, Davidson, Dilkes, Schoon. Tapes: 97-56, 97-57, and 97-58, Both Sides. ADDITION TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR Reel 97-56, Side 1 Council agreed to an add to the Consent Calendar as follows: ..... REVIEW ZONING MATTERS ]~//2 ~ ~WI'} · Reel97-56, Side 1 PCD Director Franklin presented the following Planning and Zoning items for discussion: A. MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 22 ON 'AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "ZONING," TO PROVIDE ELDERLY HOUSING ALTERNATIVES. Franklin noted that a revised comment was submitted to council's formal council meeting. Bo PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CHAPTER BY CHANGING THE USE REGULATIONS ON A 3.74 ACRE TRACT LOCATED ON MALL DRIVE FROM COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2) TO GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (I-1). (REZ97-0001/ORAL B) PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "ZONING," ARTICLE N, ENTITLED "OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING," SECTION 1, ENTITLED "OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS," TO ALLOW EXISTING FRATERNITY/SORORITY HOUSES TO BE CONVERTED TO ROOMING HOUSES WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING. Transportation Planner Davidson responded to council questions regarding the residential parking permit concept. Novick requested that "or remodeled to provide more sleeping rooms" be inserted into the provision, "Provided that the use is not expanded to provide more floor area, more sleeping rooms or higher occupancy." ORDINANCE VACATING THE PORTION OF THE ALLEY LOCATED SOUTH OF LOT 2 OF THE A.E. STROHM ADDITION, GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTH OF BOWERY Work Session April 7, 1997 Page 2 City Engineer Fosse commented that an area resident was receptive to the idea of using fence posted diamond shaped signs to block off the alley. ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "ZONING," CITY CODE, BY REVISING ARTICLE N, ENTITLED OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING," TO CHANGE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES FOR COMMERCIAL USES IN THE CB-5 ZONE. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, "UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE" OF THE CITY CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE A, ENTITLED "PARKING FACILITY IMPACT FEE" TO EXCLUDE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) In response to Baker, Franklin stated a discussion regarding an increase in the residential impact fee could be scheduled April 21. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CHAPTER BY CONDITIONALLY CHANGING THE USE REGULATIONS OF APPROXIMATELY 140.5 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF SCO'I-r BOULEVARD, NORTH OF HIGHWAY 6, FROM COUNTY M1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, TO C1-1, INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (38.93 ACRES), AND I-1, GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (101.57 ACRES). (REZ96-0021/STREB) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXTRATERRITORIAL PRELIMINARY PLAT OF WILLIAMS WOODS SUBDIVISION, A 23.00 ACRE, 4-LOT RESIDENTIALSUBDIVISION LOCATED IN JOHNSON COUNTY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY I WEST, APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE WEST OF SHARON CENTER ROAD. (SUB97-0004) In response to Vanderhoef, Franklin and Davidson stated they will re-check the map location of the subdivision in relationship to Hwy. 965 and report at Council's formal meeting. TRANSIENT HOUSING Reel 97-56, Side 1 Franklin noted council received Miklo's March 20, 1997 memo re: Code Amendment for Transient/Transitional Housing. Novick asked staff to consider whether you could have a rooming house in a C1-1 zone. In response to Kubby, Franklin explained Jim Glasgow's application for the Sensitive Overlay Ordinance has been deferred to the 17th, the overlay needs to be re-design it so that it does not encroach on anyone else's property and there will be a staff meeting about it tomorrow. Staff Action: Proceed with bringing an ordinance amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council this summer (Franklin). FIRST AVENUE EXTENSION - ACT/PRESS CITIZEN Reel 97-56, Side 1 Transportation Planner Davidson and City Martager Atkins presented information. Work Session April 7, 1997 Page 3 Attorney Jim McCarragher and Chuck Wanniger representing the Press-Citizen, present for discussion. A council majority directed staff to re-look at the proposed First Avenue Extension alignment and present information back to council. Staff Action: Staff will evaluate and report back at April 21 work session (Davidson). SHAMROCK/FRIENDSHIP CREEK CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Reel 97-56, Side 2 City Engineer Fosse and Assistant City Engineer McClure presented information. A council majority agreed to make improvements at the downstream bend. Thornberry requested additional information about how to reduce silt at the inlet. Staff Action: A memo detailing the improvements will be prepared (Fosse). ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE Reel 97-57, Side 1 Animal Control Director Misha Goodman presented information. Council directed staff to re- schedule discussion of the proposed Animal Control ordinance to May 5 and set p.h. on May 6 for May 20. . EXTENSION OF OAKDALE BOULEVARD BETWEEN FIRST AVENUE CORALVILLE AND COUNTY W66 (DUBUQUE STREET) Reel 97-57, Side 1 PCD Director Franklin and Transportation Planner Davidson presented information. A council majority favored proposed S4C alternative for extension of Oakdale Boulevard Between First Avenue Coralville and Dubuque Street. Staff Action: Davidson will meet with Coralville and the County then prepare a corridor presentation agreement. FY98 CDBG & HOME BUDGET PROPOSAL (Agenda Item #8) Reel 97-57, Side 1 Community Development Coordinator Head, Community Development' Planner Nasby, Gretchen Schmuch (HCDC Chairperson), Gilliam Fox (Life Skills), Nancy Stensvaag (Habitat for Humanity), and Liz Swenson (N. Dodge Court Homeowners) presented comments regarding the FY98 CDBG & HOME Budget Proposal. Novick requested that Habitat for Humanity be pulled out for a separate vote by council. Nasby stated he will research HUD requirements relating to the issue of separation of church and state with regards to Habitat for Humanity funding. Baker requested River City' Housing Collective residents income verification. URBAN RENEWAL PLAN & TIF: SCO'!-I'-SIX INDUSTRIAL PARK Reel 97-58, Side 1 (Agenda Item #5d(3)/Consent Calendar) Work Session April 7, 1997 Page 4 City Attorney Woito, PCD Director Franklin and Economic Development Coordinator Schoon presented information. A council majority agreed to proceed as presented with a 20 year TIF. HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS (Agenda Item #10) Reel 97-58, Side 2 Assistant City Attorney Dilkes and Human Rights Coordinator Shank presented the Human Rights Ordinance Amendments. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS (Agenda Item #18) Reel 97-58, Side 2 City Clerk Karr explained that agenda #18 and the attached policy reflected the two amendments that did carry two weeks ago even though the resolution failed to get majority vote. APPOINTMENTS Reel 97-58, Side 2 Housing & Community Development Commission: 1. Dan Cilek (1998) 2. Re-advertise (1999) Historic Preservation Commission 1. Ann Cairns (Woodlawn) 2. Re-advertise (3 year term) COUNCIL AGENDA/TIME (Agenda Item #3c) Reel 97-58, Side 2 1. In response to Baker, a council majority agreed to change the wording in the last paragraph of the DARE Proclamation as follows, "Whereas, the DARE program aohiovod suooo~ teache_~s positive approaches .... Adjourned: 11:40 PM wpdata~clerk~cc4-7inf.wp5 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 16, 1997 To: Mayor and City Council From: City Clerk Re: Special Council Work Session - PCRB, April 8, 1997; 0 p.m. in the Council Chambers Mayor Naomi J. Novick presiding. Council present: Novick, Baker, Kubby, Lehman, Norton, Thornberry, Vanderhoef. Staff present: Atkins, Helling, Woito, Karr, Winkelhake, Holecek, Widmer, Harney. Tapes: 97-59, all; 97-60, Side 1. [A complete transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office.] PCRB DISCUSSION Reel 97-59, Side 1 City Attorney Woito presented PCRB Supplemental Additional Investigation I and II flow charts for Council discussion. Woito stated she will prepare a draft schematic/flow chart including bifurcation (providing for a separate report), informational narratives and revised draft ordinance. Meeting adjourned 6:05 p.m. wpdata~cled~4*81nf.wp5 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: April 16, 1997 TO: Department Heads FROM: City Clerk RE: Absence On April 17 and 18 I will be attending the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Conference in Galena. Deputy Sue Walsh will be in the office on these days. On April 24-25, both Sue and I will be attending the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association (IMFOA) meeting in Des Moines. Documents requiring signatures can be signed Friday afternoon, April 25, upon our return. cc: Mayor and City Council City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 17, 1997 To: The Honorable Mayor Naomi Novick and Members of the City Council From: Sarah E. Holecek, Assistant City Attorney ~_~ - Re: Legal opinion concerning characterization of River City Housing Collective, Inc. as non-charitable organization for property tax exemption purposes under Iowa Code Attached please find a copy of the recent opinion of the City Attorney's Office regarding the non-charitable status of River City Housing Collective, Inc. for purposes of a property tax exemption under Iowa Code Chapter 427 (1997). It is my understanding that this analysis and opinion may be of interest and assistance to the City Council in assessing the merits of recent applications made by River City for Community Development Block Grants or other funds. If you have any questions regarding this opinion or related issues, please do not hesitate to contact me. CC: Linda Newman Woito, City Attorney Steve Atkins, City Manager sarah\councll~tvexmp.m~no "" *via FAX AND U.S. MAIL* * * April 15, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Mr. Dan L. Hudson Iowa City Tax Assessor 913 South Dubuque Street P.O. Box 1350 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Re: Request for legal opinion concerning tax exemption for property owned by the River City Housing Collective, Inc. Dear Mr. Hudson: I am writing in response to your request for a legal opinion regarding whether property now owned by the River City Housing .-Collective ("River City") and leased as "affordable rental housing" qualifies for a tax exemption. After reviewing Iowa Code Chapter 427 and the applicable case law, it is the opinion of the City Attorney's Office that the property at 802 Washington Street and 200 S. Summit Street currently owned and rented by River City is not exempt from taxation, as it is not operated as a charitable or benevolent use under Iowa Code §427.1 (8). As I understand the facts, River City is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Iowa, with its declared purpose and objective to be the provision of low-cost housing in a cooperative atmosphere. The Internal_Revenue Service has recognized River City as an organization exempt from federal income taxation under Internal Revenue Code § 501 (c)(3), and the organization's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that no profit shall accrue to any person by virtue of membership in the corporation. River City owns two properties, each of which is used to provide low-cost rental housing which is affordable to low and moderate income persons and households. The property at 200 S. Summit Street contains 16 rooming-style rental units with monthly rents ranging from $207 to $248. The average rent at this address is $226, which the applicant states is less than the fair market rent of $248.25. Per River City policy, children living at a property with their parents receive a 25% rental discount on units that they occupy. The residents' cost of living is further reduced by cooperative purchase and preparation of food, for which a member pays $80 per month for three meals a day. The property at 802 E. Washington Street contains 10 rooming-house style units with monthly rents ranging from $188 to $295. The average rent at this address is $220, and the .,. ~,~.,~..~.': ... .................. ~ ~X.:,.J~L; .................. applicant states that 80% of the units rent for less than the fair market rent of $248.50. Iowa Code § 427.1 (1997) lists the classes of property exempt from taxation. Subsection 8 provides, in relevant part, that the following uses of property are exempt: 8. Property of religious, literary, and charitable societies. All grounds and buildings used or under construction by literary, scientific, charitable, benevolent, agricultural, and religious institutions and societies solely for their appropriate objects, not exceeding three hundred twenty acres in extent and not leased or otherwise used or under construction with a view to pecuniary profit. Iowa Code § 427.1 (8) (1997). Further, notwithstanding ownership by an organization exempt from federal income taxation, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that: ·.. exemption from taxation must be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the use to which the particular property is put. (citation omitted) Under our decisions a charitable organization may be entitled to exemption on some of its property and be subject to taxation on others. It is not the identity of the owner but the character of the use which controls. Iowa Methodist Hospital v. Board of Review, 252 N.W.2d 390, 392 (Iowa 1977)(emphasis added)· For a property to be exempt from taxation under Iowa Code §427.1 (8) (1997), each of three conditions must be satisfied by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) The property must be used by a charitable, religious, or educational institution or society; (2) The property must be used solely for the appropriate objects of the institution or society; and (3) The property must not be used with a view to pecuniary profit. Friendship Haven, Inc.. v. Webster County Board of Review, 542 N.W.2d 837, 840 (l(zwa 1996); see also, Camp Foster YMCA v. Dickinson (;ountv Bd. of Review, 503 N.W. 2d 409, 411 (Iowa 1993); Dows City Senior Citizens Housing, Inc. v. Board of Review, 230 N.W. 2d 497,499 (Iowa 1975). In reviewing an application for exemption from taxation, a court should strictly construe statutes exempting property from taxation. Atrium Villac~e v. Board of Review, 417 N.W. 2d 70, 72 (Iowa 1987). Any doubt concerning an exemption should be resolved in favor of taxation· Id.; see also. Care Initiatives v. Board of Review, 500 N.W. 2d 14, (iowa 1993). The burden of proof is on the party claiming the exemption to show that the property should not be taxed. Bethesda Foundation v. Board of Review, 453 N.W. 2d 224 (Iowa App. 1990). Finally, in reviewing an exemption application, the underlying premise of exemption statutes must be kept in mind and adhered to. As noted by the Iowa Supreme Court, "exemption statutes are premised on the theory that benefits received by the community from exempted uses outweigh the inequality caused by exemption of the property from taxation. They are a legislative recognition of the benefits received by society as a whole from properties devoted to appropriate objects of exempt institutions and the consequent lessening of burden on the government." Dows Citv Senior Citizens Housino, Inc. v. Board of Review, 230 N.W. 2d 497, 499 (Iowa 1975) (stating that a nonprofit corporation which provided low-rent housing to elderly retired persons, while laudably meeting a need within the community, was not charitable or benevolent within the meaning of the exemption statute). It appears that the main issue in this application is whether or not River City is a "charitable or benevolent organization". To prove that either of the above properties is operated as a charitable use under Iowa Code §427.1 (8), River City must establish that River City affords a charitable benefit to its occupants. Partnership for Affordable Hous. v. Board of Review, Davenport, 550 N.W. 2d 161, 164 (1996). Several factors are considered in determining if the properties' operation qualify as "charitable", including: (a) the establishment and operation of the property; (b) the policies and practices relating to admission and retention of residents; (c) the community support for the properties; and (d) the benefits provided to the community by River City's operation of the properties. Id. at 164-165. See also, Care Initiatives v. Board of Review, 500 N.W. 2d 14, (Iowa 1993). A review of these factors, as follows, clearly leads to the determination that the operation of the River City properties are not "charitable" under the exemption statute. Under the terms of its Articles of Incorporation, River City's declared purpose and objective is the provision of low-cost housing in a cooperative atmosphere. While the rental policies provide for "affordable" rates, there appears to be no evidence that River City provides gratuitous or partly gratuitous services. Indeed, the range of rents does not differ substantially from the "fair market value" as assigned by the applicant itself. The "economies of scale" and lower rents realized by River City's occupants are akin to several people pooling their resources to realize a greater benefit than woul(~ a single individual'. Further, under the by-laws, a member may be asked to leave. the cooperative for violation of contract. Additionally, the donation of time and services to River. City is mainly done by members for the benefit of its membership. The membership benefits both in terms of enjoying a well- cared for facility and reasonable rental rate structure because they do not pay for donated labor. In these respects, River City's operation of the properties is more like a club than a charitable organization because it is mainly organized to provide benefits for the members of the group as opposed to being organized as a conduit for a charitable redistribution of wealth from one group to another. Lastly, while the provision of affordable housing in Iowa City is a laudable community contribution to be commended, it does not rise to the level of a charitable provision of such services as required for an exemption under §427.1 (8). Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this opinion. cc: Linda Newman Woito, City Attorney Stephen Arkins, FYI City Attorney Opinion File April 14, 1997 Thomas J. Miller Attomey General, State of Iowa Department of Justice Hoover Building Des Moines, IA 50319 CITY OF I0 I/VA CITY Re: Request for Release of Public Information: DCI Investigative Report #9609424, Dealing with the Eric Shaw Incident Dear Tom; The City Council is very much aware of the convening of the Johnson County Grand Jury concerning the Eric Shaw death (and the litigation attendant thereto now before the Iowa Supreme Court). We are also very much aware of the pending investigation and review as to whether any cdminal charges might be appropriate under federal criminal statutes concerning the shooting incident. With this inmind as concerned citizens, and in response to community concerns, the City Council nonetheless wishes to request the following, pursuant to §22.2(1), Code of Iowa (1997): Upon convening of a grand jury (if such does occur in Johnson County), and in the event no state criminal charges are prosecuted concerning the death of Eric Shaw, the City Council requests release of those portions of the DCI report which, after redaction of confidential information, constitute public records under Iowa lawl which portions are subject to public disclosure as a matter of legitimate public concern, Hawk Eve, infra,at 753-54; Des Moines School. infra, at 671. Alternatively, once the Federal Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney's office com- plete their investigation into potential criminal/civil rights charges arising out of Eric Shaw's death, the City Council requests that the DCI, as legal custodians of the report noted above, release the portions of the DCI report which can be deemed a "public record" -- again having redacted those confidential portions as contemplated in Des Moines School District v. Des Moines Re~ister, 487 N.W.2d 666, 671 (Iowa 1992). I note from a letter directed to Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White from Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey D. Farrell, that the DCI relies heavily on a 1984 case which also involved an on-going DCI investigation -- but where there was no claim of police misconduct, State Ex Rel. Shanahan v. Iowa Distdct Court, 356 N.W. 2d 523 (Iowa 1984). Again, the DCI's reliance on this case to justify the continued status of the DCI report as a "confidential record" is misplaced - since the City's request for release to the public does not entail an "examina- 410 EAST WASHINGTON gTREET ,, IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240-1126 · 4319) 356-3000 · FAX (319) 336-3009 Mr. Thomas J. Miller April 14, 1997 Page 2 tion by a court or other judicial tribunal," Shanahan, at 527-528. Moreover, there was no claim of police misconduct in the Shanahan case, so Shanahan is not controlling - as Mr. Farrell suggests. See also Shannon v. Hansen, 469 NW. 2d 412, 415 (iowa 1991) [release of police records and witness statements, including investigative police reports, requires a balancing test]. Additionally, we believe the Iowa Supreme Court requires that once the specter of criminal prosecution is passed, that the custodian must apply a balancing test where the DCI report may shed light on a claim of abuse of police power, cover-up or leniency in discipline, Hawk Eve v. Jackson, 521 N.W. 2d 750, 754 (Iowa 1994). The rationale for this Iowa rule is that community concerns over allegations of police misconduct outweigh any public harm resulting from disclosure of the DCI report. If the Iowa public records law does not mean the public is entitled to information surrounding events which even the Johnson County Attorney has described as "police misconduct," then when does the public have a right to know? To conclude, we believe that Iowa caselaw indicates that once the DCl investigation is com- plete and is no longer on-going (as is the case herein), the DCl may not rely on the rationale that disclosure might prejudice or jeopardize the criminal investigation, see Section 22.7 (5), Code of Iowa (1997). Rather, we suggest the custodian must then engage in the balancing test concerning police misconduct claims under Hawk Eve; and if the answer weighs in favor of public disclosure, then the custodian should redact (edit or remove) the confidential portions of the DCI report m in order to permit release of the remaining record as a "public record," Des Moines School District, at 671 [see my memo dated October 11, 1996, as an example of this process]. In conclusion, we believe the Iowa Supreme Court, if asked, would err on the side of public disclosure, as they did in the Hawk Eve case: 'q'here can be little doubt that allegations of leniency or cover-up with respect to the disciplining of those [police officers] sworn to enforce the law are matters of great publi~ concern .... Appellants nevertheless claim that the newspaper's need for disclosure is slight because the same information could have been gained from trial testimony or the newspaper's own private interviews. It is true that existence of an alternate means of access to essentially the same information is a factor to be weighed in determining whether disclosure is warranted [cite omitted]. But motivating the newspaper's claim is its concern that the information contained in the DCl report may not be similar to that revealed at trial or secured by reporters outside the courtroom. That suspicion is only strengthened by the jury's verdict. So long as it [the newspaper] is barred from seeing the report, the newspaper is effectively prevented from assessing the reasonableness of the official action .... " Hawk Eve, at 754. Mr. Thomas J. Miller April 14, 1997 Page 3 Since Iowa public records law recognizes that newspapers stand on the same footing as the public, we believe the citizens of Iowa City may rely on the reasoning and balancing of the Hawk Eve case. Thank you for your time and interest in this matter, and we look forward to hearing from you soon. Respectfully submitted, Libman Woiio City Attorney Mayor cc: City Council City Clerk City Manager Police Chief Assistant City Manager Johnson County ,Attorney Doug Marek, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Farrell, Assistant Attorney General Inw~miller2.1tr April 14. 1997 Mr. Dean A. Spina Bradley & Riley PC Attomeys and Counselors First Corporate Place P.O Box 2804 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2804 -CITY OF I0 I, VA CITY Re: Bernard, Wilfred, & Hubert Yeggy; Your Request for Attendance at City Council Closed Meeting (executive session) Dear Dean: Council member Ernie Lehman has relayed a question presented to him, from you and the Yeggys, as to whether you could participate in a closed executive City Council sessioninto discuss on-going litigation with the Yeggys over use of their property on St. Anne's Drive. More specifically, you request that you meet with the City Council in closed executive session, presumably relying on §21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa (1997) in order to "...discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is eminent where its disclosure would be likely t~:prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation." I believe this issue has been suggested by you earlier, and rejected by the City Council. My suggestion to you, instead, is to meet privately with no more than three Council members at a time', to discuss the issues which are of concern to you. However, I believe your reliance on §21.5(1)(c) is misplaced because the Council cannot justify going into closed session to avoid being prejudiced or disadvantaged in their litigation with the Yeggys, with you in the same room participating in the litigation discussions, see §21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa. In other words, the whole purpose of the Iowa Legislature's permitting a closed session to discuss litigation is to avoid revealing your legal strategies to the other side - thereby protecting the City from a disadvantage. It is therefore my considered opinion that what you suggest is a situation not contemplated by the Iowa Legislature, and thus contrary to the narrow exceptions to the public meetings requirements see e.g., Dobrovolnv v Reinhardt, 173 N.W. 2d 837 (Iowa 1970). 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA $2240-1126 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (31g) 356-5009 Mr. Dean Spina April 14, 1997 Page 2 In conclusion, I have reviewed the cases annotated under the "open meetings" statute, and find no precedent for opposing counsel meeting with a city council, in closed session, see Chapter 21, I.C.A. If you find some law of which I am unaware that points to a contrary result, please call me at (319) 356-5030. Otherwise, your options remain as discussed eadier: discuss your concerns in a public open meeting, or meet with no more than three (3) council members at a time, in order to avoid running afoul of the open meetings statute. Cordially yours, Linda N~oito City Attorney cc: City Council City Manager City Clerk Assistant City Manager Dennis Mitchell, Assistant City Attorney J. Patrick VVhite, FYI Inwtspina.ltr City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 14, 1997 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Case File Review- 1995 We have reviewed file #6210 of the 11,100 case files for 1995. We have 3 more sidearm drawn: one was an animal disposal, a second was two males fighting with weapons present, and a third was an intoxicated subject who shot at his wife and barricaded himself in the house. We will continue these updates, but it is a tedious process. bcl-lSA,wp5 TO: Capt. Widmer FR: Officer,Kevin Berg, Crime Prevention/Community Relations RE: Monthly Report on Activities for March 1997 DATE: 04 April 1997 For the month of March, 15 different officers from the police department participated in 21 community relations events. At least 580 members of the community participated/observed these events. Listed below is a short synopsis of each event, which officers conducted the events, and how many citizens participated. Also included at the end are miscellaneous letters and newspaper articles which highlight department events and officer activities. On March 3 Officer Larry Mauer, and on March 4 Officer Gerry Knock attended an open house in the music department at Northwest Junior High School. Both officers observed the new instruments and also participated with the students in singing and playing. Each class was attended by about 25 students. On March 10 Officer Joel Myers gave a tour of the PD to a group of 5-year-olds. Tours last anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on the cooperation of the group. There were 15 kids and 4 adults participating. On March 12 Chief Winkelhake and Capt. Tommy Widmer attended a multi- media presentation at West High School. This presentation targeted community youth in an attempt to motivate them to be responsible for their actions. The Iowa City Police Department took this on as a co-sponsor with Coralville Police Department out of a desire to take a proactive step in the secondary schools. The activity was attended by about 100 students. (See related newspaper article attached to this report.) On March 12 Officer Troy Kelsay spoke to all Personal Development classes at Northwest Junior High School about gang awareness. These are 7th & 8th graders (13-14 years old). Each class was 50 mins. in length, and he spoke to about 120 students throughout the day. On March 12 Officer Kevin Berg participated in an Alcohol Awareness Demonstration sponsored by UI Student Legal Services. This has been an ongoing event with participation ever-growing. About 75 students, mostly under the legal drinking age, attended the event. (See related letter and newspaper article on the event.) On March 13 Officer Kevin Berg spoke to the Golden K Kiwanis. This is a regular meeting for this group and I've attended on several other occasions. This time I spoke on ICPD's bike patrol. I took a police bike with me and also wore a bike uniform. I spoke for about 30 minutes to 20 people. On March 14 (and again on March 21) Officer Kevin Berg spoke to and passed out brochures on bike safety to a small group of elementary students at Weber School. This was a luncheon seminar organized by a student. On March 14 I spoke with 10 students, and on March 21 I spoke with 25 students. On March 18 Officer Joel Myers and Officer Kevin Berg attended DARE Parents Night at Shimek Elementary School. It consisted of a personalized slide show to parents of DARE students, faculty, and any other interested people about the DARE program. It was followed by a question and answer session. It lasted nearly 2 hours and was attended by 20 parents and teachers. (See related newspaper article attached to this report.) On March 19 Officer AI Mebus informed me that he had completed a TIPS training session for servers of the Union Bar. Other officers that assisted were Officer Chris Akers, Officer Becky Sammons, and Sgt. Kevin Heick. It was attended by 13 employees and lasted 5 1/2 hours. He also informed me of upcoming training with Fieldhouse Bar, Bo James, and Vitos. On March 19 Officer Kevin Berg and Officer Charles Singleman spoke to the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade class at VVillowind School. For about 1 hour we spoke on evidence collection and crime scene procedures. This was attended by 18 students and 2 teachers. On March 19 Officer Kevin Berg attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting in the Galway Hills area. This is an already-existing group and just a yearly follow-up meeting. We spoke on the current atmosphere in the department and community, and any specific crime trends that may affect the neighbors in this area. It was attended by 3 persons. On March 20 Officer AI Mebus spoke to employees at Bushnell's Turtle for about 2 hours. This was training for their staff on checking ID's, detecting falsified ID's, etc. This was attended by 10 staff members. On March 21 Sgt. Mike Brotherton and Officer Kevin Berg had lunch at the Senior Center. This being the first time for police officers to show up at lunch time, we got lots of looks and comments. We (and I think the seniors) had a lot of fun. We talked to about 20 people. On March 25 Officer Jenny Davis took three stuffed animals to Domestic Violence Intervention Project. This was in conjunction with a later event (March 27). On March 25, 26, and 27 Officer Troy Kelsay spoke on Gang Awareness to all members of the IC Fire Department. Each day lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Over the three days he spoke to 51 employees. On March 26 Officer Donald Steva spoke to a high school English class during a career day. He spoke at length about the hiring process and his career in law enforcement. He was apparently quite popular with the kids. He spoke to 18 freshman and sophomore students. On March 27 Officer Jenny Davis attended a meeting at Women's Resource and Action Center which was sponsored by the Johnson County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This is an ongoing meeting and Officer Davis will represent the department at all meetings. There were 6 persons in attendance. On an unknown date during the month Officer Myers provided pamphlets and brochures to a citizen who was giving a presentation on "Theft in the Workplace." Smiles and Scowls ~ Smile: From Jan Grenko of the '" ~' Iowa City school district for all the ~' people who helped about 1,200 ~ students with the 'Jump Rope for Heart, which raised more than $40,000 for the American Heart Association -- Joann Hora with Hills Bank & Trust, Michelle Harder of the University of Iowa, Murphy Sound, Nancy Spalj and Sue Dombroski of Iowa City schools health services, the 109th Medical Battalion, Bill Summers and the American Heart Association. ~ Smile: From the West High student group, Non-Using Teens, to Iowa City and Cora/ville police departments for sponsoring a 4S-minute video production on being proactive and making positive choices. .~ Smile: From Paul Breitbach and " Diane Hedlund to Non-Using Teens for their leadership and organization of the TNT presentation. Smile: From Juli Slaymaker to the Shimek Elementary DARE program, and the Iowa City Police Department, which presents it. Smiles and Scowls is published Saturdays. Send your submissions of up to 100 words to: Editorial Page Editor, Iowa City Press-Citizen, P.O. Box 2480 Iowa City, · Iowa 52244-2480; fax to 339-7342; or :e-mail to icpe(at)inav.net. Iowa City SATURDAY/SUNDAY, March 29,30, 1997 75 .cents PHELAN, TUCKER, MULLEN, WALKER, TUCKER & GELMAN, L.L.E A~I'ORNEYS AT LAW 321 EAST P.O. BOX 21,50 IOWA C..rTY, IOWA 52244 March 5. 1997 [,OL'IS $H~'LM^N t1908-t982~ FAX. 1310) 3.~4-6962 TELEPHONE: (319) 354-1104 Chief Winkelhake Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City. IA 52240 Dear Chief Winkelhake: On Febru~. 21, 1997, Kevin Berg provided a tour of the Iowa City Police Department tbr my sister and her two sons, my father, my daughter and myself. The tour was not only intbrmative but it was quite fun. My'entire family was impressed with Officer Berg and he was a fine representative of the Iowa Cib' Police Department. Ve~' truly yours, /'/~~ ~. ~asley JEB. tjr March 16, 1997 Lt. Johnson, At the most recent ISPA meeting I put your name into nomination as a candidate to replace one of our appointments to the ILEA Curriculum Advisory Committee. You were voted on and selected to become a member of the committee. Along with Tom Wardlow of Waverly you will represent the ISPA. President Reid will be informing you in the near future by letter. Thank you for your willingness to serve the 3000 members of our association in this position which will be setting direction for training at the academy at this critical time in its history. Count on me for any assistance I can be of to you. If you are required or choose to use your private vehicle at any of the meetings, you will be reimbursed at the amount of twenty eight cents per mile by the association. P.S. Gene Shepard was glad to hear of your appointment. Joel THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA March 13, 1997 Kevin Berg 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Kevin: Thanks so much for your participation in the Alcohol Awareness Demonstration last night. I am certain the program was as successful as ever, judged both by audience turnout and quality of presentation. I think by now we've established this program as one of distinction, and given the outstanding publicity we received in the Daily lowan, and will receive on local cable access, we should be able to continue improving turnout as time goes on. To say We could not have done it without you seems obvious enough, but I want to reiterate the thought to make sure you know how grateful we are. I will be leaving this office in May, but hope to remain in Iowa City, and in-good contact with you. Thanks again for all your involvement with this office. Take care. Sincerely, .Eric Goers Co-Director Catherine E. Johnson Supervising Attorney f~ STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES 155 Iowa Memorial Union 319/335-3276 iowa City, Iowa 52242-1317 A Univ,.'l',lty ,,d luwd 5tudt'11( -JCCOG memo Date: To: From: Re: April 14, 1997 Coralville City Council Iowa City City Council Johnson County Board of Supervisors Jeff Davidson, Transportation Planner Corridor preservation agreement for the extension of Oakdale Boulevard between First Avenue Coralville and County Road W-66 (Dubuque Street) At your individual work sessions on April 7-8, each of you agreed informally to enter into a corridor preservation agreement for the extension of Oakdale Boulevard between First Avenue Coralv~e and County Road W-66 (Dubuque Street). The alignment which all agreed to is the consultant's recommended alternative, shown as "S4C" in the materials you received. I will proceed to draft a corridor preservation agreement similar to the one which was executed for the extension of Highway 965. I will have it approved by each of your legal staffs pdor to presenting it to you for consideration. As occurred with the corridor preservation agreement for the Highway 965 extension, the County Attorney has requested the Oakdale Boulevard extension be taken through the Johnson County Planning & Zoning Commission for a formal county comprehensive plan amendment. It is felt this will provide the needed legal basis for the county to preserve the corridor. This process will take 6-8 weeks, so it will be June before you receive the corddor preservation agreement for your consideration. The'extension of Oakdale Boulevard between First Avenue Coralville and County Road W-66 is already included in the Coralville Community Plan and the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan. Let me know if you have any questions. Steve Atkins, Karin Franklin, Chuck Schmadeke, Rick Fosse; Iowa City Kelly Hayworth, Dan Holderness; Coralville Rick Dvorak, RJ Moore, Ed Tice; Johnson County jccogtp\oakdale2.mmo April 1. 1, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Dear Flanigan CourtJTeg Drive Residents: In a couple weeks, residents in your area will be receiving a survey from the City of Iowa City regarding your opinion on the proposed installation of speed humps along portions of Teg Drive. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with the opportunity to learn about the process that resulted in this survey as well as allow you time to discuss the proposal with your neighbors and have any .questions or concerns responded to by City staff. HISTORY The Ciiy was approached by residents in the Penny Bryn neighborhood (Kathlin. Graslon, Hafor area) regarding speeding along Teg Drive about three years ago. Within a years time, the City installed a number of stop signs within the area, including two along Teg Drive in hopes of slowing down or decreasing traffic. Although somewhat successful, the Penny Bryn neighborhood requested that alternative methods of "traffic calming" be evaluated by staff for installation on Tog Drive. As port of this process, staff worked with the neighborhood representatives from Penny Bryn and drafted the "Iowa City Residential Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Evaluation Criteria" (attached). The criteria was reviewed and approved by the City Council as well. An important part of the process is surveying affected residents to get their input on the proposed project. CONCEPT PLAN Recently staff presented the attached traffic calming concept plan to members of the Penny Bryn Neighborhood Association. The plan includes the installation of speed humps at various intervals along a portion of Teg Drive. Speed humps were found to be the most acceptable type of traffic calming for TOg Drive by the City and therefore recommended to the neighborhood. WHAT ARE SPEED HUMPS? Traffic speed is generally dictated by the comfort level of drivers as they proceed down a street. Installing speed humps, or other traffic calming treatments, directly affects driver comfort levels. Speed humps are raised pavement sections that give a driver an undulating feeling while passing over them (see diagram on concept plan). Speed humps are designed and spaced to provide little or no discomfort to 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY. IOWA $2240-1126 · (,)19) 3,S6.S000 · FAX (31g) 356-:~009 /,5"0 O vehicles traveling at the speed at which they where designed, but cause increased discomfort when traveling at speeds above this level. In parts of the country where speed humps have been used, a decrease has been shown in traffic speed. Speed humps are effective at reducing vehicle speeds, but not without side effects. Speed humps generally produce more traffic noise and increased vehicle emissions due t6' slowing and accelerating vehicles, similar to stop sign installations. They can be designed to safely accommodate large emergency and maintenance vehicles, as well as pedestrians and bicycles. NEXT STEP The survey requesting your reaction to the installation of the speed humps will be distributed in the next couple weeks. The results of the survey will then be presented to the City Council for their review and decision on whether to proceed with the traffic calming proposal. If you and your neighbors would be interested in discussing this proposal further with or without City staff, I would be able to assist in organizing that meeting. You can reach me at 356-5£3'7. If you have specific questions about the proposal, process or speed humps, please feel free to contact Jeff Davidson, Transportation Planner at 356-5252. Sincerely, Marcia Klingaman ~ Neighborhood Services Coordinator Fittach.: Speed Hump Plan IC Residential Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Evaluation Criteria Iowa City Residential Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Evaluation Criteria Al~proved by the City Council 11118/96 To initiate a traffic study of the street proposed for traffic calming, a formal request will be required from the neighborhood association that includes the street proposed for traffic calming. If the street proposed for traffic calming is not included within a formal neighborhood association, then a petition will be required from interested residents along the street proposed for traffic calming. The street considered. for traffic calming measures should be functionally classified as a local residential street or a collector street. Traffic volumes on a residential street should exceed 500 vehicles per day and on a . collector street should exceed 1000 vehicles per day. Traffic volume on any street proposed for traffic calming should not exceed 3000 vehicles per day, or The measured 85th percentlie speed should exceed 5 mph over the posted speed limit. For example, on a street with a posted speed limit of 25 mph, the 85th percentlie speed should exceed 30 mph to be considered for traffic calming. Staff will meet with the neighborhood association, and determine which traffic calming measures are reasonable for evaluation. If the street proposed for traffic calming is not included' in a formal neighborhood association, then staff will meet with interested residents to determine which traffic calming measures are appropriate for evaluation. Staff will conduct a traffic study which will include evaluating the perceived traffic problems, roadway geometry, and the impact on adjacent streets (traffic diversion) from the proposed traffic calming measures. The Police Department. Fire Department, and ambulance service will be asked to comment on the proposed street modification's impact on emergency vehicle response. The Transit Division will be asked to comment on the proposed street modification's impact on public transit service. If the traffic study shows that traffic calming measures can be implemented safely, a mail-back survey of all affected residential dwelling units will then be conducted by the City. The questionnaire will allow each residential dwelling unit to express: (1) support for all proposect traffic calming measures; (2) support for some traffic calming measures but not others; or (3) no support for any traffic calming measure. A proposal for traffic calming must be supported by a simple majority of the residential dwelling units responding to the questionnaire in order to be considered for implementation. On a street functionally classified as a local residential street, the mail-back survey will include all residential dwelling units with direct access to the street. On a street functionally classified as a collector street. the mail-back survey will include all residential dwelling units with direct access to the street. as well as all residential dwelling units on adjacent local residential streets which feed into the collector street No miramum number of responses to the mail-back survey is required. but a 10w response rate will be taken into consideration by the City Council. TO: FROM: DATE: RE: CITY OF IOWA CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Steve Arkins oyce Carroll, Program Supe isorC. April 14, 1997 Chauncey Swan "soft" music series .(per your request) This summer the Iowa City Recreation Division plans to recruit and schedule musicians to play in the Chauncey Swan Park on Wednesdays beginning at 5 p.m., May 7-October 29. Although we may not succeed in providing music on al~ Wednesdays we will attempt to do so. The Chauncey Swan "soft music" series will be promoted as "MARKET MUSIC" with its purpose to entertain people before and during Farmers Market.~ (Market hours are Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.). We hope the 5 p.m. time will help keep some people downtown until market opens at 5:30, increasing vendor sales as well as creating a more enjoyable atmosphere. Musicians recruited will include (but not be limited to) folk, original, contemporary, ethnic, string quartets, soloists, etc. All ages and levels of expertise will be chosen to play. Individuals and small groups interested in playing may contact me as well. tf you have any questions, please call me at 356-5100. CC: Terry Trueblood, Director of Parks & Recreation Mike Moran, Superintendent of Recreation /sO / 2 Melrose Circle Iowa City, IA 52246 15 April 1997 Editor Iowa City Press-Citizen 1725 N. Dodge St. Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Editor, APR 1 6 1997 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE I am submitting the following 'Letter to the Editor' for possible publication in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. In response to your 14 April 1997 editorial 'Prayer OK before work on homes,' let me go on record as strongly supporting Mayor Novick's reported stance on this issue. Although my incomplete knowledge of the details of this situation makes me abit uncomfortable drawing conclusions, it seems fairly clear that what is involved here is arguably similar to officially condoned prayer in public schools, and to the delivering of a baccalaureate invocation at a public school's graduation ceremony, both of which have been ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. In essence, the issue is whether our City Council will respect and preserve the critical separation of church and state that our nation's founders felt was such an essential characteristic of our form of democratic government. Small and seemingly harmless erosions of this separation tend to blur the distinction, and make additional and more significant violations of that separation appear more acceptable. The viewpoint advocated in your editorial conflicts directly with the important principle of separation of church and state, and provides instead a very slippery slope upon which to base further related and critical decisions. I urge a11 City Council members to carefully consider the fundamental issue that is at stake in this matter, and to make every effort to persuade the public-spirited members of Habitat for Humanity that it is in everyone's best interests for them to withdraw their plan to offer a public prayer, to any diary for any purpose, prior to the beginning of work on this important project. ames G. Andrews (~ 9) $38-9585 PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION Board of Directors Meeting Febmars.' 20,1997 Room C Iowa City Public Libmrs.' Minutes Present: Derek Maurer, Chris Randall, Robin Butler, Vicky Grube, John Director: Rene Paine Public: Marjorie Hayden-Strait. Carhoff, and Verne Kelley. 1. Convene: The meeting was convened by Chairman. Derek Maurer. 2. Minutes: The dra~ meeting minutes of Janua~ 29, 1997 were approved after some revisions. 3. Board Announcements: John Carhoffthanked the board for appointing him to the board. Derek Maurer circulated a list of board members and addresses for any corrections needed, and he asked for e-mail addresses. 4. Brief Public Announcements: Ron Caquelin. a representative~of the American National Life Insurance company, presented his proposal to replace the current staff insurance. Questions and discussion followed. Marjorie Hayden-Strait: She spoke about Video Voices Video Production Club. 5. Reports: - Broadband Telecommunications Commission: No report. Library: No report. Chair: Maurer reported on a meeting with the Community Television Group (CTG), which represents the various access channels and has advisory functions for community programming. The group reviewed plans for a community calendar. Maurer asked the Finance Committee to prepare a budget for the upcoming year. Management: Rene Paine reported that a pre-production meeting was held February 9 with a dialogue between ten or twelve people. Another meeting is planned in April in conjunction with an open house. Two proposals for staff assisted training were selected from seven applications. Marjory Hayden -Strait suggested staff assisted training for people with disabilities. Fourteen entries were submitted for fees to be paid for the Hometown Alliance for Community Media Festival. PATV will pay one entry fee per producer, to paid from funds raised this summer. There are two new staff members: Kfisten Baumlier and Sandy Dyas. Paine is happy with how things are going. 6. Old Business: PATV Performance Assessment: Chris Randall, Tim Clancy, Derek Maurer and Rene Paine prepared a memorandum concerning this, and a motion was unanimously approved to send it to Drew Shaffer (motion by Robin Buffer. second by Vicky Grube). 7. New Business Staff Insurance: The staff will discuss this and will make a recommendation to the board. Setting the Agenda: Goals for PATV and the board in the next 1~3 years. Robin Buffer suggested that a retreat be organized for board and staff with advance materials prepared by an organizing committee. Someone suggested Saturday morning, April 12th. Derek Maurer will work on this with board members, Robin Butler and Viclff Grube. and with Rene Paine. You are cordially invited to a reception to celebrate the retirement of Lieutenant Wayne Stagg in honor of his 29 years of service with the Iowa City Fire Department on Thursday, April 24, 1997 from 1:00-4:00 PM in the Iowa City Fire Department .- Training Room To, I0eA ClH CL~I~ [ro~ Jo Booac~¥ 4-14-97 9:33aa p. ~ of 3 Johnson County Sally Stutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonalhan Jordahl Stephen P. La¢ina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 15, 1997 INFORMAL MEETING Agenda 1. Call to order 9:00 a.m. 2. Review of the formal minutes of April 10th Business from Sally Murray, Mental Heai~h/Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Case Supervisor re: 28E Agreement for state to do purchase of service contracts. discussion Business from Jim Swaim, Director for United Action for Youth re: Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Grant match funding. discussion 5. Business from the Planning and Zoning Administrator a) Discussion re: Sugar Bottom Road NE Transportation Study. b) Discussion re: review proposal for the Johnson County Community Builders Plan presented by Karen Countryman of Countuman Group and Chad Sands of East Central Iowa Council of Governments. c) Discussion re: housing needs study presented by Chris Kivett-Berry, Housing Planner for East Central Iowa Council of Governments. d) Other 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 356-6086 To~ IOWA CITY CLEI~ Fc~e~ Jo iooa~y 4-14-97 9~33an p, 3 of 3 Agenda 4-15-97 Page 2 6. Business from the Board of Supervisors a) Discussion re: procedure to advertise for County Engineer position. b) Discussion re: procedure for adopting ordinances. c) Discussion re: update on Recorder Study Committee. d) Discussion/update re: insurance renewal quotes. e) Reports Other Business from Graham Dameron, Director of Departm. en~t~ of .Public Health re: FY '98 Community Services Bureau Grants -for' Home' Care Aide/Chore Services Grant Application. discussion Business from the Physical Plant Manager re: Courthouse Garage Renovation. discussion Johnson County Business from the County Auditor a) Discussion re: cash flow analysis for March. Discussion re: temporary appropriation changes necessitated by Departments (20) Block Grants involving Central Services Department (18). c) 10. Discussion from the public 11. Recess To~,IOUA CITY CLE~ Ezom: Jo Hooa~¥ 4-16-97 9~47an p, 2 of 5 Johnson County Sally Stutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina 1. Call to order 9:00 a.m. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 17, 1997 FORMAL MEETING Ageiida 2. Action re: claims 3. Action re: formal minutes of Ap~l 10th 4. Action re: payroll authorizations 5. 9:00 a.m. - Public Hearing on Conditional Use Permit (CU9703) a) Discussion/action re: the fo~9wing Conditional Use Permits: Application CU9703 of Kenneth & Twyla Morlan, Oxford, Iowa requesting a Conditional Use Permit to operate a wholesaling car business on his property. The property is described as being Lot 2 of Crist's Subdivision located in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 8; Township 80 North; Range West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (Oxford Twp.). Application CU9702 of C. L. Conldin Jr., North Liberty, Iowa, requesting a Conditional Use Pearfit to operate a rodeo and stables on his property. The pro 'l~rty is described as being located in the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 1; Township 80 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (Penn Twp) 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 To, IOUA CITY CLERI From, Jo Hogarty 4-16-97 9,4?as p. 3 of $ Agenda 4-17-97 Page 2 6. Business from the Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Discussion/action re: the following Platting applications: Application S9679 of David and Susan Schmidt requesting preliminary and final plat approval of Black Diamond Addition, a subdivision described as being located in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 28; Township 79 North; Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa (This is a 1-1or, 3.103 acre, farmstead split, located on the south side of Black Diamond Road SW, one mile west of Highway 1 SW in Union Twp.). Application S9708 of Bols' Grout requesting preliminary and fmal plat approval of Willow Grove Subdivision, a subdivision described as being located in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 19; and the'NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 30; all in Township 78 North; Range 6 West of the 5th P.M. in Johnson County, Iowa. (This is a 24ot (1 resideritial with 1-outlot, 45.40 acre, residential subdivision, located approximately 600 feet south of the Naples Avenue SW and 540th Street SW intersection in the SW quadrant of said intersection in Lib.e.rty Twp.) 7. Business from the Planning and Zo_ning Administrator a) Final consideration of application Z9661 of James and Filimina Perkl. b) Final consideration of application Z9703 of Irvin Grout and Bob Grout. c) Final consideration of application Z9705 of James M. Whatley. d) Final consideration of application Z9706 of Bernard, Phyllis, Darrell, and Carolyn Marak. e) Final consideration of application Z9707 of Richard Stockman. f) Motion setting public heating. g) Action re: proposed corridor protection agreement between Coralville, Iowa City, and Johnson County'for the extension .of Oakdale Boulevard between First Avenue Coralville and County Road W66. h) Discussion/action re: written comments on the Scott-Six Urban Renewal Plan. i) Other 8. Business from the Physical Plant Manager re: Courthouse Garage Renovation. action Johnson County To: I0~ CITY CLEI~ Fr~: Jo ,11o~a~t:3~ 4-16-97 9,47ae p. 4 oE 5 Agenda 4-17-97 Page 3 9. Business from the County Auditor a) Action re: permits b) Action re: reports 1. County Auditor's 3rd quarterly report of fees collected. c) Action re: resolution 04-17-97-B1 for FY '97 appropriation changes to Central Services (Department 18) and Block Grants (Department 20). d) Other 10. Business from the County Attome.y__ a) Discussion/action re: approve lease of the upper level of 500 South Dubuque Street for Juvenile PriSbation Offices. b) Report re: other items 11. 12. Business from the Board of Supervisors a) Action re: signing Master Agreement between Iowa Interstate Raikoad, Iowa Department of Transportation & Johnson County for accepting grant to install signals and cross arms on Taft Avenue. Johnson County will match 10% of $85,000.00 cost. b) Discussion/action re: firework~s permit. c) Action re: fireworks permit fees. · d) Action re: amendment ofpoli'cy for minutes. e) Action re: amendment to minutes of April 1st. f) Motion re: Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Grant increasing funding by $3,640.00. .7 g) Action re: appointment of S.E.A.T.S. Director. h) Action re: Franklin Time Management Seminar/contract. i) Motion setting salary range for County Engineer position. ($55,000.00 - $65,000.00) j) Discussion/action re: appointments to the Johnson County Task Force of the Heritage Area Agency on Aging. k) Motion setting date of county special election for County Recorder. l) Other Adjourn to informal meeting To~ IOUA CITY CLERA Fzou: Jo Roga=t¥ 4-16-~? 9~47aa p, $ o£ $ Agenda 4-17-97 13. a) Discussion m: b) Discussion re: c) Discussion re: d) Discussion re: Page 4 amendment of policy for minutes. amendment to minutes of April 1 st. Franklin Time Management Seminar/contract procedure for setting county special election County Recorder. e) Discussion re: appointment of S.E.A.T.S. Director. f) Inquiries and reports from the public g) Reports and inquiries from the members of the Board of Supervisors h) Report from the County Attomey i) Other Adjountment ~or CITY OF I0 WA CITY PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 16, 1997 Contact Person: Scott Kugler Associate Planner (319) 356-5243 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS PROGRAM TO BE HELD ON MAY 14 The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission will be holding its 15th annual Historic Preservation Awards Program on Wednesday, May 14, beginning with a reception at 4:45 p.m. in the main courtroom at the Johnson County Courthouse, 417 S. Clinton Street. The awards program follows at 5:15 p.m. Each May the Historic Preservation Commission recognizes individuals who have recently completed rehabilitation, new construction, and/or historic painting projects. Award categories include Residential Rehabilitation/Construction, Commercial-Institutional Rehabilitation/Construction, and Historic Painting. In addition, the Commission will be announcing this year's recipient of the Margaret Nowysz Histodc Preservation Person of the Year Award. Award nominees will be announced later this month, and will be judged on May 14 by experts in the field of architecture and histodc preservation. This year's jurors are Thom Guzmann, Program Coordinator with Main Street Iowa, from Des Moines; Laura Hoover, Administrator of the Amana Colonies Land Use District; and Cooper Norman, with Prairie Architects in Fairfield. The awards program is cosponsored by the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, the Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission, the Johnson County Historical Society, and Friends of Historic Preservation. The Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission will also present its awards at the program. 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA $2240-1826 · (319) 356-$000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 ,/so9 2 Refreshments will be served at the reception preceding the ceremony courtesy of Iowa State Bank and Trust. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. The Iowa City Histodc Preservation Commission was formed in 1982 by the Iowa City City Council. The Commission's pdmary functions are to promote public awareness and appreciation of significant historical, architectural, and cultural resources in the community, and to encourage the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of these resources through the designation of local historical districts, histodc landmarks, and conservation districts. The annual awards program is part of National Histodc Preservation Week, May 11-17. For more information, call Scott Kugler at 356-5243 or Betty Kelly at 351-4903. ppdaclmln~nist pros.pt CITY OF I0 WA CITY PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 16, 1997 Contact Person: Brad Neumann Associate Planner (319) 356-5235 A CELEBRATION OF ARBOR DAY On Saturday, Apdl 26, 1997, the Iowa City Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission will sponsor an event called 'A Celebration of Arbor Day". The event will be held at Ryerson's Woods, just south of the Johnson County Fairgrounds, on South Riverside Drive and will begin at 9 a.m. The event will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Arbor Day. The schedule of events includes the following: A presentation on the history of Arbor Day presented by the Master Gardeners of Johnson County. Award presentation to Project GREEN, Hedtage Trees, and Friends of the Iowa River Scenic Trail (FIRST) for their work in improving and promoting the environment. Planting of three trees by representatives of Project GREEN, Heritage Trees, and FIRST. A FREE tree give-away to the first 125 families attending the event. Redbud, sugar maple, and northern red oak trees will be available, beginning after the tree planting. The Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission would like to invite everyone to the event to celebrate Arbor day. For more information please call 356-5235. jccogswlarbor. pr 410 EAST WASHINGTON .'STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA $2240-1826 · (319) 356-~000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: April 17, 1997 City Manager ~~~ City Council · Karin Franklin, Director, 1997 ComPrehensive Plan Attached is a copy of the draft of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan; previously you received a copy of the South Distdct Plan. These documents are currently before the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation. Since these are lengthy documents and .the process for review and recommendation by the Commission may take some time, we are sending these items to the Council at this time for your information. It is likely that there will be revisions to these documents prior to consideration by the City Council. However, as we review development projects in the context of the concepts outlined in this Plan and as the Plan proceeds through review, you may be asked questions about the Plan and the City's general direction. We felt it would be appropriate for you to have these documents at this time so that you could be familiar with the concepts that the Commission will be discussing over the next few months. Please contact me if you have any questions. Attachment cc: Jeff Davidson Bob Miklo .tw/compplan.kfldoc ; Y 'M't- -N V- ' J J ~ ~ -- DRAF~ CITY:F IOWA CITY IOWA EI1Y CI-IY COUNCIL MHYOR NHOMI J. NOYIEIt MHYOR PRO TEM ERNIE LEHMHN LHRRY BHHER I/HHEN HUBBY DEE NORTON DEHN TtlORNBERRY DEE VHNDERtlOEF IOWH [llY PI. HNNINO ,S ZONINO EOMMI.~ION' BEDROE 9HRR, EHHIRPER~BN FINN BOVBERO, VIEE-EtlHIR LEH <~UPPLE, ~;EERETHRY BENJHMIN EHHIT RIEHHRD OIB50N JHNE JHI/OBSr:N EllY MHNHGER .<,TEPHEN J. HTI/IN~, DFPHRTMENT OF PLHNNINO F~ EOMMUNll7 DEVELOPMENT ItHRIN FRHNI/LIN, DIRECTOH J[FF DHVID50N, H~>SiSTHNT DIREETOR ROBERT MIHLO, SENIOR PLHNNER IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000 1994 TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP ARTS, CULTURE & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Facilitator - Susan Craig Peggy Doerge Christine K. Pacek Harold Engen Cheryl J. Schlote Clark Houghton Eldon Snyder Jody Hovland Charles T. Traw Mike Huber ECONOMIC WELL-BEING Facilitator - Stephen Atkins William Gerhard Loren Schmitt Vicki Lensing Mark Smith Derek Maurer Tom Werderitsch Mary New Cheryl Whitney Lynn E. Rowat PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE Facilitator - Terry Trueblood Eric L. Engh Dee W. Norton Richard Hoppin Janelie R. Rettig Kevin Houlahan Maris Snider Jean Kistler Kendall Bill Snider Deb Liddell ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Facilitator - Melody Rockwell Kerry M. Fitzpatrick Nancy Seiberling Michael Garyin Frieda Shannon Marc Libants Robert M. Sierk Gertrude MacQueen Ron Vogel Mark Phillips PUBLIC SAFETY Facilitator - Chief R.J. Winkelhake James R. Berry Mitchell F. Jones Richard Blum Terrence L. Neuzil Ann Bovbjerg Gregory M. Smith Anna Buss Steven L. Stimmel Margery Hoppin HOUSING Facilitator - Marianne Milkman Paula Brantit Charles Eastham Robert C. Carlson Mark F. Kamps Jason Chen Betty Kelly Carolyn Corbin Eric A. Nilausen Susan Dulek SOCIAL SERVICES Facilitator - Marge Penney Sara Mehlin Carrie Norton Lowell Brandt Jennifer Olson Barbara Curtin Jim Swaim Jay Mendenhali Linda A. Whitaker LAND USE AND URBAN PATTERN Facilitator - Karin Franklin W. Michael Blair Nancy Ostrognai John S. Casko Douglas S. Russell Gertrud Champe Robert J. Saunders Casey Cook Dee Vanderhoef Steven L. Droll TRANSPORTATION Facilitator - Jeff Davidson Linda Heneghan Gregory Kovaciny Del Holland Brian McClatchey Howard Horan Liz Miller Catherine Johnson Frederic W. Yocum, Jr. Tim Clancy CITY OF IOWA CITY Prepared by: Jeff Davidson, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5252 Resolution No. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 1997 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WHEREAS, a Comprehensive Plan is a statement of goals and policies of the commu- nity; and WHEREAS, the 1989 Comprehensive Plan Update no longer reflects anticipated condi- tions in Iowa City; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed and updated periodically; and WHEREAS; the City has initiated development of a new comprehensive plan through the Iowa City: Beyond 2000 citizen task force visioning process, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council have held public meetings and studied the changes which have taken place within the community since the 1989 Comprehensive Plan Update; and WHEREAS, the bodies have found that adopted policies of the City warrant revision of the Comprehensive Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY: The 1997 Iowa City Comprehensive Plan be adopted. MAYOR Approved by ATTEST: CITY CLERK City Attorney's Office It was moved by and seconded by tion be adopted, and upon roll call there were: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Baker Kubby Lehman Norton Novick Thornberry Vanderhoef the Resolu- Table of Contents City Vision Statement ........................................ 1 Introduction to Comprehensive Plan ............................. 2 Iowa City: The Community .................................... 5 Iowa City Growth Policy ..................................... 10 A Community of Neighborhoods ............................... 15 Economic Well-Being ....................................... 22 Social Fabric ............................................. 25 Iowa City Beyond 2000: Implementation Strategies ................. 28 Introduction to Planning Districts ............................... 50 Central Planning District ................................... 51 Downtown Planning District ................................ 55 Northeast Planning District ................................. 58 North Planning District .................................... 62 Northwest Planning District ................................. 67 Southwest Planning District ................................ 72 South Central Planning Distdct .............................. 77 South Planning District .................................... 82 Southeast Planning District ................................. 88 North Corridor Planning District .............................. 92 Appendix A: Vacant Residential Land Inventory Appendix B: Iowa City/Johnson County Fdnge Area Agreement Appendix C: Sensitive Areas Inventory Map Appendix D: Employment Ranking Appendix E: Acres of Land by Zone Appendix F: Neighborhood Open Space £1iY VISION 5TItTEM NT Iowa City is an attractive, energetic city with a vital downtown, a healthy economy, safe neighborhoods, and diversity in its people. As Iowa City grows, we will strive to preserve the character and identity of the community while guiding the creation of compatible new areas; protecting the environment; encouraging diversity in the population, in housing, and in jobs; and offering opportunities for human development to Iowa City's citizens. Iowa City will be an inclusive, accessible and safe community to all its citizens, embracing persons with disabilities and all races, cultures, life- styles, ages, and socio-economic groups. 2 INTROI [IETION TD THE PlAN Why have a Comprehensive Plan? The character and future of a community are set by the imagina- tion, vision and commitment of the people who live and work there. Part of this commitment involves planning for the future. This com- prehensive plan presents a vision for Iowa City, provides a strat- egy for realizing the vision, and sets policies for the growth and development of specific geographic areas of the city. A comprehensive plan must address the multiple facets of a com- munity and integrate those facets into a workable whole. Some- times individual policies may seem to conflict if viewed in isola- tion. The comprehensive plan should resolve these conflicts as individual policies are viewed in the context of the whole commu- nity. A comprehensive plan focuses on agreed upon community goals and values. The process of formulating the plan is as important as the plan itself. Through a process which accommodates the diversity of a community such as Iowa City, principles and poli- cies are adopted that are used as the basis for laws and prac- tices that govern the city. The comprehensive plan can be used to defend laws and practices if they are challenged. The comprehensive plan provides a guide for decision-making so that the decisions we make today do not jeopardize our vision for the future. This enables us to address the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. As we endeavor to improve the quality of life in Iowa City, the basic principles of the vision are kept before us in the compre- hensive plan. The Process To create the community vision of the comprehensive plan, ~;iti- zen task forces were organized in the spring of 1994 to address each facet of the community. The task forces were asked to en- vision Iowa City in the future-- beyond the year 2000 -- within the context of each assigned area. The goal of this process was to devise a plan for Iowa City which grew from the vision of Iowa City's people. The vision statements created by these task forces are the basis of this plan. In this process, the following physical facets of the community were examined by a specific task force: · housing · land use and urban pattern · transportation · the environment · parks, recreation, and open space The social fabric of the community was addressed by the follow- ing task forces: · arts, culture and human development · social services · public safety · economic well-being The city has been organized into ten geographically designated planning districts. The community direction articulated in the vi- sion statements for each of the above areas will be applied to each planning district. The key concepts which can be derived from the vision state- ments and which define Iowa City's character are diversity, neigh- borhood integrity, opportunity, and accessibility. These con- cepts should be interpreted under the broadest possible definition and appliedto Iowa City comprehensively. The comprehensive plan accepts that growth and development will occur in Iowa City, and should be managed such that the community vision is achieved. INTi ODLIETION TO TI-IE I I]NPREI-IENf IYE P!_HN Adoption of Iowa City's Comprehensive Plan rests with the City Council. The City Council's action is the culmination of a process which began at the grass roots level with the citizens of Iowa City indicating what the vision for the future should be, included input from the City's neighborhood organizations on this vision, and pro- ceeded through discussion by various City Boards and Commis- sions. Format of the Plan The overriding approach of the comprehensive plan is the premise that Iowa City is a community of neighborhoods. As we look to the future, we will build places to live, work and play, that are safe, clean and attractive; and physically and financially accessible to 4 the people who make up Iowa City. To support the quality of life we desire, the community will need a sound economy with a variety of industries, goods and services to sustain us. The comprehen- sive plan relates how we will achieve these things. The compre- hensive plan includes sections dealing with the concept of neigh- borhood, a community growth policy, and directions for the eco- nomic well-being of the city. The comprehensive plan has little use if there is no clear strategy of action to carry it out. The sections which follow the policy state- ments of the plan detail implementation strategies for each facet of the community. These strategies are applied to each of the ten planning districts. Each year an action plan will be developed to ensure that there is a strategy for making Iowa City's vision for the future become a reality. INTI OIDLIETION TO EOMPREI'IEN51VE IDWH [1iY: COMMUNII-Y 5 Overview Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County, and most notable for being the home of the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The University is located in the center of the community and is by far the area's largest employer. With approximately 30,000 students, the University contributes greatly to the economy and culture of Iowa City. Other major employers include the Veterans Administration and Mercy hospitals, Ameri- can College Testing (ACT), National Computer Ser- vices (NCS), and manufacturing plants such as Procter and Gamble, United Technologies, and Oral B. Iowa City's local economy is also strengthened by many locally owned and operated businesses in the commercial retail sector. (See Appendix D for a table of local employers. History The Iowa City area was first populated by the Sac and Fox Indian tribes. The first settlers of Euro- pean descent arrived in the Iowa City area in the late 1820's and eventually established the town of Napoleon around 1838. Iowa City was platted and chosen as the capitol of the Iowa Territory in 1839. In that year, construction began on a capitol building (Old Capitol), which is now located at the center of the University of Iowa campus and is a focal point for the city. The University was founded in 1847 but did not begin classes until 1855 due to a lack of funds. In '1857 the state capitol was moved from Iowa City to Des Moines. Old Capi- tol now serves as a museum on the University of Iowa campus. Iowa City has a record of preserving its heritage. In 1982 the City Council created the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission produced one of Iowa's first local historic pres- ervation plans which was adopted by the City Council. The His- toric Preservation Plan (Appendix G) is an element of Iowa City's Comprehensive Plan. Today iowa City encompasses approximately 24 square miles. The activity and employment focal point remains the University of Iowa and downtown. Iowa City undertook significant urban re- newal downtown in the 1970's and early 1980's. Construction of several major development projects were completed during this time, including Old Capitol Mall, the Plaza Centre One office build- ing, the Iowa City Public Library, the Holiday Inn, two City parking structures, and the Dubuque/Col- lege Street Pedestrian Plaza. In addition to new construction, several historic buildings have been rehabilitated within downtown. As a result, downtown contains an eclectic mix of both historic and modern structures. Downtown remains the activity center of Iowa City; however, similar to downtowns throughout the country, its role as the community's primary retail center has been diminished by outlying commercial strip shop- ping centers and "big box" retail developments. A proposal to build a regional mall in northwest Coralville may further challenge the economic vi- tality of downtown Iowa City. However, the unique- ness of downtown Iowa City and its many locally- owned and operated businesses provides a strong base for further economic development. IOWH EliY: THI_= [OMMUNiiY It' , ..... ~.:~,.~;..~.~ ¥~ ~ ....;/., , ~;;~.~ , ., , , ..,~:. .~,, ,,~ ;,-~,, .-~, · ~., · · j'.. ,, .... ~,' ! :.r,,' 'ill .... · , . ,. . . .. ~.; ~. · . ............. 7 ..... _ ....... ".:' ' ,.'_ .."._.! .... Urban renewal projects such as the consruction of the Ho/iday Inn significantly changed the appearance of downtown in the 1970s and '80s Population Projections Iowa City saw an increase in population and resi- dential development in the decade between 1980 and 1990, trends which did not occur in most of the rest of the State of Iowa. From 1980 to 1990, Iowa City experienced moderate growth at a rate of approximately 920 people per year. From 1990 to 1996, the growth in the City's population is less clear. A special census was ordered in 1996. The results of that census are puzzling when con- trasted to the building activity in the city. The cen- sus showed an increase of only 68 people per year over the six years since the count in 1990. During this same period permits were issued for 2550 dwelling units. The inconsistencies between the Adaptive reuse of historic Paul-Helen Building adds an building activity and the population count are diffi- important element to downtown. cult to explain and consequently very difficult to use as a basis for projections. For the purpose of this plan and until we have the population figures from the 2000 census, a slow rate of growth is assumed. Slow is defined as approximately 100 people per year. University of Iowa The University of Iowa campus covers approximately 1500 acres Many of Iowa City's historic buildings, such as this dwelling on Woodlawn Avenue are protected by histodc preservation regulations. Eli-Y: [DMMUNITY west and north of downtown Iowa City. Planning for the campus is under the auspices of the State of Iowa, and the University is exempt from the City's development and zoning regulations. The City of Iowa City and the University work cooperatively in planning and developing projects to assure that mutual interests are ad- dressed. Neighborhoods To the north, east and west of downtown are older residential neigh- borhoods which include many historic structures. These older neighborhoods provide a mix of housing types, including rooming houses for students, apartments, and single family homes. As distance increases from the University, the density of housing decreases and the predominance of owner-occupied single fam- ily homes increases. The City has made a commitment to pre- serving its historic neighborhoods, and adopted measures such as historic district overlay zoning as preservation tools. The Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan provides further details on neigh- borhood preservation efforts. South of downtown are mixed use areas, including commercial, light industrial and residential. The City has adopted the Near Southside Redevelopment Plan to address the neighborhood south of Burlington Street. Areas further south and southeast are zoned for intensive commercial and light industrial uses. Farther from downtown the city is ringed by new residential subdi- visions. These are generally single family in character. However, areas of higher density residential dwellings have developed along Mormon Trek Boulevard, Scott Boulevard, and south of Highway 6 during the 1980's and 1990's. The City has established the Office of Neighborhood Services to facilitate the exchange of information between the City and neigh- borhoods. The City has assisted in the designation of several formal neighborhood associations, shown on the following map. Although frequently these groups are established when the neigh- borhood coalesces around a controversial issue, they are encour- aged to remain in place to enhance communication between the City and the neighborhood. The City's goal is to have all residen- tial areas within the City affiliated with a designated neighborhood organization. The Future With steady population growth throughout the 20th century, Iowa City has evolved from a town into a small city. While this growth has been the envy of many other communities in the state of Iowa that have declined in population, the transition from town to city has brought numerous growth related issues. These include: o The encroachment of multi-family residential struc- tures into formerly single family neighborhoods. · Traffic congestion on inner city neighborhood streets from outlying residential and commercial development. The transition from on-street to structured parking downtown. The pricing of certain segments of the community out of the Iowa City housing market. University of Iowa growth issues. Concerns about development in environmentally sensitive areas. Meeting the demand for services and facilities for a growing population. IOWfi C!!-Y: THE [OHMUNITY These and a multitude of other issues make the comprehensive plan for Iowa City of critical impodance as we steer our way into the 21 st century. 10 IOW EiROWTi-I POLIEY In 1993 the City Council adopted amendments to Iowa City's Com- prehensive Plan which established a growth policy for the city. The growth policy is an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan, and establishes three specific policies pertinent to any discus- sion of growth and development: (1) (2) (3) It defines a long-range planning boundary for Iowa City; It establishes when annexations should occur; and It establishes where the investment of public funds for in- frastructure improvements should occur. This growth policy refines the policy adopted in 1993 so that it reflects current development pressures and decisions, and guid- ance provided by the Beyond 2000 vision statements. The Long-range (20-30 year) Planning Boundary The sanitary sewer service area shown in Figure 2 defines the long-range planning boundary for Iowa City. Based on Iowa City's annual growth rate, the land available within the long range plan- ning boundary should be sufficient for Iowa City's growth until at least the year 2020. The sanitary sewer service area is generally based on watershed boundaries and defines the eventual corpo- rate limits for the purposes of long-range planning. Guiding new developments to watersheds which can be served by gravity flow sanitary sewer to the City's sewage treatment plant enables the most cost effective provision of this City service. Sanitary sewer and streets are the most expensive items of public infrastructure which must be provided to new development. The long-range growth area boundary should be used when making decisions regarding the extension of infrastructure, the approval of subdivi- sions, the approval of agreements with other governmental juris- dictions regarding growth, and in response to annexation requests. Z 0 Z Z Z Z (.3 12 With adoption of the growth policy in 1993, it was pointed out that existing and planned improvements to the sewer system could serve an additional 700 acres beyond the designated growth area. The location of this 700 acres was generally identified as north of 1-80 since collection capacity exists in the River Corridor Trunk line. The specific property to be served was not delineated since there is no clear watershed demarcation. As development progresses east of First Avenue in Coralville to Dubuque Street and residential subdivisions in the North Corridor continue to pro- liferate, it is appropriate for Iowa City to identify the 700 acre ser- vice area more specifically to facilitate clear development agree- ments with Coralville and Johnson County. 10Wfi £11-Y I FIOWTI-I POLIEY As shown in Figure 2, the amended long-range planning bound- ary for property north of 1-80 is defined by the Iowa River and Rapid Creek. The area extends east to a line roughly along the existing corporate limits of Iowa City. Any area north of 1-80 will require a lift station to access the gravity flow sanitary sewer system via the Bjaysville Lane sewer or be served by the Highlander lift sta- tion. The land denoted as part of the amended growth area can be served most efficiently, allows for the most compact develop- ment in relation to the rest of the city, and does not require a river crossing. Development within this area can also occur without the necessity of bridging Rapid Creek. The growth boundary adopted in 1993 has also been amended to reflect the decision made regarding the alignment of Highway 965. The new boundary on the west side of Iowa City is shown con- ceptually as a line which runs south from Highway 218 along the alignment of Hurt Road and then along the east property line of the Iowa City Landfill to Rohret Road. The decision regarding Highway 965, the location and planned expansion of the landfill, and anticipated pressures to develop land west of the current cor- porate limits support moving the long-range planning boundary west. Development will be limited in the short term by the capac- ity and location of sanitary sewers. Discussion of capital improve- ments needed to serve this new boundary are included in the per- tinent Planning District sections of the Comprehensive Plan. Reconstruction of a sanitary sewer line under Clark Street. 2. Annexation Poficy Growth and development outside the corporate boundaries, within the long-range planning area and beyond, is influenced by the City through annexation and the Iowa City/Johnson County Fringe Agreement (see Fringe Agreement discussion below). Annex- ations occur, primarily, in response to petitions filed by the owners of property to be annexed. Voluntary annexation should be viewed positively when the following conditions exist: (2) The area under consideration falls within the adopted long- range planning boundary, Development in the area proposed for annexatipn will fulfill an identified need without imposing an undue financial burden on the City, or (3) Control of development is in the City's best interest. 13 The third provision of this policy has been amended from the 1993 version to extend the area of control from the entryways to Iowa City into the entire growth area. This reflects the intent of the City to take a proactive role, consistent with the vision statement, in annexation of the designated growth area. The annexations will still be achieved through voluntary means. Involuntary annexations, which are initiated by the City against the property owners' wishes, are considered only under extraordinary circumstances. Refer to the vacant residential land inventory in Appendix A for more detail on land available for residential development within the corporate limits and in the growth area. Prioritization of Investment in Infrastructure. When the City prioritizes public investment in infrastructure and public amenities, the obligations to properties within the corporate limits of Iowa City that further the concept of compact and con- tiguous growth should generally take precedence. This policy will be used as a guide in prioritizing the City's'Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is one of the most effective tools the City has to affect the timing and direction of growth, the quality of life, the growth of basic industry, and the cost of housing. Historically, the City has invested in infrastructure to accommodate moderate growth rather than building infrastructure prior to development. In the future, the City may wish to take a more aggressive role in directing growth and development. Frinqe Area Aqreement State enabling Farm/and in Iowa City~ southern fringe area. II]Wfl E!I-Y legislation permits a city to regulate the subdivision of land within two miles of the city's corporate bound- aries. This area is known as the urban fringe. Coun- ties that enact zoning ordinances control the land uses permitted in this same area through zoning. In the interest of managing development in Iowa City's two-mile area in a mutually acceptable man- ner, Johnson County and Iowa City have agreed on the appropriate land uses and standards for devel- opment. As Johnson County considers rezoning applications and Iowa City reviews subdivisions, their decisions will be governed by the Iowa City/ Johnson County Fringe Area Policy Agreement. See Appendix B for a copy of the current agreement. The Agreement focuses exurban development in the area north of Iowa City, encourages develop- ment in Iowa City's growth area only upon annex- ation, and provides some incentive for the preservation of open space and environmentally sensitive features. Growth and the Environment P0/IEY Environmental protection is a basic tenet of Iowa City's vision for the future. As growth and development occur, they should be managed such that the environmental quality of the community is 14 not sacrificed. Measures should be taken in all private and public projects to ensure that any impacts on identified environmental features are minimized. In 1993, the City commissioned an invento~ of environmentally sensitive areas. This invento~ maps the general location of wood- lands, wetlands, regulated slopes, hydric soils, prairie remnants, stream corridors, and archaeological sites (see Appendix C). Based on the information provided in the inventon, an ordinance was adopted in 1995 to provide protections for the identified envi- ronmentally sensitive areas. The ordinance re- quires consideration of environmental features dur- ing the development process and encourages con- struction that respects and protects natural areas. As the City continues to grow and redevelop, natu- ral areas that contribute to the health and charac- ter of the city will be protected. glI-Y A wooded ravine in north Iowa City. 15 H CO LINIT' Oi N iG!'iBO HOOi)S INTRODUCTION Neighborhoods are the building blocks which make up the i!111~ larger community of iowa City. It is at the neighborhood level that many of the visions contained in Iowa City Beyond 2000 can be implemented through the City's developmental poli- cies. Quality of life in individual neighborhoods will be af- '~':":'. fected by implementation of these policies. For example, i.., ~.~ · I~'. '~f~ the City's policies regarding arterial street design should re- sult in a route which is pleasant for motorists to travel, and safe for pedestrians and bicycles; a route that defines the boundaries of neighborhoods and does not direct through traffic into the heart of residential areas. Portions of Scott Boulevard serve as a model of such a street. It carries traffic efficiently, yet the adjacent neighborhoods are buffered from it by a wide parkway and abundant landscaping. In contrast arterial streets in many cities become commercial strips which are unpleasant for motorists and pedestrians alike. The City's policies regarding zoning will determine whether a neighborhood is made up exclusively of single-family dwell- ings or whether it contains a mix of housing types that allow a diverse population from young families to elderly persons to find housing suited for their needs. Policies regarding parks and open space will determine if neighborhood children have suf- ticlent playgrounds and whether adults will have recreational opportunities, such as trails, available close to home. Poli- cies regarding the environment will determine whether or not natural features, such as streams corridors, which pro- vide natural drainage and flood control and wildlife habitat, are preserved. The design of streets, park facilities and public and private buildings, will determine if the community is ac- cessible to persons with disabilities. These are just a few examples of how the physical design of a neighborhood is related to the quality of life that its residents will experience. 