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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-29 Correspondence Johnson County Council of Governments T410 E. Woshingtongt. Iowo City Iowo 52240 July 17, 1997 Naomi d. Novick, Mayor City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: Waste Tire Collection Program Dear Mayor Novick: At the July 9, 1997 meeting of the JCCOG Urbanized Area Policy Board, Brad Neumann, JCCOG Solid Waste Management Planner, updated the Board on the Johnson County waste tire collection program which operated between April 12 and June 14, 1997. The Iowa City Landfill collected 19,188 waste tires during this period, which cost $59,755 to dispose of. A portion of the expense for waste tire disposal was covered by a $30,000 grant the Johnson County Board of Supervisors received from Iowa DNR for the program. Brad informed us that the Iowa City Landfill covered the additional expense for disposal of the waste tires. In behalf of the Johnson County communities represented by JCCOG, I would like to thank you for the additional landfill funding for waste tire disposal. We are currently working with JCCOG to set up the FY98 waste tire collection program, and look forward to the Landfill's continued cooperation. Once again, thank you for your efforts. Sincerely, Steve Lacina, Chairperson JCCOG Urbanized Area Policy Board cc: Brad Neumann jccogadm\letters\s17-112.doc Our continued success depends on people like you. Thank you for your help. ~ JLIL ~. 1997 Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 12:08:07 -0500 From: John Nesbitt <john-nesbitt@UIOWA.EDU> Reply-To: jcnews@yosemite.leepfrog.com To: Rusty Martin <jcnews@yosemite.leepfrog.com> Subject: JCNEWS: FireWorkSafety: Alton, IL, Tragedy, 3.JUL.97: 3 Killed in Memorandum To: City Councilors, City of Iowa City cc: IC Fire Chief, IC Fire Marshal Councilors: City of Coralville, City of University Heights Supervisors: Johnson County From: John Nesbitt Re: FireWorkSafety: Fireworks Kill 3 in Alton, IL, Injure 1, 1 Escapes 1. ARTICLE: I am sharing this article to further alert and inform the Iowa City City Council of the tragedies, by one example, that result from public fireworks displays. 2. THE PERMIT. The issuance of a Permit/Authorization is no assurance that there won't be accidents including fatal accidents. I think it was 1994 when 5% of fireworks injuries treated in hospitals were the result of Public Displays such as the IC 4th of July Displays. As the City Council is aware, its runs that risk with Public Displays at any time of the year. 3. CRISIS MANAGEMENT. The Alton City Government may provide some ideas on "Crisis Management for Public Display Fireworks Fatalities" in that the Alton Mayor had a "action plan" in place within three days including a Trust Fund for the Families of Victims. 4. GGG-GROUPIES OF ALTON. IC City Councilors might note that the "Alton Go-Go-Grow-Group" committed themselves to continuing the Alton Public Display almost before the bodies were all found. That's enthusiasm. Personally and professionally, I question the values and the judgement of the "Go-Go-Grow-Groupies." Profit at any cost is not a principle to be embraced by a city government. 5. INVESTIGATIONS. As IC City Councilors are aware any city that experiences a tragedy such as the Alton Fireworks Deaths is in for a number of investigations, suits, visits, public exposures, exposes, etc. That is all part of "Fireworks Tragedy Crisis Management"; but, the complications are multiplied for a city government because of any city's fundamental responsibility for pubic safety and welfare. As IC City Councilors know, any shortcomings in safety and security policies and practices in fireworks victimization will come to public attention because of the citizen, insurance, legal, media, etc., attention that is stimulated. I was informed that the Fire Chief was on two-weeks vacation shortly after the tragedy which I would assume would place more pressure on the Alton Mayor or might serve to limit information going to the public. 6. IC-City Council WISDOM: You will recall that in 1996 one of the suggestions, carried by the Iowa City Press Citizen as I recall, was that Iowa City hold its 4th of July Public Fireworks Display on the Iowa River rather than either at the Airport or City Park. a. The pyrotechnic company rejected the proposal because of the dangers and difficulties. b. I opposed the idea because of: Fi i. dangers to shooters, to the public, to property, etc., and, ii. enormous costs that would be required, buy or rent barges, buy or rent tugboats, haul sand to-before and away-after, building a pier, etc. c. Fortunately, Iowa City Councilors did not choose the Iowa River. 