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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-07 Public hearingNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April, 1998, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at which hearing the Council will consider the following items: 1. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on a l O-acre tract located on the south side of Melrose Avenue and west of West High School from Low Density Single Family, RS-5, to planned development housing, OPDH-8, to permit and 80 dwelling unit retirement community. Copies of the proposed resolution are on file for public examination in the office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing to make their views known for Council consideration are encouraged to appear at the above-mentioned time and place. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK podadm~n~ r'c~?..~ 7 30c Prepared by: Robert Miklo, Sr. Planner, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240; 319-356-5240 ORDINANCENO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE BY CHANGING THE USE REGULATIONS OF 10 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MELROSE AVENUE WEST OF WEST HIGH SCHOOL FROM LOW DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY {RS-5}, TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT HOUSING (OPDH-8), TO PERMIT AN 80 DWELLING UNIT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. WHEREAS, the applicant, Newbury Development Company, has requested the City rezone 10 acres of land located on the south side of Melrose Avenue and west of West High School from Low Density Single Family (RS-§) to Planned Development Housing (OPDH-$); and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan indicates that this area is appropriate for residential development at a density of two to eight dwelling units per acre; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan encourages a mix of housing units in neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan encourages development of housing for elderly citizens; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed the proposed rezoning and OPDH plan and it has recommended approval of the same subject to the provision of agreements and easements for sanitary sewer. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, THAT: SECTION I. APPROVAL. The property described below is hereby reclassified from its present classification of Low Density Single Family (RS-5), to Planned Development Housing (OPDH-8), to permit an 80 dwelling unit retirement community: Ordinance No. Page 2 Commencing at the Northeast Corner of the Northwest Quarter of the Fractional Northeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 79 North, Range 6 West, of the Fifth Principal Meridian; Thence S00°10'20"E, along the East Line of said Northwest, Quarter, 50.00 feet, to a Point on the Southerly Right-of-Way Line of Melrose Avenue, and the POINT OF BEGINNING; Thence continuing S00°10'02"E, along said East Line, 762.84 feet; Thence S89°49'58"W, 325.50 feet; Thence S66°52'27"W, 177.18 feet; Thence Northwesterly, 16.00 feet, along a 402.32 foot Radius Curve, concave Southwesterly, whose 16.00 foot chord bears N24°15'56"W; Thence Northwesterly, 704.22 feet, along a 967.00 foot radius curve, concave Northeasterly, whose 688.76 foot chord bears NO4 o 32 '32"W; Thence Northeasterly, 92.73 feet, along a 314.12 foot radius curve, concave Northwesterly, whose 92.39 foot chord bears N07°51 '49"E; Thence N00°35'36"W, 35.13 feet, to a Point on the Southerly Right-of- Way Line of said Melrose Avenue; Thence N89°24'24"E, along said Southerly Right-of-Way Line, 535.09 feet, to the Point of Beginning. Said Tract of land contains 10.00 Acres more or less, and is Subject to easements and restrictions of record. SECTION II. VARIATIONS. To encourage the development of the proposed retirement community and to allow clustered development, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a multi- family building in accordance with the OPDH plan. SECTION III. ZONING MAP. Upon final passage, approval and publication of this Ordinance as provided by law, the Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to change the zoning map of the City of Iowa Ordinance No. Page 3 City, Iowa, to conform to this zoning amendment. SECTION IV. REPEALER. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION V, SEVERABILITY. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION Vl. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordi- nance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and publication, as provided by law. Passed and approved this day of ,1998. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK ~City Attoliney's O~fj~/ . ppdadmin/ord/retirernt .doc STAFF REPORT To: Planning & Zoning Commission Item: REZ98-0002. Melrose Retirement Community GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicant: Contact person: Requested action: Purpose: Location: Size: Existing land use and zoning: Surrounding land use and zoning: Comprehensive Plan: File date: 45-day limitation period: SPECIAL INFORMATION: Public Utilities: Prepared by: Robert Miklo Date: February 19, 1998 Newbury Development Co. 100 Court Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Phone: 515 243 5828 James Levy Rezoning from RS-5 to OPDH- 8. 