16 It is for this reason that neighborhoods will be the basic planning unit used to implement the visions of Iowa City Beyond 2000. EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS Iowa City has a diverse collection of neighborhoods. Older neigh- borhoods that are closer to downtown contain a mix of housing types and land uses and include within their boundaries some commercial development and public institutions such as schools. Newer neighborhoods closer to the developing edge of the community tend to be less diverse in land use and housing types, consisting predominantly of single family homes. As the city ages and grows, the range of old and new neighbor- hoods will require different levels of attention and care to assure long term stability. Studies for each of the planning districts may identify neighborhoods that will benefit from more specific neighborhood plans that address issues such as parks, traffic, housing, com- mercial areas and general neighborhood appearance and beautification. Iowa City's adopted Historic Preservation Plan con- tains strategies for helping assure the viability of Iowa City's older neighborhoods. These strategies sug- gest measures, such as conservation and historic district designations, the promotion of housing re- habilitation, and efforts to control traffic and parking congestion, as a means to preserve neighborhoods (see Preservation Plan in Appendix G for details). Newer neighborhoods that have devel- oped since the 1950s have had less attention paid to their future. As these neighborhoods age and experience the pressures of growth in the community, more attention will need to be directed to these areas to assure their stability. FI EO LINI-[',' ElF N EIOHBOPtHOOD Older houses, such as these in the Brown Street Historic District, are an important part of Iowa City's housing stock. Due to deterioration of existing buildings and changing land uses, there are some neighborhoods, such as the Near Southside, which provide opportunities for redevelopment. Detailed policies regard- ing the Near Southside are contained in the Near Southside Neigh- borhood Redevelopment Plan and the Near Southside Design Plan. As studies are written for each of the planning districts, specific subareas that would benefit from detailed redevelopment plans will be identified. NEW NEIGHBORHOODS Iowa Citv Bevond 2000 contains a vision for designing new neigh- borhoods as they are added to the city. This vision is expressed in a number of policy statements which support the concepts of compact neighborhood design. Compact neighborhood design creates village-like neighborhoods with housing for a diverse population, a mix of land uses, public space that is a focal point for the neighborhood, integrated civic and commercial centers, accessible open space and streets which are pleasant for both motorists and pedestrians to travel on. Arterial streets located approximately every mile and designed in a modified grid pattern will become the framework in which new neighborhoods are de- 17 veloped. Neighborhood design concepts that reflect the Beyond .2000 visions will be used to guide neighborhood development throughout Iowa City. A map of a model neighborhood illustrating these concepts is shown in Figure 3 (p. 21) and the concepts themselves are discussed in detail below. These concepts will be considered when annexation, zoning and subdivision plans are reviewed by the City. They are not intended to exclude the devel- opment of large lot single family homes, but recognize that well balanced neighborhoods will include a variety of land uses and housing types. Neighborhood Commercial Located near an arterial street, or near an intersection of two collector streets, a neighborhood com- mercial area associated with a public square or park can provide a focal point and gathering place for a neighborhood. The busi- nesses within a neighborhood commercial center should provide shopping opportunities within convenient walking distance for the residents in the immediate area, and may include such facilities as a post office substation, a day care center, small restaurants and a convenience store. The design of the neighborhood com- mercial center should have a pedestrian orientation with the stores placed close to the street, but with sufficient open space to allow for outdoor cafes and patios or landscaping. Parking should be located to the rear and sides of stores with additional parking on the street. Neighborhood Commercial Center designed like a "main street" with offices and apartments on the second floor NE EO / LINil-Y 0 Including public space, such as a town square in a commercial center, will allow such centers to be a focal point for their neighborhoods that can serve as an activity center for recreation, seasonal festivals, farmers markets, play areas and a bus stop. Apartments above businesses can provide needed housing while increasing the reve- nue stream for commercial establishments and enhancing the residential nature of the area. Townhouses or small apartment houses surrounding the commercial center can increase the customer base for the com- mercial uses and make efficient use of the services available in the neighborhood cen- ter. Diverse housing types. A mix of housing types within a neighborhood provides resi- dential opportunities for a wide variety of people, including singles, young families, elderly persons, large families, childless couples, owners and renters. When diverse housing sizes are dispersed throughout all neighborhoods, large concentrations of apartments can be avoided. The predominant land use in most neighborhoods will be single-family homes. How- ever, the mix of housing within a neighborhood may also include homes on smaller lots, townhouses, duplexes, small apartment buildings, and accessory apartments above garages. Small multi- family lots of approximately 12,000 to16,000 square feet of Low Density Multi-Family zoning are appropriate at the intersections of 18 collector and arterial streets, Lots of this size will assure that the resulting apartment buildings will be no more than four to six units per building, so that there are no more than 24 units at any one intersection. Buildings of this size can be designed to be of a similar height and appearance as single-family housing. More Efficient and Compact Design: Diverse housing types and compact subdivision design can be used to increase the density of an area slightly when compared to a typical suburban subdivi- sion, while maintaining the traditional residential character of a neighborhood. A typical subdivision contains only two to three dwelling units per acre. A density of five to seven dwelling units per acre will allow the expense of installing streets and sewer and "'- water lines to be spread out among more homeowners and will make it easier ~r and less expensive for _j/f'~ COLLEG]OR the City to provide mu- nicipal services. AY, TEI~IAL Interconnected street ~ · systems. A modified grid street system can reduce congestion on main roads, provide more direct routes, and may reduce the vehicle FI E0/vt LIN! ' 0 · The standard street design (left) offers one route between origin and destination. The modified gdd system offers a multitude of reutes. miles traveled within a neighborhood, A modified grid pattern also provides alternative ways for fire trucks and other emergency ve- hicles to circulate through a neighborhood. Cul-de-sacs are ap- propriate where environmental constraints or barriers such as steep ravines prevent the connection of streets. Arterial streets. Arterial streets serve as neighborhood bound- aries and provide access across the city without continuous travel through neighborhoods. Arterial streets are intended to carr~ high volumes of traffic traveling between homes, employment, shop- ping and other destinations. These major streets, if properly de- signed, reduce the likelihood of motorists cutting through resi- dential neighborhoods. To maintain the capacity of arterial streets, the number of side street intersections with the arterial street should be limited, and driveways to individual lots should be prohibited. Because they become major elements of the landscape, the aes- thetics of arterial streets must be considered. Features such as special street lights, trees and medians can enhance the appear- ance of arterial streets. Wide parkways can provide buffers be- tween arterials and adjacent developments. Eight foot wide side- walks on at least one side of an arterial street provide for safe and comfortable pedestrian travel and allow for bicycle travel. Inter- sections near schools and neighborhood commercial areas can be enhanced with brick or textured paving to highlight appropriate pedestrian crossing locations. Arterial street with rear yards and blank wall ~ .. "-~.~.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. ~'~,~ ~ ~.;,,~.~.~. ,. ~,~ ,-.: .... ~"' -' .~..~. · . ..~....';,~ ~;~..;, :'. ,.... ,~.,.; ~;'.- .... . ........ ~;';~.,.' · ...,'.~;:,.':.~'7~.~'~' .~. ,~'~'; Landscape provides buffer be~een ~ar ya~s and a~e~al st~et Townhouses face arterial street N I 11 1-1 0.1 1-10 0 19 For residential developments adjacent to arterial streets, zoning requirements specify that dwellings must be set back at least 40 feet from the street right-of-way line. This is 20 feet greater than required in other locations and provides space for landscaping to create a buffer between the arterial streets and the adjacent homes. In some locations adjacent to arterial streets, homeowners have built tall fences along the street in an effort to create privacy in their back yards. This sometimes results in long blank walls along the arterial street frontage. To avoid this problem, lots which back onto arterial streets should be avoided where possible, and alter- natives to walls, such as dense landscaping or earthen berms, should be provided. Townhouses facing the street are another alternative to having back yards immediately adjacent to the road- way. Collector streets. Collector streets play a supplemental role to ar- terial streets, traveling through the area between arterials. A col- lector street is intended to carry neighborhood traffic from local, residential streets to the arterial streets serving the neighborhood. A modified grid pattern of collector streets lends itself to a pedes- trian friendly environment, and allows for dispersal of traffic among several streets instead of concentrating it on a few streets. Cre- ating more than a single means of access into a neighborhood supports the objective of sustaining quiet, safe neighborhoods and minimizing the effect of traffic on each home site within the neigh- borhood. The alignment of collector streets across arterial streets provides for the safe crossing of neighborhood boundary streets, particu- larly for pedestrians and cyclists. Within the neighborhood, how- ever, collector streets should not be continuous, but should be offset to slow vehicles and minimize traffic cutting through neigh- borhoods. Narrower local streets. Narrower streets slow traffic; allow for a more complete tree canopy over the street, and reduce the amount of pavement between homes in a neighborhood. This improves the aesthetics of the street. For residential streets a width of 22- 26 feet may be appropriate. Each side of a street should contain sidewalks so that travel for pedestrians is made safe and conve- nient. Reduced front yard setbacks. Reduced setbacks allow homes to be placed closer to residential streets. Reducing the face to face distances between homes increases the potential for social activity and neighborhood connections. In lieu of deep front yards, porches can serve as a transition between the public sidewalk and private residences. Front yard setbacks of less than 20 feet along local residential streets should be considered. Narrower lot frontages. Narrow lots in the range of 30-50 feet in width (less for townhouses) result in more compact development which consumes less land and makes it possible to provide pub- lic improvements, such as streets, sewers and water lines more efficiently. The costs of constructing streets and other public improvements are spread across more properties in more com- pact developments. Building on smaller lots allows the construc- tion of more moderately-priced housing. 20 Use of rear lanes or alleys. Landscaped and well-lighted alleys can allow utilities and garages to be located away from the street and enhances the appearance of the neighborhood from the street. When garages are accessed from alleys at the rear of the lots, vehicular traffic on residential streets is reduced. The alley can serve as a common driveway for the garages located off of it. With narrower lot frontages, the cost per lot for paving in a devel- opment that includes alleys and streets is roughly the same as the cost of conventional streets alone in a larger lot subdivision. FI CO LINIT,' OF N EI !-i 0 R!'I 0 0 Locating garages off the alley means the street side of homes need not be dominated by garage doors and expanses of con- crete driveways. The front yard can present more of the social aspects of the home, such as porches and front doors. This is particularly important for small single-family homes, townhouses and zero lot-line residences on narrow lots, where a two-car garage typically encom- passes 50% or more of the front of a home. Townhouses and apartments can also have a much more appealing residential streetscape if parking is provided off an alley or private drive to the rear of the buildings. Where alleys are not possible, having narrower or shared driveways along the side and to the rear of houses reduces the amount of paving in front yards, and lessens the em- phasis of garage doors along a street. For single-family dwellings on large lots, alternatives for vehicular access, such as alleys, are less crucial for good design, because the proportion of the property devoted to vehicles is smaller. Streetscape with narrow street, shallow front yards, and garages located to side of houses. Parks, Trails and Open Space. Ideally, neighborhood parks are small 3-7 acre open spaces that provide a focal point for informal gatherings and recreation within easy walking distance from residences in a neighborhood. In some cases smaller pocket parks may be appropriate. A neighborhood park may be completely surrounded by residential units, or situated adjacent to a school or a neighborhood shopping center. Neighborhood parks should be designed as an inte- gral part of an interconnected system of open space. Trails should connect neighborhood parks with larger community and regional parks. : !.' ',:' .!;:,,'i:~ ?.': ,i'~. ",,' ::; ~, '-. ! ·J ; '""".?:' i:~:t~:~..; i.~ ',':.." ' .... , I .... :i,' ~'r',~'~;.:i~!;i~ ]:'":'.~, . · · · :'~'".' ;":~. ;~., '~;~';'?~:," ~;. :' ' ~.:, '~?: :'~','~ ....... ' ' ~;'~'~ ,.~ ,.... ,..: '......~....,; ~,, ~.,..:';., .~,. ,,~. ~,, ,.. , ,"~' .~ .................... ~...~'~ '.~ ..... ~ .,:.., ~ ' Paving and garage doors dominate st~etscape To support pedestrian-oriented neighborhood design, trails and sidewalks should connect the major desti- nations within a neighborhood, such as schools, parks, transit stops and commercial centers. Trails and sidewalks that intersect with key neighborhood destinations can be adjacent to the street, located along drainageways, and constructed over major sanitary sewer easements. Preservation of environ- mentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands and stream corridors, provides opportunities to enhance a neighborhood while maintaining scenic resources and wildlife habitat. Wherever possible, natural fea- tures, such as waterways and woodlands, should be incorporated as key amenities within parks and along trail systems. Alleys allow for narrow lots with a streetscape of attractive entryways and landscaping IL n L 0 0 0 0 J 22 !-B INI] A healthy economy is essential to the success of any community. Good jobs, paying a livable wage, and access to goods and ser- vices are important factors in measuring a community's quality of life. Iowa City has adopted "Economic Development Policies, Strategies, and Actions for the City of Iowa City" to address the issues of employment, commerce and industry in a sustainable way (see Appendix G). The adopted policies focus on the follow- ing directives: Nurture existing businesses in the city by encour- aging their retention and expansion, and by attract- ing compatible new industries. Increase employment opportunities for the local work force. Increase the amount of land available for industry and commerce to expand and develop. Cooperate regionally in economic development, acknowledging the regional benefits of prosperity. Encourage businesses that recognize the need to sustain the environment. It is appropriate that public funds be used, with dis- cretion, as a catalyst for private enterprise to achieve the City's economic goals. Industrial Opportunities The availability of land which is appropriately located, is zoned properly, and is ready for development is central to the City's con- tinued economic vitality. There is currently a shortage of land zoned and available for manufacturing and light industrial uses. Land for commercial development also has some limitations. Businesses which seek to locate or expand in Iowa City have difficulty finding appropriately zoned land. (See Acres by Zoning Category for 1996 in Appendix E). 23 Two areas stand out as appropriate for new industrial develop- ment -- east of Scott Boulevard, as an extension of the BDI In- dustrial Park, and southwest of the Iowa City Municipal Airport. The site east of Scott Boulevard has been identified since 1983 as a logical extension of the existing industrial park, The land is flat; good access is provided via Scott Boulevard and Highway 6 as well as by the Iowa Interstate Railroad; and the area can be served by FY98 with municipal services. The land southwest of the Airport has access to the Airport and to the Interstate highway system at Highway 1 and Highway 218 (the Avenue of the Saints). Municipal sewer will be available to this site in FY98. The Airport site also requires completion of some phases of the Airport Mas- ter Plan and should therefore, be reserved now in anticipation of its future use. Both potential industrial areas require annexation. Opportunities for research and development parks or office re- search parks exist in three areas of the city -- north and south of the Highway l/Interstate 80 interchange, and in west Iowa City along Highway 218 near the Melrose Avenue/Highway 218 inter- change. The north Interstate 80 site has been available for imme- diate development for a number of years but has had limited ac- tivity. The University of Iowa Oakdale Research Park has pro- vided sites for a number of new businesses in this sector of the economy. It appears that the privately held land in Iowa City which is designated for these types of uses has difficulty competing with the park in Coralville, which is directly associated with the Univer- sity and subsidized on University-held land. Consequently, no additional land should be set aside for office research or research and development land uses at this time. Commercial Opportunities Commercial opportunities encompass a wide range of business types -- offices, restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, repair shops, etc. These businesses provide at least 43% of the jobs in the Iowa City area. Opportunities in this sector of the economy are important not only for the jobs such businesses cre- ate, but also for the goods and services provided to the residents of the city. In August of 1996 thero were 1,009 acres of commercial land; much of this land is developed, Redevelopment or reuse of exist- ing commercial buildings is one opportunity for new commercial development. Redevelopment and reuse are encouraged in the downtown and other existing commercial corridors. Neighbor- hood commercial developments are advocated in new neighbor- hoods as they develop. ECONOMIC WFI I-BEINI] Given the construction of approximately 1.3 million square feet of retail space in the new Coral Ridge Mall, it is unlikely, and probably not prudent, for Iowa City to consider the development of large, new commercial centers in the foreseeable future. However, there may be a demand for smaller developments as the city grows. To meet the needs of Iowa City's future growth, new commercial areas are proposed in locations where: 24 Old and new development can be served most ef~ ficiently with the least vehicle trip distance; The commercial development has the least nega- tive impact on the neighborhood; and Vehicular and pedestrian traffic is sufficient to sup- port commercial entities (See Land Use Map en- closure) E[ONOMI[ WPI I-BI_=iN6 Since commercial development occurs close to where people live or along transportation corridors, special care should be taken in the site design of these establishments. Landscaping to soften the impact of the structures and lessen the effect of multiple park- ing lots should be part of each development. Signage which is informative but unobtrusive is important, particularly near neigh- borhoods and in entrance corridors to the city. Improvements within the public right-of-way such as landscaping, sidewalks set back a sufficient distance from the paving, and organized access points are important to the functioning of the transportation corri- dor and add to the quality of the trip. These features and ameni- ties can be accomplished by the joint cooperation and participa- tion of the City and business owners. 25 The social fabric of a community is all those things that define the quality of people's lives. Quality of life in a community is as impor- tant to a community's success as the availability of basic neces- sities. Quality of life can be defined by the tangible aspects of the community addressed in previous sections--the availability of decent housing in cohesive, stable neighborhoods; the ability to travel in and around the community with relative ease; and a healthy economy with well-paying jobs and an abundance and variety of goods and services. Quality of life is also defined by less tangible aspects of the community that have to do with how safe people feel, whether people are accepted and supported by others, whether the community nurtures the development of people, and the extent to which harmony is evidenced in the community. As we plan for the physical development of Iowa City, these other important aspects of the community should not be forgotten. Arts and Culture Iowa City has achieved regional and national recognition for its Young pa~icipants in the annual Iowa A~s Festival celebrated each June. support for the arts and the variety of cultural activi- ties that take place here. Much of this recognition is due to activities and programs at the University of 'Iowa. The population attracted by the University is very supportive of local artists and performers. Con- sequently, Iowa City also stands out for its commit- ment to community arts and cultural activities such as the Iowa Arts Festival, the Jazz Festival, River- side Theater, Iowa City Community Theater, and Arts Iowa City. These activities and organizations add to the vitality of the area, in both an economic sense and in making Iowa City an attractive place to live. Support for the arts and culture of the community enhances Iowa City's position in the region and adds significantly to the quality of life of the community and should, therefore, be continued and institution- 26 alized as an economic development and community betterment tool for the city. Human Development There are three primary entities in Iowa City that focus on nurtur- ing and developing the potential of people who live here--the edu- cational system, the public library, and the human service agencies. An educated community challenges and fosters change in community institutions; broadens the perspective of community action; and demands variety and vitality in day-to-day activities. The edu- cational institutions in Iowa City are independent of city government. Through cooperative efforts within the City such as the DARE program, school siting during the development process, Partners in Education, and shared facilities, the mission of the educational institutions to foster life-long learn- ers and to build good citizens is furthered. The Iowa City Public Library provides services at the Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center. The Iowa City Public Library is based on the prin- ciple of a free library. A free library ensures that everyone in the community, regardless of re- sources, has access to the information which can help them to achieve their greatest potential. As a repository and conduit of information, the library has evolved in response to technological advances and information retrieval so that the people of Iowa City are able to keep up with global changes. As we move into the next century, support for the library as a free public institution should continue, to enable access for all people to the in- formation needed to succeed in the future. The human service agencies of Johnson County and Iowa City form the basis of a caring commu- nity. There are approximately 30 such agencies located in Iowa City, many of which obtain some support through tax dollars, private contributions, and the work of community volunteers. These agencies provide a support system for people in need, whether that need is temporary or more per- manent in nature. Services range from hospice care to crisis response to child care. These agen- cies are an embodiment of the community's com- mitment to responsiveness to human needs and the well-being of its citizenry. The Johnson County/Iowa City Senior Center provides many programs designed to meet the needs of the community's seniors As the city and surrounding communities grow and issues found in larger urban areas surface, some debate has occurred about the value of a broad range of human services. Coupled with decreases in many federally-funded human service programs, the function of some human service agencies may be diminished significantly or lost. This is at a time when the needs of people are likely to increase. Iowa City faces difficult questions in this arena, the answers to 27 which may define the character of the community--will it con- tinue to foster a climate of social acceptance and well-being, or will the community decide the cost of acceptance and support is too high? The strategies of this plan continue to "embrace life- long education, good health, decent housing, rewarding work, and helping each other as basic elements that are es- sential to our quality of life (Social Services vision statement p. ____)." Young firefighters learning the importance of fire safety. ~. ..~.~Safety ""' ' Personal safety and the safety of property are ba- '.""sic needs in a community and are typically dressed through the public safety departments of police and fire. The effectiveness of these depart- ments is dependent upon resources being available to them to expand their level of services as the com- munity grows, and on the cooperation and involve- ment of the people of Iowa City. In addition to the traditional functions of police and fire departments, future efforts will focus on programs that educate and involve the public in issues of safety and injury prevention. Such programs include neighborhood watch; DARE; stop, drop, and roll; check your smoke detector battery day; the fire safety trailer; Safe Kids Coalition; and com- munity policing. The involvement of citizens in their own personal and public safety strengthens the sense of personal control over safety, fostering an atmosphere of community safety and well- being. ;fiElfit i=FIBI iC 28 Eli-Y: BEYONI) The community vision task forces, which were formed in 1994 at the beginning of the Iowa City: Beyond 2000 process, addressed the general goals for Iowa City's future. These goals are the ba- sis for the 1997 Iowa City Comprehensive Plan. In examining the goals, the next logical question is-- How do we get there? What strategies can be developed to take us from the generalities of the goal statements to specific policies for implementing the vision? Various tools are available for us to carry out the vision of the Iowa City: Beyond 2000 process. The most common tools are the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and the Capital Improve- ment Program; all of these are addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. Other tools for achieving the vision include specific neigh- borhood plans and adopted planning documents such as the JCCOG Arterial Street Plan, the Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan, and the Iowa City Open Space Plan. The following section addresses the specific goals of each Iowa City: Beyond 2000 task force, and offers strategies for answering the question -- How do we get there? 30 0 ! ! I ITIVI Iowa City is a growing city within the Johnson County/Linn County region. It is a city composed of diverse individuals and groups. The community is best served through the participation of its mem- bers, the cooperative efforts of its parts, and coordination among the governments that serve the region. ~1OWA~CITY~BEYOND~,2000~'~HOW~DO~WE~GET~THERE~? COOPERATIVE EFFORTS [] Goal: [] Goal: Cooperate in devising ways in [] which citizens of Iowa City can be [] informed about local issues and [] be active participants in setting [] the community's agenda [] [] Support opportunities for [] residents, government, and local [] organizations to work together Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Iowa City Office of Neighborhood Services Press releases to the local media Cable TV local access City utility bill newsletter City TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Telephone hotlines Public information/public comment process Create community focus groups for specific issues [] Goal: [] Goal: Further enhance a metropolitan [] transportation planning process that is open to community input [] and addresses all forms of [] transportation [] Encourage and support [] collaborative efforts among [] government, business, community [] organizations, and the University of Iowa [] Strategy: Strategy:. Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: Strategy: JCCOG metropolitan transportation planning process JCCOG modal subcommittees JCCOG adopted public input process Questionnaires and surveys to deal with specific issues Chamber of Commerce Iowa City Vision 2000 Information exchange between organizations: agendas, meeting minutes, legislation Ad-hoc committees for specific issues [] Goal: Cooperate with the University of Iowa, Johnson County, and neighboring communities to address land use issues of mutual concern, especially the planned development of contiguous areas [] [] Strategy: Strategy: JCCOG metropolitan planning organization Land use agreements between governmental organizations [] Goal: Foster creative partnerships with neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and other organizations in parkland and program development [] 9trategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Outreach by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Iowa City Office of Neighborhood Services PIN (Program for Improving Neighborhoods) grants jccogtp\compplan\cooperat 32 IIRT, [UI_TUI F I-IUMFIN DFVF/OPMFNT Iowa City has a state and national reputation for its quality of life. To enhance this reputation the City must provide resources and opportunities for learning and growth to all citizens. Culture, hu- man development and the arts must be a prime focus for the community. Programs and services related to culture, human development and the arts must be accessible to all, responsive to the varied needs and interests of a diverse population, complimentary to the rich resources of the University of Iowa and recognized as critical to the economic success of the city. Iowa City must meet the on-going challenge to preserve and im- prove a unique quality of life for a growing population and to pro- vide a fertile environment for creative endeavors. · 1OWA~ CITY~ BEYON D ~ 2000 ~'~'HOW 4'DO ~'WE~ GET ~TH ERE ~ ? HUMAN DEVELOPMENT [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: Provide additional and [] Strategy: improved public spaces for arts, culture and human [] Strategy: development programs. [] Strategy: Elected officials will consid- er human development factors when making deci- sions. Promote arts, culture, and human development in the community. Offer programs and servic- es that meet the needs of all citizens. Document and preserve our cultural heritage. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Expand the public library consistent with the Iowa City Public Library's Strategic Plan. Work with school district to ensure adequate school sites are available as the city grows. Include public recreational facilities and meeting areas in new schools. Include public art, culture or human development components in the redevelopment plans for Parcel 64-1a, the last urban renewal parcel. Set aside 1% of the budget of any public building, road, or bridge construction project for public art in the project. Include an official representative of Iowa City on the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee. Facilitate media coverage of arts, culture and human development activities. Establish a fund to provide financial assistance to local arts, culture and human development activi- ties sponsored by non-profit groups. Ensure that facilities used for arts, culture and human development activities are fully accessible according to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Continue implementation of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan. jccogtp\compplan\artscult 34 ECOMOMIC VYFI I-BF N[ The economic well-being of the residents of Iowa City is enhanced by: Creating and fostering an economic environment which enhances the community's character where cultural, rec- reational, and educational activities thrive and in turn pro- vide economic opportunities; Encouraging the diversification of the community's eco- nomic base to maintain a vibrant economy through chang- ing economic conditions, while providing quality employ- ment opportunities for all work force skills and educational levels; Encouraging linkages among new and existing businesses to create networks in which businesses may find materi- als and markets in the local economy; Sustaining and enhancing riscally responsible and socially relevant local government services, which include sup- portive services for the local work force; and Maintaining a vibrant economy consistent with environmen- tal health of the community, by stimulating energy and re- source conservation and promoting clean, non-polluting industries. ~1OWA~CITY4~BEYOND~2000~HOW~DO~WE~GET~THERE~? [] Goal: Diversify and increase the [] Strategy: property tax base by (1) encouraging the retention and expansion of existing industry and (2) attracting industries that have growth potential and are compati- ble with existing business- es. [] Strategy: Identify industry groups that are compatible with community goals and toward which the community should target its economic development efforts. Provide an attractive environment to businesses involved in environmental technology and services. [] Goal: Increase employment op- portunities consistent with the available labor force. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Identify local labor force skills and the types of jobs compatible with the local labor force. Identify work force skills required by targeted industries and identify education and training needs. Provide opportunities for the Iowa City work force to live close to their place of employment. [] Goal: Provide and protect areas suitable for future industrial and commercial develop- ment. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Provide for the extension of infrastructure which will encourage development in areas designated for industrial and commercial growth. Promote awareness of the city's economic develop- ment policies through public forums. [] Goal: Cooperate with local and regional organizations to promote economic devel- opment within Iowa City. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Continue to use the Iowa City Area Development Group as the lead economic development agency in the area. Continue to coordinate with the UI. Enhance communication between entrepreneurs, businesses, government, labor, consumer and citizens groups, and educational institutions. [] Goal: Improve the environmental and economic health of the community through the efficient use of resources. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Encourage commercial activity to take place in existing core areas or neighborhood commercial centers; discourage the proliferation of new major commercial areas. Continue and enhance downtown revitalization. Establish programs to encourage businesses to use resources more efficiently. [] Goal: Consider financial incen- tives and programs to facil- itate achieving the above goals. jccogtp\compplan\welbeing [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Focus incentives on infrastructure development, work training and retraining; and an efficient, timely and fair development review process. Develop criteria to use whenever considering financial incentives for economic development projects. Monitor local financial markets to determine if they meet the needs of local commercial and industrial ventures. 36 I NVIRONMENTFI/ PROTEET!ON Iowa City has been recognized for its progress towards a quality environment. The community will strive toward: A high level of community environmental awareness and action; Cooperative environmental protection efforts including public-private partnerships to advance a quality environ- ment; citizenry that recognizes and values the unique ecology of the area; Development that occurs with consideration of ecological features, such as protecting critical wildlife habitats, natu- ral terrain and future green space; Patterns of compact growth and development that em- phasize pedestrian access and neighborhood cohesive- ness, and support alternative modes of transportation that enhance air quality; Planning by developers, city government and interested citizens that results in an infrastructure that provides effi- cient waste treatment, recovery of valuable resources and energy, participation in waste reduction and recycling pro- grams, and that allows growth without sacrificing environ- mental quality; Conveniently located parks and trails that are easily ac- cessible to all citizens, are litter-free and hospitable to a diversity of plants and animals; o Air and water that are clean, odor and color free, and noise levels, lighting and signs that are unobtrusive. · '1OWA~CITY~'BEYON D~2000 ~,~H OW~ DO ~WE~ GET ~THERE~? ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION [] Goal: Promote public education of environmental protection issues. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Hold annual public forums on environmental legis- lation and sound environmental practices. Conduct individual initiatives such as storm sewer labeling. Goal: Support acquisition and management of water- sheds, floodplains, wetlands and greenways. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Evaluate the feasibility of interjurisdictional water- shed management. Develop a riscally responsible plan for the acquisi- tion of endangered natural areas. Acquire the streambanks and floodplains of Ralston Creek, Willow Creek and the Iowa River. Incorporate greenways into the open space system and the bikeways network. Complete the Iowa River Corridor trail. [] Goal: Protect the water quality of stormwater runoff, landfill leachate and wastewater effluent. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Continue monitoring landfill leachate and waste- water treatment effluent to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations. Evaluate stormwater management methods which contribute to the filtering of stormwater runoff using natural features. Require proper soil erosion control in all private and public development projects. [] Goal: Reduce the use of toxic chemicals, particularly lawn pesticides. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Review the use of toxic chemicals applied by City departments, and reduce application where practi- cal. Promote alternatives to toxic residential lawn chemicals. [] Goal: Reduce the volume of matedal going into the Iowa City landfill. [] Strategy: Promote initiatives for reducing the disposal of solid waste, such as recycling alternatives and reuse of items currently landfilled. [] Goal: Provide for the safe and effective disposal of haz- ardous wastes. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Continue annual paint and battery disposal days. Establish a household hazardous waste policy. [] Goal: Protect scenic and historic vistas, control offensive noises, and promote unobo trusive lighting and signs. [] Strategy: Enforce appropriate elements of the Historic Pres- ervation Plan, the municipal noise ordinance, and the municipal sign ordinance. [] Goal: Pursue identification and preservation of environ- mentally sensitive areas, [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Enforce the sensitive areas ordinance. Reestablish natural areas where possible. jccogtp\cornpplan\envprot 38 I-!OUSIN!] Housing in a vital, energetic city builds a community of neighbor- hoods that provides safe, attractive and affordable housing for all its residents. A well-planned neighborhood welcomes all people and includes both owner-occupied and rental, single-family and multi-family housing. To this end, the City of Iowa City should adopt policies to protect the integrity of existing neighborhoods and to encourage the creation of neighborhoods in new develop- ments. ~1OWA~ ClTY~ BEYON D ~ 2000 ~,~H OW ~DO ~,WE~GET ~I'TH ERE ~ ? [] Goal: Goal: [] Goal: Provide housing opportuni- ties for households of all sizes, incomes, ages, and for populations with special needs. Encourage neighborhoods that support the principle of diversity of housing types and households, and pro- vide for interaction among neighbors. Preserve the integrity of existing neighborhoods and the historic nature of older neighborhoods. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Encourage smaller owner-occupied houses on smaller lots. Zone land for lower cost housing alternatives such as single room occupancy, cooperatives, manufac- tured and modular homes. Institute incentives such as density bonuses, provision of infrastructure, and reduction of infra- structure requirements for the development of affordable housing. Support programs that allow senior citizens to stay in their homes. Fund programs that assist lower income house- holds with housing including public housing and the rental assistance certificate and voucher programs. Monitor and eliminate barriers to affordable and accessible housing. Simplified procedures for mixing housing types. Encourage amenities such as retail stores, church- es, and small restaurants in neighborhoods. Develop smaller lots and more common open space. Investigate "fair share" concept for affordable hous- ing (percentage in every neighborhood). Develop neighborhood plans which help to ensure the continuation of a balance of housing types within neighborhoods, particularly in older parts of the city. Support the Historic Preservation Commission's efforts to meet its goals. [] Goal: [] Goal: Maintain and improve the safety of all housing. Review zoning and annex- ation of undeveloped areas to plan for the develop- ment of sustainable and livable neighborhoods. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Enforce building and housing codes. Zone for neighborhood development in conjunction with annexation. Coordinate with surrounding municipal govern- ments. jccogtp\compplan~housing 40 LFINDU%E URBFIN P iTERN The citizens of Iowa City build community and preserve the city's quality of life by providing connections not only to the people and places around which activities are centered, but also to the city's history, its environment and the University, all of which have shaped Iowa City's unique character. Future city developments should cherish and protect the character of the downtown and existing neighborhoods, while carefully creating new areas which are in- novative in design, are compatible with their surroundings and are environmentally sensitive. Future growth and development of the community should be guided and managed to create a city which is Definable in character and space; Accessible to all; Humane; Inclusive; o Diverse in land uses, employment and housing opportuni- ties; - Environmentally sensitive; and Economically healthy. ~ IOWA ~1, CITY ~ B EYO N D~ 2000 ~,~H OW ~, D 0 ~WE ~ GET ~I,T HER E~ e [] Goal: LAND USE & Define the City's adopted growth area boundary. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Focus urban growth; use the City's extraterritorial review powers to discourage suburban sprawl. Establish wherever possible green space at the edge of the urban growth boundary. [] Goal: [] Goal: Contain industrial develop- ment in industrial parks on the edge of the community. Focus commercial develop- ment in defined commercial centers, including small scale neighborhood com- mercial centers. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Identify appropriate areas for industrial growth, provide city services, zone accordingly. Identify appropriate commercial nodes; zone accord- ingly to focus commercial development. Discourage linear strip commercial development that encourages sprawl. Goal: [] Goal: Maintain a strong, accessi- ble downtown that is pedes- trian oriented and a cultural, commercial and residential center. Protect the historical and natural environment within the city. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Encourage continued investment in downtown to assure its place as the community cultural and commercial center. Work with the business community on strategies to keep downtown competitive with outlying commercial areas. Implement the Near Southside Development Plan to promote growth downtown. Develop guidelines to help the development commu- nity deal appropriately with natural areas and open spaces. Use City projects to demonstrate appropriate relation- ships between development and environmentally sensitive areas. Continue implementation of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan. [] Goal: Foster strong community neighborhoods with a mix of housing, churches, schools, recreation facilities, com- mercial areas, and historic landmarks. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Plan and promote the development of model neigh- borhoods that are compact, pedestrian-oriented, contain a mix of housing, with neighborhood focal points and commercial centers. Promote a mix of housing styles within neighbor- hoods, including compatible infill development; and zone parcels in advance of development. Implement zoning which integrates multi-family buildings as transitions between neighborhood commercial zones and lower density single family areas. Work with appropriate organizations to ensure that schools, churches, parks, and neighborhood commer~ cial centers are centralized within residential areas rather than on the fringes of the community. Promote neighborhood commercial centers by identio fying and zoning parcels in advance of development. jccogtp/compplan/landuse 42 RI ERF lT!ON Parks, recreation and open space are essential features of a healthy community. Our vision is to enhance the quality of life in Iowa City by creating a model community with: o Beautiful lands, trees and open spaces; Sufficient park land, facilities and trails to accommodate the needs of all neighborhoods; A balance of indoor and outdoor facilities and programs; and · Activities and facilities which are accessible and afford- able. ~1OWA~ CITY~,BEYON D~2000 ~,HOW ~ DO ~'WE~'G ET ~TH ERE · 7 & OPEN SPACE [] Goal: Make recreational facilities and programs as afford- able as possible. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Make special subsidy programs available to low income residents. Foster partnerships with neighborhood associa- tions, businesses, schools and governmental agencies. Actively seek grants, matching monies, and gifts. [] Goal: Ensure that programs and facilities are accessible to all citizens. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Implement accessibility retrofit programs for all park facilities and recreation programs. Provide sufficient parking spaces to serve persons with disabilities, including van spaces. Expand recreation programs that serve people with special needs. [] Goal: Implement elements of the Neighborhood Open Space Plan. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Expedite expenditure of fees paid by developers for park land acquisition. Develop dedicated open space for use by neigh- boring residents. Develop a neighborhood park land and trails acquisition program. Update the neighborhood open space action plan on an ongoing basis. [] Goal: Enhance and expand in- door and outdoor recre- ational facilities. [] Strategy: Pursue improvements to the Robert A. Lee Com- munity Recreation Center, Mercer Park Aquatic Center, and the south side sports complex. [] Goal: Improve and maintain mu- nicipal parks to meet the needs of neighborhoods and the community. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Implement a planned maintenance strategy for City park facilities. Work with neighborhood groups on appropriate improvements to neighborhood parks. Goal: Establish a system of bike- ways and trails connecting parks, schools, neighbor- hoods, and the downtown area. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Complete the Iowa River Corridor Trail. Construct bikeways and trails throughout Iowa City as opportunities become available through the property development process. [] Goal: Create and maintain at- tractive entrances to Iowa City. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Implement landscaping plans on public and private property to enhance entranceways to the communi- ty. Develop building and site design guidelines. [] Goal: Enhance the city's urban forest. jccogt p\compplan\parksrec [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Continue the Heritage Tree Program and expand it to other areas of the city. Work with public utilities and private property owners to preserve trees. Develop a preservation/replacement plan for trees located on City°owned properties. 