7. DIFFICULTIES IN ALTON: The fireworks death of three people is horrible. The fact that the deaths occurred under the AEGIS OF THE CITY is consternating. The Alton city government is confronted with a series of difficult problems re safety, family grief, city population grief, etc. Also, there are professional problems including: a. Issuance of the Permit. There will be questions re: i. Criteria for the site ~(degree of danger), ii. Criteria for the shooter company selection (competence, legal record, performance over its entire history, i.e., other 'events'). iii. Criteria for the fireworks used (American made or Chinese made; up to 20% of fireworks coming in from China are found faulty when inspected), iv. Competence of all parties in relation to all decision-making, etc. b. Coordination of Fact Finding, Investigations, Suits: i. The following may/will be interested in the tragedy: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, U.S. Customs, U.S. Coast Guard as well as an array of state agencies, e.g., Explosives, Fire Marshal, etc. c. Potential Suites: Those who might be interested in exploring this include the Injured, the Families, the City against those responsible, etc. 8. IF OR WHEN. I hope that this memorandum and article are of some use to the IC City Councilors in considering some of the ramifications of Class B Public Fireworks Displays, now and in the future. My personal and professional methods, first learned and exercised 50 years ago, in serving the public with regard to matters such as fireworks victimization, drowning, fraternity death, youth death, etc., is to base preparation not on "if" it will happen but "when" it happens. In the matter of fireworks the facts dictate that fireworks victimization including tragedies will happen. The only FOR SURE unknown is when. The factors that shorten the time to "when it happens" are: *--faulty or high risk procedures (fireworks to large for space, too few operators, too many fireworks, uncontrolled crowd, i.e., "people shooting bottle rockets into the shooter area," "drunks throwing lighted fireworks at the shooters," etc.), *--faulty or high risk equipment (equipment that is old, ill-suited, etc.), *--faulty or high risk fireworks (faults in design/performance, explosive ingredients, chemical/other ingredients; for example, 20% of the fireworks imported from China are faulty, American Fireworks Standards Laboratory, 1997), *--human factors such as shooter stress, shooter excitement, shooter fear, shooter fatigue, shooter boredom, shooter confusion, shooter illness, shooter psycho-social problems, etc. *--incompetence, substandard competence, diminished competence: i. lack of training, ii. lack of supervised experience, iii. lack of certification by written and performance examination, iv. lack of CURRENT written and performance competency certification, *--level of criticality of the fireworks (low force to high force, short fuse-time to long-fuse time, timing, fuse-burn, etc. *--frequency rate, in a given time a few explosions versus many explosions; in a given time frame, a few 'activities' versus many 'activities,' Many of these points relate to the "worse case" scenario. However, with its new insight, the City of Alton, Illinois, is now exploring the 'worse case scenario' for the future. But, this is after the tragedy, isn't it. See article. I have always believed that WHEN the drowning, the accident, OR the 'tragic event' happens I want to know that "I took all, and maybe more than all, appropriate, citizen, professional, necessary precautions." I believe that the only real strength that I or anyone has in facing parents, spouses, parents, friends, and community is drawn from the fact that I did everything possible in advance. I do not believe in chance, fate, luck, magic, or wishing. P.S. By the way, the area is hosting the Pyrotechnic Guild International's conference which will include a "demonstration competition." We will be having one of the best public displays of fireworks in the USA in the year 1997 -- right here in our locality. Personally, I would not miss it for anything. It will be great. Of course, I will be watching from about the same distance as the "1996 Shooters to Airport Audience" distance. I urge IC City Councilors to exercise the same caution if the attend. USA Prevent Fireworks Victimization Campaign BULLETIN. AIMS: 1. Advocate Prevention/Protection. 2. Promote Public Displays. 3. Encourage Non-Injury Alternatives. 4. Support Protect/Prevent Activities. SERVICES: 1. Information-Referral from/on/to 50 Nonprofit Organizations. 