80 units of housing for seniors South of Galway Drive, west of West High School 10 acres Undeveloped, RS-5 North- Undeveloped, P; East- West High School, P South- Undeveloped, RS-5 West- Undeveloped, RS-5 2-8 dwelling'units per acre January 24, 1998 March 15, 1998 City water service is available via a line in Melrose Avenue. Sanitary sewer service is not available at this time. An agreement to construct a Public Services: Transportation: Sensitive Areas Ordinance: connection to the Northwest trunk line is necessary. Police and fire protection will be provided by the City. Municipal refuse and recycling service will be provided for lots118-124. The Hawkeye transit route is the nearest bus service. A bus stop is located/4 mile east of this subdivision. The State Archeologist has indicated that there may be archaeological sites on this property. The Sensitive Areas Ordinance allows the State to investigate these potential sites if they wish to. There are no other sensitive areas identified. The property has gently rolling topography but not regulated slopes. The existing trees on the property will be removed. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The applicant, Newbury Development Company, has requested the rezoning of 10 acres from RS-5, Low Density Single-Family, to OPDH-8 to allow the development of an 80 unit retirement community. The property is located on the south side of Melrose Avenue west of West High School. It is lot 117 of the proposed Galway Hills Subdivision. ANALYSIS: This rezoning will be reviewed for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, compatibility with adjacent zoning and development and adequacy of infrastructure. Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan indicates a density of 2-8 dwelling units per acre in this area. The proposed 80 units on 10 acres is at the upper end of this density. The Comprehensive Plan also contains policies to encourage a mix of housing types and densities within neighborhoods and encourages the creation of housing for elderly residents. The proposed density increase to allow housing for elderly residents complies with these policies of the plan. The development itself will have two types of housing: 22 assisted living units which will include services such as housekeeping, meals and limited nursing assistance, and 58 independent apartments with optional meals. This property is located adjacent to Melrose Avenue and will have easy access to the arterial street system without requiring traffic to travel through established neighborhoods. Although the density of development will be more than double that of a typical RS-5 neighborhood, the units will generate less traffic per dwelling than a typical single-family residence. Based on Trip Generation Rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers we estimate that a conventional subdivision on this property would generate 210 -240 vehicular trips per day. A retirement community of 80 units is estimated to generate 160-240 vehicular trips per day. OPDH Plan: The plan proposes a single building near the center of the property with a service road ringing the building. The building itself will consist of five wings, including a commons in the center, two wings of apartments to the northeast and northwest, and two wings of assisted living units to the southwest and southeast. Although the proposed building is large, its design and the way it will be located on the property will help to make it appear in scale with the neighborhood. The two apartment wings on the north side of the building will be three stories tall but will step down to two stories on the north ends. The commons and assisted living wings will be one story tall. The elevation drawings indicate that the building will have a varied roof line, projecting bays and balconies and a combination of brick and siding. These elements will further help divide the mass of the building into smaller components. The placement of the building on the property will further help to lessens its perceived mass and scale. The building site is lower than the elevation of Dublin Drive and the adjacent single-family lots. At its closest point the building will set back 60 feet from Dublin Drive. In most locations the building will be located over 100 feet from Dublin Drive and Melrose Avenue. This will provide generous yards for landscaping. Sixty parking spaces will be located on the ground floor of the northeast wing. Fifty additional parking spaces in groups of § to 10 will be located off of the drive which surrounds the building. This arrangement will help minimize the amount of paved surface on the property and make it compatible with a lower density residential neighborhood. Because this building will be located in a prominent site at an entranceway to the city, the aesthetics of its design should be considered. Staff has asked for elevation sketches of the building as it will appear from Melrose Avenue and more details regarding the side of the building that will contain the entrance to the parking level. Because the portion of the building that will contain the parking will be four stories tall, care needs to be given to its design. As discussed above the design of the building contains elements that will help to define its scale. The first level of the building will have a brick veneer. The applicant has indicated that the upper floors will not include brick, but may be covered in fiber-cement siding, which appears like wood clapboard siding, and is a higher quality than vinyl siding. The elevation drawings should be labeled to indicate building materials. To provide for adequate pedestrian circulation, sidewalks should be shown between the parking areas and the building entrances, and between the building and Dublin Drive. Open Space: As discussed in the staff report for Galway hills, Part 5, a fee equivalent to .31 acres of