44 PUBLInE Iowa City will be known as a community that keeps its people and its environment free from harm and injury. Through the City de- partments charged with public safety, resources will be directed toward education, prevention and enforcement to enhance the quality of life in Iowa City. 4, I 0 WA 4, CITY ~ BEY 0 N D ~' 2000 ~4'4'H O'W 4~ D 0 · W E · GET ~T H E R E 4' ? Police - Fire Encourage support in the community for promoting public safety. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Goal: Encourage expansion of citizen involvement pro- grams such as neighborhood watch and DARE. Seek and maintain cooperative relationships with other City departments and agencies promoting public safety. Promote events such as "check your smoke detec- tor battery day," "stop, drop and roll," as well as working with community groups on fire safety training and injury prevention. [] Goal: Respond to calls for emer- gency service as efficiently and effectively as possible. [] Strategy: [] Strateg. y: [] Strategy: Efficiently and effectively conduct the criminal justice process. Attempt to recover lost and/or stolen property, identify its owners, and ensure its prompt return. Minimize emergency service response time. [] Goal: Enforce traffic laws and direct the safe movement of all users of the street system. Ensure safe fire equipment access. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Coordinate with Traffic Engineering Planning to monitor and enforce problem locations throughout the city. Initiate educational programs with the school district to promote safe pedestrian travel by chil- dren. Work with the Urban Planning Division to develop safe subdivision circulation patterns. Work with neighborhood associations to locate problem traffic areas and implement enforcement. [] Goal: Inspire confidence in the provision of emergency services. [] Strategy: Develop personnel capable of providing the public with professional law enforcement, fire fighting, and emergency medical service, hazardous materials mitigation, and rescue. [] Goal: Continue to maintain the prevention of fire as the primary objective of the Fire Department. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Implement programs on fire deterrents and arson prosecution involving the public. Promote public education with the schools, neigh- borhood associations, landlords and other groups on the methods and techniques of fire and injury prevention. [] Goal: Actively participate in the enforcement of building and fire codes. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Complete inspections for building and fire code compliance. Work with Housing and Inspection Services Depart- ment to ensure knowledge and compliance with the fire code by property owners. [] Goal: Plan for the future public safety needs of the com- munity. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Develop annual objectives which make efficient and effective use of resources. Monitor progress in meeting public safety goals with the assistance of the public. jccogtp\compplan\pubsafty 46 The City of Iowa City provides the foundation for a caring commu- nity by responding to human needs, being ethically accountable, and making decisions for the greater good. Our community en- courages the participation of all citizens to create a climate of social acceptance and well-being. We embrace life-long educa- tion, good health, decent housing, rewarding work and helping each other as basic elements that are essential to our quality of life. City supported social services compliment and strengthen the efforts of citizens helping each other to enjoy that quality of life. [] Goal: A community standard of "service to others." [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: A wide array of programs available in all neighbor- hoods throughout the city. An adequate level of finan- cial support for human services programs. Provide appropriate plan- ning and coordination of human services programs. A leadership role by Iowa City government in the provision of human servic- es by an employer. Equal accessibility by all persons to all aspects of the community. Consideration of human services impacts on mat- ters being discussed by the City Council. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Encourage employers to promote service learning and volunteerism opportunities to their employees. Work with the Volunteer Action Center and Volun- teerAdministrators Network to encourage volunteer community service activities. Support human service programs in centers in neighborhoods. Use existing facilities to provide coordinated neigh- borhood services. Facilitate the joint human services funding process through JCCOG. Strengthen relationships with entities that are not part of the joint human services funding process. Investigate ways to enhance the financial position of human service agencies. Work with agencies that offer services to exchange information and ideas, review new regulations, discuss issues and concerns. Determine feasibility of on-site daycare, coopera- tive efforts with other employers, and utilizing 4Cs to assist employees in securing safe, reliable childcare. Provide expanded employment opportunities for person with disabilities, persons with employment difficulties, and persons seeking work under the state's reformed welfare laws. Ensure that building codes and City ordinances are consistent with ADA. Provide sliding scale fee options for as many City services as possible for low income residents Enhance' the ability of persons whose first lan- guage is not English to use City services. Assess impact of development projects and City policies on human service programs. jccogtp\compplan\humansrv 48 TRFIN%PORTFITION The quality of life for residents of Iowa City is and will continue to be enhanced by a balanced, multi-modal system for the transpor- tation of people. This is a system which will accommodate motor vehicles, public transit, bicycles, general aviation, and pedestri- ans as legitimate forms of mobility in the community. Iowa City is enhanced by having readily available freight access to the national transportation network via the air, truck and rail modes. As the community changes in the future, the City should pay increased attention to innovative -- even adventurous -- methods of main- taining and improving our transportation system. · 10WA~CITY~BEYOND~2000~,~HOW~DO ~WE~GET~THERE~? [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: [] Goal: TRANSPORTATION Accommodate all modes of transportation on the street system. Encourage walking and bicycling. Promote use of public tran- sit. Maximize mobility for per- sons with disabilities. Protect neighborhoods from arterial street traffic. A downtown parking sys- tem that fosters economic growth and vitality. Ensure the continued vitali~ ty of the Iowa City Munici- pal Airport. [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: [] Strategy: Design arterial streets to accommodate all modes with sidewalks on both sides. Maintain a sidewalk retrofit program for older arterials. Construct capacity improvements when appropriate for older arterials. Provide sidewalks with curb ramps along all streets. Provide crosswalks and walk signals where appro- priate. Provide wide curb lanes for bicycles. Provide separate trails where appropriate; complete Iowa River Corridor Trail. Provide adequate bike parking facilities. Enforce the snow removal ordinance. Continue to monitor transit on-time performance. Maximize level of transit service during a.m. and p.m. peak travel periods. Continue upgrading transit capital equipment. Ensure that sidewalks, trails, curb ramps, traffic control devices, street markings and parking facilities accommodate persons with disabilities. Provide 100% lift-equipped public transit service by year 2000. Continue provision of complementary paratransit service. Enforce the snow removal ordinance. Use arterial streets as neighborhood boundaries. Create self-contained neighborhoods with a mix of uses. Implement traffic calming strategies where appro- priate on local residential streets. Alleviate arterial street intersection congestion that encourages motorists to cut through neighbor- hoods. Construct off-street parking garages with ancillary uses such as daycare centers and covered bike parking. Preserve the downtown on-street parking system for short-term parkers. Implement airport Master Plan. jccogt p\compplan\t ransp.srnp 5O INT! OI LIETION THE PLfiNNINO TO For the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan, the City has been divided into ten geographically designated planning districts, shown in Figure 4. The community direction articulated in the Beyond 2000 vision statements has been addressed in each plan- ning district study. The ten planning districts include all property in the designated Iowa City long-range planning area. The plan- ning districts are: · Central · Downtown · Northeast · North · Northwest · Southwest · South Central · South · Southeast · North Corridor The planning district studies represent a snapshot of each plan- ning district in 1996. This snapshot includes a basic description of the planning district, a summary of unique features, and public infrastructure elements: sanitary sewer, water, trafficways, and open space. Also included is a summary of public school issues, although public schools fall under the purview of the Iowa City Community School District, not the City of Iowa Gity. Eventually, more detailed area plans will be conducted for each planning district. The first area plan was completed in 1996 for the South Planning District. The South District Plan involved an extensive citizen participation process, including neighborhood planning workshops to develop a vision for this area of Iowa City. The South District Plan will become part of the Iowa City Compre- hensive Plan after it is adopted by the Planning and Zoning Com- mission and the City Council. [ENTI~fiL ~/flNNINI] :CENTRAL':: / EENT! FIL LflNNIN8 51 Description of the Central Planning District The Central Planning District is generally bounded by the Iowa River on the west; the ravine north of Brown Street, and Dodge Street/Highway 1 on the north; 1st Avenue and Sycamore Street on the east and the Iowa Interstate Railroad and Highway 6 on the south. The district surrounds the downtown and its environs in- cluding the eastern portions of the University of Iowa Campus, Mercy Hospital and the Near Southside. Hickory Hill Park, Oak- land Cemetery, Regina Educational Center, Iowa City High School, four elementary schools and the City's north wastewater treatment plant are included within the boundaries of the district. The area contains a wide variety of land uses including retail com- mercial, intensive commercial, industrial, multi-family residential, single family residential and a community park. In the Central Planning District there are approximately 50 acres of vacant land zoned for residential development. The Central Planning Distdct contains several older neighborhoods which made up the original town plat and early additions to the city. The southern and eastern portion of the district contains neighborhoodsdeveloped after 1950. Except for subdivisions to the north and west of Iowa City High School, streets within the Central Planning District are almost exclusively arranged in a grid pattern. Many of the city's major arterial streets pass through or radiate out from the Central Planning District, therefore transpor- tation and traffic issues may take on a heightened sense of im- portance when compared to other planning districts. Unique Features of the Central Planning District Portions of the Central Planning District located to the north and east of downtown contain older neighborhoods where issues of 52 neighborhood integrity are of concern. Some areas within the Cen- tral Planning District contain housing which has been more af- fordable when compared to newer subdivisions. Preservation of this existing housing stock has been a policy of the city and will require continued efforts. Where existing zoning allows redevel- opment at a higher density, the City Council has indicated that measures should be taken to assure that new structures are de- signed to be compatible with the adjacent neighborhood. Parking for the University, Mercy Hospital, and churches located downtown has also been an issue for the neighborhoods located near these institutions. Organized neighborhood associations, such as the Northside and Longfellow associations, have been active in addressing issues affecting development and quality of life in their neighborhoods. The newer neighborhoods on the pe- riphery of the central area have not typically experienced the con- flicts associated with redevelopment that has occurred in the older neighborhoods. However, as the City grows and these neighbor- hoods age, attention may need to be directed to these areas to assure their long term stability. Infrastructure The Central Planning District is well served by city utilities with few areas having inadequacies in sanitary sewer, water or fire protection. Given proximity to downtown, the area has good ac- cess to several transit routes. All Iowa City Transit routes east of the Iowa River travel through the Central Planning District. Trafficways Several of the city's arterial streets are partially located with the Central Planning District. The capacity of these streets to handle increased traffic and the impact of increased traffic in existing neighborhoods is an ongoing concern. For example, plans to widen Kirkwood Avenue were opposed by neighborhood groups and as a result it was rebuilt without being widened. Improvements nec- essary to increase capacity will need to be balanced with the policy of preserving the integrity of the neighborhoods through which these streets pass. The City has begun to consider "traffic calm- ing" techniques to minimize traffic impacts in residential areas on local and collector streets. Arterial streets which have been iden- tified as having existing capacity constraints include Gilbert Street, Burlington Street, Summit and Sycamore streets, Rochester, First, Lower Muscatine and Kirkwood avenues. Street improvements scheduled in the Capital Improvement Plan include First Avenue, Lower Muscatine Avenue and Sycamore Street. Open Space The Central Planning District contains Hickory Hill Park, which is a community-wide park facility. The district also contains several small neighborhood parks such as College Green Park, Creekside Park and North Market Square. The Iowa City Neighborhood Open Space Plan includes seven IZENTI1FIL [ NNIN DI T II T 53 open space districts in the Central Planning District. These dis- tricts and their existing neighborhood open space requirements are summarized in the boxed table. Most of the Open Space Districts within the Central District have a deficit of neighborhood open space. Given the fact that there is little if any vacant land in the Central District, implementation of the Neighborhood Open Space plan may require the acquisition of properties to be rede- veloped for open space. Neighborhood Associations District North Side Existing Open Space Happy Hollow Park (3.3 acres) North Market Park (1.5 acres) Horace Mann School (0.5 acres)* College Green College Green Park (2.4 acres) 2.5 acres Chauncey Swan Park (.6 acres) Bowery None 9.9 acres Longfellow Creekside Park (2.3 acres) .97 acres Longfellow Park (2.08 acres) Longfellow School (9 acres)* Mark Twain Oak Grove Park (1.6 acres) 4.3 acres Highland Park (0.4 acres) [Plum Grove-State Historic Site (4.23 acres)] Mark Twain School (9 acres)* City High Glendale Park (0.8 acres) 6.0 acres Hoover Elementary (6.0 acres)* Hickory Hill Hickory Hill (190 acres) +2.8 acres surplus Reno Street Park (1.3 acres) Designated neighborhood groups within the Central Planning Dis- trict include the Northside Neighborhood Association, the Goosetown Neighborhood Association, the Longfellow Neighbor- hood Associa- tion, and the Open Space Deficit Lucas Farms 7.3 acres Neighborhood Association. *Only 25% of open space associated with elementary schools and a maximum of 7 acres per park is given neighborhood open space credit. Schools Horace Mann, Longfellow, Hoover and Mark Twain elementary schools are all lo- cated within the Central Planning District. Be- cause the Central Planning District is nearly com- pletely devel- oped, it is not an- ticipated that there will be a sig- nificant increase in the number of school age children living within the area. In fact, due to the aging and cycling of neighborhoods there will be times when the number of school age children in the District will de- crease. However, the schools within the district serve students from beyond the Central Planning District and this may affect their capacity. Regardless, it is not anticipated that an additional school site will be necessary or possible within the Central Planning Dis- trict. lENTRIll i_I]NNIN6 DISTBIET Commercial Areas The North Side of the Central Planning District is served by a neighborhood commercial area at the intersection of Dodge and Church Street. The northeast portion of the Central Planning Dis- trict is served by a neighborhood commercial district located at the intersection of First Avenue and Rochester. The southeast portion is served by a community commercial district located at the intersection of Muscatine and First Avenue. The south portion 54 of the Central Planning District is served by the community com- mercial district south of Highway 6. No additional neighborhood commercial areas are necessary to serve the planning district, however, redevelopment may occur in the existing older .neigh- borhood commercial areas. The southwestern portion of the Central Planning District con- tains a large area of intensive commercial zoning. The area con- tains a mix of commercial uses ranging from retail and service uses to quasi-industrial uses. The recent trend of apartments being built above intensive commercial areas may result in the need to re-examine the appropriate land uses and zoning patterns in this area. Concerns regarding the need to provide locations within the community for intensive commercial uses such as auto repair garages will need to be balanced against the introduction of lighter commercial and residential uses into this area. Highlights of the Central Planning District The integrity of existing neighborhoods, especially those adjacent to downtown and the University of Iowa campus will require ongoing efforts. Development of policies to ensure compatibility of infill residential development within established neighborhoods has been identified as a prior- ity by the City Council. The redevelopment of the commercial area in the south- west portion of the Central Planning District should be ex- amined. Consideration will need to be given to the com- patibility among the less intense land uses recently intro- duced into the area and the existing intensive commercial uses. Policies regarding the need for increased capacity on ar- terial streets will need to be balanced with efforts to pre- serve adjacent neighborhoods. The shortage of Neighborhood Open Space in many of the neighborhoods in the Central Planning District requires a creative approach. As subdivisions on the periphery of the Central Planning District age issues regarding long-term stability will need to be addressed. EENTRfiL LfiNNINO DI TI ICT : DOWNTOWN ~/FINNINI3 OWNTOWN )LFINNINO I)!gRIET 55 Description of the Downtown Planning District The Downtown Planning District is bounded on the west by the Iowa River, on the north and east by the Northside and Court Hill neighborhoods, and on the south by the Iowa Interstate Railroad. It contains the oldest part of Iowa City originally platted in 1839, the University of Iowa east campus, and the central business dis- trict. There is no property included in the vacant land inventory within the downtown planning district. However, a number of prop~ erties in the downtown planning district may be appropriate for redevelopment. The Near Southside, a 20 block area in the southernmost part of the district, was the subject of a redevelopment study in 1991. Design plans for the Near Southside addressing streetscape im- provements, parking and civic projects, and building design con- ¢epts were adopted by the City Council in 1995. The redevelop- ment and design plans are considered part of the Comprehen- sive Plan for this District. Unique Features of the Downtown Planning District The dominant feature of this planning district is downtown Iowa City. Iowa City is fortunate to have an active and vital downtown. The success of downtown as an activity center is due in part to the urban renewal effort of the 1970s and '80s. It is also due to the presence of the University of Iowa academic campus in its midst. Students, faculty and visitors to the campus enable downtown businesses to thrive. The presence of the campus also presents challenges for the downtown in terms of the types of businesses that can achieve success, and in terms of parking availability in the general area. In addition, many of the physical amenities con- structed during urban renewal are aging and in need of upgrading. To address these and other issues, a public/private effort includ- 56 ing the City, downtown business and property owners, the Univer- sity of Iowa, and other interested citizens, is being undertaken to ensure the continued vitality of downtown. Immediately outside of downtown are two areas which are af- fected by the downtown. One is the Near Southside noted above, and the other is the Northside Marketplace. Future planning and redevelopment of the Near Southside has been addressed in the Near Southside Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan and in the Near Southside Design Plan. The Northside Marketplace is a small commercial area on the near northside, separated from the down- town by University campus buildings. Business and property own- ers in the area are organized into a loosely knit group to address the needs of this commercial area. Improvements to the public right-of-way, the future of City parking facilities on the Northside and the continued vitality of commercial enterprises in this area are topics which warrant investigation in the future. Mercy Hospi- tal is a significant institution on the east end of this area, and will have a role in defining the character of the Northside Marketplace. OWNTOWN >! INNIN[ Higher density housing in and around the downtown is an issue to be addressed in this district. The logic of promoting higher density residential development in the Downtown Planning District rests in the concept that people who live in and near downtown will walk to work (or classes in the case of University students), will patron- ize downtown businesses, will add to after hours vitality, and cre- ate a sense of safety in the downtown. Higher density develop- ment in the downtown also reduces pressure on the less dense older neighborhoods surrounding downtown. However, some downtown merchants and business owners feel the residential population burdens the parking system in the district to the detri- ment of the businesses. This issue will need to be debated and resolved, setting a clear policy for housing, parking and redevel- opment in the Downtown Planning District. Because Iowa City is a relatively small and compact city, less dense residential development can be found adjacent to the down- town. As the community grows and the downtown prospers, care should be taken in providing proper transitions between the inten- sity of downtown development and surrounding residential neigh- borhoods. Given the built-up nature of the Downtown Planning District, there are few environmental concerns in this district. Limited flooding on the lower reaches of Ralston Creek, between Johnson Street and Gilbert Street, still occurs despite the detention structures on the upper reaches of both branches of the creek. With redevelop- ment, properties prone to flooding are being set aside for no de- velopment, or new development is being elevated above the 100 year flood level. A significant environmental feature bordering the Downtown Planning District is the Iowa River. Enhancing access to the river and the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle trail along the river are on-going efforts of the City and the University of Iowa. 57 Open Space Because the Downtown Planning District is fully developed and largely commercial, the Neighborhood Open Space Plan applies to only the Near Southside portion of this area. The Near Southside Open Space District extends all the way to Highway 6 and has a deficit of 4.4 acres. Harrison Hill Park provides .3 acres of the needed open space. Other public open space in the Downtown Planning District is provided in the City Plaza pedestrian mall; and along the iowa River, particularly on the University campus. The design plan for the Near Southside includes a concept for a greenway to the Iowa River, and a civic complex that includes an ice-rink/plaza built in conjunction with a parking facility south of the Johnson County Courthouse. As areas redevelop, open space and greenways will be considered in redevelopment plans. Neighborhood Associations There are no designated neighborhood associations within the downtown planning district. Schools One public high school, the Community Education Center (CEC), is located in the Downtown Planning District. There are no exist- ing or planned elementary schools. Hi,clhl~clhts of the Downtown Plannincl District An on-going strategy which addresses the vitality of the downtown through such issues as parking, the business mix, safety and the appearance of downtown should con- tinue. The future of the Northside Marketplace warrants further evaluation, Higher density housing issues in and near the downtown need to be resolved and a clear policy formulated. Limited flooding along Ralston Creek continues to be a problem for some properties. DOWNTOWN [FINNINO DI%TRICT Some public open spaces exist, but additional areas can be considered with redevelopment in parts of the Down- town Planning District. I I I I ZL Downfown Planning '--I ' =- I I IIII1 I j NORTI-IFFI~T ~!_I:INNINO :NORTHEAST 58 NORTHFFI L NNINO Description of the Northeast Planning District The Northeast Planning District is bounded by Interstate 80 on the north, the Iowa City Long-Range Planning Boundary on the east, Court Street on the south, and First Avenue on the west. Existing land uses are predominantly a mix of single-family residential and office/research park. There are also small areas of multi-family residential, commercial, and city parks. Much of the Northeast Planning District remains undeveloped or in an agricultural use. Factors which have contributed to its rela- tively undeveloped state include lack of sewer service and street access, topographical constraints, and lack of interest in redevel- opment by property owners who own large tracts of land. In the Northeast Planning District there are approximately 690 acres of vacant land zoned for residential development within the corpo- rate limits, and 965 additional acres of vacant land within the Iowa City long-range planning area. The Northeast Planning District includes large areas of woodlands, steep slopes, and stream corridors. Development in this area should be planned with an emphasis on adapting to the existing terrain in accordance with the City of Iowa City Sensitive Areas Ordinance. This area is well-suited for Planned Developments, which allow flexibility in the placement and clustering of buildings, the modification of street standards, and the use of open space. A Planned Development can promote efficiency by minimizing the network of utilities and streets for a given number of lots, while allowing development to occur in a manner sensitive to natural features. Unique Features of the Northeast Planning District. The 1983 Comprehensive Plan designated the area along North 59 Dodge Street and Interstate 80 as suitable for future Office Re- search Park (ORP) development. The visibility of this property combined with its convenience to 1-80 make it particularly suitable for ORP development. With an amendment to the Comprehen- sive Plan in 1987, Research and Development Parks (RDP) were also considered as appropriate land uses for parts of the North- east Planning District. Research and Development Parks put greater emphasis on production than is found in Office Research Parks, where only prototype manufacturing takes place. The amenities of landscaping, high quality design, and large set- backs are critical to the successful development of a Research and Development Park. Research and Development Parks may be designed with smaller lots than the more campus-like devel- opment envisioned for an Office Research Park. Development of an RDP zone requires the preparation of a master plan. The plan must show the park's amenities, and measures to be taken to protect any residential development in the vicinity. The master plan should also show how the development is sensitive to natu- ral features in the area. Sewer A vailability The Northeast Planning District trunk sewer system services an area approximately 900 acres in size within the existing corporate limits. Two hundred of these acres became sewerable with completion of the Southeast Interceptor Trunk Sewer in the late 1980's. The remaining 700 acres will require extension of addi- tional trunk lines off the Southeast Interceptor before development can occur. Development in the growth area east of Scott Boule- vard will require extension of additional trunk lines as well as up- grading of the Southeast Interceptor Extension upstream of Court Hill Park. Further development of the area north of Rochester Avenue will require an upgrade to the northeast trunk line sanitary sewer be- tween the Hickory Hill Park Stormwater Retention Facility and Glen- dale Avenue. Municipal Water Service There are existing flow rate and water pressure constraints in the Northeast Planning District. These will be alleviated with a new feeder main to the Rochester Avenue Ground Storage Reservoir. This improvement is expected to be on-line by 2001. NORT!-IFFICT LfiNNINO Trafficways There are three north-south arterial street corridors in the North- east Planning District: First Avenue, Scott Boulevard, and Taft Avenue. There are three east-west arterials: Court Street, Roch- esterAvenue, and the planned north area east-west arterial. These arterial street corridors are shown in the JCCOG Arterial Street Plan for the Iowa City Urbanized Area, included in the appendix. First Avenue has been completed approximately one-half mile 6O north of Rochester Avenue; Scott Boulevard has been constructed as an urban arterial street to Rochester Avenue, but remains an unimproved rural road north of Rochester Avenue. Taft Avenue is an unimproved county road near the Iowa City Long-Range Plan- ning Boundary. Court Street has been extended east of Scott Boulevard and is proposed for extension to Taft Avenue within five years. Rochester Avenue extends east of the city limits to an interchange with 1-80, No portion of the north area east-west arte- rial is completed at this time; it is proposed for construction in phases by the year 2001. [FINNIN! The most significant characteristic about the Northeast Planning District arterial street system is its discontinuity. Only Rochester Avenue is fully functional with respect to the planned arterial street network. All other arterials in this area require some type of ex- tension or reconstruction before they are fully functional. The needed improvements are either already programmed in the Iowa City Capital Improvements~Program (First Avenue, Scott Boule- vard, Court Street, north area east-west arterial); or considered to be future long-range arterial street corridors (Taft Avenue). The extension of arterial streets in the Northeast Planning District will be required for development at urban densities to occur. The new streets will be constructed as urban arterials, with a mini- mum 34' paved roadway surface, and sidewalks on both sides of the street, including an 8' sidewalk on one side. This will enable motor vehicle, transit vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access to the northeast area. Extension of these arterial streets will also create improved emergency vehicle access to north Iowa City. This area currently has the poorest emergency vehicle response time in Iowa City. The existing arterial streets in the Northeast Planning District are relatively unconstrained with respect to lane capacity and Level of Service (delay). Additional arterial street planning issues associ- ated with the Northeast Planning District are summarized in the JCCOG Arterial Street Plan for the Iowa City Urbanized Area, in- cluded in the appendix. Open Space The adopted Iowa City Neighborhood Open Space Plan includes two open space districts in the Northeast Planning District: Dis- trict NE1 (Upper Ralston Creek) and District NE2 (Pheasant Hill/ Letoroe). The open space needs in each area are summarized in the boxed table. District Upper Ralston Creek Pheasant Hill/Lemme Only 25% of the school open space may be counted toward the re- quirement; therefore the 8.0 acre Letoroe School property is only credited 2.0 acres in the Open Space Plan. Por- tions of the Northeast Planning District are not included in the Existing Open Space None Pheasant Hill Park (3.3 acres) Lemme School (8.0 acres) * Includes Windsor Ridge area north of Court Street Open Space Deficit 12.2 acres 7.0 acres/ 9.9 acres* 61 Neighborhood Open Space Plan because they contain no areas of projected residential development. Neighborhood Associations There is one designated neighborhood group in the Northeast Plan- ning District, the Bluffwood Neighborhood Association. Schools The Northeast Planning District is served by two public elemen- tary schools; Hoover, which is currently under capacity; and Lemme, which is currently at enrollment capacity. With the bound- ary changes proposed for implementation in 1997, the projection is for both Hoover and Letoroe to be under capacity by the year 2001. Population growth in the Northeast Planning District may dictate new school facilities depending on the policies of the Iowa City Community School District with respect to busing and bound- ary changes. Highlights of the Northeast Planning District The existence of environmentally sensitive areas in the Northeast Planning District makes Planned Development housing appropriate. This is Iowa City's designated area for Office Research Parks and Research Development Parks. Full development of the Northeast Planning District will require upgrade of sanitary sewer trunk lines, extension of existing arterial streets, and construction of new arterial streets. Consistent with Iowa City's adopted long-range growth policy, capital improvement projects should occur first within the existing corporate limits. NORTHFR%T LRNNINO II ~11 III ./ it C C -- :NORTH 62 NORTH '/FINNINO I};TRIET Description of the North Planning District The North Planning District is bounded by Interstate 80, County Road W66 and the Iowa River on the north; the Iowa River on the west and south; and Dodge Street on the south and east. The entire North Planning District is within the existing corporate limits of Iowa City. Existing land uses are predominantly single family and multi-family residential, with commercial areas along Dodge Street between Prairie du Chien Road and 1-80. Much of the North Planning District remains undeveloped or in an agricultural use. Factors which have contributed to the relatively undeveloped state of the North Planning District include lack of sanitary sewer service and street access, and the existence of topographical constraints. In the North Planning District there are approximately 790 acres of land zoned for residential develop- ment within the city limits. The North Planning District does not include any land outside of the City limits. The undeveloped portion of the North Planning District includes the following environmental features identified in the City's sensi- tive areas inventory: large areas of woodlands and steep slopes, stream corridors, potential wooded and unwooded wetlands, hy- dric soils, and rock outcroppings. Development of these areas should be planned with an emphasis on adapting to the existing terrain in accordance with the City of Iowa City'.s Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Unique Features of the North Planning District In the 1990's the City of Iowa City acquired 463 acres of property in the North Planning District for construction of facilities for a new water treatment plant. The new water treatment plant and sev- 63 eral well sites will be located on property north of 1-80, with addi- tional well field facil'tdes and easements on the peninsula area south of 1-80. Once the new water treatment plant facilities are estab- lished, a management plan will be developed for this area to allow public access. This will include preservation of the historic Butler house, and construction of well field access roads which will double as the Iowa River Corridor Trail. After easements are established on the peninsula, the upland portion of the property will be returned to pdvate ownership for redevelopment. The North Planning Distdct is unique in that it has several rela- tively isolated rural areas which are close to the business and academic center of Iowa City. It includes a working farm in the area between 1-80 and Dodge Street. An approximate 30 acre area bounded by Kimball Road, Whiting Avenue, and North Dubuque Street has been identified as an odginal growth forest. The Peninsula-Elks Club area is particularly unique within Iowa City because it is approximately 80% surrounded by a large ox- bow of the Iowa River. Much of the existing development in the North Planning Distdct is located along the ridge lines of the area. Many of the remaining undeveloped areas consist of steep ravines, flood plains, and rocky soils. This area is well suited for Planned Developments, which allow flexibility in the placement and clustering of buildings, the modification of street standards, and the use of open space. A Planned Development can promote efficiency by minimizing the network of utilities and streets for a given number of lots, while allowing development to occur in a manner sensitive to natural features. The issues having the greatest effect on further devel- opment of the North Planning District are the distribution of mu- nicipal sanitary sewer service and the provision of street access. Sewer Availability Two hundred acres of property between Dubuque Street and Prai- de du Chien Road are within the watershed of the Iowa River. This property can be served by municipal sanitary sewer through the Bjaysville Lane Sanitary Sewer which empties into the River Corridor Trunk Sewer. East of Prairie du Chien Road there are 178 acres of property in the North Planning District, 119 of which are in the Rapid Creek Watershed that drains to the north. It is likely the area east of Praide du Chien Road that drains north will be developed with large lots and septic systems to deal with the topographic constraints to municipal sanitary sewer service in this area. NORTH )LFINNI DigRiN At present, the Bjaysville Lane Sewer surcharges in wet weather conditions. This can be alleviated if the Bjaysville Lane Sewer is upgraded to a 24 inch line. This improvement is scheduled for fiscal year 1998. The 1989 Iowa City Comprehensive Plan Update cited the Penin- sula area as inappropriate for development in the short-range fu- ture. This projection has changed with the recent decision to con- struct a new water treatment plant on a site north of 1-80, with a 64 well field serving the new plant on the Peninsula. This will require water lines and sanitary sewer infrastructure which puts the Pen- insula in a more immediate phase of being available for develop- ment. The City's acquisition of a portion of the Peninsula area for new water treatment plant facilities also includes a plan to set aside and manage flood-prone areas, and make the higher eleva- tion ground available for private redevelopment. Trafficways NORTI-I )LI NNINI} DI TRIET The North Planning District contains two north-south arterial streets: Dubuque Street and Prairie du Chien Road. Dodge Street is also a major arterial corridor in this area. There are no true east-west arterial streets in the North Planning District, although traffic counts indicate 1-80 is carrying some local traffic between the Dubuque Street and Dodge Street interchanges. Dubuque Street and Prairie du Chien Road do not have any significant ca- pacity constraints, either existing or in the short- or long-range future. Dodge Street has existing capacity constraints between Governor Street and Dubuque Road. Reconstruction of this cor- ridor with higher capacity is tentatively slated for 2002. Dodge Street between Dubuque Road and 1-80 has projected capacity constraints, but is not currently slated for reconstruction. Both the Dubuque Street and Dodge Street corridors may require addi- tional traffic signalization in the future. Foster Road is the street extension issue which will be a signifi- cant factor in determining future development of the North Plan- ning District. The City Council has determined that Foster Road will be constructed as a collector street in two distinct segments: Peninsula area to Dubuque Street, and Dubuque Street to Prairie du Chien Road. The decision has been made that as a collector street Foster Road will principally serve to circulate traffic between neighborhoods within the North Planning District and arterial streets. It will not function as a beltway circulating arterial traffic which has origins and destinations from outside the North Plan- ning District. It has been determined that Foster Road will be constructed as required by redevelopment of the area. The Fos- ter Road intersection at Dubuque Street will be monitored, and reconstruction and signalization programmed as warranted by community growth. The North Planning District is bound by 1-80 to the north. Although some development abuts the interstate, a significant portion of the corridor remains undeveloped. Future plans for 1-80 envision expansion of the interstate to six lanes through Iowa City and Coralville by the year 2001. The two-lane addition is a response to increased traffic on the roadway. Another consequence of the increased traffic has been increased vehicluar noise in the corri- dor. In Coralville, residents in developments along the intei'state have already requested noise barriers for relief from the interstate noise. As planning proceeds in the North District, consideration should be given to land uses along the interstate that are less affected by traffic noise than residential uses, or requirements for buffering as residential developments are approved. 65 Open Space District Existing Open Space Open Space Deficit Dubuque Road None 5.2 acres Mayflower/Shimek Shimek School (15 acres) 9.5 acres/ 3.7 acres* The adopted Iowa City Neighborhood Open Space Plan includes three open space districts in the North Planning District: N1 (Dubuque Road), N2 (May- fiowerlShimek), and N3 (Fos- ter Road). The open space needs in each area are sum- marized in the boxed table. Foster Road Ten'ell Mill Park (17.6 acres) 3.0 acres *Due to steep wooded ravines, development in this district will probably occur at less than I dwelling per acre. Only 25% of the school open space may be counted to- wards the requirement in each open space district; therefore the 15.0 acre Shimek School property is only credited as 3.75 acres of neighborhood open space. Neighborhood Associations W~thin the North Planning District there is one designated neigh- borhood group, the Shimek Neighborhood Association. Schools Shimek Elementary School, which serves the North Planning Dis- tdct, is currently approximately at capacity. With the proposed school district boundary changes scheduled for 1997, enrollment at Shimek School should decline slightly through the year 2001. Population growth in the North Planning District may dictate build- ing new school facilities depending on the policies of the Iowa City Community School District with respect to busing and boundary changes. Commercial Areas A neighborhood commercial area has been established at the in- tersection of Dodge Street and Dubuque Road. This neighbor- hood commercial area serves existing neighborhoods of the North Planning District. An additional neighborhood commercial zone may be r,c,c, ded to serve the neighborhoods of the Peninsula area, although a specific site has not bc, cn identified. Additional highway commercial, general commercial, and com- mercial office zoning is located along the Dodge Street comdor. Some redevelopment from residential to commercial uses has occurred in this area. 1. The existence of extensive environmentally sensitive ar- eas in the North Planning District makes Planned Devel- opment housing appropriate. Additional redevelopment of the North Planning District will require sanitary sewer and street extension improvements. These will be occurring in the Peninsula area in conjunc- 66 tion with construction of Iowa City Water Treatment Plant facilities, and along the proposed Foster Road alignment between Dubuque Street and Prairie du Chien Road. Development along 1-80 should take the traffic noise lev- els of the interstate into consideration at the time land is zoned or approved for development. NOR I-I >/fiNNIN[3 .,..-- -'- i ~i !i I Ilii ii Ill , )LI:INNINg DIgFIiCT iNORTHWEST L NNINO 67 Description of the Northwest Planning District The Northwest Planning District is bounded by the Iowa City cor- porate limits and the Iowa River on the north, the Iowa River on the east, Melrose Avenue on the south, and the Iowa City corpo- rate limits and the long-range planning boundary on the west. Vir- tually the entire Northwest Planning District is within the existing corporate limits of Iowa City, except for a small area which is in Iowa City's designated growth area but currently within unincorpo- rated Johnson County. The existing land use which dominates the Northwest Planning District is property controlled by the Uni- versity of Iowa. The University of Iowa property in the Northwest Planning District includes a range of land uses: the fine arts cam- pus, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the athletic cam- pus, Finkbine Golf Course, University family housing, and various iarge scale parking facilities. The eastern portion of the North- west Planning District is entirely built-out and includes the Manville Heights residential area and City Park. The far west area of the Northwest Planning District is largely undeveloped except for the Walnut Ridge subdivision, a low density residential housing de- velopment. The far west area of the Northwest Planning District remains largely undeveloped due to issues related to the extension of mu- nicipal infrastructure. These include sanitary sewer service, arte- rial street access and municipal water service. There are also topographical constraints to the development of the far west area of the Northwest Planning District. In the Northwest Planning Dis- trict there are approximately 220 acres of vacant land zoned for residential development within the city limits. There are 190 acres of vacant land outside of the city limits but within the Iowa City long-range planning area. The undeveloped portion of the Northwest Planning District in- 68 cludes the following environmental features identified in the City's Sensitive Areas Inventory: extensive areas of woodlands and steep slopes, stream corridors, potential wooded and unwooded wet- lands, hydric soils, and reported archeological sites. Develop- ment of these areas should be planned with an emphasis on adapt- ing to the existing terrain in accordance with Iowa City's Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Unique Features of the Northwest Planning District NORT!