2. Provide education, research, publishing: 5 Mongraphs & BULLETIN. SPONSOR: Safe Play-Recreation Program of Special Recreation Inc for disABLED, non-profit, advocating recreation people w/ disabilities, est. 1978. CONTACT: SRI-Pres, Prof 'John Nesbitt, Ed.D, E-MAIL <john-nesbitt@uiowa.edu>. http://www.panda.uiowa.edu AND http://www.quikpage.com/J/johnnesbitt GREGORY KOVACINY Advocacy Chair Bicyclists of Iowa City, Inc. (BIC) 521 Clark Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-5617 voice: h.319-338-0655 w.319-356-5206 League of American Bicyclists Certified Effective Cycling Instructor #531 July 16, 1997 Mayor Naomi Novick City of Iowa City Civic Center 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Novick and Members of the City Council of Iowa City, As I prepare for riding RAGBRAI 25, which will be my 22nd consecutive RAGBRAI, I wanted to take a moment to extend my thanks. This letters offers thanks on behalf of both myself m~d Bicyclists of Iowa City for Council's approval m~d implementation of "Share the Road" signs throughout Iowa City. These signs began appearing this spring like new flowers-a surprise I expected, but one that brings a smile tu~d great pleasure nonetheless. BIC greatly appreciates that Council ilnplemented these signs on roadways suggested by the JCCOG Regional Trails and Bicycling Co~mnittee, and approved by the Urbanized Area Policy Board, and is the first cmmnunity in Jolmson County to do so. I have had very positive feedback from numerous cyclists (all of whom are also motorists), and my unscientific but reasonably objective observation is that the "Share the Road" signs are indeed making a positive impression on motorists and bicyclists alike, and affecting behavior positively. On my own daily bicycle commutes along a number of signed roadways, I find cars seem to be taking greater care in giving me room, m~d they often seem to more easily sense my road position is the correct one when I need to take a full lane in preparation for a left turn. Motorists appear to be less impatient and more courteous. I signal my appreciation of this fact with a wave to motorists regulm'ly. I believe the "Share the Road" signs are doing a good job of raising awareness of motorists, and I hope bicyclists as well. I'd be interested in seeing a study done at some point to try to quantify the efficacy of these signs on motorist and cyclist behavior and on accident rates. Thank You for taking this important step towards making Iowa City more "bicycle friendly." Your colmrfitment to this goal is clear through roadway enhancements such as "Share the Road" signs. Yours truly, { AGue gov cO ~lYc~y~ clists of Ionia/City, Inc. League of American Bicyclists Certified Effective Cycling Instructor #531 cc: Todd Black, BIC President; John Yapp; Jeff Davidson 826 Walnut Street Iowa City IA 52240 July 15, 1997 Naomi Novick 306 Mullin Iowa City IA 52246 Dear Mayor Novick: I am writing to request that you consider making our public access television channel, our government television channel, and the library television channel available to viewers in our area who do not subscribe to cable television. I purchased an antenna and cancelled my subscription to TCI within the last year because I was unhappy about continual rate increases and lack of channels that I found worthwhile. Then I became aware that I could no longer view local public television channels. Not being able to view these channels at no charge is frustrating to me and seems inconsistent with the concept of "public" access if you have to pay to view them. I recently called the city's cable television office to ask about availability of these channels and was informed that these channels were not on the standard broadcast channels. As I understand it, the cable company (TCI) gives franchise money to the local access people who then broadcast through the cable service. This approach seems to me to require that citizens must pay twice for this access, once through our taxes, and then again through a subscription to a commercial entity. I asked if others called to ask about how this operation was handled and was told that many people called but that the city council makes the decision to award the franchise and how the local access stations are funded. What are your thoughts on this issue? Is there a way that these channels could be made available to viewers without them having to pay for the commercial cable service? Thank you for your consideration of this issue. Sincerely, Jean Blair cc: all city council members and Drew Shaffer July 24, 1997 Ms. Jean Blair 826 Walnut Street Iowa City, IA 52240 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Dear Ms. Blair: Thank you for your letter about our local cable television channels and your desire to see locally-produced programs. I am sure that you are not the only one who would like to watch government meetings and other local programming without the need to subscribe to the entire basic cable TV package. However, this is not possible at the present time. These channels are transmitted only via cable and received only by cable TV subscribers. Local channels did not exist before our first cable TV franchise agreement, and support for local channels has been included in our subsequent franchise agreements. The