open space is required for the overall subdivision. If the OPDH rezoning is approved an additional fee equivalent to .13 of an acre of open space will be required for lot 117 due to the increased density. Sanitary Sewer: The staff report for Galway Hills, Part 5, discusses the need to provide an agreement and easements for sanitary sewer service. This issue must be resolved prior to the rezoning of this property. Summary: Although the proposed rezoning will allow a higher density of development and one large building, rather than single-family homes allowed by the current zoning, the design of the development should help make it compatible with the Galway Hills neighborhood. Additional information about the building design as seen from Melrose Avenue should be submitted. We estimate that traffic generated from this development will be no more than the traffic that would be generated from a conventional subdivision on this property. Easements and agreements for provision of sanitary sewer service must be provided. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that this application be deferred until the following deficiencies and discrepancies are resolved. Upon resolution of these items, staff recommends the approval of a rezoning from RS-5 to OPDH-8 for 10 acres located on the south side of Melrose Avenue west of West High School to allow Melrose Retirement Community, an 80 unit housing development. DEFICIENCIES AND DISCREPANCIES: o Agreements and easements for sanitary sewer service must be provided. Sidewalks should be shown between the building and the sidewalk on Dublin Drive. Elevations of the building as seen from Melrose Avenue should be submitted. Building materials should be labeled. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location Map 2. OPDH Plan 3. Building Elevations Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director Department of Planning and Community Development CN 1 PDH 12 SITE LOCATION' Melrose Retirement Community R EZ 98-0002/S U B 98-0003 Melrose Avenue ..3 0 50' 100' ~00' ~ SCALE IN I~"I' NORTH 'Melrose Retirerrient Community Iowa Oty, Iowa gezoning Preliminary Plan January 29, 1998 eeva:~>: []~DG Crose Gardner Shukert $chutte Wilscam Birge ATTACHMENT 11 Melrose Retirement Community Application For Planned Development Preliminary Plan Applicant's Statement As To Why Zone Change Is Warranted The proposed 80-unit market rate retirement facility conforms with the 8 units per acre density proposed for the ten acre site in the City's Comprehensive Plan. There is an ever growing need for senior housing in Iowa City and the proposed location offers a balance of housing types with the existing and future single family development to the west, south and northwest. It is a means of accommodating parents and relatives of those now living in nearby subdivisions and providing a means of keeping in the neighborhood those families living there now but whose housing preferences might change in the future. Melrose is the street most closely associated with access to the University Hospital and therefore, seems to be a natural senior housing location. The proposed attractive facility offering three levels of care: independent, congregate and assisted living, should also appeal to retired alumni, faculty and staff members of the University and Hospital who might welcome the opportunity to live in a first class facility in Iowa City's exceptional cultural and vital environment rather than elsewhere. Eighty apartments including twenty units of assisted living and sixty units of independent and congregate living is a minimum size necessary to support the large common areas and comprehensive services offered. The common areas include common kitchen, two dining rooms, exercise area, activity areas, staff lounge, care station, library, living room, two elevators and 60 car underground heated garage. The proposed facility is approximately 44,000 square feet or only about 10% of the site area, which, together with the underground garage, leaves large open spaces for landscaping, trees and site beautification generally. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: February 27 (for March 5 meeting) Planning and Zoning Commission Robert Miklo, Senior Planner RE.798-0002 Melrose Retirement Community We have received a revised preliminary OPDH plan for Melrose Retirement Community. With the exception of agreements regarding the provision of sanitary sewer service, all deficiencies and discrepancies have been resolved. The revised plan includes sidewalks between Dublin Drive and the main entrance to the building and sidewalks between the parking spaces on the south side of the building and the assisted living entrance. The applicant's landscape architect has indicated that the landscape plan may include the use of wetland plants in the storm water detention basin and native prairie plant species on the southern portion of the property. However, final plans have not been completed and the applicant has not committed to the use of native prairie species or wetland plants. Staff recommends the approval of a rezoning from RS-5 to OPDH-8 for 10 acres located on the south side of Melrose Avenue to allow Melrose Retirement Community, an 80 unit housing development subject to 1) agreements and easements for the provision of sanitary sewer service and 2) substantial compliance with the OPDH plan and elevation drawings which indicate the building will have masonry trim and hardwood or cementatious board siding. Approved by: ('a~ ' , ' ' Department of Planning and Community Development '3 Melrose Avenue 7-"'- ;%'~ 7,,-,'q Porte Coche i/--7.