-IWF%T LHNNIND DI%TRICT The Northwest Planning District includes extensive tracts of land controlled by the University of Iowa, which is intended for the long range growth of the University. The University has a West Cam- pus Plan which calls for the relocation and establishment of vari- ous University facilities in the area west of Mormon Trek Boule- vard. The University's planning for their property west of Mormon Trek Boulevard includes consideration of the wetlands, hydric soils and reported archaeological sites in the vicinity. Long range land use planning issues which have been discussed but not resolved by the University include potential expansion of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, relocation of Kinnick Stadium, and relocation of Finkbine Golf Course. In 1994 the City of Iowa City and City of Ooralville executed a land use agreement for property in the over lapping two mile extraterri- torial area between Iowa City and Coralville. Included in this agree- ment is a provision for Iowa City to sever property within the North- west Planning District, which is currently within the corporate lim- its of Iowa City in the Clear Creek watershed. This severance is proposed due to Coralville's ability to provide municipal sanitary sewer to property within the Clear Creek watershed via a gravity flow system. Iowa City is unable to sewer the Clear Creek water- shed without lift stations. Several properties have already been severed in accordance with this agreement and annexed by Coralville, with others proposed for severance as they are rede- veloped and require extension of municipal utilities. The eventual corporate limits line between Iowa City and Coralville will be the boundary between the Clear Creek watershed and the Willow Creek watershed, shown in Figure 5. Land uses proposed for the undeveloped portion of the Northwest Planning District include low density residential and Office Re- search Park (ORP). Commercial zoning is not proposed for the area around the Melrose Avenue interchange with U.S. Highway 218. Intensive commercial development in west Iowa City is to be concentrated at the Highway 1 interchange with U.S. Highway 218. The feasibility of ORP development in this area has become some- what speculative due to the emergence of Oakdale Research Park in Coralville. Because of the sensitive environmental features existing in the undeveloped area of the Northwest Planning Dis- trict, this area is well suited for planned developments, which al- low flexibility in the placement and clustering of buildings, the modifications of street standards, and the use of open space. A planned development may be reasonable for the undeveloped portion of the Northwest Planning District, which may include both t OZ O~ O~ 69 ORP and residential development. The extension of municipal sanitary sewer and the provision of street access are significant issues for the further development of this area. The Northwest Planning District also includes a small area of"pub- lic" zoned property controlled by Johnson County, and a portion of the City of University Heights. Sewer Availability The greatest constraint to the immediate development of the North- west Planning Distdct has been the topography of the area and its effect on the extension of sewer service. Prior to the 1980's this area was excluded from even the long range development plans for Iowa City. This has been reevaluated with the extension of a trunk sewer from the Hawkeye Lift Station to the Walnut Ridge Subdivision housing development. This trunk line extension was constructed to encourage the development of large lot single family residential housing within Iowa City. There are two lift stations in the vicinity of the Hawkeye Apartments area. There is currently a constrained 18" sanitary sewer line between the two lift stations. This will eventually be improved by eliminating one lift station and extending a 30" sanitary sewer line from the upstream area of the Northwest Planning District to the Hawkeye Lift Station. There is currently additional capacity available in the Hawkeye Lift Station to accommodate additional development in the Northwest Planning District; however, development will be constrained by the lack of capacity downstream from the lift station in the inter- ceptor sewer. Incremental improvements have been made to the interceptor sewer, but restricted sections remain. The Northwest Planning District is currently served by the north (old) water pollu- tion control plant. The ongoing connection of the north and south pollution control plants will allow a new Willow Creek interceptor sewer to be constructed across the river and around the Iowa City Airport to provide improved sewer capacity to west Iowa City including the Northwest Planning District. However, this intercep- tor sewer is planned for construction in fiscal year 1998. Trafficways /fiNNIN[ The Northwest Planning District contains the following east-west arterial streets: Park Road, U.S. Highway 6, and Melrose Avenue. North-south arterial streets include: Rocky Shore Drive/Hawkins Drive, Mormon Trek Boulevard, and the proposed extension of Highway 965. All of these arterial streets with the exception of Rocky Shore Drive presently experience capacity constraints. Improvements for Melrose Avenue and Park Road are ongoing or proposed in the City of Iowa City Capital Improvements Program. The traffic carrying capacity of U.S. Highway 6 cannot be improved significantly, as it is already a five lane facility and has constrained right-of-way. Some additional capacity has been gained with bet- ter organization of driveway access points in the Highway 6 corri- dor 'between Rocky Shore Drive and Clear Creek. Existing ca- pacity constraints on Park Road and Mormon Trek Boulevard are currently .manageable but will require improvements in the long 70 range future. Long range arterial street planning issues which impact the North- west Planning District include Melrose Avenue through the City of University Heights, and the proposed extension of Highway 965 and Camp Cardinal Road. There are currently two ongoing re- construction projects to add capacity to Melrose Avenue: between Byington Road and University Heights, and between West High School and U.S. Highway 218. The segment of Melrose Avenue within the City of University Heights will remain an issue, as the University Heights City Council opposes any improvements to Melrose Avenue which they perceive will increase traffic through their community. However, University Heights has currently pro- grammed improvements to the traffic signal system at the Melrose Avenue/Sunset Street intersection, and proposed installation of a traffic signal at the Melrose Avenue/KosedGolfview intersection. These traffic signal systems may improve traffic flow on Melrose Avenue. NO m-m ST DI TfiI£T The extension of Highway 965 between Highway 6 in Coralville and Melrose Avenue will facilitate growth at the west edge of the Northwest Planning District. This extension will likely be initiated by the City of Coralville and will require the improvement of Deer Creek Road in Iowa City as an interim measure until Highway 965 is extended to Rohret Road and Highway 1. Open Space The adopted Iowa City Neighbor- hood Open Space Plan includes two open space districts in the Northwest Planning District: Dis- trict NW1 (Clear Creek) and Dis- trict NW2 (City Park). The open space needs in each area are summarized in the boxed table. District Existing Open Space Clear Creek None City Park City Park (105.2 acres)* CRANDIC Park (3.64 acres) Black Springs Circle (.9 acre) Lincoln School (2.5 acre) * A maximum of 7 acres per park can be credited to neighborhood open space. Open Space Deficit 5.3 acres +3.5 acres surplus Only 25% of the school open space may be counted toward the requirement in each open space district; therefore, the 2.5 acre Lincoln School property is credited as .625 acre toward neighbor- hood open space. Neighborhood Associations The Walnut Ridge Neighborhood Association is the only desig- nated neighborhood group in the Northwest Planning District. Schools The Northwest Planning District is served by the following elemen- tary schools: Coralville Kirkwood, Coralville Central, Iowa City Horn, Iowa City Lincoln, and Iowa City Mann. Horn and Mann are presently 'over capacity. Kirkwood, Lincoln, and Mann are pro- jected to be over capacity by the year 2001, following boundary changes slated for implementation in 1997. Population growth in the Northwest Planning District may dictate building new school 71 facilities depending on the policies of the Iowa City Community School District with respect to busing and boundary changes. Commercial Areas No areas of commercial development currently exist in the North- west Planning District. A neighborhood commercial zone exists approximately one half mile south of Melrose Avenue at the inter- section of Benton Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard. Another neighborhood commercial zone may be needed with development of residential neighborhoods in the far west area of the Northwest Planning District. However, a neighborhood commercial district in this area must be sensitive to the location of the Melrose Av- enue interchange of U.S. Highway 218. Highway commercial development that could bring traffic into this developing residen- tial area should be avoided. Highlights of the Northwest Planning *District The Northwest Planning District is dominated by property controlled by the University of Iowa for a variety of uses. Remaining residential development in the far west area of the Northwest Planning District will be impacted by the existence of extensive areas of sensitive environmental features, and will require the extension of sanitary sewer lines and arterial street improvements. The alignment selected for the extension of Highway 965 south of Highway 6 may create long-range planning bound- ary issues for the City of Iowa City. In accordance with the existing agreement between the City of Iowa City and the City of Coralville, property within the Clear Creek watershed will eventually be severed by the City of Iowa City and annexed by the City of Coralville. o Pressure to zone property for commercial development around the Melrose Avenue interchange with U.S. High- way 218 should be resisted. Intensive commercial development in west Iowa City should be concentrated at the Highway 1 interchange with U.S. Highway 218. Melrose Avenue through the City of University Heights will remain an ongoing issue for traffic flow in west Iowa City. N ORTi-lWI ST /fiNNINI] DISTRICT ~LI~NNIN[~ Dmg m T SOUTHWEST 72 I)ISTRI[T Description of Southwest Planning District The Southwest Planning District is generally bounded by Melrose Avenue on the north, the Iowa River on the east, Highway 1 on the south and southeast, and the city's long-range planning boundary on the west. The recent decision to use the "west alignment" for the future extension of Highway 965 (discussed below) supports an adjustment in the City's west planning boundary. The South- west Planning District borders the west and south sides of the City of University Heights. The Southwest Planning District in- cludes approximately 560 acres of land suitable for residential development within the city limits. The Southwest Planning Dis- trict includes 1240 acres of vacant land outside of the city limits but within the Iowa City growth area. The Southwest Planning District contains a variety of land uses, however, it is primarily residential. Residential development in- cludes a range of densities from low-density single family, to fairly high density multi-family in areas such as along the north side of Benton Street and along Mormon Trek Boulevard. The area also contains considerable commercial development along Highway 1 and Riverside Drive, and a developing neighborhood commercial center, Walden Square, near the intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Benton Street. This planning district also contains large parcels devoted to public uses, including the county farm property on the south side of Melrose Avenue, Iowa City West High School, and portions of the University of Iowa campus, in- cluding the law school. Highway 218 travels diagonally across the western portion of the planning district. While the area located east of the highway is nearly completely developed, the area west of the highway con- tains low density single-family subdivisions among large areas of agricultural land. 73 The Southwest Planning District contains environmentally sensi- tive features including steep slopes, stream corridors, and poten- tial wetlands. According to the Sensitive Areas Ordinance these features will .need to be considered carefully as development is planned for these properties. Unique Features of the Southwest Planning District The location of Highway 218 within the Southwest Planning Dis- trict will have an effect on future development of the area. Resi- dential development can occur successfully adjacent to such high- ways, provided that sufficient buffers, such as setbacks and land- scaping, are incorporated into the design of the developments. Residential development is currently occurring around the inter- change of Melrose Avenue and Highway 218. It is anticipated fur- ther residential development will occur adjacent to the east and west sides of the highway as well. Previous plans have included a policy of protecting the Melrose Avenue interchange from commercial encroachment and desig- nating the Highway '1 interchange for commercial use. Commer- cial development has occurred in the north quadrant of the High- way 1 interchange with Highway 218. If commercial development is to occur in the west quadrant of this interchange, a transition and buffer between' commercial development and residential de- velopment will need to be planned. Another feature of the Southwest Planning District that requires consideration is the boundary between the University of Iowa cam- pus and private residential development in the northeast portion of the planning district. Coordination between the University and the City will be important as this portion of the University campus experiences further development. SOUTHWEST '[ANNIN6 I)ISTRI[T Another unique feature of the Southwest Planning District is an area of undeveloped land in the HarlockeNVeeber Street and Miller/ Orchard neighborhoods, west of Miller Street between Benton Street and Highway 1. This area has fairly rugged topography and consists of a variety of zoning including Medium Density Single- Family, Community Commercial and High Density Multi-Family. The topography of this area and the limited street access which is currently available to portions of this area will need to be con- sidered. In the past the Planning & Zoning Commission has rec- ommended that portions of the area be downzoned to lower den- sity residential. The Commission also recommended that por- tions of the area with vehicular access to Highway 1 be zoned for commercial development. The recent decision to locate the extension of Highway 965 to the west of the current city limits, beyond the boundary of the area that can be served by a gravity flow sewer system, acts as a catalyst to consideration of a new western long-range planning boundary for the City. The long-range planning boundary has been based on the watersheds that can be served by the City's sani- tary sewer system via gravity flow. Location of a major roadway to the west of the planning boundary will undoubtedly result in 74 proposals for development adjacent to the future extension of High- way 965. Lift stations will be needed to move sewage from this area to the gravity flow system. The future alignment of Highway 965 may be the logical long-range planning boundary line. The Iowa City landfill is located immediately to the west of the pro- posed Highway 965 alignment. This provides justification to draw the western planning boundary at Highway 965, as the presence of the landfill may inhibit development any further west. Sewer and Water Availability Limited sanitary sewer capacity has constrained development of the portions of the Southwest Planning District west of Mormon Trek Boulevard. Recent improvements in the sanitary sewer sys- tem including the Abbey Lane trunk line have relieved some of these constraints. However, the area west of Highway 218 still has limited sanitary sewer capacity. Improvements needed for full development of this area include the construction of the Willow Creek interceptor sewer, the extension of the Abbey Lane sewer further to the west, and the construction of lift stations to provide service for properties west of SIothower Avenue. The City is currently unable to provide adequate water service for full development of the area west of Highway 218. Construction of the new water plant and improvements to the water distribution system are anticipated to rectify this situation. However, these improvements will not be completed prior to 2001. Trafficways The Southwest Planning District is bordered by or contains sev- eral arterial streets including Melrose Avenue, Benton Street, High- way 1, Riverside Drive, Mormon Trek Boulevard, and Rohret Road. Recent improvements to Melrose Avenue and Rohret Road have improved the capacity of the arterial street system in the west side of Iowa City. However, Benton Street east of Sunset Street, and portions of Riverside Drive, have insufficient capacity and poor driveway access control. As commercial development increases along Highway 1 it will decrease traffic service in this area along Highway 1 and Riverside Drive. As development occurs west of Mormon Trek Boulevard, development of a north-south arterial be- tween Melrose Avenue and Highway 1 in the western portion of the Southwest Planning District will be necessary. Open Space The Southwest Planning District contains Willow Creek Park and Kiwanis Park, which together provide a large regional park facility for many of the neighborhoods on the west side of Iowa City. The district also contains smaller neighborhood parks such as Hunter's Run Park and Villa Park. The Iowa City Neighborhood Open Space Plan includes 6 open space districts in the Southwest Planning District. These districts and their existing neighborhood open space requirements are summarized in the boxed table. ! INNIN[ DISTRICT 75 With the exception of Miller/Orchard, Brookland/Roosevelt and West High, the neighborhood open space districts of west Iowa City have adequate open space. The needs of the West High area can be satisfied with the dedication of parkland anticipated from the Galway Hills subdivision and development of property north of Rohret Road. The acquisition of a portion of the undevel- oped property south of Benton Street will be necessary to satisfy the neighborhood open space needs of the MilledOrchard area. There is potential to expand Brookland Park in the Brookland/ Roosevelt district. Neighborhood Associations District Melrose/Emerald Willow Creek Brookland/Roosevelt The Southwest Planning District includes the following designated neighborhood groups: the Miller/Orchard Neighborhood Associa- Open Space Deficit +1.3 acres surplus +5.3 acres surplus 7.6 acres Existing Open Space Villa Park (6.5 acres) Willow Creek Park (27.2 acres) Kiwanis Park (14.0 acres) Brookland Park (3.8 acres) Tower Court Park (0.4 acres) Roosevelt School (5 acres)* Miller/Orchard None 7,6 acres/ 4.3 acres** Hunters Run Hunters Run Paik (16.1 acres) .8 acres West High Galway Hills (3.0 acres) 3.9 acres Walden Woods (1.7 acres) Willow Creek Trail (1,73 acres) *Only 25% of open space associated with elementary schools is given credit to open space needed. **Due to steep wooded ravines, the area is likely to develop at an RS-5 density. tion, the Harlocke/ Weeber Neighbor- hood Association, the Melrose Neigh- borhood Associa- tion, the Penny-Bryn Neighborhood As- sociation, the Ty'n Cae Neighborhood Association, the Walden Woods Neighborhood As- sociation, the Galway Hills Neigh- borhood Associa- tion, and the South- west Estates Neigh- borhood Associa- tion. Schools Weber, Horn, and Roosevelt elementary schools are located within the Southwest Planning District. Iowa City West High School is also located within the Southwest Planning District. Weber and Horn are currently operating at capacity, but due to boundary changes and the construction of new schools, are projected to be at 90-95% of capacity by 2001. Roosevelt is also operating at capacity, but projected to be 45% over capacity by 2001. I_FINNI DISTB I[i Commercial Areas A neighborhood commercial shopping center is being developed near the intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Benton Street. This shopping center currently includes a convenience store, neigh- borhood grocery store, and a credit union. A drug store and a variety of small shops and restaurants are planned for the re- mainder of the shopping center. This center should provide con- venient access to commercial outlets for everyday shopping needs in west Iowa City. 76 The Southwest Planning District also contains extensive com- mercial development along Highway 1 and on Riverside Drive. Much of this development is in the form of strip commercial. The area also contains larger retailers such as auto dealers. The aes- thetic and traffic related issues associated with strip development are of concern in these areas. As properties develop or rede- velop there will be opportunities to minimize these concerns. For example, as properties redevelop along Riverside Drive there will be opportunities to combine vehicular access points and close existing curb cuts to minimize side friction on Riverside Drive. /FINNINI3 DISTRII:T Highlights of Southwest Planning District The rugged topography of undeveloped properties in the Harlocke-Weeber and Miller-Orchard neighborhoods present development challenges. With proper street ac- cess, and consideration of topographic constraints, it may be possible to develop these areas at appropriate resi- dential densities. Portions of the properties which are ac- cessible to Highway 1 may develop commercially provided vehicular access to the highway can be provided. Appearance and traffic problems will be of concern for fur- ther commercial development and redevelopment of com- mercial properties along Highway 1 and Riverside Drive. Additional commercial development may be possible around the interchange of Highway 218 and Highway 1. Constraints in sewer capacity will need to be addressed to allow full development of areas located west of High- way 218. Construction of the Willow Creek Interceptor in FY98-99 will alleviate larger system constraints. Pockets of sewer capacity limitations will need to be addressed by other more localized improvements. The alignment of the future extension of Highway 965 will create development pressures west of the current corpo- rate boundary. ~I]UTH IZENTi~FIL )LFINNINI] DI%T!~IET .CENTRAL UTH £ENTRFIL )LFiNNINI] DigfilET 77 Description of the South Central Planning District The South Central Planning District is bounded by Highway 1 on the north, the Iowa River on the east, and the Iowa City long-range planning boundary and U.S. Highway 218 on the south and west. Approximately half of the South Central Planning District is out- side of the existing Iowa City corporate limits, but within the Iowa City long-range planning boundary. The predominant land uses in the South Central Planning District are public and agricultural. Pub- licly owned property in the South Central Planning District includes the following City of Iowa City facilities: the Iowa City Municipal Airport; the Iowa City Public Works Facilities; Mesquakie Park; Sturgis Ferry Park; and Ryerson's Woods Park. In the South Central Planning District there is no vacant land zoned for resi- dential development within the city limits. There are approximately 500 acres of vacant land outside of the city limits but within the Iowa City growth area. The portion of the South Central Planning District outside of the existing Iowa City corporate limits is predominately agricultural in use. Other land uses in the South Central Planning District in- clude the Highway 1 commercial corridor and the South River- side Drive/Highway 921 commercial-industrial corridor. The only residential land uses in the South Central Planning District are two manufactured housing parks along the Iowa River, and one manufactured housing park on Highway 1 near Mormon Trek Bou- levard. The South Central Planning District includes fairly extensive amounts of wetlands and hydric soils in the vicinity of the Willow Creek stream corridor and the Iowa River. Woodlands and steep slopes exist along the U.S. Highway 218 corridor. 78 Unique features of the South Central Planning District The portion of the South Central Planning District within the cor- porate limits of Iowa City is dominated by the Iowa City Municipal Airport. Following an airport relocation study in the early 1990s during which the Iowa City City Council determined that the Iowa City Municipal Airport would stay in its existing location, the Iowa · City Airport Commission has recently completed a master plan for the Iowa City Municipal Airport. The Airport Master Plan fo- cuses on the mitigation of obstructions in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements, and will involve prop- erty acquisition and creation of obstacle free zones at the end of each runway. The Airport Master Plan has several other signifi- cant projects, including the relocation of Dane Road to accom- modate a needed runway extension, the relocation of Willow Creek, and other runway modifications and overall facility improvements. In conjunction with the Airport Master Plan is a proposed land use plan around the airport, which is designed to take advantage of commercial and industrial property development opportunities that exist. The land use plan also identifies areas of potential residen- tial development in the south portion of the South Central Plan- ning District. The Iowa City sensitive areas inventory map identifies extensive areas of wetlands and hydric soils along the Willow Creek stream corridor and Iowa Riverfioodplain. Preservation and possible public ownership of these wetland areas is likely, similar to what has occurred in the Snyder Creek bottoms area in south Iowa City. Mesquakie Park and Ryersons Woods are already in public own- ership and include areas noted on the Iowa City sensitive areas inventory map. Iowa Highway 1 has developed as a significant commercial corri- dor in the South Central Planning District during the last ten years. The 1983 Iowa City Comprehensive Plan identified the Highway 1 corridor in this area as approximately one half commercial and one half industrial with respect to existing and proposed land use. Rezonings have occurred in the intervening thirteen years in which areas projected for industrial use were rezoned to commercial zoning. The rezonings which have occurred have included con- ditions requiring landscaping and sign controls in an attempt to preserve some of the natural beauty of this entranceway corridor. Property redevelopment has included automobile dealerships, big box franchise retailers, and smaller scale strip-style stores. Com- mercial uses are projected for the U.S. Highway 218 interchange with Highway 1. The Riverside Drive/Highway 921 commercial-industrial area is one of the few that exist in Iowa City. This area is particularly suited to this type of development in that it is flat, has rail access, has access to the Interstate Highway System, and access to the Iowa City Municipal Airport. This light industrial corridor is also relatively isolated to the rest of Iowa City by its location between the Iowa River and the Iowa City Municipal Airport. The biggest constraint to further development of this area is the provision of sanitary sewer service, highlighted in the following section. Fu- SO UTH [ E NTR - [FINNINO UTI-! [ ENTElEl/ LfiNNIN 79 ture redevelopment of this entranceway into Iowa City should ad- dress the aesthetics of the area. A portion of the City Public Works site at the intersection of Riverside Drive/Highway 6/Highway 1 may be marketed by the City for redevelopment as a commercial use. The only existing residential development in the South Central Plan- ning District are manufactured housing parks located along the Iowa River, and along Highway 1. Housing units in the two parks along the river were extensively damaged during the flood of 1993. There were subsequent attempts to relocate dwelling units out of this area, which were resisted by the property owners. Extensive floodproofing has occurred to these two manufactured housing parks since 1993. The small manufactured housing park along Highway 1 is scheduled to be displaced with the extension of a runway at the Iowa City Municipal Airport, consistent with the re- cently adopted Iowa City Municipal Airport Master Plan. A new 400+ space manufactured housing park is planned for the area directly south of the Iowa City Municipal Airport. This area was zoned for manufactured housing by the County over the objec- tions of the City. Creating compatibility of this land use with sur- rounding industrial and commercial uses will be a challenge as this part of Iowa City's growth area develops. Sewer Availability Much of the area in the South Central Planning District cannot be served by the existing trunk sewer system. This has significantly constrained redevelopment of the Riverside Drive/Highway 921 commercial-industrial corridor. Further redevelopment of this area will require construction of a new Willow Creek interceptor sewer which will extend up the Willow Creek drainageway. Eventual construction of the Willow Creek interceptor sewer has been fa- cilitated by the connection of the City of Iowa City north and south pollution control plants, slated for completion in 1997. The Willow Creek interceptor trunk sewer will be extended from the trunk line connecting the two plants at a lift station in Napoleon Park and taken across the Iowa River and up through the Willow Creek drainageway. It is scheduled for completion in fiscal year 1998. Trafficways Since much of the South Central Planning District remains in ag- ricultural use, the existence of arterial streets is minimal. Iowa Highway 1 and Riverside Drive/Highway 921 are the principal ar- terial streets in the South Central Planning District. The South Central Planning District also includes the U.S. Highway 218 ex- pressway. U.S. Highway 218 does not carry a significant amount of local service traffic within the South Central Planning District. Highway 1 and Riverside Drive/Highway 921 have. adequate ca- pacity for current and projected traffic volumes. The intersection of these roads has very high traffic volume, and reaches satura- tion flow conditions during peak traffic periods. The JCCOG Arte- 80 rial Street Plan for the Iowa City Urbanized Area proposes an ex- tension of the South area east-west parkway across the Iowa River to connect with the Highway 921/U.S. Highway 218 interchange. This is a long range project not currently programmed in the Iowa City Capital Improvements Program. The recently completed Iowa City Municipal Airport Master Plan calls for Dane Road to be relocated from its existing intersection with Highway 1, to a new intersection at Mormon Trek Boulevard. This is a necessitated by the relocation and required runway pro- tection area for the airport's SW-NE runway. This project will be implemented when FAA funds become available. Dane Road will be an extension of the Mormon Trek Boulevard arterial street cor- ridor. Extension of the collector street system will occur into the interior of the South Central Planning District as redevelopment of the area occurs. Open Space Because there is not extensive residential development in the South Central Planning District, there are no open space districts for this area included in the adopted Iowa City Neighborhood Open Space Plan at this time. Neighborhood Associations There are no designated neighborhood associations within the South Central Planning District. Schools Significant residential development is not forecast for the South Central Planning District, so there are no planned facilities. Highlights of the South Central Planning District There are extensive areas of publicly owned property by the City of Iowa City in the South Central Planning District. This property includes the Iowa City Municipal Airport, the City of Iowa City Public Works facilities, Sturgis Ferry Park, Mesquakie Park, and Ryersons Woods. The predomi- nant use of property within the South Central Planning Dis- trict outside of the Iowa City corporate limits is agricul- tural. The South Central Planning District includes the Highway 1 commercial corridor and the Riverside Drive/Highway 921 commercial-industrial area. There is very little resi- dential property existing or proposed in the South Central Planning District. The South Central Planning District includes the following environmental features in the Iowa City Sensitive Areas Inventory: steep slopes, stream corridors, wooded areas, OUTH £i NTRFIL )LFINNINO DI TRIET %OUT!'I £EN RfiL LfiNNINI3 DIST IET 81 and extensive areas of wetlands and hydric soils. Wet- land areas may appropriately end up in public ownership or control. Implementation of the Iowa City Municipal Airport Master Plan will impact the surrounding area. The largest constraint to further redevelopment of the South Central Planning District is the provision of sanitary sewer. Extensive redevelopment of the South Central Planning District will not be possible until the Willow Creek inter- ceptor sewer up the Willow Creek drainageway is con- structed in FY98. Soufhcenfrol Plonnning Disfrict i ~OUTH ~L~NNINO SOUTH 82 0UTI'I I_fiNNINI] Description of the South Planning District The South Planning District encompasses an area of Iowa City located south of Highway 6 and east of the Iowa River, and ex- tends south and east to the Iowa City long range planning bound- ary. The district contains approximately 2080 acres within the current corporate limits, approximately 855 of which are zoned for residential development and are undeveloped; and an additional 920 acres outside of the current corporate limits but within the long range planning boundary. The total district encompasses approximately 4.7 square miles. As part of the Comprehensive Plan process, the South District Plan has been developed coop- eratively with citizens, who own property and/or live in this area of the community, and participated in a series of interviews, meet- ings and workshops to envision future plans for this district. The principles of the South District Plan are based on the ideas that were expressed at these meetings and the concepts of the IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000 visioning process. Following is a summary of the major points of the Plan. The complete plan should be referred to for details. Unique features of the South Planning District The South District Plan recognizes the importance that the area played in the early history of Iowa City. The first Euro-American settlements in Johnson County, including the town of Napoleon, occurred in this vicinity in the 1820s and 30s. It was the also location of a Mesquakie Indian village. Naming important elements of new neighborhoods in this area, such as streets, elementary school, and' parks, after early inhabitants will serve to remind fu- ture generations of the important history of the district. The South Planning District contains a number of environmentally sensitive areas, including extensive wetlands and woodlands ad- 83 jacent to the Iowa River, an approximately 200 acre wetlands com- plex known as the "Snyder Creek Bottoms", areas of hydric soils, archeological sites, several watershed/drainage areas, and a popu- lation of Box Turtles, which are on the State Threatened Species List. The South District Plan proposes that these features be considered when development occurs, and measures taken to mitigate and prevent damage to environmentally sensitive areas. This may include preservation of the wetlands and woodlands along the Iowa River as public park lands. Land Use Plan The South District Plan recognizes that the character of develop- ment already established in the northern area of the planning dis- trict is not likely to change dramatically. More detailed neighbor- hood plans may be necessary to address issues identified by the Pepperwood and Grant Wood neighborhood associations, and some minor redevelopment may occur within the commercial ar- eas adjacent to Highway 6. The plan does encourage rezoning for retail/office businesses and improvements in the appearance of the South Gilbert Street Corridor. This is due to the higher visibility that South Gilbert Street area will have as residential de- velopment occurs to the south and improvements, such as Southgate Avenue, are built. The northern area of the planning district includes the Highway 6 corridor, which is a significant commercial center for the commu- nity. This area of Community Commercial (CC-2) and Commer- cial Intensive (C1-1) zoning includes many strip commercial and "big box" retail establishments. Good vehicular access control has been maintained along Highway 6 in this area, minimizing the traffic congestion and accident experience typically found along arterial streets in commercial corridors. The Plan proposes a new neighborhood commercial district be located on South Sycamore Street south of the Southpointe sub- division. The neighborhood commercial center would be designed around a main street or town square, and would serve as a focal point for the new neighborhoods in the area. It is proposed to include a mixture of commercial businesses and services to serve the day-to-day needs of area residents. Apartments are proposed on the upper floors of commercial buildings. Additional apartments and townhouses would surround the commercial center. 0UTI'I /FINNIN0 The remainder of the neighborhoo~t would develop with a mixture of housing. Although primarily single-family, the mixture should include townhouses and small apartment buildings at. medium density. An elementary school, neighborhood park, and trail sys- tem are proposed to serve the growing neighborhoods of the dis- trict. Infrastructure The South Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on the south- ern edge of the planning district. The South River Corridor Inter- ceptor Sewer, which will link the north and south wastewater treat- 84 ment plants is currently under construction (1997). When com- pleted it will provide sanitary sewer service to the western portion of the South District (west of Sycamore Street), where develop- ment has slowed in recent years due to inadequate sanitary sewer capacity. The South East Interceptor Sewer and the South Sycamore Trunk Sewer provide service to the portion of the planning district gen- erally located east of Sycamore Street. This system has suffi- cient capacity to provide for the full development of the eastern portion of the planning district. OUTH EFINNINO DI TRIET The proposed South Sycamore Regional Storm Water Facility will provide drainage and storm water management for the area east of Sycamore Street. This is in lieu of each subdivision pro- viding individual basins. It will also provide the opportunity for the development of a linear park and trail. There are no constraints in the ability of the City to provide water service in the South Planning District. As urban growth occurs in the area an additional fire protection facility and emergency re- sponse apparatus may become necessary. Traffic ways Gilbert Street (designated Sand Road as it extends into the County), Sycamore Street and Highway 6 are the principle arterial streets that currently serve the South Planning District. These arterial streets serve as neighborhood edges, and provide the framework for development of neighborhoods. Segments ofthese streets need to be upgraded to City design standards, but there are no significant capacity constraints projected for the short-range future. An east-west arterial parkway aligned with the Sycamore L will be constructed to connect Gilbert Street/Sand Road with Scott Bou- levard and Highway 6. Long-range 'plans show this arterial street also extending to the west and crossing the Iowa River. This river crossing is not likely to be constructed within the next 20 years because it would be located in an area that is not likely to develop, it would heavily impact a large area of wooded wetlands, and it would be extremely expensive to construct. A major collector street is proposed along the south boundary of Wetherby Park to provide a fairly direct connection from Gilbert Street east to Sycamore Street. A modified grid of collector and local streets are envisioned to complete the necessary street net- work. The location and design of the street network will have a major effect not only on transportation patterns of the planning district, but will also affect the quality of life in the new neighborhoods. Careful consideration should be given to the design of these streets so that they become pleasant elements of the surrounding neigh- borhoods rather than intrusions. Extensive landscaping should be included as streets such as the east-west parkway are de- 85 signed and constructed, and as existing streets are reconstructed. Open space The South Planning District contains four parks: Napoleon, Wetherby, Fairmeadows and Whispering Meadows Wetland Park. As the city grows and additional land is annexed, more neighbor- hood parks will be needed to serve the growing population. The South District also contains areas suitable for the development of community and regional parks in addition to neighborhood parks. District Wetherby Grant Wood Saddlebrook Existing Open Space Wetherby Park (24 acres)* 11.4 acres Napoleon Park (26 acres)* Fair Meadows Park (4.9 acres) Whispering Meadows Wetlands Park (17.76 acres)* 1,8 acres Grant Wood School (5 acres)* None 11.5 acres The South District Plan proposes that new neighborhood parks be three to seven acres in size; centrally located in the neighbor- hoods which they will serve; and be connected to other parks, open spaces and schools by a trail system. The plan proposes that a collector street be built along the southern boundary of Wetherby Park so that the park is more accessible to the Open Space Deficit surrounding neigh- borhoods. *Only 25% of open space associated with elementary schools and a maximum of 7 acres per park is given neighborhood open space credit. The plan proposes that community and regional parks be developed in con- junction with the reclamation of the sandpits located on each side of Sand Road. A commu- nity park could serve as a nature preserve for the environmentally sensitive wooded wetlands and floodplains adjacent to the Iowa River. Consideration should also be given to preserving the envi- ronmentally sensitive areas of the McCollister tract as either pri- vate or public open space. The plan proposes that a trail system be developed throughout the South District to connect parks, schools, commercial areas and neighborhoods. These trails should be designed for a variety of users and purposes, including pedestrians, people with dis- abilities, bicyclists, joggers and roller skaters, for transportation as well as recreation. Neighborhood Associations OUTI-I /FINNINO The South Planning District includes three designated neighbor- hood groups: the Pepperwood Neighborhood Association, the Grant Wood Neighborhood Association, and the Hilltop Neighbor- hood Association. The Pepperwood and Grant Wood Associa- tions were active participants in the development of the South District Plan. The continued participation of the neighborhood associations is encouraged to help implement the plan. 86 Schools Grant Wood Elementary School is located in the northern portion of the South District. As development occurs in the southern portion of the district a second elementary school will be needed. The plan identifies two alternative locations for a school site. One is near the northwest corner of the Sycamore Street L, and the other is just north of the City's soccer fields. The Sycamore Street site is more centrally located in the developing area, and will be within walking distance of more households. It will also be more accessible to the street system of the developing neighborhoods. The alternative school site could be integrated with the soccer fields. The Sycamore Farms Conditional Zoning Agreement also requires that a school site be dedicated to the School District if the School Board choices to exercise this option. SDUTI-I '[flNNIN6 Regardless of which school site is obtained by the School Dis- trict, the plan proposes that it be connected to the trail and open space network planned for the South District. The plan proposes that the school have access from an arterial street, but also pro- poses that there be a land use buffer, such as townhouses or open space, between the school and the arterial street. Implementation Full development of the South District will likely occur over sev- eral decades. The City will influence the pace and character of this development through the extension of infrastructure, such as sanitary sewer and arterial streets. However, the housing market will have the greatest influence on the time frame in which the South District develops. The City's decisions regarding annex- ations, rezonings and subdivisions can have a great bearing on the quality of the physical design, and in some ways on the long term quality of life of the neighborhoods to be built in the South District. Implementation of the South District Plan will occur as development proposals are approved and the neighborhood plan- ning concepts are incorporated into these developments. Implementation of the open space policies will occur as the City acquires parkland and trail corridors as part of development plans and as the City or other entities acquire environmentally sensitive areas, such as wooded wetlands in the Iowa River Corridor. Ac- quisition of such properties may involve the expenditure of con- siderable funds; therefore, outside sources of funding, such as REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) should be con- sidered. The Iowa City Community School District will have a role to play in the overall design and functioning of the South District neigh- borhoods through its choice of a school location. The City will work with the school district and developers to allow the district to reserve or acquire a desirable school location. The City will also influence the character of the South District through the design of the street network. Consideration should be given to incorporat- ing landscaped medians or green buffer strips along Gilbert Street, Sycamore Street and the east-west parkway. 