cost of producing and transmitting these local programs is paid for by local cable TV subscribers. They are the local sponsors in a manner similar to the corporate sponsors who advertise on the channels which are broadcast and received via air. The City receives a franchise fee from TCl, which we use to support the local government channels. This fee is collected by TCl from local cable subscribers, there is no local tax money invested in these channels. If you have a VCR, you may be able to see some local cable programs by borrowing a tape from the Iowa City Public Library. Not all programs are available on tape, but they may have some of those that interest you. This is the only alternative for someone who is not a current cable subscriber. Sincerely, Naomi J. Novick Mayor cc: City Council Drew Shaffer jw/Itdnn-cable.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA :52240-1826 · (319) 3:56-~i000 · FAX (319) 3:56-:5009 To: From: Date: Re: Members of the City Council Ellen Widiss 316 Kimball Road July 24, 1997 Proposed sidewalk on east side of Dubuque Street from Road bridg~ First, I wish to express my appreciation for your collective response to the concerns that have been raised regarding the difficulty of crossing Dubuque Street safely, on foot, at or near the Kimball Road intersection. Over the past few weeks I have talked with a number of people in the Whiting/ Oaklawn/Buresh area and found them as enthusiastic about the proposal as the Kimball Road residents are. I am therefore submitting a copy of the original petition from last July with a page of additional signatures from people who walk or jog on Kimball but do not live on it. There has obviously been no exhaustive effort to collect the maximum number of signatures, -- just a sampling of the citizens who say they personally would benefit by the proposed sidewalk, but who did not have a chance to sign the petition last year, when it was circulated only on Kimball Road. Even though those of us who have been involved in this effort from the start were well aware that Kimball Road residents were far from the only people affected by the situation at the foot of Kimball, there was no attempt made until the dialogue was reopened this summer to involve anyone beyond Kimball Road itself in the request to the City Council. I have been surprised at the number of people I have now met or heard about who live further away - sometimes substantially further away -- but who use Kimball either to walk to and from work, or for exercise. Invariably, when I have explained the sidewalk proposal to people walking or jogging past my house ( one of whom lived as far away as Burlington Street!) they have eagerly signed the petition. One jogger commented that an additional advantage of having a safe way to cross Dubuque near the foot of Kimball would be to cut down pedestrian traffic on the final block of Gilbert Street, with the dangerous narrow and blind spot at the top of the hill on that street, since Gilbert is used by joggers in the area who wish to avoid dealing with crossing Dubuque Street There were also several people in the Whiting/Oaklawn/Buresh area who said they now .go substantially out of their way to avoid using Kimball because of the danger of crossnag Dubuque, but who would very much like to be able to use, safely, the more direct Kimball Road route. Again, my very sincere thanks for your consideration of this matter. June i0, i997 City of iowa City City Council Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. iowa City, iA 52245 CITY NA tlIGER'$ OFFICE Dear Council Iviember: i have recently learned that you are taking into consideration the addition of a sidewalk on the east side DubuQue Street from Kimball Road to the intersection of Park Road and Dubuque Street. i have often wished for a safe and easy way to cross Dubuque Street. Those of us who wall(, run or bike to City Park, Hancher or University activities from this area of town find crossin.q Dubuque Street sometimes quite chailen.qin.q. i have a voun.q teena.qer who would like to walk to the pool in the summer but because i personally know how precarious crossinn Dubuque Street can be, i prefer to not let her do this, i know of other children who do walk or ride their bikes across Dubuque and I have concern for their safety. i would appreciate a waikwav and light to help make travelinn by foot more accessible and safe. i encouraqe you to constuct this sidewalk and add a walk ii.~ht for pedestrians. Repectfuiiv, 14B40~ki~wn Ave Barbara Smith. 