~ Stalls _IndeF Assisted Living Front Yard etention Basin Assisted Livim ' Rear Yard led Dr~inae~wale 50' 1oo' r2oo' SCALE IN FEET NORTH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on the 24~" day of March, 1998, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at which hearing the )uncil will consider the following items: An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on a 4.46 acre tract located at 500 Foster Road from Interim Development Single-Family Residential (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas Overlay-8 (OSA-8) to permit 35 dwelling units and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan. 2. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on approximately 41 acres located between lower West Branch Road and Court Street extended, approximately 4/5~ mile west of Taft Avenue from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) for 29.1 acres and Low Density Multi-Family Residential (RM-12) for 11.9 acres. 3. An ordinance changing the zoning designation on approximately 24.12 acres from Interim Development (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas ©verlay-5 (©SA-5) and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan for property located at the east terminus of Hickory Trail. 4. An ordinance approving the preliminary OPDH pan for Walnut Ridge, Parts 6 and 7, a 66.68 acre, 20-lot residential subdivision located at the north terminus of Kennedy Parkway. Copies of the proposed ordinances are on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing to make their views known for Council consideration are encouraged to appear at the above-mentioned time and place. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK ppdadmin\3-2-.' n ph.doc NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on the 24~ day of March, 1998, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at which hearing the Council will consider the following items: 1. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on a 4.46 acre tract located at 500 Foster Road from Interim Development Single-Family Residential (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas Overlay-8 (OSA-8) to permit 35 dwelling units and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on approximately 41 acres located between lower West Branch Road and Court Street extended, approximately 4/5~ mile west of Taft Avenue from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) for 29.1 acres and Low Density Multi-Family Residential (RM-12) for 11.9 acres. 3. An ordinance changing the zoning designation on approximately 24.12 acres from Interim Development (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas Overlay-5 (OSA-5) and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan for property located at th~ east terminus of Hickory Trail. 4. An ordinance approving the preliminary OPDH pan for Walnut Ridge, Parts 6 and 7, a 66.68 acre, 20-lot residential subdivision located at the nor-~ terminus of Kennedy Parkway. Copies of the proposed ordinances are on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing to make their views known for Council consideration are encouraged to appear at the above-mentioned time and place. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK ppdadmin',3-2-' r ph.doc NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public headrig will be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on the 24= day of March, 1998, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at which hearing the Council will consider the following items: 1. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on a 4.46 acre tract located at 500 Foster Road from Interim Development Single-Family Residential (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas OveHay-8 (OSA-8) to permit 35 dwelling units and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan. 2. An ordinance conditionally changing the zoning designation on approximately 41 acres located between lower West Branch Road and Court Street extended, approximately 4/5~ mile west of Taft Avenue from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) for 29.1 acres and Low Density Multi-Family Residential (RM-12) for 11.9 acres. An ordinance changing the zoning designation on approximately 24.12 acres from Interim Development (IDRS) to Sensitive Areas Overlay-5 (OSA-5) and approving a preliminary Sensitive Areas Development Plan for property located at the east terminus of Hickory Trail. 4. An ordinance approving the preliminary OPDH pan for Walnut Ridge, Pads 6 and 7, a 66.68 acre, 20-1or residential subdivision located at the north terminus of Kennedy Parkway. Copies of the proposed ordinances are on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing to make their views known for Council consideratio~ are encouraged to appear at the above-ment~ned time and place. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK ppdadmin\3-24;- ph.doc NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the City Council of Iowa City will hold a public hearing on the 7th day of April, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Iowa City, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, regarding the intent to vacate the northerly twenty feet of the former Benton Street right- of-way between Riverside Drive and the Iowa River and which is adjacent to Linder Tire Service, with the City retaining all utility easements. Persons interested in expressing their views concerning this matter, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR SOUTHGATE AVENUE AND WATERFRONT DRIVE PAVING IMPROVEMENT AND WEST PEPPERWOOD RELIEF SEWER PROJECT IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA TO ALL TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, AND TO OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, will conduct a public headrig on plans, specifications, form of contract acd estimated cost for the construction of the SouthGate Avenue and Waterfront Drive Paving lm.