87 For complete discussion of the principles and conclusions of this summary, the complete South District Plan, a separate volume of the Comprehensive Plan, should be consulted. ~OUTI-I )LFINNINI] DIgRI! T I ~f f ~_fiNNINI~ / SOUTHEAST 88 )LltNNINO Description of the Southeast Planning District The Southeast Planning District is defined by Court Street on the north, the Iowa City Long Range Planning Boundary on the east, Highway 6 on the south, and First Avenue and the Lower Muscatine commercial/industrial area on the west. It is characterized by a wide range of uses encompassing all the basic sectors of the community -- various residential densities, two commercial cen- ters, an industrial park, community recreational facilities, schools, and a considerable amount of undeveloped land. In the South- east Planning District there are approximately 155 acres of land zoned for residential development within the current city limits. There are 810 acres of vacant land outside of the city limits but within the Iowa City growth area. The Southeast Planning District is bounded by two arterial streets - Court Street and Highway 6; and a future arterial street, Taft Av- enue. It is traversed by the Iowa Interstate Railway main line. Development has reached the corporate limits with the exception of a few small scattered sites. New growth outside of the corpo- rate limits within the designated growth area has been constrained by the lack of a sanitary sewer trunk line. Construction of this line to serve the area south of the railroad tracks is programmed for construction in FY97. This will open up land slated for industrial development. The natural attributes of the Southeast Planning District include gently rolling land north of American Legion Road (Muscatine Av- enue). The south branch of Ralston Creek runs through this area between Scott Park and the Towncrest commercial/office area. To the south of Muscatine Avenue (American Legion Road), the landscape slopes to the south and flattens out into the relatively level terrain that characterizes south Iowa City. This flatter terrain is marked by hydric soils and occasional wetlands that require special consideration and construction practices during development. */fiNNINI 89 Unique Features of the Southeast Planning District With the rezoning and relocation of the Towncrest Mobile Home Court in 1994-95, redevelopment of the First Avenue/Muscatine Avenue commercial area began. The construction of a 62,000 square foot grocery store, and the capacity expansion of First Avenue from Ralston Creek to Bradford Drive are elements of this redevelopment. It is anticipated that these projects will spur further changes in the area, including redevelopment of blighted properties at the First Avenue/Muscatine Avenue intersection. As part of the grocery store development, land was dedicated for a pedestrian-bikeway along the south side of Ralston Creek. This dedication virtually completes acquisition of right-of-way needed for a trail from Creekside Park to Scott Park along Ralston Creek. Named the Court Hill Trail, this project is included in the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for implementation in FY99. In the Southeast Planning District, residential development op- tions are limited within the corporate boundaries. Some develop- ment opportunities exist at the corner of Scott Boulevard and American Legion Road. Parts of the Village Green neighborhood have yet to be platted. Completion of Village Green requires con- struction of the Scott Boulevard sanitary sewer trunk line sched- uled for FY98. This line will also provide opportunities for indus- trial development east of Scott Boulevard in Iowa City's growth area. The provision of space for industrial development is a commu- nity-wide goal. The Southeast Planning District contains property which is appropriate for meeting this goal. For years, long-range plans of Iowa City have shown expansion of the BDI industrial park, east of Scott Boulevard between the Iowa Interstate Railway line and 420th Street. Annexation of this property is under consid- eration and infrastructure is being provided to facilitate industrial expansion opportunities. A conceptual plan for development of the growth area in the South- east Planning District is included in the 1989 Comprehensive Plan and the 1996 Fringe Area Policy Agreement (see Appendix B). The concept plan is retained in this document pending a more detailed planning district area study. Sewer Availability As noted above, the Scott Boulevard Trunk sewer is scheduled for construction in FY98. This trunk line will enable elimination of the Village Green and BDI lift stations, allow full development of Village Green, and enable expansion of the BDI industrial park. For further development to occur north of the railroad tracks, ex- tension of the trunk line beyond the FY98 project will be neces- sary. With completion of that extension, the Windsor Ridge neigh- borhood will connect to the trunk line and eliminate the lift station in that development. The extension will open up an additional 946 acres for development; however, this extension is not included in the 1997-2003 Capital Improvement Program. 90 Located within the Southeast Planning District is the Ralston Creek Trunk Sewer. An upgrade of a portion of this trunk line between Court Hill Park and Scott Park, from 18" to 36", is programmed for beyond FY2003. Although this line does not limit development in the Southeast Planning District, it does constrain growth in the Northeast Planning District. Trafficways There are three north-south arterial streets in the Southeast Plan- ning District: First Avenue, Scott Boulevard, and Taft Avenue. First Avenue is complete within the Southeast Planning District and is currently being expanded beyond its present capacity. Scott Boulevard is also complete within the planning district, and has sufficient right-of-way to be expanded to four lanes if necessary in the future. Taft Avenue is an unimproved County road and will require reconstruction to City standards upon annexation and de- velopment of this portion of the growth area. OUTI-IFR T 'LfiNNINO DISTRICT The Southeast Planning District contains three east-west arteri- als: Highway 6, Muscatine Avenue and Court Street. Improve- ments to Highway 6 consisting of left turn lanes and additional through lanes east of Heinz Road may be required in the future as development progresses east into the growth area. The exten- sion of Court Street to Taft Avenue is programmed in the ClP to occur by 2001. Muscatine Avenue (American Legion Road) is the only other east-west arterial in this district. Improvement to City standards of the portion east of Scott Boulevard to Taft Avenue will be necessary with annexations and further development east of Scott Boulevard. 420th Street is an unimproved County read that runs east-west between Scott Boulevard and Taft Avenue. Expansion of the BDI industrial park east of Scott Boulevard will require improvement of this read to accommodate access into the park. This improve- ment in included in the City's ClP for FY2003 or beyond in antici- pation of the annexation of the industrial land. Open Space The Southeast Planning District contains Mercer Park and Mer- cer Park Aquatic Center m a city-wide park used for organized recreational activities and one of the three public swimming pools in Iowa City. Mercer Park abuts South- east Junior High, which provides addi- tional open space in the Southeast Plan- ning District. Scoff Park is another city- wide park in the dis- trict, and is currently the site of the City's arboretum and soc- cer fields. With District Court Hill Village Green Windsor Ridge Existing Open Space Court Hill Park (8.6 acres) Hieronymous Park (3.85 acres) East Hill Park (1.9 acres) Memory Garden (.9 acres) Lucas School (7.5 acres) Mercer Park (27.1 acres) Village Green South (12.2 acres) Village Green (.35 acres) Scott Park (43 acres) Windsor Ridge Parkway (22.5 acres) Open Space Deficit 1.1 acres +6.3 acres surplus +10.7 acres surplus SOUTHFIq ;T :'/ INNINO 91 completion of the proposed soccer complex near the South Waste- water Treatment Plant, soccer activity at Scott Park will diminish. Other neighborhood open spaces in the Southeast Planning Dis- trict include Court Hill Park and the Robert Lucas school grounds. Land has been acquired and plans are being made for the Court Hill pedestrian/bicycle trail as noted above. There are three open space districts from the Iowa City Neighbor- hood Open Space Plan in the Southeast Planning District-- Court Hill/Lucas, Village Green and Windsor Ridge south of Court Street. These districts and their open space requirements ae shown in the boxed table Although city-wide parks such as Scott and Mercer and school grounds cannot be totally used for neighborhood open space, these sites combined with recent dedications of open space in conjunction with new development diminishes the open space deficit considerably. Neighborhood Associations In the Southeast Planning District there are three designated neigh- borhood groups: the Creekside Neighborhood Association, the Friendship Neighborhood Association, and the Village Green Neigh- borhood Association. Schools Robert Lucas Elementary School and Southeast Junior High School are located in the Southeast Planning District. A site has been reserved for a limited period of time, in the Windsor Ridge development, for an additional elementary school. Highlights of the Southeast Planning District Further redevelopment in the Towncrest area is anticipated after completion of the new Hy-Vee store. Completion of the Scott Boulevard trunk line will open up areas for industrial development east of Scott Boulevard upon annexation. o Further residential development in the growth area of this district is limited by needed extensions to Court Street and the Scott Boulevard trunk sewer. DISTI~!ET 92 NORTH EORRiI OR LFINNINO Description of the North Corridor Planning District The North Corridor Planning District is bounded by Interstate 80 on the south; Dubuque Street on the west; the Iowa River, Rapid Creek, and Iowa City corporate limits on the north; and the long- range planning boundary on the east. With the exception of land around the Highway 1/I-80 interchange, the North Corridor Plan- ning District is in unincorporated Johnson County. Approximately one-half of the unincorporated land in the District is already devel- oped for suburban residential uses. The property around the 1-80 interchange with Highway 1 is developed for office research park and highway commercial uses. In the North Corridor Planning District, there are no acres of land zoned for residential develop- ment within the current city limits. There are approximtely 355 acres of developable land within the Iowa City long-range plan- ning area. The natural environment of the North Corridor Planning District includes gently rolling farm land, stream and river corridors, and wooded hills. Residential development has occurred primarily in the wooded areas immediately north of 1-80. Protection of the Rapid Creek flood plain will be an important consideration for fu- ture development of this District. Unique features of the North Corridor Planning District The North Corridor Planning District evolved from the need to iden- tify an approximate 700 acre area which could be served with municipal sanitary sewer via the River Corridor Trunkline. Op- tions for this service area included River Heights, an unincorpo- rated residential part of Johnson County north of Iowa City on the west side of the Iowa River; properties around the proposed ex- tension of Oakdale Boulevard where it will intersect County Road W-66; a large area which included property on the east side of the Iowa River, north and south of Rapid Creek; and the area 93 defined in the first paragraph. The area defined was chosen be- cause a costly river crossing for sanitary sewer line extensions is not needed, and the area is contiguous to the Iowa City corporate boundary. Rapid Creek forms a natural boundary on the north side of the District. When the proposed extension of Scott Boule- vard north of 1-80 occurs, eventually connecting with 320th Street and intersecting with Prairie du Chien Road, the north limit of this planning district may be reconsidered. It is not anticipated that these street extensions will take place within the twenty year timeframe of this plan. Addition of the unincorporated parts of the North Corridor Plan- ning District to Iowa City's corporate boundaries is most likely to occur through voluntary annexation, a process initiated by prop- erty owners. It has been the policy of Iowa City to add land to the corporate boundary by voluntary means except in unusual cir- cumstances (see Growth Policy). Because nearly half of the un- incorporated area in the North Corridor Planning District is already developed, annexation in the short term is unlikely. The 1-80 interchange with Highway 1 provides one of the few op- portunities for office research park development in Iowa City. Na- tional Computer Systems (within the North Corridor Planning Dis- tdct) and Amedcan College Testing (south of 1-80 in the North Plan- ning District) are successful examples of this type of develop- ment. With the tone set by these two companies and the advan- tages of interstate exposure, land around this interchange should continue to be preserved for office research park and research development park opportunities. Municipal services Sanitary sewer service for much of the North Corridor Planning District will be provided by a lift station located in the Rapid Creek flood plain. Effluent will be pumped from the lift station and sent by a force main to the River Corridor Trunkline. Sufficient capac- ity exists within the River Corridor Trunkline to serve approximately 700 acres at a density of 15 people per acre. NORTH /I NNIN[ The remainder of the North Corridor Planning District will be served by the Highlander lift station located near NCS on Highway 1 North. Relocation and upgrading of the Highlander lift station will be nec- essary at some point in the long term future. With full develop- ment of northeast Iowa City and this portion of the North Corridor Planning District, the main sewer trunkline which serves this area-- the Northeast Trunk--will require upgrading also. Currently prop- erties within the North Corridor Planning District that are in unincorporated Johnson County are served by septic systems. Municipal water service is provided to the incorporated area. Prob- lems with low flows will be rectified with completion of the new Iowa City municipal water system in 2002. Trafficways The primary trafficways serving the North Corridor Planning Dis- 94 trict are Dubuque Street, Prairie du Chien Road, and Highway 1 (Dodge Street). All of these arterial streets extend to the unincor- porated area of Johnson County. There are no local east-west arterial streets within the North Corridor Planning District. Linder Road provides a narrow, rural road connecting Dubuque Street to Prairie du Chien Road. Between Prairie du Chien Road and High- way 1 North, the beginning of a collector street system is forming in the Prairie View Estates subdivision. Interstate 80 carries the bulk of local east-west traffic in this area between the Dubuque Street and Dodge Street interchanges. Future trafficway improvements in this area are contemplated with the realignment of Prairie du Chien Road north of 1-80, the exten- sion of Scott Boulevard north over the interstate to Highway 1, and the extension of 320th Street or Oakdale Boulevard east to connect with Highway 1 at the future Scott Boulevard/Highway 1 intersection. Only the Prairie du Chien Road realignment has been programmed, with construction anticipated by the County in FY98. Open space Since the area within Iowa City's corporate limits at the writing of this plan is anticipated for office research park development, no open space need is defined in the Neighborhood Open Space Plan. Upon annexation of areas for residential development, open space needs will be calculated. Neighborhood Associations There are no designated neighborhood associations within the North Corridor Planning District. Schools Existing residential development is served by Shimek and Lincoln Elementary Schools. With the proposed extension of Oakdale Boulevard to County Road W66, Wickham Elementary, currently under construction in Coralville, will also be accessible to por- tions of the North Corridor Planning District. Highlights of the North Corridor Planning District Annexation of unincorporated areas is unlikely in the short- range future, since almost half of the land is already devel- oped for suburban residential uses. The Highway 1/I-80 interchange provides one of the few opportunities for office research parks and research de- velopment parks in Iowa City. Sewer lift stations will be required to serve the North Cor- ridor Planning District. Capacity exists in the River Corri- dor Trunkline to accommodate growth in more than half of the District. The extension of Scott Boulevard over the interstate may push the North Corridor Planning District boundary north. NORTH [:ORBIDOl{ [flNNINi APPENDICES APPENDIX A .............................................Vacant Residential Land Inventory APPENDIX B ....................Iowa City/Johnson County Fringe Area Agreement APPENDIX C ...................................................Sensitive Areas Inventory Map APPENDIX D .................................................................Employment Ranking APPENDIX E ...............................................................Acres of Land by Zone APPENDIX F ........................................................Neighborhood Open Space APPENDIX A Vacant Residential Land Inventory The inventory of vacant land is an approximate tally of land within the city's corporate boundary and the long-range planning boundary that is assumed to be suitable for residential development. This inventory is show in Table I by planning district. There are approximately 3,320 acres, or 5.2 square miles of vacant residential land within the corporate boundary of Iowa City (see Table I). There are approximately 5,305 additional acres, or 8.3 square miles of undeveloped land within the city's long-range planning boundary which currently are not in the city limits. Within the combined area of the city limits and the long-range planning boundary, there are approximately 8,620 acres, or 13.5 square miles of land potentially available for residential development. Areas which will likely develop as industrial or commercial properties were not included in these measurements. One of the assumptions underlying the measurement of vacant land is that it will develop for residential uses. However, factors, such as environmental conditions, the need for land for school and park development and infrastructure availability, will limit the development potential of some areas. For this reason this information should be viewed broadly and should be updated as more is learned about environmental conditions and changes in land uses. This inventory can be useful to guide decisions regarding annexation, rezoning requests, the extension of infrastructure and the planning for city services and facilities, such as school and park land. TABLE i - ACRES OF VACANT RESIDENTIAL LAND Vacant Vacant Total Total Acres Land within Land within Vacant Planning District of District~ City Limits2 Growth Area Land~ SOUTH 3000 855 920 1775 SOUTHEAST 2580 155 810 965 NORTHEAST 2455 690 965 1650 CENTRAL 2115 50 0 50 NORTH 1575 790 0 790 NORTH CORRIDOR 1400 0 680 680 DOWNTOWN 350 0 0 0 SOUTHWEST 3490 560 1240 1800 NORTHWEST 2780 220 190 410 SOUTH CENTRAL 1900 0 500 500 TOTAL ACRES 21645 3320 5305 8620 TOTAL SQUARE MILES 33.8 5.2 8.3 13.5 1 Approximate total acres within each planning district, rounded to the nearest five acres. 2 Includes vacant residential land, not commercial, industrial, or public. 3 Includes vacant residential land within City limits, plus all land in the growth area within each planning district. ppdadmin\vacant APPENDIX B Prepared by: Karin Franklin, PCD Director, 410 E, Washington St., Iowa City,'~A 52240 (31'g) 356-5232 RESOLUTION NO. 96-239 ""~ ':'" "/S$ ~/f ~3~' RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA AND IOWA CITY, IOWA, ESTABLISHING POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF LAND WITHIN THE EXTRATERRITORIAL AREA OF IOWA CITY AND INCORPORATING THOSE POLICIES INTO THE IOWA CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WHEREAS, Chapter 28E of the Code of Iowa (1995) enables two or more local governments to enter into agreements to cooperate for their mutual advantage; and WHEREAS, the Development Policy for Rural Johnson County adopted, January 1979, calls for the preparation and adoption of development plans and agreements between the County and the City regarding the municipality and its environment; and WHEREAS, the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan Update adopted in January 1989, and amended through March 1993, outlines the extent of urban development expected within the next 20 years and outlines land use policies for Iowa City; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of Johnson County and the City of Iowa City to establish policies for the orderly growth and development within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, Johnson County and the City of Iowa City mutually agree that such policies are necessary to more effectively and economically provide services for future growth and development and to protect and preserve the extraterritorial area's natural resources and its environmentally sensitive features. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa hereby accepts and agrees to the policies regarding annexation, zoning and subdivision review for the various designated areas included in the attached Fringe Area Policy Agreement between Johnson County, Iowa and Iowa City, Iowa; and The City Council of the City of Iowa City hereby incorporates the Fringe Area Policy Agreement into the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan; and The City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest to the attached 28E Agreement between Johnson County and Iowa City establishing land use policies for the two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction of Iowa City, for recordation as provided by law. Resolution No. 96-239 Page 2 Passed and approved this 6th day of August ,1996, Approv.ed b~. C~rney'; Ot fi c~e~-'/-¢~' It was moved by Norton and seconded by adopted, and upon roll call there were: Thnrnh~rry the Resolution be AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Baker Kubby Lehman Norton Novick Thornberry Vanderhoef ppdadmin\2mileic.res FRINGE AREA POLICY AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOHNSON COUNTY AND IOWA CITY WHEREAS, Chapter 354, Code of Iowa (1995) allows the City of Iowa City to establish an extraterritorial area, known as the fringe area, within two miles of the city boundaries for the purpose of reviewing and approving subdivisions; and WHEREAS, Chapter 354 further grants the City the authority to require that subdivisions within the fringe area adhere to the City's subdivision standards and conditions, unless the City establishes alternative standards and conditions for review and approval of subdivisions via a 28E agreement between the City and the County; and WHEREAS, Chapter 28E of the Code of Iowa (1995) enables two or more local governments to enter into agreements to cooperate for their mutual advantage; and WHEREAS, the Development Policy for Rural Johnson County adopted January, 1979, calls for the preparation and adoption of development plans and agreements between the County and the City regarding the municipality and its environment; and WHEREAS, the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan Update adopted in January, 1989, and amended through March, 1993, outlines the extent of urban development expected within the next 20 years; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of Johnson County and the City of Iowa City to establish policies for the orderly growth and development within the City's fringe area; and WHEREAS, Johnson County and the City of Iowa City mutually agree that such policies are necessary to more effectively and economically provide services for future growth and development and to protect and preserve the fringe area's natural resources and its environmentally sensitive features. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. FRINGE AREA DEVELOPMENT POLICIES The parties accept and agree to the following development policies regarding annexation, zoning, and subdivision review for the Iowa City fringe area as authorized by Chapter 354, Code of Iowa (1995). Purpose: The Fringe Area Policy Agreement is intended to provide for orderly and efficient development patterns appropriate to a non-urbanized area, protect and preserve the fringe area's natural resources and environmentally sensitive features, direct development to areas with physical characteristics which can accommodate development, and effectively and economically provide services for future growth and development. In light of these objectives, the City and the County examined the development capabilities of the Iowa City fringe area and determined that development within this fringe area is to occur in accordance with a) the Land Use Plan attached to this Agreement, b) development standards contained in Section B of this agreement, and c) the fringe area development policies contained in Section C of this Agreement. -2- A. Land Use Plan The Land Use Plan, attached to this Agreement as Attachment 1, illustrates the land use patterns for the fringe area. B. Development Standards The following standards apply to unincorporated development in the fringe area. Discourage development in areas which conflict with the Johnson County Comprehensive Plan which considers CSR (Corn Suitability Rating), high water table, wetlands, floodplain, non-erodible soil, and road suitability. Protect the public health by requiring developers to meet or exceed minimum standards for water and wastewater systems in all developments within the Iowa City Fringe Area pursuant to Johnson County Public Health Department Regulations. Encourage cluster development which preserves large tracts of open space including' environmentally sensitive areas and farm land, results in compact development which requires less infrastructure, and is more efficient for provision of services. C. Fringe Area Development Policies The parties agree to apply the following fringe area development policies. FRINGE AREA A Permit residential development by considering, on a case-by-case basis, proposals to rezone land in this area to RS-3 (one dwelling unit per three acres of lot area). RS zoning will be considered if the application to fezone includes a plat showing a minimum of 50% of the property as an outlot designated as open space or agriculture. Development must comply with City Rural Design standards contained in Appendix A. If land is annexed within Fringe Area A, the City agrees that it will not automatically extend its fringe area authority to review and approve all subdivisions, which it exercises pursuant to Iowa Code §354.9 and Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of the City of Iowa City, Iowa· The City will review the extension of its fringe area as a result of annexation on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Johnson County. FRINGE AREA B As set forth in Iowa City's adopted growth policy, the City will likely annex land within one mile of Iowa City to the east and within two miles of Iowa City to the south in the short-range. It is therefore consistent with the purpose of this agreement that rural subdivisions within these areas of high annexation potential be required to meet City Urban Design Standards contained in Appendix A. Land within Iowa Cit¥'s Growth Area. As applications are received to develop land contiguous to and within the growth limits of the city, the City will give favorable -3- consideration to the voluntary annexation of this land and its development at an urban density in conformance with the City's adopted land use plan for Fringe Area B (Attachment 2). Prior to annexation, any zoning changes in Iowa City's projected growth area shall also be consistent with the City's adopted land use plan for Fringe Area B. Subdivisions within Iowa City's projected growth area shall conform to City Urban Design Standards contained in Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of Iowa City, including but not limited to City specifications for streets and roads, sanitary sewer lines, s. tormwater management facilities and water lines. Developments which are approved prior to annexation shall be required to be served by a package sanitary sewage treatment plant and common wells with sanitary sewer and water collection and distribution systems which are constructed to City standards and can be connected to municipal systems upon annexation. Subdivisions which are approved prior to annexation shall be required to be cluster developments with a minimum of 50% of the development designated as an outlot for open space, agriculture, or future development upon annexation. Land outside Iowa Citv's Growth Area. On the balance of land in Area B that lies outside Iowa City's projected growth area, agricultural uses are preferred. However, consideration will be given to applications for single-family residential development at a density of RS-10 (1 dwelling unit/10 acres). This development must conform to Rural Design Standards. Upon annexation of land within Fringe Area B, the City agrees that it will not automatically extend its fringe area authority to review and approve all subdivisions, which it exercises pursuant to Iowa Code §354.9 and Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of the City of Iowa City, Iowa. The City will review the extension of its fringe area as a result of annexation on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Johnson County. FRINGE AREA C Land within Iowa Citv's Growth Area. Land in Area C which is presently zoned for residential development, and within-Iowa City's growth area, may develop in conformance with existing zoning, provided subdivisions shall conform to City Urban Design standards contained in Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of Iowa City, including but not limited to City specifications for streets and roads, sanitary sewer lines, stormwater management facilities and water lines. Developments which are approved prior to annexation shall be required to be served by a package sanitary sewage treatment plant and common wells with sanitary sewer and water collection and distribution systems which are constructed to City standards and can be connected to municipal systems upon annexation. Subdivisions which are approved prior to annexation shall be required to be cluster developments with a minimum of 50% of the development designated as an outlot for open space, agriculture, or future development upon annexation. Upon annexation to Iowa City, commercial and/or industrial development is encouraged in the portion of Section 20 of West Lucas Township that is located in the east and south quadrants of the Highway 1 and Highway 218 interchange. It is consistent with the purpose of this agreement not to approve commercial -4- and/or industrial developments within this area prior to annexation. As stated in the Johnson County Rural Development Plan, commercial and/or industrial development will be encouraged to locate in the interchanges of paved roads. Commercial and/or industrial development will be discouraged in all other areas of Fringe Area C. As applications are received to develop [and contiguous to Iowa City and within this portion of the City's growth area, the City will give favorable consideration to the voluntary annexation of this land and its development for commercial and/or industrial uses consistent with urban development patterns. Land outside Iowa Citv's Growth Area. In the portions of Area C which are not within Iowa City's growth area and which are zoned for non-farm development, development may occur in conformance with Johnson County's Zoning Ordinance and City Rural Design Standards. The land in Area C currently zoned A-l, Rural, and outside the City's growth area will be considered, upon receipt of an application, for rezoning to RS-10 (1 dwelling unit/10 acres). RS-5 (1 dwelling unit/5 acres) will be considered if the application to rezone includes a plat designating a minimum of 80% of the property as an outlot for open space or agriculture. Rural Design Standards will apply to all development outside the City's growth area, Upon annexation of land within Fringe Area C, the City agrees that it will not automatically extend its fringe area authority to review and approve all subdivisions, which it exercises pursuant to Iowa Code §354.9 and Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of the City of Iowa City, Iowa. The City will review the extension of its fringe area as a result of annexation on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Johnson County. SECTION II. PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS Any regulations in the Fringe Area Agreement will not interfere with the Right to Farm, as contained in the Code of Iowa Chapter 335.2, Farms Exempt; and as noted in the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 8.2, Protecting Agricultural Operations. SECTION III. ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES As a rule, zoning regulation is the county's prerogative if a county has adopted a zoning ordinance. The City, however, exercises authority over subdivision regulation in a city's fringe area. Annexation is also primarily under exclusive rule of cities. Each of these activities, however, affects both jurisdictions and produces a clear need for coordination and joint administration. To that end, the City of Iowa City and Johnson County agree to the following procedures for administration of land use regulations. A. Zonin.q Re.~ulation: Zoning regulation for all unincorporated territory will remain under the authority of the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance and the provisions of Chapter 335, Code of Iowa (1995), the enabling legislation for the County's zoning powers. -5- Pursuant to Section 8:1.30 of the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance, any person may request a variance to the lot area regulations of the zoning ordinance or appeal the decision of any officer of the County as that decision relates to enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. The County will forward each request for rezoning of property within the Fringe Areas specified in this Agreement to the City for review and comment prior to the public hearing before the County Planning and Zoning Commission. Any zoning change will conform with the policies identified for the Area in which the property is located. Properties zoned for a classification which is inconsistent with this Agreement, at the time this Agreement is executed, shall retain the rights under that zoning, unless and until such zoning is changed through due process. Subdivision Re.qulation: Subdivision of land within Iowa City's fringe area will be required to conform to either City Rural Design Standards or the City Urban Design Standards in accordance with the policies specified in this Agreement. Persons wishing to subdivide land within the fringe area specified in this Agreement shall be required to simultaneously file a subdivision application with both the City and the County. The City and the County shall coordinate the processing of the application to ensure concurrent review by both the City Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Planning and Zoning Commission. Subdivisions of land into less than three lots will continue to be regulated by the County. Annexation: Iowa City will annex territory only in accordance with the policy statements specified in this Agreement. The City will, upon receipt, forward applications requesting annexation or severance (deannexation) of property within the fringe area specified in this Agreement to the County for review and comment prior to consideration by the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission. As appropriate and necessary, the City may extend the two-mile extraterritorial subdivision plat review area. Prior to any such extension, the City will forward to the County a proposal which includes the extension of the City's plat review authority for any distance up to the two mile limit provided by State law. The County will have a specified time within which to respond in affirmative agreement, negatively or with an alternative proposal. The City will take the County's response under advisement when determining the extension of extraterritorial review. -6- SECTION IV. AGREEMENT REVIEW At any time during the three (3) year term of this Agreement, either the Chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors or the Mayor of the City of Iowa City may initiate review of the policies of this Agreement by contacting the other party to this Agreement. Both parties to this Agreement shall consider modifications of this Agreement, as appropriate. SECTION V. EFFECTIVE PERIOD This Agreement shall become effective upon acceptance and execution by the parties, and shall be in effect for three (3) years after the date of execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may be modified and extended by the written mutual consent of the parties. SECTION Vl. RECORDATION This Agreement shall be filed with the Secretary of the State of Iowa, and with the Joi~nson County Recorder in compliance with Chapter 28E, Code of Iowa (1995). ~ JOHNSO~ By: Cha~erson,~oa'~d of Supervisors Attest: ' J~,~- (~_ '~-~~' County Auditor , 1996. App~ by: County'Attorney's Office Dated this By: Attest: 6th day of August CITY OF IOWA CITY Mayor ~'~~ ~'~ CityC~rk~ ~' ~ ATTACH MENTS: , 1996. Approved b,y~,. L;ity Attorney's Office ~,_~_ ~, Proposed Land Use Map for the Iowa City Fringe Area. Figure 1: Fringe Area B (formerly Areas 5 and 6) Land Use Plan. Appendix A: Definition of Standards ppdadmin\frarea4.prp 10W'A~. ~ I LAND USE CONCEFT PLAN J -,' :~ ~ .z~ ~ ..( . . . ,) 4. APPENDIX A Definition of Standards City Urban Design Standards: Those standards enumerated in Title 14, Chapter 7 of the City Code of Iowa City which the City imposes on any subdivision within the corporate limits of Iowa City. City Rural Desitin Standards: 1.0 1.1 Streets Streets shall be designed for a minimum surface width of 22 feet, Curb and gutter will not be required.' 1.2 The right-of-way for local streets without curb and gutter shall be 60 feet to enable retrofit of sewer, water, and sidewalk in the future as necessary; otherwise, the right- of-way for local streets with curb and gutter and storm sewer shall be §0 feet. The right-of-way for arterial, industrial, and collector streets for the developed area shall be determined in conjunction with the Planning and Zonihg Commission. 1.3 The maximum street grade for local streets shall be 12%. 1.4 The pavement cross section for all pavements will be a 2% parabolic crown. This cross slope is equivalent to ~-inch per foot. 1.5 The pavement slab shall be constructed of a 6" rolled stone base and a 22-foot wide chipseal surface. 1.6 Minimum corner radii shall be 20 feet. 1.7 1.8 The minimum ditch grade shall be 1.0%. In addition, it will be necessary to place a 12-inch diameter (minimum) culvert, either reinforced concrete pipe or corrugated metal pipe, through all drive approaches constructed over a drainage ditch. The exact size of pipe required will be a function of the .area to be drained. Drive approaches shall be hard surfaced within ,he right-of-wa,/. 2.0 Water Distribution System 2.1 Well(s) shall conform to the requirements of the Johnson County Health Depar. tment and the distribution system, if installed, (water main) shall be either ductile cast iron pipe (ANSI A21.50 manufactured in accordance with ANSI A21.50) or poly vinyl chloride pipe (PVC-ASTM D1784, Type 1, Grade 1, 200 psi design stress and SDR of 17 or less). 2.2 It shall be the responsibility of the Developer's Engineer to establish a fire rating for the area being developed. Prior to plat approval, there shall be a letter of transmittal from 2 The appropriate Fire Protection Disl:rlct approving spacing, location, number of fire hydrants, s~ze of mains, pressure, etc. 2.3 Connection to the City of Iowa City Water Distribution System is subject to City Council consideration based on availability. Generally, annexation is a criterion which must be met. 3.0 Sanitary Sewer All methods of sanitation shall conform to the 1989 Johnson County Board of Health Rules and Regulations Governing On-site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems and to the 1990 Iowa City Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Policy. 4.0 Storm Sewers '"~ 4.1 With the exception of developments located in the Old Man's Creek v~atershed, the City Storm Water Management Ordinance shall apply to new developments located outside the City limits of Iowa City but within the City's area of extraterritorial jurisdiction° 4.2 All storm sewers shall conform to revised Section VII {Storm Sewers) of the Design Standards for Public Works Improvements in Iowa City, Iowa. 4.3 Culverts shall be a minimum of 12 inches in diameter; either reinforced concrete pipe or corrugated metal pipe (minimum gauge 18 and corrugations 2'x½ ", 2~/~"x~ ", and 3"x1") shall be used. Culverts shall conform to the Standard Specifications for Hiqhwav and Bridae Construction, Series of 1977. Minimum cover over the top of culvert shall be six inches. 5.0 Underqround Utilities 5.1 Whenever a subdivision shall be laid out such that a new street is required, telephone and electric utilities shall be underground. It is not intended that small subdivisions which would use an existing county road would follow this requirement since overhead utilities are probably directly adjacent to the property. APPENDIX D EMPLOYMENT RANKING OF IOWA CITY EMPLOYERS Business ............................................................Employees University of Iowa .........................................................22,555 Veterans Administration Hospital ....................................1,300 Iowa City Community Schools .......................................1,225 Mercy Hospital ...............................................................1,100 National Computer Systems .............................................857 United Technologies Automotive ........................................810 American College Testing .................................................800 Procter & Gamble .............................................................602 City of Iowa City ................................................................564 Johnson County Government ............................................430 Oral B Laboratories ...........................................................400 Moore Business Forms .....................................................342 MCI Services Marketing .....................................................250 Release International ........................................................211 Hills Bank & Trust ..............................................................190 First National Bank ............................................................184 Iowa City Press-Citizen .....................................................181 Iowa State Bank & Trust ....................................................155 APAC ................................................................................146 Seabury & Smith ...............................................................130 Banker's Advertising/Trust-Art Color Graphics ..................120 Blooming Prairie Warehouse ............................................115 University of Iowa Community Credit Union .........................91 General Mills .......................................................................85 Roberts Dairy ......................................................................85 Mid-American Energy ..........................................................70 Protein Blenders, Inc ...........................................................50 Lenoch & Cilek ....................................................................50 Hawkeye Medical Supply .....................................................38 Hansen Lind Meyer .............................................................35 Millard Warehouse ..............................................................30 SOURCE: IOWA CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC., FEBRUARY '1996 APPENDIX E Zone CO1 CN1 CC2 CB2 CB5 CB10 CH1 Cll P/CI1 RDP ORP IDORP I1 12 PI1 PO PP PS PU IDRS IDRM RR1 RS5 RS8 RS12 RM12 RM20 RNC12 RNC20 RM44 PRM RFBH RO PDH1 PDH5 PDH8 Total Zoned Land As of September 1996 Totals by Zone Category and Zone Class Description Commercial Land Commercial Office Zone Neighborhood Commercial Zone Community Commercial Zone Central Business Service Zone Central Business Support Zone Central Business Zone Highway Commemial Zone Intensive Commercial Zone Public/Intensive Commercial Zone Total Commercial Land Acres 107.91 54.75 288.07 52.56 25.92 35.88 44.30 368.53 31.28 1,009.20 Industrial Land Research Development Park Zone 53.43 Office & Research Park Zone 79.17 Intedm Development Office & Research Park Zone 810.62 General Industrial Zone 599.50 Heavy Industrial Zone 12.57 Public/General Industrial Zone 20.47 Total Industrial 1,575.76 Public Land Public Land - Other Public Land - Park Public Land - School Public Land - University of Iowa Total Public Land Residential Land Interim Development Single-Family Zone Interim Development Multi-Family Zone Rural Residential Zone Low Density Single-Family Zone Medium Density Single-Family Zone High Density Single-Family Zone Low Density Multi-Family Zone Medium Density Multi-Family Zone Neighborhood Conservation Residential Zone Neighborhood Conservation Zone High Density Multi-Family Zone Planned High Density Multi-Family Zone Factory Built Housing Zone Residential/Office Zone Planned Rural Residential Zone Planned Low Density Single-Family Zone Planned Medium Density Single-Family Zone 1,093.51 600.30 234.22 1,557.07 3,485.10 1,668.65 178.66 534.49 3,754.86 885.16 168.13 322.56 89.68 86.83 63.10 171.83 36.12 210.51 6.45 168.90 154.84 188.06 Percent of Total 10.69% 5.43% 28.54% 5,21% 2.57% 3.56% 4.39% 36.52% 3.10% 100.00% 3.39% 5.02% 51.44% 38.05% 0.80% 1.30% t00.00% 31.38% 17.22% 6.72% 44.68% 100.00% 19.14% 2.05% 6.13% 43.07% 10.15% 1.93% 3.70% 1.03% 1.00% 0.72% 1.97% 0.41% 2.41% 0.07% 1.94% 1.78% 2.16% Z,one PDH12 R3B Total Zoned Land As of September 1996 Totals by Zone CaSegory and Zone Class Description Planned High Density Single-Family Zone High Density Multi-Family Zone Total Residential Land Acres 26.02 2.32 8,7t7.17 Percent of Total 0.30% 0.03% 100.00% Total Commemial Land Total Industrial Land Total Public Land Total Residential Land TOTAL LAND 1,009.20 1,575.76 3,485.10 8,717.17 14,787.23 6.82% 10.66% 23.57% 58.95% 100.00% Land by Zoning Category as Percent of Total Land Residential Land 58.7% Commercial Land 6.8% Industrial Land ..~'~ 10.8% Public Land 23.7% APPENDIX F Draft: 3/12/97 NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN SPACE Public neighborhood open space is a vital part of a community and often serves as a focal point of neighborhood activity. Neighborhood open spaces are small areas, generally about three to five acres in size, designed to serve a local residential population by providing accessible, useable open areas and greenways for informal, small group recreation. These areas enhance opportunities for neighbors to meet and develop a sense of connection within their neighbor- hood. The function of neighborhood open spaces should reflect the type and character of the neigh- borhood in which it is located. Many times neighborhood open space is found adjacent to elementary school sites or environmentally sensitive areas. The open space may contain active playground area, or its use may primarily be passive, providing merely a peaceful place in the midst of urban densities. Pedestrian/bikeway greenway connections' to community parks and recreation areas are an important, integral part of neighborhood open space. Three acres of neighborhood open space for every 1,000 residents is considered to be the minimum of active open space to be provided within each neighborhood. The following table presents the neighborhood open space needs assessment for the Planning Districts in Iowa City. Neighborhood Open Space Assessment by District District Central District C1. North Side 4061 0 C2. College Green 1842 0 C3. Bowery 3299 0 C4. Longfellow 2517 0 C5. Mark Twain 2842 0 C6. City High 2776 0 C7. Near Southside 1555 0 C8. Hickory Hill 1268 557 Population Open Space Acres Need Existing Existing (3 acres per (P= Parks, (Estimated) Projected Total 1,0o0 persons} S = Schools) Surplus/ Deficit -32.6 4061 12.2 P=4.8, S=.5 -7.3 1842 5.5 P=3.0, S=O -2.5 3299 9.9 P=O, S=0 -9.9 2517 7.6 P =4.38, S=9 -.97 2842 8.5 P=2.0, S=9 -4.3 2776' 8.3 P=.8, S =6.0'* -6.0 1555 4.7 P=.3, S =0 -4.4 1825 5.5 P=191.3, S=O +2.8 North District -21.4 N1. Dubuque Road 452 1264 1716 5.2 P=O, S=O -5.2 N2, Mayflower/Shimek" 2039 2374 4413 13.2 P = O, S = 15 -9.5 N2. Mayflower/Shimekb 2039 417 2456 7.4 P =0, S = 15 -3.7 N3. Foster Road 696 2652 3348 10.0 P= 17.6, S =0 -3.0 Northeast District -29.1 NE1. Upper Ralston 990 3076 4066 12.2 P=O, S=O -12.2 Creek Population Open Space Acres Need. Existing Existing (3 aores per (P = Parks, District {Estimated} Projected Total 1 ,ooo persons) S = Schools) NE2. Pheasant Hill/ 3531 581 4112 12.3 P=3.3, S=8.0 Letoroe Surplus/ Deficit -7.0 NE2. Pheasant Hill/ 3531 1537 5068 15.2 P=3.3, S=8.0 -9.9 Lemmec Northwest District -1,8 NW1. Clear Creek 140 1641 1781 5.3 P=O, S=0 -5.3 NW2. City Park 2899 0 2899 8.7 P=109,7, S=2,5 +3,5 South District -24.7 Sl. Wetherby 3318 5157 P=50, S=O -11.4 S2. Grant Wood 4191 770 P=22.7, S=5.0 -1.8 S3. Saddlebrook 551 3281 P=O, S=0 -11.5 8475 4961 3832 25.4 14.9 Southeast District + 18.1 SE1. Court Hill/Lucas 4670 122 4792 14.4 P=15.25, S=7.5 +1.1 SE2. Village Green 2205 495 2700 8.1 P=39.6, S=0** +6.3 SE3. Windsor Ridge 374 734 1108 3.3 P = 65.5, S = 0 + 10.7 Southwest District SWl. Melrose/Emerald 1644 SW2. Willow Creek 2915 SW3. Brookland/ 4245 Roosevelt -17.6 82 1726 5.2 P = 6'.5, S=O +1.3 0 2915 8.7 P=41.2, S=O +5.3 95 4340 13.0 P=4.2, S=5 -7.6 SW4. Miller/Orchardd 1151 1366 2517 7.6 P=0, S=O -7.6 SW4. Miller/Orcharde 1151 268 1419 4.3 P = O, S = 0 -4.3 SW5. Hunters Run 839 2415 3254 9.8 P=I 6.1, S=8.0 -.8 SW6. West High 2608 807 3415 10.2 P=6.4, S=O** -3.9 *Surplus/Deficit Calculations =up to 7 acres credit per park; 5 acres or 25% of school open space; whichever is less, per elementary school site. *~Credit is not automatically allocated to secondary school sites. "If developed at density of existing zones. bDue to steep wooded ravines, this area will probably develop at less than 1 dwelling unit per acre. Clncludes Windsor Ridge north of Court Street dlf developed at density of existing zones. "Due to steep wooded ravines, will probably develop at an RS-5 density. Note: The Downtown, North Corridor, and South Central Districts were not evaluated for neighborhood open space, because there are no established residential neighborhoods in these districts. '¸3 The individual neighborhood open space districts were originally grouped within major water- shed areas in the city to facilitate open space connections along waterways. Open space impact fees or land dedications secured within a district can be used to establish a trail or small park within the Planning District in which the neighborhood open space district is located. The resulting open space must be designed and located so that the benefits of park and trail development will accrue directly to those areas that generate fees or land for open space. Fees contributed from one area of the community cannot be shifted to provide neighborhood open space in separate area of the city. As the city grows and annexes land, neighborhood open space will be provided as develop- ment occurs. The following figures indicate the amount of land that is likely to be allocated for neighborhood open space as land is annexed and developed within the city's growth limits in each Planning District. 