300 Kimball Road.Iow'~'City IA. JUl. ?997 52245.319-354-2126 Iowa City Council Member Civic Center Dear Council Members: I am writing to express my strong support of the proposed sidewalk from the Kimball Road intersection with Dubuque Street to the Park Street intersection, and for a walk light at the Park Street intersection as well. Jon Previant and I run or walk in city park almost every day from I~imball, and I sometimes walk to work at University Hospital that way as well. The heavy traffic on Dubuque Street, and the increased traffic coming out from and speeding into Kilnball makes the crossing an extremely dangerous one. Today, at th~ off time of 3 pm, there was traffic coming from four directions to attend to. I am concerned about our safety. I am also concerned about my fourteen year old, who makes that erossing regularly too. When my 84 year old father was visiting, he insisted on walking himself to the park as well, and there was no way to tell him how to do that safely. Despite the lovely wooded nature of our neighborhood, we are very much in the city and dealing with city traffic. The protection of a sidewalk and walking light has become a necessity here. We support this proposal and encourage you to implement it as soon as possible. Sincerely, Barbara Smith City Council 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Dear Council Members, 1438 Oaklawn Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52245 July 22, 1997 JUL 2 3 1997 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE I am writing in support of a proposed sidewalk along Dubuque Street from Kimball Road south to the Park Avenue Bridge. I frequently walk a route that takes me down Kimball, across Dubuque St. and up Park Road. On many occasions it has been difficult and potentially dangerous to cross Dubuque St. A combination of having to cross four lanes of traffic, no crosswalk, no cross light and drivers accelerating as they head north on Dubuque Street create an undesirable situation. City Park is within walking and biking distance for many children and adults who live on the north side, yet it remains difficult to access because of the crossing problem at the bottom of Kimball Road. It has come to my attention that homeowners on Bella Vista Place have some concerns about the proposed sidewalk. I can understand their concerns about cutting down trees and bushes along Dubuque St. I also feel it would be a shame to remove the beautiful screen of trees, and sincerely hope that the City will remove as little vegetation as possible in the construction of the proposed sidewalk. However, we do not need a wide sidewalk such as what already exists on the west side of Dubuque St. We just need a simple minimal width sidewalk that will allow us to cross safely to the west side once we reach the Park Road intersection. A painted crosswalk at the traffic light at Park Road and a walk light would also improve the safety of the area by alerting drivers to crossing pedestrians. Please consider both the safety of Iowa City residents as well as a minimal impact on the Bella Vista Place homeowners. Thank you for your time and effort to be proactive on this safety issue. Sincerely, Jill McKay City of Iowa City City Council Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Council Members: Iowa Citians and visitors walking down the Kimball Road sidewalk face a dilema when they arrive at busy, four-lane Dubuque Street. They may choose to risk running across Dubuque Street (many of all ages do) or they can trek on the muddy trail on the east side of Dubuque and at the Park Road intersection find that there is no "Walk" signal which would allow them to cross. The lack of a safe walking access to the west side of Dubuque Street and Park Road cuts off pedestrians of this part of Iowa City from City Park, Hancher Theater, and other University of Iowa facilities. We respectfully ask you to fund the construction of a sidewalk on the east side of Dubuque from the Kimball Road-Dubuque Street intersection to the Park Road-Dubuque Street intersection. A "Walk" light at that intersection would also need to be installed. Rick Foss, City Engineer, has indicated that the above mentioned sidewalk addition could be made part of the upcoming sidewalk widening project on the west side of Dubuque Street. We feel that this is a great opportunity in terms o{'timing and logistics to construct the sidewalk on the east side of Dubuque Street. It is also a great opportunity for the City Council to enhance the safety of Iowa Citians and others who walk in this area. NAME DATE ADDRESS -2- (Continuation of co-signers to letter requesting City Council funding for east side of Dubuque St. sidewalk from Kimball Rd. to Park Rd.) NAME DATE 7/z z/q ~, ADDRESS B-o 1-~1 K,',.,.d,,,-t ] '~4 . (Continuation of co-signers to letter requesting City Council funding for east side of Dubuque St. sidewalk front Kimball Rd. to Park Rd.) DATE ADDRESS City of Iowa City Date: To: From: Re: July 15, 1997 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Designation of Two On-Street Parking Spaces to Handicapped Only on Clinton Street at Church Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after July 30, 1997. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3(A)14 of the City Code, signage will be installed indicating "Handicapped Parking Only" for two spaces on the west side of North Clinton Street at its intersection with Church Street. Comment This action is being taken as part of an agreement with the University of Iowa to designate two on- street parking spaces as handicapped only to provide for current demand. Those spaces have been reconstructed to meet ADA standards. jw/mem/dr-clint.doc July 10, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - II~TAKE WORKER We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Intake Worker. Denise Kinnison Hired: 7/9/97 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COF~M~SSION J' ~ /i Chair ATTEST: Marian Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST *WA~HINOTON STREET ~, IOWA Ct'iY, IOWA $2240-1526 · (319) 3:~6-5000 · FAX (319) 356-~009 State Historical Sodety of Iowa The Historical Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs July 15, 1997 City Council Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 UL City To members of Iowa city City Council: On behalf of the State Historical Society of Iowa, I would like to invite you to a reception in honor of the many volunteers that have committed their time and efforts to furthering the work of the Society over the past year(s). As a group that is highly committed to community service, we felt that you would have an interest in being represented at this event, and recognizing other like-minded individuals. Enclosed is a flier listing the date, time and location of the reception (you will note that another good reason to attend is to have the opportunity to listen to Dr. Loren Horton's interesting lecture). Please RSVP as indicated within. Thank you in advance for your interest in what we anticipate will be a rewarding event. If you have any questions about this, please let me know. Sincerely, Shaner Magalhaes Acting Bureau Chief ~402 Iowa Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1806 (319) 335-3916 [] 600 E. Locust Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0290 (515) 281-6412 [] Montauk Box 372 Clermont, Iowa 52135-0372 (319) 423-7173 . ',,.,. ';'" ".: ;;'...:' , ,.'v .... . .. ," ,, '.',4 ,'? ~..~,..~ ' ' .'..~!~e CityCouncil CivicCenter 410 E. Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 DearCouncilMembers, We, the undersigned, have learned that the City Council is considering co~structing a ...... " " ' It ~dewalk on the east s~de of Dubuque Irom Karoball Road to ParkRoad, and ~nstallang a Walk hgt at the intersection of Park Road mad Dubuque, in order to make it possible for pede-~ians and bikers of all ages from Kimball, Oakla~vn, Buresh, Caroline, Whiting, Prarie du Chien, etc. to cross Dubuque safely. We enthusiastically suppo~ thisidea.-- - Date 7/~ Address / '4~ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 13:58:37 -0500 From: Sue Clark <sueclark@inav.net> To: council@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Subject: Trees on Rohret Rd. [The following text is in the "IS0-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] When Rohret Rd. was expanded there were many trees planted along the right-away. I have counted over 100 dead trees that need to be replaced by someone...the City or the contractor for the road construction. I have been waiting over a year for this to happen. Is it going to happen? July 26, 1997 10 South 1st Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Dear Iowa City Council member, Re: First Avenue Extension JUL 8 1997 It does not seem practical or prudent to increase vehicular traffic past The Iowa City Regina schools, Iowa City High School, Herbert Hoover Elementary School and South East Junior High School. Traffic on First Avenue is extensive right now, and will only increase with the opening of the new Hy Vee store in the near future. A more sensible solution would seem to be the extension of Scott Bvd., because there are few established commercial places and no schools on this street. We respectfully ask you to reconsider creating more traffic congestion around our Iowa City schools. Thank you. Sincerely, Irwin ~ ('~ Eliza~Inv · in July 22, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Sally Stutsman, Chair Members of the Board of Supervisors 913 South Dubuque Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Sally and Members of the Board: The City Council has reviewed a request from Donald and Henrietta Wood for a conditional use permit for a golf course on 50 acres of property near the intersection of Taft Avenue and Herbert Hoover Highway east of Iowa City. Although the Fringe Area Agreement between Johnson County and the City of Iowa City is silent on the issue of conditional use permits, the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance states that a conditional use permit requires a four-fifths majority vote of the Board of Supervisors if the proposed use is opposed by a vote of a city council whose extra territorial jurisdiction includes the subject property. At its July 17, 1997 meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended, by a vote of 6-0, that the proposed conditional use permit to allow a golf course on this property be approved. Consistent with the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance, the Council recommends that Taft Avenue north of Herbert Hoover Highway be paved by the applicant, or that a satisfactory agreement be reached between the County and the applicant regarding the maintenance of this section of Taft Avenue. Council advises that the request for a conditional use permit for a golf course on this property be approved. Thank you for the opportunity to review this application. Sincerely, Naomi J. Novick Mayor jw/Itdjy-stuts.do¢ 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · {319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: July 17, 1997 To: Planning and Zoning Commission From: John Yapp, Associate Planner Re: cz,. 9_7.0.5 Conditional Use Permit to permit a Golf Course Donald and Henrietta Wood have submitted an application for a conditional use permit for a golf course on 50 acres of property near the intersection of Taft Avenue and Herbert Hoover Highway, east of Iowa City. The 50 acres would be an expansion of the Hi Point Golf Course, and would contain 9 new holes, giving the golf course a total of 18 holes. Although the Fringe Area Agreement between Johnson County and the City of Iowa City is silent on the issue of conditional use permits, the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance states that a conditional use permit requires a 4/5 majority vote of the Board of Supervisors if the proposed use is opposed by a vote of a city council whose extraterritorial jurisdiction includes the subject property. In Johnson County, golf courses are permitted in the A1 - Rural, A2 - Resort, A3 - Flood Plain, and RS - Suburban Residential zones. This property is zoned A1, and the proposed golf course would be surrounded by agricultural uses to the north, west, and south, with the existing Hi Point Golf Course to the east. The area is within the 20-30 year growth area for Iowa City, and will likely develop residentially in the long-range future. The off-site impacts of a golf course include run-off of chemicals and errant golf balls which may hit neighboring properties. The applicant is working with the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District on plans to contain all surface water run-off, as well as a strategic erosion control plan to address soil erosion during construction of the proposed golf course. Two on-site ponds would collect all surface water run-off, and the waterways on the course have been shaped to collect most silt and sediment before it reaches the ponds. Staff believes that any concerns about run-off from the course are being addressed through the applicant's working with the Soil Conservation Service. The applicant has not completed a final layout for the golf holes, fairways, and greens, although a conceptual layout has been done. In a conversation with staff, the applicant noted that the design of the course will take into account the need to keep golf balls on-site, and out of the farmer's fields adjacent to the course. Given that this area will likely not develop residentially for many years, staff does not have great concerns with the impact of golf balls on adjacent properties. There are many examples both nationally and locally (Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville) where residential development co-exists with golf courses. Errant golf balls can be addressed through the use of trees and nets as the area develops. Finally, the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance states that all entrances to a golf course shall be on a paved primary or secondary road. The Board of Supervisors may also enter into an agreement with the developer for financial participation in the construction and/or maintenance of the public roadway. Taft Avenue currently has a crushed rock surface. Consistent with the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance, staff recommends that Taft Avenue north of Herbert Hoover Highway be paved by the Developer, or that a satisfactory agreement be reached between the developer and the County regarding the maintenance of this section of Taft Avenue, north of Herbert Hoover Highway. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Iowa City City Council forward a letter to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors recommending that the conditional use permit to allow a golf course on 50 acres of land near the intersection of Taft Avenue and Herbert Hoover Highway be approved. Consistent with the Johnson County Zoning Ordinance, staff recommends that Taft Avenue north of Herbert Hoover Highway be paved by the applicant, or that a satisfactory agreement be reached between the County and the applicant regarding the maintenance of this section of Taft Avenue. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location Map Approved by: Robert Miklo, Senior Planner Department of Planning and Community Development LOCATION MAP CZC)705 HI-POINT GOLF COURSE RM 20 PDH 5 ID -RS RS 5 i II SITE LOCATION I I I July 29, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Ms. Sally Stutsman, Chair Johnson County Board of Supervisors 913 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Sally and Members of the Board: An application has been submitted to Johnson County by James Anderson, Stephen Bender, and Thomas Bender to rezone 46.86 acres from RS-3, Suburban Residential, to RS, Suburban Residential. The property is located within Fringe Area A, on the west side of Prairie du Chien Road, approximately one quarter mile north of Newport Road. At its July 17, 1997 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended, by a vote of 6-0, that the City Council forward a comment to the County Board of Supervisors recommending that the request to rezone this property be approved. The Commission feels that the proposed rezoning is in conformance with the Fringe Area Agreement for Area A. Council agrees with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and therefore respectfully forwards a comment to the Board recommending that the request to rezone 46.86 acres from RS-3 to RS be approved. Sincerely, Naomi J. Novick Mayor jw/[ldnn-stuts.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: July 11, 1997 (For the July 17 Meeting) Planning & Zoning Commission Scott Kugler, Associate Planner CZ9726. Prairie du Chien Road Rezoning Request. Johnson County has received a request from James Anderson, Stephen Bender, and Thomas Bender to rezone approximately 46.86 acres located on the west side of Prairie du Chien Road, approximately ¼ mile north of Newport Road, from RS-3, Suburban Residential, to RS, Suburban Residential. This property was rezoned to RS-3 in 1996 after the adoption of the revised Fringe Area Agreement. The applicant has plans to develop the property as a cluster development along with additional property located to the west of this tract that is already zoned RS. Upon submittal of a concept plan to subdivide the property, however, it was determined that for the property zoned RS-3, the number of lots proposed exceeded the permitted density of one lot per three acres. Therefore, the applicant is now requesting that this area be rezoned to RS, which has a density limit of one lot per acre, to allow development of the property as planned. The Fringe Area Agreement states that rezonings to RS-3 will be permitted on a case-by- case basis within Fringe Area A, and that RS zoning will be considered if the application includes a plat showing that at least 50 percent of the property will be designated as an outlot for open space or agriculture. The concept plan submitted with this application indicates that the total property contains 109.58 acres, and that 56.08 acres of open space is being provided; 51.2 acres in outlots and 4.88 acres of unpaved right-of-way (the County counts the unpaved portions of a right-of-way as open space). Three outlots are proposed; one large outlot that meanders around and abuts every building lot within the proposed development, and two small "leftover" outlots near the entrance road to the property. It appears that the rezoning request does fall within the parameters outlined in the Fringe Area Agreement for residential development within Fringe Area A. Given that some of the property within this development is already zoned RS, the Fringe Area Agreement allows for property to be developed at RS densities provided 50 percent of the property is set aside for open space or agriculture, and conditions regarding vehicular access to this area will be improved when the County reconstructs Prairie du Chien Road, staff feels that this request is reasonable. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that a letter be forwarded to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors recommending that CZ9726, a request to rezone 46.86 acres located on the west side of Prairie du Chien Road, approximately N mile north of Newport Road, from RS-3 to RS, be approved. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location map. 2. Concept plan with attachment regarding acreage figures. Approved By: Robert Mildo, Senior Planner Department of Planning and Community Development LOCATION NAP CZ9726 WEST SIDE OF PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD. 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