3 Acres Anticipated Per 1,000 Persons Planning Undeveloped Dwelling Units Persons Per Neighborhood District Acres* Per Acre Household Open Space Need Downtown 0 0 0 0 Central 0 0 0 0 North 0 0 0 0 North Corridor 680 5 2.26 23.05 Northeast 965 5 2.26 32.71 Northwest 190 5 2.26 6.44 South 920 ,5 2.26 31.19 Southeast 810 5 2.26 27.46 South Central 500 5 2.26 16.95 Southwest 1240 5 2.26 42.04 *Approximate number of undeveloped acres outside the city limits and within the growth area, rounded to the nearest five acres. As development occurs throughout Iowa City, including on property annexed into the city, land will be dedicated for neighborhood open space or fees will be paid by the developers in lieu of the land dedication to provide sufficient, useable open space in growing and redevel- oping areas of the community. Capital improvement programming and fee simple purchase may be required to supplement the neighborhood open space land dedication and fees, particularly in the developed, inner city areas. Cooperation with other jurisdictions, including Johnson County, Coralville, the University of Iowa, and the Iowa City Community School District, is encouraged and is key to coordinating the allocation, development and maint'enance of open space of mutual benefit to adjoining developments in separate jurisdictions. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: April 18, 1997 City Council City Manager Cultural Center/Library Project: Operating and Capital Cost On Monday evening at your work session I will be presenting to you information concerning the impact of the cultural center/library project on operations and capital financing. We have prepared 19 years worth of data; that being 6 years of historical data and 13 years for projection purposes. I have not included this information in your packet and would ask your indulgence in that we will be working to clean up all of the projections over the weekend. I intend to step you through this information on a detailed basis and therefore will provide a packet for your analysis on Monday. It was difficult to prepare a detailed memorandum and therefore we have chosen this verbal presentation format. The information will demonstrate our general financial condition not unlike the financial trend monitoring system we initiated in 1995 and incorporate the capital and operating implications of the library/cultural center project. jw/cultural.sa/doc lo City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 18, 1997 To: From: Re: The Honorable Mayor Naomi J. Novick and Members of the City Council Linda Newman Woito, City Attorney C~~-~.,, r PCRB Materials: Flow Chart and Narrative; Update on Status of Research on Basic Legal Principles Concerning Employment Law as it Relates to the PCRB Process PCRB Ma~ria~ Enclosed please find the Flow Chart, the Narrative explaining the Flow Chart, and a status report/memo on my research into the basic legal principles concerning employment law. I am also attaching a memo to me from Professor David Baldus, discussing the latest version of the PCRB process - which incorporates my meeting with you April 8, 1997. The latest version of the ordinance draft is not complete, but you should have it by Monday, April 21, 1997 - but no later than Tuesday evening, April 22, 1997. We need to discuss how you want to make these materials available to the public, in anticipation of the public presentation to be made by me to the City Council Tuesday, April 29, 1997. Brief Review of Employment Law Principles Concerning Public Employee Performance Records; Bifurcation of Board and City Manager Reports Required As we have discussed during the past few months, I noted several times that I would not be able to complete my research into employment law, public records and open meetings laws until I had a better handle on just how much power the Council wanted to give the Police Citizen Review Board ("PCRB" or "Board"). Now that we are "closing in" on the important issues, I can now preliminarily report on these issues, see separate memorandum. By way of explanation, I acknowledge that the proposed PCRB process requiring bifurcation of information, namely separating the information into two reports - one for the citizen (public report) and the other for the Board, the Police Chief, the police officer and City Manager ("confidential report") is somewhat cumbersome. Because we are mixing two entirely different sets of processes and laws - namely citizen complaints and personnel procedures, these two procedures sometimes clash. However, it is my opinion that this clash is not fatal. Thus, having read the transcript of our last PCRB discussion held April 8, 1997, and having talked again with a number of attorneys from jurisdictions who deal regularly with police citizen review, it is now clear that our major struggle in finalizing the PCRB process is because Iowa City is combining two very different functions into the duties of one board. This is unique to Iowa, and creates new challenges for the legal community and for you as a legislative body. Let me explain. Citizen Complaint or "Truth Seeking Function" of Board The proposed PCRB will act as a "complaint-resolving forum" for citizens who have been treated without proper civility or mistreated by sworn police officers. This is a very legitimate goal which we all share, and the proposed PCRB process will be able to fulfill this function by achieving accuracy and thoroughness in investigating citizen complaints - largely in the processes found in Stages 1-4 on the Flow Chart. That is, this process will provide the citizen with the ability to make sure their concerns are not only heard, but are addressed and hopefully redressed (meaning remedied). This is what I call the "truth seeking task" or "fairness task" of the PCRB Board. A problem arises legally, however, when you.combine the Board's "public employee/personnel performance evaluation function" in the same forum with the "complaint/truth seeking function" - since the "employment function" is largely confidential as required by Iowa law. In other words, these two functions, by necessity, clash beginning at Stage 5. This is because employment law simply does not contemplate citizen involvement into the personnel evaluation process. While you may argue that this is not right or fair, I can only report the state of the law as it now exists. Thus, when we mix these two very different worlds and legal realms, which ordinarily do not come into contact with each other and which are quite obviously sometimes in opposition, we as attorneys and legislators are faced with new challenges. Perhaps this is why other cities keep these two functions separate. 3 PCRB Review of Police Misconduct or "Employment Function" All attorneys I have talked with, including. Iowa lawyers, indicate that no citizen review boards interject as much citizen input into the "confidential personnel/employment function" in the PCRB as Iowa City is proposing. Other states and cities get around this problem by not permitting citizens to have input into discussions of discipline or misconduct. Rather, the Boards only report on the accuracy of the facts of the complaint, and whether the citizen complaint is "sustained" or "not sustained". However, it is my considered opinion that Iowa City can get around this "clash" by requiring the Board to issue two reports: one "public report" issued to the citizen and the second "confidential report," issued to the Police Chief, the City Manager and the police officer. I suppose one way to get around this need for two reports at Stages 5-7 would be to remove the subject of discipline from the Board's review. However, it is my opinion that this would defeat the major purpose of the PCRB process, namely to provide "oversight" and external accountability to the public by assuring that the overall performance of the Police Department, as a whole, meets community expectations. One way for the Board to achieve this goal is to act as a good, common-sense sounding board for the Police Chief and the City Manager, and thereby assure that citizen Board input goes into the decision-making process before the Police Chief finally decides how to handle specific police officer's misconduct. Thus, I recommend that the discussions of discipline remain with the Board as a "sounding board" for the Police Chief and the City Manager - and for the community as a whole. Assuming the City Council still wishes to proceed with the proposed Flow Chart, the Board and the City Manager will issue two reports - at least until a finding of misconduct is made by the Chief or City Manager and discipline is imposed. This "two report process" may seem a bit cumbersome, but I believe it will protect the integrity of the Board's "public employee performance evaluation function" and the public employee's rights, and at the same time make sure all citizen complaints are thoroughly reviewed and acted on appropriately by the Police Chief. To summarize, once the personnel performance evaluation process is completed, and discipline imposed, the public will receive as much information as is legally permitted as a "public record" - as was done in the Shaw internal affairs report. Also, the PCRB's Annual Report will contain 4 information to inform the public on the performance of the Police Department as a whole, - which is what the public has a right to know. However, the public is not entitled to know every personnel evaluation matter of each and every police officer or City employee, see my separate memo discussing employment law dated 4/18/97. One final note: all attorneys from other jurisdictions, as well as Iowa attorneys, agreed that while Iowa City could not release confidential information concerning police officers' performance evaluation during Stages 1-7, there is nothing to prevent a citizen from going to the press and discussing their complaint at any time. I was previously asked if we could require confidentiality from citizens during this process, and the answer is "no." So while the PCRB and the City will have a legal duty to maintain confidentiality of many matters, no such duty is imposed upon a private citizen. Thus, I advise the City Council and the PCRB that when the Board or the City Manager provides a response to the citizen complaint, that response must maintain the confidentiality of personnel matters and be separated into two portions: The "public portion" for the citizen, which will be factual findings concerning the allegations of the complaint, and a finding that the complaint is "sustained" as accurate, or "not sustained." The "confidential personnel records portion" will be given to the Police Chief, the police officer and the City Manager. This portion will contain findings of misconduct and proposed discipline, personnel records, and other personnel matters such as prior discipline. These documents must remain confidential until findings of misconduct have been finalized by either the Police Chief or the City Manager, and discipline has been imposed (Stage 8). Finally, the results of all citizen complaints will be maintained by the Board's central registry -in a form decided by the Board - so that the public may be kept informed of the complaint process as a whole. Please call if you have questions. I will be available for discussion at your April 21-22, 1997 meetings, and I will prepare my public presentation to the City Council, now scheduled for April 29, 1997. You should have the redrafted ordinance by next Monday or Tuesday, April 21- 22, 1997. In any event, the "heart and soul" of the PCRB process is found in the Flow Chart and the Narrative outline. Attachments CC; City Clerk City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney Office Attorneys Ivan Webber, Ahlers Law Firm Police Chief RJ Winkelhake Captain Tom Widmer, Police Department Dan Dreckman, President Police Union Inw\pcrb\bifurct2.wp5 Sent Uy: U OF ~ COLLEGE LAW 3193359098; 04,,'~/97 12:50PM;~ag #990;Page 2/3 'To: Linda Woito, City Attorney, City of Iowa City From: David Baldus, College of Law, University of Iowa Re: Police Citizen Review Board (PCRB) [. The meeting Tuesday, April 8th, demonstrated how important it is to understand all poxts and implications of a complicated plan before firm c~mmitmenta are made about individual components of the plan. Here the principal issues are concerns about confidentiality in ~nnel matters and the proc4Muml complexity ~soeiated with possible attempts to accommodate the confidentiality concerns. These considerations suggest changes in the review process that was conceived in the Council meeting the week before. Specifically, it now appears that the idea era citizen appeal from the initial cecommendafion of the Police Chief(PC) will not be feasible in light of concerns about confidentiality. Also, the idea era "bifurcated" proceeding at this stage in the process appears problematical from a procedural and conceptual standpoint The better altemitive may be to limit the citizen's involvement in the process to the initial filing of a complaint and the fight to file an appeal with the City Manager (CM) ifthc citizen is anhappy with the rea:ommendation of the PCRB (the board). 2. What appears to be evolving in the face ofthe~ developments is a six or seven stage process that commences with the ci~zen's filing of the initial complaint Stage 1. Stage 2 would be the mandatory investigation by tl~ police department, Stage 3 would be the PC's recommendation to th~ board on the merits of the citizen's complaint. including possible discipline when the PC believes a violation of law or policy b.a.s occure& 3. Stage 4 wouM be the board's mandatory review and recommendation concerning the PC'$ recommendations. Sp¢~fically, in all cases the board would consider on the merits the PC's judgment of whether there was a violation of applicable policy or law, and the PC's ~,,commendatioa concerning possible discipline. 4. As the basis of its recommendation at Stage 4, the board could consider (a) the paper record ttxat accompanied the PC's recommendafiorg (b) the results of any ' subsequent investigation conducted by the police, department at the r 'u st of the board, (c) the cesults of independent board efforts to collect additional inforotation, through its own members or investigators, and (d) the results of'board heatings, public and/or private, that the board deems necessary and appropriate under state and local law controlling issues of confidentiality. Sent-by: U OF ~ COLLEGE LAW 3193359098; 04/!i/97 12:51P~;Je~~. #99O;Page 3/3 5. On the issue of investigations, the board's powers could be str/ctly limited to the conduct of investigations in the ~riod after the PC's recommendation has issued. However, it could also embrace the authority to conduct an investigation before the PC's recommendation issues. My view is that thc board's power to conduct investigations, before the PC's recommendation issues, should exist at the discretion of the board in all cases. This power could, however, be limited by requiring super-majority votes to authorize such investtgations, or by limiting the investigative power to certain factual situations. If the latter "subject matter" approach is adopted, I recommend that it apply not only to cases involving the personal injury or death era citizen, but also to cases involving (a) the physical contact era citizen by an officer, or Co) the use of or threat of force by an officer against a citizen, e.g., drawing a weapon or chemical spray device 6. Stage 5 would be the PC's final recommendation, in response to the board's reconuncndation, reported in a manner that is consistent with controlling rules on confidentiality, which will allow the PC's recommendation to be shared with the citizen complainant. 7. If the citizen complainant disagrees with the PC's recommendation, he or she, would have the option (Stage 6) to appeal the decision to the CM whose (Stage 7) decision would be final as to the citizen complainant (the offi6cr always has the right to appeal any adverse decision through the Civil Service Commission and the courts). If the citizen elects not to appeal, the l:'C's recommendation, the PC's recommendation would became a final decision. 8. A review structure along these lines will (a) bdve the community confidence that citizen complaints are subject to meaningful citizen review by the board, (b) give citizen complainants confidence that their compla. ints are tb, ifiy reviewed by citizens and city officials who are independent of the police department, and (c) give members of the Iowa City police ~partment confidence that their interests are adequaXely protected. 2 Police Citizen Revie~v Board ("PCRB") Flow Chart (see accompanying narrative explanation) Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Stage 7 Stage 8 Stage 9 Complaint to Board Police Department investigation Police Chief's Report (45 days) cc: Board Police officer Board Review · Revie~v on record (no additional investigation) · Meet with citizen/officer(s) · Additional investigation (internal police) · Additional investigation (Board) · Additional investigation (external/independent) Board Recommendation/ Report (45 days) cc: Citizen/Complainant (coinplaint sustained or not sustained) Police Officer Police Chief City Manager Citizen requests additional review by City Managei (within 5 days) City Manager Final Report ( 10 days) cc: Citizen(complaint sustained or not sustained) Board Police Officer Police Chief After review of Board. and City Manager Reports, Police Chief imposes discipline, if any [Total 105 days] Summary Resui'ts in Board Annual Report April 18, 1997 GENERAL INFORMATION AND NARRATIVE EXPLANATION TO ACCOMPANY POLICE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD ("PCRB") FLOW CHART GENERAL INFORMATION Police Citizen Review Board - Board composition 7 members, appointed by City Council Preferably all Iowa City residents Prefer diverse representation, but will include one attorney and one law enforcement representative on Board Serve for four (4) years, although first appointments will be staggered 2 - two-year terms 2 - three-year terms 3 - four-year terms 7 members Board mandatory duties - this means the Board must do the following: Receive all complaints and either forward to Police Chief for investigation or, on 6/7 vote, do own investigation, see Stage 1. Review all Police Chief reports of investigations into citizen and Board complaints. Decide level of review of Police Chief investigation and reports on simple majority vote, see Stage 4. 2 Prepare final recommendation and report. Because of confidentiality requirements, the Board will issue 2 Reports - one "public report" to the citizen and one "confidential report" for the Police Chief, police officer and City Manager. This requirement for two reports is due to Iowa's public records law. The Board will adopt its own procedural rules and by-laws for any bifurcation (2 reports); but for discussion purposes, the citizen's report may include the following information which can likely be deemed "public information:" Name of complainant Name, rank and job description of police officer Date of incident complained of and date complaint filed Witness names where appropriate (including other police officers) Date police investigation completed Date Police Chief Report is completed Date additional Board investigation/review completed Summary of facts and conclusions concerning'the complaint, and whether the complaint is "sustained" as accurate or found "unsustained" as not accurate. Maintain central registry, collect data and do annual report to the City Council as to number, nature and disposition of complaints, findings of misconduct and type of discipline; also recommended changes in police practices, policies or procedures, if applicable. 3 Board must report on police practices, procedures and policies, from time to time, and report the findings to the City Council, together with recommended changes. Board must adopt procedural rules and by-laws by which to govern their activities, BUT the City Council must approve such rules and by-laws. If requested by City Manager or Police Chief, Board will conduct own investigation into complaint. Board must receive training in police procedures, state, local and federal laws dealing with police conduct, methods of conducting fair and thorough investigations, protecting confidentiality of witnesses and employees as required by Iowa's open meetings and public records laws, and compliance with constitutional due process requirements. Limited Board Powers The Board may decide to do additional (supplemental) investigation of a citizen com- plaint, in addition to the Police Department/Chief of Police investigation, but the Board must agree by a simple majority vote to undertake additional investigation (4/7 vote). The Board may decide to request police assistance or police participation in an investi- gation at Stage 1 (the beginning of the process), but the Board may do so only on an extraordinary majority vote of 6/7 for good cause shown, for example where serious bodily injury or death occurs as a result of an Iowa City police officer's conduct. The Board has only ADVISORY AND RECOMMENDATORY ROWER over police officer's performance evaluation (e.g. misconduct), since Iowa law only permits the Police Chief or the City Manager to impose discipline. The Board cannot force the Police Chief or the City Manager to change their minds or come to a different conclusion regarding police discipline. Nor can the Board direct the Police Chief or the City Manager to impose a specific discipline on a specific police 4 officer. [Civil Service Commission may impose greater or lesser discipline, but this process is governed entirely by state law and is completely outside this process]. The PCRB Board only has limited civil/administrative review powers, AND HAS NO POWER OR AUTHORITY OVER CRIMINAL MATTERS. The Board is NOT a court of law and is not intended to substitute as a tort claims procedure or litigation against the City. FLOW CHART Stage 1 - Complaint filed with Police Citizen Review Board ("PCRB" or "Board") Board receives all citizen complaints - this is a mandatory duty of the Board. Board adopts procedural rules and by-laws to govern conduct of their business. Board designates neutral locations to receive complaints, and has neutral (non-police) staff to receive complaints. Complaints may still be received in Police Department. "Complaint" is a written statement by a citizen directly affected by the conduct of a sworn Iowa City Police Officer, but only when the conduct occurred in Iowa City while the officer was on-duty or was acting as a police officer. This broad but simple definition of "complaint" is designed to avoid arguments over whether the complaints are frivolous or not. The purpose of this citizen input is to assure that a thorough and accurate investigation is done by the Police Department, with a review of the investigation by the Police Chief and again by the Board. The complainant may receive assistance in filling out the complaint form, as needed. The complaint may be filed by a designated representative of a citizen who is underage or who is otherwise unable to complete the complaint form. The complaint forms will be prepared by the Board, and will be made available to the public, in easily accessible locations. The Board may file a complaint on the Board's own motion (simple majority vote). · The Board will establish its own system of receiving and initially reviewing all complaints. 6 In the vast majority of cases, the Board will'immediately forward the complaint to the Police Department and Police Chief for investigation - except in those rare instances where the Board decides to interject itself into the investigative process during Stage 1. However, this will occur only on an extraordinary majority vote (6/7) for good cause shown, e.g., death or serious bodily injury to a person resulting from the conduct of a police officer. Upon such vote, the Board may request assistance from the police or police participation in the Board's investigation or the Board may decide to do their own investigation. However, if the Police Chief or City Manager request the Board conduct an investigation, the Board may proceed without the extraordinary vote. Once the Board answers the question of whether the Board wishes to intervene in the original investigation, the Board (following its own procedural rules and by-laws) will advise the complainant of the following: Mediation is available at any time, at the request of any party; coordinating the mediation is the Board's responsibility. Explain'the complaint investigation process, including expected timelines, e.g. police investigation and chief's report due in 45 days; Board review of police chief report within 45 days; anticipated end-point + 105 days. If the Complainant elects to withdraw the complaint, the Board may decide, on its own motion, to request the Police Department to proceed with the investigation. Complaints will be entered into a central registry, maintained as directed by the Board but using a system designed to provide as much information to the public as possible under Iowa's Open Records and Public Meetings law. See separate memo on Employment law, Open Records and Open Meetings law. Complaints filed against non-sworn Iowa City employees are outside the Board's jurisdiction, and will not be handled by the Board (e.g. parking ticket complaints). 7 The majority of complaints recieved by the Board will be investigated by the Police Department and the Police Chief, but all investigations will be sent to the Board for Board review - see stage 2 on the Flow Chart, Either on the complainant's request or the Board's own motion, the Board may review particular police practices, procedures and policies - either as they apply generally to the community as a whole, or as they apply to a particular incident. The Board must then make a written report to the City Council and Police Chief, including any changes or recommendations, if appropriate, and such report shall be a public document. The Board deals only with civil, administrative complaints. This means that any claims of criminal activity are not to be directed to the PCRB. Rather, claims of criminal activity (beyond a simple misdemeanor) must be directed to the Johnson Coun- ty Attorney's Office (Iowa City), the State Attorney General's Office (Des Moines, Iowa) or the U.S. Attorney's Office (Des Moines, Iowa). Police officer's rights are preserved during this PCRB process, and the Board may not waive any of the police officer's rights under state, local or federal law. Nor does the PCRB process waive any police officer's rights under the Union Contract or Civil Service law found in Chapter 400 of the State Code. This means that an officer who is suspended, demoted or discharged (after the PCRB process has run its course) may appeal to the Civil Service Commission. If the officer is given a verbal or written reprimand, the officer may file a grievance under the Union Contract - which includes the right to proceed to binding arbitration under the public labor statute, Chapter 20, State Code. See separate memo on Employment law and Open Records and Open Meetings law. Stage 2- Police Department Investigation of Complaint Prior to investigation, the Police Chief must give Garrity and Gardner advice to all police officers implicated in the complaint, as required by constitutional law. This means that a police officer who is named or is accused of misconduct or other inappropriate behavior is required to answer all the Police Department's, Police Chief's or Board's questions -- so long as the process is administrative in nature, namely reviewing job performance. Questioning must be specifically, directly, and narrowly related to performance of the officer's duties. Although an officer may be required to answer questions relating to the officer's job performance, the officer cannot be required to waive their privilege against self- incrimination under the Fifth Amendment. This means the officer cannot be required to waive their immunity with respect to the use of the officer's answers or the fruits thereof in a criminal prosecution against the officer. An officer is entitled to have a union steward or attorney present during questioning if the investigation could result in discipline and/or subsequent criminal proceedings could be brought against the officer. Unless the Board has intervened on an extraordinary majority vote, the Police Department will investigate all citizen complaints. These complaints will be handled as most traditional "internal affairs" investigations are handled now, but the difference will be that the PCRB ordinance makes these police investigations mandatory -- regardless of the nature of the complaint (e.g. frivolous, non-frivolous, serious, etc.) The Police Chief will assign the complaint to designated investigators within the Police Department, and the investigation will likely include, for example: 9 An interview with the complainant, in which case the complainant may have a neutral Board staff member present, or some other person. An interview with the named police officer(s) and other officers Interviews of other witnesses Accurate record-keeping of the investigative process A review of all departmental rules, practices and procedures, and applicable local, state and federal law Consult with City Attorney's Office and Personnel Office, as needed. All investigations (whether police and/or board or board's representative) shall be performed in a manner designed to produce a minimum of inconvenience and embarrassment to all parties --incbding the citizen, the police officers, and other witnesses. Investigators will complete a report on the allegations contained in the complaint, making findings as to the following: Factual circumstances, and whether the complaint is "sustained" as accurate or is "not sustained" (not accurate). However, this does not mean that the police department may find a complaint unsubstantiated if the matter simply comes down to a swearing contest between the citizen and the police officer. Rather, the police investigators must come to some reasoned, articulable conclusion as to whether they believe the complaint is "sustained", under the facts, and if so, whether police misconduct occurred. - What remedial action is recommended, such as specific training 10 Whether any laws, practices or pol'icies were violated, and whether the violation was serious enough to constitute "misconduct" and be subject to discipline Recommended discipline, if any Whether the officer's conduct was consistent with training Whether a police practice or policy was followed by the named officer, but the practice or policy is somehow flawed or failed in its application through no fault of the officer, and needs revisiting by the Police Department. Investigators' report shall be given to the Police Chief in a format consistent with the intent of the PCRB ordinance, namely in plain English. The timelines for completion of each stage is intended to be a goal, but can be extended for good cause shown, namely for legitimate, articulable reasons that are made in good faith and not for purposes of delaying the process. If litigation relating to the matter of the complaint is commenced or is being con- templated by or against any party to the complaint, the Police Department and the Board shall consult with the City Attorney and/or the Board's own attorney, on a case-by-case basis, to determine whether and how the investigation should proceed. Mediation can be requested by any party at any time. The Board shall coordinate mediation, keeping the parties informed of progress, settlement or failure to reach settlement. Any settlement reached will be in writing and kept confidential by the Board, although the fact of settlement will be noted in the central registry. 11 Stage 3 - Police Chief's Investigative Report Police Chief reviews Police Department's investigation of complaint, and Police Chief may then Interview, meet with the citizen/complainant Request original investigators to do further work, such as ask additional questions, review other rules or laws, interview other witnesses or reinterview persons Request personnel information that might indicate a pattern or on-going problem by a police officer that specifically needs to be addressed by the Police Chief Interview the named officer or other witnesses Although an officer may be required to answer questions which are specifically, directly, and narrowly related to the performance of the officer's duties, the officer cannot be required to waive their privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment pursuant to Garrity and Gardner. This means the officer cannot be required to waive their immunity with respect to the use of the officer's answers or the fruits thereof in a criminal prosecution. An officer is also entitled to have a union steward present during questioning if the investigation could result in discipline and/or subsequent criminal charges could be brought against the officer. Police Chief will consult with City Personnel staff and the City Attorney prior to finalizing the Police Chief's Report 12 The Police Chief is mandated to send the Chief's Report to the Board. The Report shall include: Detailed findings of fact concerning the complaint. incident, including the dis- ciplinary records of the subject officer if relevant, and demographics of persons involved; Identification of all applicable laws, including state, local and federal laws, policies, unwritten practices, rules and regulations and general orders implicated by the complaint; Whether the officer's conduct is consistent with training Whether the complaint is "sustained" (substantiated as accurate), or "not sustained" (not substantiated or not accurate) Regardless of whether or not complaint is sustained, any remedial actions recommended, such as specific training. If the complaint is sustained as accurate, a finding as to whether the conduct constitutes police misconduct and the reasons for the findings stated in narrative form and using plain English; every effort should be made in this Report to tie the facts with either a particular law, policy, rule, practice or training. Recommended discipline, if any, with a clearly stated written rationale for such recommendation. In preparing this Police Chief Report, the Chief shall use a "reasonable basis" standard typically used in administrative matters such as personnel evaluations. This means that the Chief will rely on evidence which reasonably prudent persons are accustomed to' rely on for the conduct of their serious affairs. This standard of review is less "legalistic" 13 than "preponderance of the evidence" (negligence claims), "clear and convincing" (loss of parental rights) or "beyond a reasonable doubt" (criminal standard). The Police Chief's Report at this stage (Stage 3) is a confidential personnel record under Iowa's public records law, Chapter 21, State Code, because the Report contains an officer's performance evaluation and possible (but not yet imposed) discipline. The Board is obligated by law to respect the confidentiality of the Chief's Report throughout the Board's proceedings. (Des Moines Re.qister vs. School Board case). The goal is to have the investigation and Police Chief's Report finished within 45 days of the Complaint being filed. This timeline may need to be addressed by the Board in their procedural rules and by-laws. 14 Stage 4 - Board Review of Police Chief Report The Board must receive and review all Police Chief Reports. The Board may select any or all of the following types of review [on simple majority vote]: Review investigation on the record (no additional investigation) Interview/meet with citizen complainant Interview/meet with named officer(s) and other officers Request additional investigation by police or police help in Board investigation Do own additional investigation (by Board members) Hire independent (external) investigator These Board options are not intended to be mutually exclusive. For example, if the Board initially decides to do a review of the Police Chief's investigation on the written record (namely the file) without additional information or investigation, the Board may later conclude, having delved into the matter, that additional investigation is needed. At that point the Board could, on a simple majority vote, move to do additi0_nal investigation -- either by the Police Department, in cooperation with the Police, by a Board member, or by outside professional help. Even if the Board intervenes in the original investigation (Stage 1), the Board may always ask the Police Department for assistance in investigation of complaints. The Board will adopt by-laws and procedural rules to govern the conduct of their business, including for example: Receipt/location of complaints Form of the complaint 15 Procedures to notify parties of the receipt and status of the complaint (police chief, complainant and police officer) How the Board decides how a complaint will be processed, including liaison and coordination with the' Police Department Conduct of the investigations, hearings Format for the results of the Board's final report, and methods of notifying the citizen of their right to request additional review or investigation by the City Manager (if the citizen disagrees with the Board's findings - but only on the issue of whether the complaint is "sustained" as factual or "not sustained"). Rules recognizing the Board's need to respect confidentiality requirements of personnel records as well as privacy concerns regarding public hearings dealing with specific employees (to avoid injury to reputation,) e.g. Feller case. If criminal charges are brought or being considered against a particular police officer(s), the Police Department's investigation and the Board's review and/or investigation may proceed with interviewing other officers, witnesses, etc. and need not stop entirely. This is because the citizen review process 'deals ONLY with civil administration personnel matters - namely how a police officer has performed in their line of duty. Again, any statements given by the subject officer cannot later be used against the officer in a criminal proceeding. The Board has the option of obtaining outside counsel and independent investigators, as deemed appropriate by the Board. The City agrees it will not unreasonably withhold budgetary approval or resources in order for the Board to carry out the Board's duties under the ordinance. 16 The Board may hold general informational hearings concerning police department practices, procedures or written policies, and such hearings will most likely be public so long as no particular police officer's performance is targeted. 17 Stage 5 - Board Final Report - Bifurcated into 2 Reports at This Stage Regardless of the extent of Board review, the Board will issue a "final Recommendation and Report" concerning the complaint. To the extent confidential information is in the Board's Report, the Board shall be responsible for any action necessary to preserve confidential information, as required by Iowa statutes concerning open records and public meetings, namely Chapters 21 and 22, State Code m prior to releasing the report to the citizen, This may be done by separating the Report into two portions (bifurcation) -- one a "confidential report" which includes proposed discipline and findings of misconduct, and the other "public report", which includes factual findings and whether the allegations of the complaint are "sustained" as true, or "not sustained" (not accurate)l This 2-report requirement is imposed during Stage 5 because of Iowa's (and most states') laws which state that employee performance evaluations are generally deemed confidential. See separate memo regarding Iowa employment law, and public records and open meetings. law. The Board will follow its own procedural rules and by-laws concerning the format for their final Recommendation and Reports. In reviewing the Police Chief's Report and in doing any other review or investigation, the Board shall apply an administrative standard of review as contemplated under administrative law, namely the Board shall apply a "reasonable basis" test. This means that the Board may give some deference to the Police Chief's Report because of the Chief's expertise, but the Board will otherwise rely on evidence which reasonably prudent persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of their serious affairs. The Board is under no obligation to concur with the Chief's findings if the Board deems the evidence relied on by the Chief to be inappropriate. 18 In preparing the Board's final Recommendation and Report, the Board shall bifurcate the information and address the following in, its public Report: Detailed findings of fact concerning the incidents stated in the complaint, together with a clearly articulated finding as to whether the complaint is "sustained" as factually and legally accurate, or whether the complaint is "not sustained" meaning not legally and/or factually accurate. A copy of this Public Report shall be given to the citizen complainant, together with notice that the citizen has 5 working days to request additional review by the City Manager. In addition to the above, the Board will include the following in its Confidential Report: Identification of all laws, including state and federal laws, policies, unwritten practices, rules and regulations and general orders implicated by the complaint If the complaint is sustained, whether the police officer's behavior constitutes misconduct, and the reasons for the findings stated in narrative form and using plain English If misconduct is found, a recommendation of discipline, including the disciplinary records of the sub_ject officer, and demographics of all persons involved, if any, with a clearly stated written rationale Specific comments on whether the Board disagrees with the Police Chief's Report, and the reasons stated therefor in plain English. Copies of the Board's Confidential Report shall be given to the Police Chief, the named police officer(s), and to the City Manager. Stage 6 - Citizen Requests Additional Investigation and Review by City Manager. As with the other stages, the Board will adopt procedural rules and bylaws for this process. If a citizen disagrees with the Board's findings, the citizen may request additional review by the City Manager, in writing. This request is also referred to as a "citizen appeal" to the City Manager. The citizen will have five (5) working days to request review by the City Manager, and the review will be limited only to the factual findings by the Police Chief and the Board's "public report" including findings as to whether the complaint is "sustained" or "not sustained". This is a limited review by the City Manager, and will not include discipline -- as required by Iowa law. The City Manager will then have ten (10) days within which to review the citizen com- plaint, the Chief's Report, the Board's Reports (both public and confidential), and the citizen's request', and will issue a final recommendation and reports - again in a bifurcat- ed fashion, namely two' reports: A Public Report, which will be a review of the citizen's complaint, and whether the factual allegations are "sustained" as accurate or found "not sustained" or not accurate. After reviewing the Chief's Report and Board's Report, issue a Confidential Report concerning misconduct and proposed discipline, if any. Because the Board has no authority over police conduct except in an advisory capacity, the citizen's request for additional review is more appropriate to go to the City Manager, than to the Board. Also the citizen might well bring some perspective or information to the City Manager's attention that, as a practical matter, may alter the City Manager's Report concerning possible police misconduct and the level of discipline, if any. 19 · The City Manager's final recommendation and report will be distributed as follows: Public Report: to the citizen and Police Chief Confidential Report: to the police officer, Police Chief, and Board 2O Stage 8 - Police Chief Reviews Board and City Manager's Report After receipt of the City Manager's final Recommendation and Report (confidential version), and review of the citizen's complaint (public versions), the Police Chief will then impose discipline if the City Manager has not already done so. After the City Manager's Report, the Police Chief may confer with the City Manager, confer with the citizen, or confer with the Board. In an attempt to make this process timely and have a designated "end point," the goal of this entire process is 105-110 days (or approximately 3Y2 months). Note: At this stage (unnumbered on the Flow Chart), the Police Officer has a right to appeal to the Police Civil Service Commission if the officer is suspended, demoted or discharged. If the officer receives a reprimand, the officer may file a grievance under the Union Contract. 21 Stage 9 - Board's Annual Report The Board will prepare, in cooperation with the Police Chief, an annual report to the City Council which includes the disposition of each citizen and/or Board complaint including quantity, nature of complaint, disposition of the complaint, and discipline imposed; and if a finding of misconduct is found, the report may be more specific. The format should be left up to the Board to decide. The Board's Annual Report will also include their review of "problem areas;" recom- mended changes in practices, procedures, or policies; or other matters of a general nature. This Annual Report is intended to assist the City Council, the Police Chief, the City Manager, and the City Attorney in satisfying the goals of the PCRB ordinance, and in complying with state and federal law. Also, the Annual Report is designed to give citizens the assurance that their complaints against the Iowa City Police Department will be timely investigated, heard, and resolved; and that the Police Department's perfor- mance, as a whole, is responsive to the community's needs. Inw\pcrb\stages.wp5 22 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: April 18, 1997 The Honorable Mayor Naomi J. Novick and Members of the City Council Linda Newman Woito, City Attorney ~ Update on Research Concerning Basic Legal Principles Concerning Employment Law, as It Relates to the Police Citizen Review Board Process Now that the City Council is honing in on the last major issues to be decided in the Police Citizen Review Board ("PCRB") process, I am prepared to make a preliminary report on my legal research into employment law, as well as Iowa's public records and open meetings law.' I will have a final update on these legal principles prior to the public discussion, to be held April 29, 1997. In the meantime, I report the following: 1. There is no Iowa statute or case law which deals directly with questions of whether a Police Citizen Review Board has authority to disclose any of the contents of a police officer's performance evaluation, especially where that evaluation is based on a citizen's claim of misconduct. This means that Iowa City is, once again, breaking new ground on the law. Because of this lack of explicit legal guidance, we must look to other statutes and laws which may be analogous to our particular issues. 2. Police internal affairs investigations into alleged police misconduct are confidential records, until a finding of misconduct is made and discipline is imposed, as now provided in Iowa City's internal affairs policies, General Order 92-03. When we apply this rule to the PCRB process, it is my conclusion that the police investigation of a citizen's complaint, or a Board complaint, must remain confidential throughout the process, namely through investigation, and Board and City Manager review. If a finding of misconduct is upheld by the Police Chief and discipline is imposed, the investigation may be redacted (meaning removing confidential portions), so that the results may be released to the public -- at least to the extent the information is public information under Iowa's public records law and case law interpreting the statute, Chapter 22, Code of Iowa (1997); Hawk Eve v. Jackson, 521 N.W.2d 750, 753-54 (Iowa 1994); Des Moines School District v. Des Moines Re.qister, 487 N.W,2d 666, 670 (Iowa 1992). 2 3. "Personal information" contained in public employee personnel records is confidential, and is not generally subject to public disclosure. This is a matter of state law, Section 22.7(11), Code of Iowa (1997). 4. "Personal personnel information" has been defined by the Iowa Supreme Court to include performance evaluations, which are completed by the employee's employer, but also includes an investigatory committee appointed by the employer, Des Moines School District, at 670. 5. The Iowa Supreme Court recognizes that even though such public employee performance evaluations may be deemed confidential, they can be redacted or edited -- meaning confidential portions are removed in order to permit the legal custodian of the documents or a court to release some of the document as a "public record." Id. 6. Peace officers' investigations are confidential records, not subject to public disclosure. This includes police department investigations, as well as DCI reports, and is a matter of state law, Section 22.7(5), Code of Iowa (1997). Police investigations can, however, be released to the extent that the release only includes "date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident," Section 22.7(5), Code of Iowa. The Iowa Supreme Court finds that this statute is designed to encourage people to come forward with information during a criminal investigation, as well as to permit officers to discuss their theories of the crime and findings in a candid manner, State ex. rel. Shanahah v. Iowa District Court, 356 N.W.2d 523, 528-29 (Iowa 1984). 7. The Iowa Supreme Court applies a "balancing test" as to whether to disclose police investigations or DCI reports to the public, especially where the report is complete, the witnesses are not concerned about statements being made in public, and where the public's "need to know" carries more weight than the DCI's need to protect confidenti.al sources. Shanahah, at 528-29; Shannon by Shannon v. Hansen, 469 N.W. 2d 412 (Iowa 1991). 8. The Iowa Supreme Court has also found that where claims of police misconduct or excessive force have been made against an officer, a DCI investigation which has acted as 3 an "internal affairs report" may be released to the public, again applying a balancing test, Hawk Eve v. Jackson, 521 N.W.2d 750, 753~54 (Iowa 1994). In the Hawk Eve case, the media had requested copies of the DCI report, since claims were made that a police officer had engaged in excessive force and that a police cover-up was at issue. The Iowa Supreme Court found that where claims of misconduct, abuse of power, police cover-up and/or leniency of discipline is alleged, the public's right to know about matters of great public concern far outweighed the DCI's concern for confidentiality, Hawk Eve, at 753-54. 9. In terms of the "open meetings law," a governmental body which gathers as a quorum to deliberate and make decisions, is a "meeting" and must be public, Chapter 21, Code of Iowa (1997). It is my conclusion that once the PCRB is established as a matter of ordinance, and the City Council appoints the 7-member Board, the PCRB will likely constitute a board which falls under the open meetings laws - even though they are only advisory. 10. Nonetheless, since the Board will be dealing mostly with confidential public employee personnel information, the Board will be able to convene into closed session under at least two scenarios: A closed meeting may be held where the Board is required to review and discuss records which are required or authorized to be kept confidential under state or federal law, Section 21.5(1)(a), Code of Iowa. This would be the case when the Board discusses the police officer's performance evaluation and personal personnel records, see above discussiota Another exception would be to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered, when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation, and that individual requests a closed session. Section 21.5(1)(i), Code of Iowa (1 997). That is, if a police officer requests a closed meeting, the Board would ordinarily go into closed session. 4 11. I would anticipate that general informational hearings or meetings held by the PCRB, to receive input and/or discuss Iowa City Police Department practices, policies and procedures, will be open to the public. However, any Board deliberations that deal with a specific police officer's performance evaluation would be in closed session -- unless the police officer prefers an open session. In any event, the important information to remember is this: processing of the citizen complaint does not alter the impact of the "employment records and open/closed meetings law" requirements. 12. Once a citizen complaint has been processed and misconduct is found by the Police Chief at Stage 9 on the flow chart, and once discipline is imposed, the police officer may appeal discipline to the Police Civil Service Commission if the discipline includes suspension, discharge or demotion, Chapter 400, Code of Iowa (1997). Under this statute, the Civil Service Commission meetings are public by state law, Section 400.26, State Code. 13. Even though Civil Service Commission hearings are public by statute, a public body must still consider the reputation of the public employee, and may be required to go into closed session -- even if the public body chooses not to. This was the case in Feller v. Scott County Civil Service Commission, 435 N.W.2d 387 (Iowa App. 1988). In the Feller case, the Civil Service Commission refused to close the hearing when the deputy asked, even though allegations of sexual misconduct had nothing to do with the deputy's job performance. The Commission proceeded to discuss Feller's appeal of his discharge in an open meeting. The Iowa Supreme Court found that the Civil Service Commission committed legal error, and should have held such discussions in a closed hearing, because the officer had properly requested a closed hearing under Section 21.5(1)(i), Code of Iowa - especially since the allegations of sexual activity had nothing whatsoever to do with the officer's job performance. 14. I have not yet resolved the question of whether all of this "public meetings" law applies to the Board's review of a police officer's competency, since the Board is advisory only. However at this point, I would err on the side of avoiding the type of problems created in the Feller case - but this is something the Board and their attorney must face, on a case-by-case basis. 5 There are other cases that I need to review, and other attorneys I need to confer with concerning these legal issues. I plan to have my "final report" in this matter completed by Friday, April 25, 1997 [assuming the PCRB does not change dramatically from the current proposal] -- so that you will have the report before the April 29, 1997 meeting. Please call if you have questions. cc: City Clerk City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney Office Attorneys Ivan Webber, Ahlers Law Firm Police Chief, R.J. Winkelhake Dan Dreckman, President, Police Union Inw\pcrb\update2.mmo ~o, I0~ CIYY CLERR From: Jo Ho{art¥ 4-R1-97 9:4Ram p, 2 of 3 Jobmort county Sally Stutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolk¢om Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 22, 1997 INFORMALMEETING "Ageiida 1. Call to order 9:00 a.m. 2. Review of the formal minutes of April 17th 3. Business from the County Engineer a) . Discussion re: resolution posting stop sign for northbound traffic at intersection of Greencastle Avenue and Blain Cemetery Road. b) Other 4. Business from the Planning and Zoning Administrator a) Discussion re: review of proposals for the Johnson County Community Builders Plan presented by Karen Countryman of Countryman Group and Chad Sands of East Central Iowa Council of Governments. b) Other 5. Business from the County Auditor a) Discussion re: resolution transferring from the General Basic Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. b) Discussion re: FY '97 audit proposals. c) Other 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 IOWA CITY CLERK From, Jo Ho~art¥ 4-Rl-~? 9,4Ram p, 3 of 3 Agenda 4-22-97 Page 2 6. Business from the Board of Supervisors a)' Discussion re: b) Reports c) Other procedure for adopting ordinances. 7. Discussion from the public 1. Discussion re: minority_employed. (Tanya Taylor) 8. Recess FORMAL MEETING TO FOLLOW To, IO{A CIY¥ CLERR F~om, Jo Ho~a~ty 4-~1-97 10,30am p. 4 of S Johnson County. Sally Slutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 22, 1997 FORMAL MEETING Agenda 1. Call to order following the inform'ill meeting. 2. Action re: claims 3. Action re: formal minutes of April 17th 4. Action re: payroll authorizations 5. Business from the County Engineer a) Action re: resolution posting stop sign for northbound traffic at intersection of Greencastle Avenue and Blain Cemetery Road. b) Other Business from the Planning and Zoning Administrator a) Action re: proposal for the Johnson County Community Builders Plan. b) Other 7. Business from the. Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator a) Discussion/action re: Application SP12 of Gateway Limited signed by Jerry Eyman for approval of a site plan review of Lots 1 and 2 of Gateway Addition. b) Other 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 Agenda 4-22-97 Page 2 10. 11. 8. Business from the County Auditor a) Action re:permits b) Action re:reports c) Action re:resolution transferring from the General Basic Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. d) Motion to authorize the Johnson County Auditor to enter into an agreement with for audit services for fiscal year 1997 for hours of work at $ e) Other 9. Business from the County Attorne~~' a) Report re: other items Business from the Board of Supervisors a) Action re: appointment of S.E.A.T.S. Director. (April 25, 1997) b) Discussion/aeon re: fireworks permit. c) Discussion/action re: recommendation of appointment to the Iowa City Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission. d) Discussion/action re: appointment to the Johnson County Board of Health. e) Other Adjourn to informal meeting a) Inquiries and reports from the public b) Reports and inquiries from the members of the Board of Supervisors c) Report from the County Attorney d) Other 12. Adjournment TIMELINE OF EVENTS SURROUNDING THE PROPOSED RESTAURANT AT 200 SCOTT CT. May 8, 1996 ... Board of Adjustment grants special exception for a 3,376 sq. foot restaurant in a CN -1 zone at 200 Scott Ct. Board discussion indicated all usable floor area was to be included in allowable sq. footage. · Application was amended on the floor to include the 176 sq. foot walk-in cooler. · A basement was not discussed. November 13, 1996... Board of Adjustment grants extension to special exception issued on May 8, 1996. February 2, '1997... Application for site plan review filed. · Submittal plans do not include building plans so a basement is not indicated. February 14, t997... Application for a building permit filed · 'Building plans include a 1,000 square foot basement. · Applicant was informed that basement area is included under the Zoning Ordinance definition of floor area. · Staff agreed to permit up to 300 sq. foot of basement area as a mechanical room and not include it usable floor area. · Staff agreed to permit up to 40 sq. foot building area increase on the ground floor to accommodate a vestibule and avoid the cost of redesign. · Building permit is currently ready to be. issued with a 300 sq. foot basement pending receipt of an energy review. NO AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS Fire Protection Scenarios and Speed of Suppression FD NOTIFIE~ OCCUPANTS N O T I F I E D DETECTIO~ IGNITION SMOKE DETECTORS SMOKE AND DETECTORS AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SUPPRESSION FD NOT~ OCCUPANTS ALERTED: DETECTION IGNITION OCCUPANTS r ALERTED DETECTION IGNITIO~~~ SMOKE DETECTORS, AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM AND SPRINKLER SYSTEM FD ON SCENE .! OCCUPANTS DETECTION IGNITION JOHNSON COUNTY AUDITOR TEL:$19-556-6086 Apr 21,97 12:00 No.006 P.01 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Sally $tutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Charles D. Duffy Jonathan lordaM Stephen P, Lncina April 21, 1997 Naomi Novick, Mayor and Iowa City Courtall Members Iowa City City Coundl 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Re: Streb Pwl~ny Annexation Dear Mayor Novick and Council Members: This letter is a follow up of a letter ~ent to you on February 13, 1997, regarding the annexation of the Streb property. As previously stated, Johnson County supports this annexalien. The County has also identified the great need for commercial and industrial development sites to accommodate economic growth in Johnson County. We do recommend that the City's Planning and Eng'm~ering departments work closely with the Johnson County S~ondary Roads Department, in order to generat~ an acceptable and workable "road maintenance agreement" for 420th Sweet SE. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Iowa City on projects that have impacts for both entities. Sincerely, Sally Smfsm~m ehai~r~n 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX 13~0 IOWA CITY, IOWA 522444350 TEL: {319) 356-6000 City of Iowa City Schedule of General Obligation Debt Outstanding Schedule PRINCIPAL INTEREST FISCAL BALANCE BALANCE YEAR JULY 1 JULY 1 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2OO4 2005 2006 2007 2008 2OO9 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 29,430,000 9,435,849 31,390,000 9,236,928 57,735,000 29,486,236 59,585,000 28,170,765 58,705,000 26,338,932 57,095,000 24,360,762 54,270,000 22,073,909 51,770,000 19,941,773 48,915,000 17,933,230 46,395,000 16,071,964 43,535,000 14,349,438 40,280,000 12,789,154 38,175,000 11,416,479 35,720,000 10,179,492 33,590,000 9,101,292 28,085,000 6,851,900 23,005,000 5,017,350 18,250,000 3,512,513 13,845,000 2,316,238 9,765,000 1,405,775 6,510,000 759,762 3,605,000 329,087 1,050,000 91,000 350,000 22,750 0 '0 0 0 TOTAL PRINCIPAL & INTEREST BALANCE JULY 1 38,865,849 40,626,928 87,221,236 87,755,765 85,043,932 81,455,762 76,343,909 71,711,773 66,848,230 62,466,964 57,884,438 53,069,154 49,591,479 45 899,492 42 691,292 34 936,900 28 022,350 21 762,513 16 161,238 11 170,775 7 269,763 3 9341088 1 141,000 372,75O 0 0 City of Iowa City Schedule of General Obligation Debt Payable each Fiscal Year and Paid by either Property Taxes or Other Funds Schedule # 2 TOTAL PAID TOTAL TOTAL PAID FOR BY PRINCIPAL & FOR BY BY ALL FISCAL INTEREST PROPERTY OTHER YEAR PRINCIPAL INTEREST PAYMENTS TAXES 'FUNDS 1997 3,240,000 1,554,774 4,794,774 1,944,028 1998 3,755,000 1,603,292 5,358,292 2,704,419 1999 5,150,000 3,933,280 9,083,280 6,523,081 2000 5,880,000 3,701,696 9,581,696 7,096,055 2001 6,110,000 3,661,047 9,771,047 7,552,407 2002 6,325,000 · 3,595,757 9,920,757 7,870,044 2003 6,000,000 3,441,040 9,441,040 7,569,229 2004 6,355,000 3,317,447 9,672,447 7,864,211 2005 6,020,000 3,170,170 9,190,170 7,799,796 2006 6,360,000 3,031,430 9,391,430 8,040,526 2007 6,755,000 2,869,188 9,624,188 8,290,626 2008 5,605,000 2,681,579 8,286,579 7,889,008 2009 5,955,000 2,545,892 8,500,892- 8,116,781 2010 5,630,000 2,387,104 8,017,104 7,627,866 2011 5,505,000 2,249,392 7,754,392 7,361,289 2012 5,080,000 1,834,550 6,914,550 6,518,883 2013 4,755,000 1,504,838 6,259,838 5,882,945 2014 4,405,000 1,196,275 5,601,275 5,223,216 2015 4,080,000 910,463 4,990,463 4,612,385 2016 3,255,000 646,013 3,901,013 3,901,013 2017 2,905,000 430,675 3,335,675 3,335,675 2018 2,555,000 238.088 2,793,088 2,793,088 2019 700,000 68,250 768,250 768,250 2020 350,000 22,750 372,750 372,750 2021 0 0 0 0 2022 0 0 0 0 Totals 112,730,000 1997 GO 1998 GO - Regular 1998 GO - Library -1999 GO 2000 GO 2001 GO 2002 GO 2OO3 GO !zoo4 eo 2005 GO ~006 GO 2007 GO 2008 GO 2009 GO 2010 GO Total ! 2,850,745 2,653,873 2,560,199 2,485,640 2,218,640 2,050,712 1,871,812 1,808,236 1,390,374 1,350,904 1,333,561 397 571 384 110 389 238 393 103 395 667 396 892 378 059 378 O77 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,200,000.00 10,100,000.00 20,000,000.00 7,000,000.00 5,000,000.00 4,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00. 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 3,500,000.00 83,300,000.00 50,594,987 f63,324,987 137,637,571 25,687,416 City of Iowa City Schedule of Outstanding Debt as a Percentage of Allowable Debt Margin Schedule # 3 FISCAL YEAR 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 Allowable Debt Margin (5% of 100% Assessed % 100% Assessed Outstanding Valuation * Change Valuation Debt at June 30 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX 4,761,034,122 3.00% 4,622,363,226 10.00% 4,202,148,387 3.00% 4,079,755,716 10.00% 3,708,868,832 3.00% 3,600,843,526 10.00% 3,273,494,115 3.00% 3,178,149,626 10.00% 2,889,226,933 3.00% 2,805,074,692 10.00% 2,550,067,902 3.00% 2,475,794,080 10.00% 2,250,721,891 3.00% 2,185,166,884 17.07% 1,866,504,330 4.55% 1,785,207,307 11.43% 1,602,123,581 3.10% 1,553,886,323 9.91% 1,413,801,924 2.58% 1,378,268,591 5.34% 1,308,460,763 * Includes Ag Land Value xx- Actual Assessed Value 238 051,706 231 118,161 210 107,419 203 987,786 185 443,442 180 042,176 163 674,706 158 907,481 144 461,347 140 253,735 127 503,395 123 789,704 112,536,095 109,258,344 93,325,217 89,260,365 80,106,179 77,694,316 70,690,096 68,913,430 65,423,038 33,590,000 35,720,000 38,175,000 40,280,000 43,535,000 46,395,000 48,915,000 51,770,000 54,270,000 57,095,000 58,705,000 59,585,000 57,735,000 31,390,000 29,430,0OO 26,580,000 20,895,000 15,930,000 14,550,000 14,985,000 15,170,000 Debt as a % of Allowable Debt Margin 14% 15% 18% 20% 23% 26% 3O% 33% 38% 41% 46% 48% 51% 29% 32% 30% 26% 21% 21% 22% 23% City of Iowa City Schedule of Debt Service Tax Levy as a Percentage of the Total Levy Schedule # 4 FISCAL YEAR Debt Service Debt Service Levy as a % of Total Levy Levy the Total Levy 2010 2009 2008 20O7 2006 2OO5 2004 2OO3 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 xx xx xx xx xx xx xx 15.717 3.138 20% 15.958 3.439 22% 15.966 3.476 22% 16.195 3.763 23% 16.199 3.795 23% 16,140 3.792 23% 16.019 3.976 25% 15,764 3.942 25% 15,965 4.263 27% 15,790 4.213 27% 15.655 4.117 26% 15.200 3.917 26% 12.796 1.615 13% 12.653 1.200 9% 12.992 1.709 13% 12.954 1.661 13% 12.889 1.496 12% 12.826 1.541 12% 12.671 2.103 17% xx- Actual Property Tax Levy 8 ~,,,,, 0 ~ ~o wO u.0 z n I,LI · . -1 o~ ~_o~ ~ 0 t.O r-- 0 o,I (D ~-- 0 0 0 0~I' (D ~ 'r-' ~ C'q 0 eO ¢0 ~D I~ ' City of Iowa City Summary of General Obligation and Revenue bonds outstanding at 6-30-97, includes a proposed $11,000,000 May 1997 Sewer Revenue Bond issue. General Obligation Bonds: Multi-Purpose & Water Computer System Multi-Purpose & Wastewater Treatment Construction Multi-Purpose & Wastewater Treatment and Water Construction3 Multi-Purpose & Wastewater Treatment Construction Refunding of two bonds with issue dates of November 1, 1985 and August 1, 1986 Multi-Purpose Capital Loan Note Multi-Purpose & Wastewater Treatment and Water Construction3 Multi-Purpose & Wastewater Treatment and Water Construction3 Water Construction Multi-Purpose Capital Loan Note Multi-Purpose Total General Obligation Bonds Date of Amount Interest Is. sue Issued Rates Feb. 1988 Dec. 1989 Dec. 1990 Sep. 1991 Jun. 1992 Oct. 1992 Jun. 1994 Apr. 1995 Mar. 1996 Jun. 1996 Mar. 1997 $1,260,000 5.4 - 6.4% 2,960,000 5.7 - 6.0 2,300,000 5.4- 6.2 2,340,000 5.3- 5.6 4,870,000 3.4- 5.5 3,450,000 4.75 - 5.2 7,370,000 4.6- 4.7 8,500,000 4.8 - 5.125 6,100,000 3.6 - 5.5 295,000 4.2 - 5.0 5,200,000 4.5 - 4.7 Outstanding June 30, 1997 $ 135,000 900,000 900,000 1,125,000 2,170,000 2,545,000 5,125,000 7,080,000 5,950,000 260,000 5,2OO,OO0 $ 31,390,000 Revenue Bonds: Refunded Parking Bonds Refunded Wastewater Treatment Bonds Refunded Parking Bonds Wastewater Treatment Bonds Wastewater Treatment Bonds Jun. 1992 Jan. 1993 Apr. 1995 Mar. 1996 May 1997 1,190,000 5.2- 5.3 37,300,000 5.8- 6.0 2,500,000 7.25 - 7.4 18,300,000 5.0 - 5.75 11,000,000 6.0 $ 730,000 35,225,OOO 2,295,000 18,300,000 11,000,000 Total Revenue Bonds $ 67,550,000 Grand Total all Bonds $ 98,940,000 DATE: 4/18/97 MEMORANDUM TO: Steve Atkins, City Manager Chief Winkelhake FROM: K. Lippold RE: Update on Case File Search This week an officer on light duty assisted with the case file review. From file #6211 to #9150 there was 8 injured animal disposals to report and 11 files where sidearms were possibly drawn. There were an additional three where sidearms were drawn. One was a report of a subject with a gun (also reported as a knife) chasing subjects downtown. The second a burglar was caught in a business after responding to an alarm. The third was a report of a male kicking kicking in a door and armed with a handgun. / '17 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 20, 1997 To: City Council From: City Manager Re: Cable 'IV- City Productions We are working on somewhat of an experiment with our CATV staff and the City's operating departments and divisions. We are going to try to put together a program once a month, for maybe a half hour in length, on the subject of the day-to-day functions and activities of City departments and their personnel. We will identify various City services, and in doing so explain procedures, policies and other general operations that affect our citizens directly. We will try to work with the more high profile services early on and we also want to put a "face" on our City employees. Again we are going to try this and we are not sure of the cost in time associated with the production. We will keep you advised. cc: Drew Shaffer Im\sa4-18.doc To, IOWA CITY CLERK From, Jo Houart¥ 4-R2-97 9,S3am p, R of R Johnson Coun~ Sally Slutsman, Chairperson Joe Bolkcom Ch0a'les D. Duffy Jonathan Jordahl Stephen P. Lacina BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 23, 1997 INFORMAL MEETING Agenda 1 Call to order 8:00 a.m. 2. Work Session re: Community Housing Needs Assessment. discussion 3. Adjourn 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE ST. P.O. BOX1350 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244-1350 TEL: (319) 356-6000 FAX: (319) 356-6086 REVISED 4/22/97 Prepared by: Linda Woito City Attorney, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240; 319-356-5030 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE CREATING A POLICE CITIZEN'S REVIEW BOARD (PCRB) TO ASSIST THE CITY IN PROCESSING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE POLICE DEPART- MENT AND ASSURING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Iowa City desires to create a police citizen's review board ("PCRB") to assure that investigations into claims of police misconduct are fair, thorough, and accurate; and WHEREAS, the PCRB is designed to assist the Police Chief and the City Manager in making well-informed decisions concerning police performance evaluations by having the PCRB review the Police Chief's investigation into citizen complaints; and WHEREAS, the combination of these two purposes will better assure the citizens of Iowa City that the Iowa City Police Department's performance, as a whole, is in keeping with community standards. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA THAT: I. Creation of a Police Citizen Review Board As permitted under Iowa's home rule authority, the City of Iowa City hereby creates a Police Citizen's Review Board, to be hereafter referred to as the "PCRB" or the "Board," subject to the duties and limited powers set forth herein. II. Intent, Goals and Guiding Principles It shall be the intent of this City Council that the Board assist the City in achieving the following goals and carrying out the following principles: The Board shall only review the conduct of sworn police officers and may only act in an administrative, civil capacity, and will have no authority to review criminal matters. The Board is not intended to be a court of law, a tort claim process or other litigation pro- cess, and shall not preclude a citizen from filing a claim or a lawsuit against the City. I$ 0 Ordinance No. Page 2 The Board shall not waive or in any way interfere with or diminish 'the legal rights of sworn police officers, including those rights protected under the union contract, Civil Service Commission, and state and federal law. The Council finds that internal accountability within the Police Department ("Depart- ment") is a valid legislative purpose, and one method of accomplishing such internal accountability is to have the police do their own investigations, but to also require the Department to investigate all complaints concerning sworn police officers. The Depart- ment shall also assist the Board in any complaints investigated by the Board or in conjunction with the Board. The City Council desires external accountability for the actions of its Police Department, and one method of assuring this external accountability is to require all citizen complaint investigations be reviewed by the Board. This process is intended to assure the public that claims of misconduct in the Department will be investigated and handled in a timely manner, and also assure that individual sworn police officers' actions of misconduct will not be tolerated by the Police Chief, the City Manager, or the City Council. In order to assure that citizens feel confident in the complaint process, it is the Council's intention that receipt of complaints be received by a neutral or non-police City staff at a neutral location, and that mediation be available to citizen and officer(s) at any time during the process. The vast majority of the complaints will be investigated by the Police Department, with review of all investigations by the Board. In those rare cases where the Board finds, upon an extraordinary vote of 6/7 and for good cause shown such as where death or serious bodily injury results from the conduct of a sworn police offic. er, the Board may exercise its limited authority to participate in the original investigation process. The Board shall have oversight authority to review police practices, procedures, and written policies, from time to time, and report same to the City Council. External accountability will further be provided by the Board's maintenance of a central registry of all complaints. The Board shall provide an annual report to the City Council, Ordinance No. Page 3 III. IV. which shall be public and shall set 'forth the general types and numbers of complaints, how they were disposed of, demographic information, and recommendations as to how the Police Department may improve its community relations or be more responsive to community needs. Definition of Complaint; Complaint Process in General A "complaint" is defined as an allegation of misconduct lodged against a sworn police officer ("police officer" or "officer") employed by the Iowa City Police Department, where the complained-of activity occurred while the officer was on duty or was acting in their capacity as a police officer. · Any person directly affected by the alleged police misconduct may file a complaint with the Iowa City PCRB, on forms provided by the Board. The person directly affected by the alleged misconduct shall hereafter be referred to as "complainant" or "citizen com- plainant." Complaint forms shall be available at neutral locations to be designated by the Board, and shall be received by neutral (non-police) staff assigned to the Board. · All complaints filed with the Board will be in writing, and a complaint may be filed by a designated representative of a citizen who is underage or who is otherwise unable to complete the complaint form. Complaint forms shall be available to the public, in easily accessible locations, and assistance may be available to complete the form -- all as designated by the Board. · The Board shall adopt procedural rules and bylaws governing receipt and processing of complaints, but it is the City Council's intent that complaints should be filed within sixty (60) days of the incident, and that only those complaints which do not involve the conduct of an Iowa City sworn police officer may be subje.ct to "summary dismissal" by the Board. Meditation · Mediation shall be the responsibility of the Board, and shall be available to all involved parties at any stage of the process, upon consent of all involved parties. Ordinance No. Page 4 If a complaint is successfully mediated, the terms of the mediation agreement shall be set forth in writing, and shall be kept confidential; but the status of settlement shall be maintained in the Board's central registry for reporting in the Board's annual report. There shall be no retaliation against police officers who choose not to mediate. Mandatory Police Department and Police Chief Duties · It shall be the mandatory duty of the Police Chief to do the following: -- Prior to investigation into any citizen complaint, the Police Chief shall give Garrity and Gardner advice to all police officers implicated in the complaint, as required by constitutional law. -- Inform citizen and police officer that mediation is available at any stage in the PCRB process. Assign the complaint to designated investigators within the Police Department, unless the Board has voted to participate in the original investigation. -- The complainant shall be interviewed by the Police Department and shall be entitled to have a neutral City staff or some other person present during the interview. The police officer is entitled to have a union steward present during any interviews during the PCRB process. Investigators will prepare and forward a report of their investigation to the Police Chief on the allegations contained in the complaint, making findings as to the following: factual circumstances and whether the complaint is "sustained" as accurate, or is "not sustained" (not factually accurate); recommended remedial action; whether any laws, practices, or policies were violated~ and whether the violation was serious enough to constitute misconduct and be subject to discipline; recommended discipline, if any; whether the officers' conduct was consistent with training; whether a police practice or policy was followed by the named officer, but the practice or policy is either flawed or failed in its application through no fault of the officer, and needs revisiting by the Police Department; and any other matters the investigators deem appropriate. Ordinance No. Page 5 -- The investigators' report shall be given to the Police Chief in a format consistent with the intent of the PCRB ordinance in plain English. If litigation relating to the matter of the complaint is commenced or is being contemplat- ed by or against any party to the complaint, the Police Department, the Police Chief and/or the Board shall consult with the City Attorney and/or the Board'sown attorney on a case-by-case basis, to determine whether and how the investigation should pro- ceed. The Police Chief shall receive the designated investigators' report within the time frame indicated by the Police Chief. The Police Chief shall conduct a review of the investiga- tors' report, and may do any of the following: conduct interviews or request the police investigators to conduct additional investigations; request additional information, or that additional questions be asked; interview or direct that other persons or witnesses be interviewed; request that other documents be reviewed and/or retrieved; and any other investigative matters the Police Chief deems appropriate. The Police Chief will consult with City Personnel staff and the City Attorney prior to finalizing the Police Chief's Report, and shall then forward the Chief's Report to the Board. The Chief's Report shall include the following: -- Detailed findings of fact concerning the complaint, including the disciplinary records of the subject officer if relevant, and demographics of the persons in- volved. -- Identification of all applicable laws including state, local, and federal laws, Depart- ment policies, unwritten practices, rules and regulations, and general orders implicated by the complaint. -- Whether the officer's conduct is consistent with training and the officer's experi- ence. -- Whether the complaint is "sustained" (meaning substantiated as factually accu- rate), or "not sustained" (meaning not substantiated as factually accurate). -- Recommended remedial actions, regardless of whether the complaint is sustained. Ordinance No. Page 6 Vl. - If the complaint is "sustained" as accurate, a finding as to whether the officer's conduct constitutes "police misconduct," and the reasons for the findings stated in narrative form using plain English. These findings should relate the facts to a particular law, policy, rule, practice, or training. Recommended discipline, if any, with a clearly stated written rationale for such recommendation which can be readily reviewed by the Board. In preparing the Chief's Report for the Board, the Chief shall use a "reasonable basis" standard typically used in administrative matters; that is, the Police Chief will rely on evidence which reasonably prudent persons are accustomed to rely on for the conduct of their serious affairs. The Chief's Report shall be a confidential, personnel record at this stage of the PCRB process, as required by Iowa law concerning public employee performance evaluations, police investigation reports, and possible (but not yet imposed) discipline. The Chief's Report to the Board shall be completed within forty-five (45) days of the complaint being filed, but the Board's procedural rules and by-laws governing timelines shall address extensions for good cause shown. All investigations (whether police and/or Board or Board's representative) shall be performed in a manner designed to produce a minimum of inconvenience and embarrassment to all parties--including the citizen, the police officer, and other witnesses. Mandatory Duties of the Board: Complaint Review and General Duties Mandatory duties regarding complaint review. The following responsibilities shall be mandatory duties of the Board: Receive all citizen complaints, and either forward the complaint to the Police Chief for investigation; or where the Board finds, upon an extraordinary majority vote of 6/7 and for good cause shown such as where death or serious bodily injury occurs as a result of a sworn police officer's misconduct, the Board may participate in the police's initial Ordinance No. Page 7 investigation, ask the Department's assistance or the Board may exercise its limited authority to perform its own investigation, as set forth in Section VII herein. If requested by the City Manager or the Police Chief, the Board shall conduct an investi- gation into a complaint. The Board shall review all Police Chief Reports concerning completed investigations of all citizen and Board complaints. The Board shall decide, on a simple majority vote, the level of review to give each Police Chief Report, and may select any or all of the following reviews: - On the record (no additional investigation) -Interview/meet with citizen complainant Interview/meet with named officer(s) and other officers - Request additional investigation by police or request police assistance in Board investigation - Do own additional investigation by Board members Hire independent (external) investigator In reviewing the Chief's Report and in doing any additional investigation, the Board shall apply an administrative standard of review as contemplated in administrative law, namely the Board shall apply a "reasonable basis test". This means the Board shall give some deference to the Chief's Report because of the Chief's expertise in law enforcement, but otherwise the Board will rely on evidence which reasonably prudent persons are accustomed to rely upon in the conduct of their serious affairs. At the conclusion of the Board's review, the Board shall issue a "final recommendation and report" concerning the complaint investigation completed by the Police Chief. Because of the confidential nature of much of the information in the Board's final recommendation and report, the Board shall separate the information into two reports, as follows: Public Report: The Board Public Report shall include detailed findings of fact concerning the complaint, together with a clearly articulated finding as to whether Ordinance No. Page 8 the complaint is "sustained" as factually accurate, or whether the complaint is "not sustained". A copy of this Public Report shall be given to the citizen complainant, with written notice that the complainant has five (5) working days to request additional review by the City Manager. The Board shall also provide copies of this Public Report to the Police Chief, police officer, and City Manage. r. - Confidential Report. The Board's Confidential Report shall include: · Identification of all laws, including state and federal laws, Department policies, unwritten practices, rules and regulations and general orders implicated by the complaint. · If the complaint is sustained, whether the police officer's behavior consti- tutes misconduct, and the reasons for the findings stated in narrative form in plain English. · Whether the police officer's conduct is consistent with training and the officer's experience. · If misconduct is found, a recommendation of discipline, including the disci- plinary records of the subject officer, if relevant, and demographics of all persons involved, if relevant, with a clearly stated written rationale for both the finding of misconduct and recommended discipline. · Specific comments on whether the Board disagrees with the Chief's Report, and the reasons stated in plain English. · The Confidential Report shall be given to the City Manager, with a copy to the Police Chief and police officer. General Powers and Duties. The Board shall also carry out the following duties: Maintain a central registry of complaints, collect data and do an annual report to the City Council as to the number, nature and disposition of complaints, findings of misconduct and type of discipline. This annual report shall be in a form which protects the confidentiality of the parties, yet provides the public with information on the overall Ordinance No. Page 9 VII. performance of the Police Department. The Board's annual report shall also include recommended changes in police practices, policies or procedures, if appropriate. The Board shall report to the City Council on police practices, procedures and policies, from time to time and at City Council request, including recommended changes, if appropriate. · The Board shall adopt procedural ru~es and bylaws by which to govern their activities, and such procedural rules and by-laws shall first be approved by the City Council. · The Board shall receive training necessary to complete the duties and responsibilities imposed herein. Limited Powers of the Board; Board Composition Generally A. Limited Powers. The Board shall have the following limited powers: · On its own motion, the Board may file its own complaint and either request the Police Department to investigate, or conduct its own investigation. · At the time a complaint is filed, the Board may request police assistance or police participation in the Board's investigation of a complaint, but only where the Board finds, upon an extraordinary majority vote of the Board (6/7) that good cause is shown requiring such Board participation, such as where serious bodily injury or death results from the conduct of a sworn police officer. · In deciding the level of review to conduct on the Police Chief Report, the Board shall decide on a simple majority vote (4/7). The Board's power to review and evaluate police officer's performance is limited to an advisory. and recommendatory capacity, since iowa law permits only the Police Chief or the City Manager to impose discipline on sworn officers. The Board has no authority to force the Police Chief or the City Manager to alter their Reports or to come to a different conclusion regarding police discipline; nor can the Board direct the Police Chief or the City Manager to impose a specific discipline on a specific officer. Ordinance No. Page 10 · The Board has only limited civil/administrative review powers, and has no power or authority over criminal matters. The Board is not a court of law, and is not intended to substitute as a tort claims procedure or as litigation against the City. Board Composition Generally · The Board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council, who shall be Iowa City residents and serve without compensation. The City Council shall appoint members who represent the diversity of the community. Appoint- 'ments to the Board shall include one attorney and one law enforcement represen- tative, and the City Council reserves the right to waive the residency requirement for good cause shown. · Upon final adoption and publication of this ordinance, members shall be appointed by the City Council to staggered terms, with the terms commencing on June 1, 1997. All appointments shall be for a four (4) year term, except for the initial appointments which shall be as follows: Two (2) persons appointed for two (2)-year terms Two (2) persons appointed for three (3)-year terms Three (3) persons appointed for four (4)-year terms · Training shall be available to all Board members, especially Iowa's public records and open meetings laws. · If criminal charges are brought or are being considered against a particular police officer(s), the Police Department's and/or the Board's review or investigation may proceed with interviewing other officers, witnesses or documents collection, as appropriate. During the PCRB process, any statements given by an officer who is subject to criminal investigation cannot later be used against the officer in a criminal proceeding, as provided under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitu- tion, unless such constitutional requirement is waived - which is a matter of criminal law outside the purview of the PCRB process. Ordinance No. Page 11 VIII. · The Board may obtain outside counsel and independent investigators in order to carry out the Board's duties, and the City agrees to provide reasonable budgetary resources for such purposes. · The Board may hold general informational hearings concerning Police Department practices, procedures or written policies, and such hearings will be public if no particular police officers' performance is targeted. The Board shall then report the results of such informational hearings to the City Council, as the Board deems appropriate. · it is the Council's intent the Board complete its final reports (in both confidential and public forms) within forty-five (45) days from receipt of the Police Chief's Report, subject to the Board's own procedural rules and by-laws. Processing of Citizen Complaints; Review by City Manager · If a citizen disagrees with the Board's Public Report findings on whether the citizen's complaint is "sustained or "not sustained," the citizen may request additional review by the City Manager, in writing. This request must be given to the City Manager within five (5) working days of the Board's issuance of its Public Report to the citizen complainant. · The City Manager shall review the citizen's request for additional review, together with the Chief's Report and the Board's Public and Confidential Reports. Within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the citizen's request, the City Manager shall issue a final recommendatio~ and report in two forms: - A Public Report. The City Manager shall include a finding of whether the com- plaint is factually "sustained" as accurate or "not sustained," whether the complaint has been thoroughly investigated, and shall comment on the Board's Public Report. The City Manager's Public Report shall be forwarded to the citizen with copies to the Board, the Chief and the police officer. Confidential Report. After reviewing the Chief's Report and the Board's Reports, and in light of the citizen's request for additional review, the City Manager shall issue a Confidential Report concerning whether the investigation into the Ordinance No. Page 1 2 complaint has been thoroughly performed, and whether any findings of officer misconduct and proposed discipline are appropriate, and be forwarded to the Police Chief, the Board and to the police officer and be deemed a Final Report on both the complaint and on police officer discipline, if any. · After receipt of the City Manager's Confidential Final Report and if appropriate, the Police Chief will impose discipline if the City Manager has not already done so -- but only after offering a predetermination due process hearing to the police officer. · Every reasonable effort shall be made to complete the PCRB review process within'l 10 days or approximately 3Y2 months from the filing of the complaint. · No further request for review or appeal by the citizen is provided in this PCRB process, although nothing herein shall be construed to limit a citizen's rights of redress otherwise available under state and federal law. · After the Final Report by the City Manager and/or Police Chief and if misconduct is found and/or discipline imposed, the Police Chief, in consultation with the City Attorney's Office, may review the Confidential Reports; and after redaction or removal of any confidential portions required by Iowa law, the Police Chief and City Attorney may release those portions of the Board's report as a "public record," but. only to the extent permitted by law. IX. Police Officer's Rights Preserved · All rights enjoyed by sworn police officers employed by the City of Iowa City are pre- served in this ordinance, and nothing herein is intended to waive, diminish or interfere with any such rights under the Union Contract, Civil Service Commission, and state or federal law. SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION III. SEVERABILITY. 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