~rovement and West Pepperwood Relief Sewer Project in said City at 7:00 p.m. on the 7'h day cf April, 1998, said meeting to be held in the Cour',cil Chambers in the Civic Center in said City. Said plans. specifications, form of contract and estimated cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk in the Civic Center in Iowa City, Iowa, and may be inspected by any interested persons. Any interested persons may appear at said meeting cf the City Council for the purpose of making objections to and comments concerning said plans. specifications, contract or the cost of making sa:,c improvement. This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City cf Iowa City, Iowa and as provided by law. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK PH-1 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR IOWA RIVER CORRIDOR TRAIL PROJECT - BURLINGTON STREET TO NAPOLEON PARK IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA TO ALL TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, AND TO OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, will conduct a public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the construction of the Southgate Avenue and Waterfront Drive Paving Improvement and West Pepperwood Relief Sewer Project in said City at 7:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April, 1998, said meeting to be held in the Council Chambers in the Civic Center in said City. Said plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk in the Civic Center in Iowa City, Iowa, and may be inspected by any interested persons. Any interested persons may appear at said meeting of the City Council for the purpose of making objections to and comments concerning said plans, specifications, contract or the cost of making said improvement. This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa and as provided by law. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK clerk\irtcnph.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 6, 1998 To~ From: Re: Steve Atkins and City Council Jeff McClure '~ Iowa River Corridor Project - Burlington Street to Napoleon Park Compliance with Sensitive Areas Ordinance The above proposed project has been evaluated with respect to the Sensitive Areas Ordinance and an evaluation of each section of the ordinance is outlined below. This project includes the construction of a bike and pedestrian trail along the West side of the Iowa River from Burlington Street to Benton Street and the East side of the river from Benton Street to Napoleon Park. This trail project qualifies as a use permitted within protected sensitive areas and buffers as stated in City Code Section 14-6K-i.E. 1. This section reads: Parkland, private open space, and trails that provide opportunities for environmental interpretation and are designed to incorporate features that protect areas of wildlife habitat, water quality and the natural amenities in protected sensitive areas and buffers. Wetlands - No impact to actual wetland located on Metro Pavers property. The trail will be located within the buffer. Floodway - The trail is located immediately adjacent to the Iowa River floodway and is within the buffer. Slopes - The trail is located within and along steep, critical and protected slope areas and their buffers. Retaining walls are being constructed along areas where the trail is located on the slopes. These walls provide better slope stability and erosion control than the existing scrub vegetation and miscellaneous dumped debris. Woodland - The trail is located within woodlands along the East side of the Iowa River on Metro Paving, Southgate Development and Napoleon Park properties. Trail alignment was developed to require minimum tree removal. Fully Hydric Soils - No impact. Prairie Remnants - No impact. Archaeological Sites - No impact. c:\msoffice\winword\projects\irctrail\memo\atkinsX04 06 98.doc NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE COURT STREET EXTENDED, PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA TO ALL TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, AND TO OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, will con- duct a public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the con- struction of the Court Street Extended, Phase 1 Improvements Project in said City at 7:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April, 1998, said meeting to be held in the Council Chambers in the Civic Center in said City. Said plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk in the Civic Center in Iowa City, Iowa, and may be inspected by any interested persons. Any interested persons may appear at said meeting of the City Council for the purpose of making objections to and comments concerning said plans. specifications, contract or the cost of making said improvement. This nctJce is given by order of the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa and as provided by law. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK April 4, 1998 Iowa City, City Council Civic Center Iowa City,, IA 52240 Dear Members of the Council: We, the undersigned, all live along a short section of Court Sfreet which is bounded by Scott Boulevard on the West and Elmira Street on the East. A map of this area, with our section of Court Street highlighted in orange, is enclosed. Our subdivision is legally described as Scott Boulevard East, Part One. On or about April I we, and other residents of our neighborhood, received letters from Mr. Rob Winstead of the City Engineering Office. These letters infbrrned us of a City project to change the elevation of this small section of Court Street passing next to our properties. The project's objective is to correct a line of sight error made over seven years ago when our subdivision was originally developed. A copy of Mr. Winstead's letter is enclosed for your reference. As explained in the last paragraph of Mr. Winstead's letter, the City, Engineering Office may be planning to correct this line of sight problem by removing some Court Street pavement and underlying earth so as to lower the crest of the current hill and thereby improve traffic visibility and safety. This is being done as part of the larger plan to extend Court Street further east so that it can serve as an access street for the Windsor Ridge subdivision and other future developments. We were taken completely by surprise by the Engineering Office's information. There seems to be a puzzling urgency to begin this project without giving us and other members of our neighborhood adequate time to assess the potential adverse impacts on our properties. For example, we foresee such problems as steeper driveways, damage to our trees and lawns, and faster vehicle traffic. Therefbre, we request that we be given the opportunity, to examine the project plan as soon as it is completed and then suggest alternative project desigms that would be less expensive and less damaging to our neighborhood. It may be that something as simple as a three-wav stop sign or lower posted speed limits can solve the problem for a small fraction of the cost ofteanng up the pavement. However, until we see the plans we cannot offer constructive alternatives. Furthermore, we fear there will not be adequate time for vou to consider these alternatives when they are offered. Finally, we feel compelled to point out to the Council that none of us were informed of this line of sight problem when we built our homes over the past seven year period. We met all construction codes, covenants, and other requirements then existing and had every reason to expect that we would not have our properties seriously impacted by a major street elevation change directly in front of our homes. Surely this line of sight problem should have been known by the City before we built our homes. Why were we not informed of this issue before we purchased our lots and undertook construction? Given the serious nature of this situation, we respectfully request that the Council defer action on this project for at least sixty days so that we may have time to study the project plan, assess the neighborhood impact, and then offer possible alternatives for your examination. Sincerely, Rick and Donita Langholdt 406 Elmira Street Phone 354:2570 ' Ted Rittenmeyer and Priscilla Wright 3621 East Court Street Phone 337-7593 Bob and Barbara Roelf 403 Elmira Street Phone 337-7988 Tim Smith 3642 East Court Street Phone 337-5281 March 31, 1998 Robert and Barbara RoeIf 403 Elmira Street Iowa City, IA 52245 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Re: Court Street Extension - Project Update Dear Mr. and Mrs. RoeIf: As discussed on the phone yesterday, a public hearing for this project is scheduled for the evening of April 7, 1998 in the City Council chambers. The design.issue of.sight distance at the Elmira Street / Court Street intersection is still being evaluated. As. you are aware, this existing intersection does not provide vehicles on Elmira Street adequate visibility onto Court Street in order to enter the flow of traffic. Until now, this has not been a problem since Court Street does not extend beyond Elmira Street. Since a solution to the sight distance issue is still being finalized, City staff will recommend to Council that the public hearing be continued to a later date, most likely April 28. We will also recommend that Council defer action on approving the project until the April 28 meeting. You are welcome to attend both meetings to provide comments on the project to the City Council. If possible, it would be helpful if you could provide your comments at the April 7 meeting, sooner rather than later. Unfortunately the most likely solution to the sight distance problem is removal and replacement of some existing Court Street pavement. The crest of the hill needs to be lowered. As discussed, we will likely need a temporary construction easement from you to complete this work. Once the designers, MMS Consultants of Iowa City, have figured out the details, we will contact you and discuss the specifics. Construction is still anticipated for this summer pending resolution of all issues. If you have any questions, please contact me at 356-5145. Thanks. Sincerely, Rob Winstead City Engineering Office cc.' Dennis Mitchell, City Attorney's Office 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 i (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 PROPOSED COURT STREET EXTENSION I I I I I I I ! I I i I NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April, 1998, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at which hearing the Council will consider: 1. A resolution of intent to convey 1417 Pine Street, also described as Lot 4§, Block 3, Second Highland Development Addition, to the tenant and setting a public hearing for April 7, 1998. Copies of the proposed resolution are on file for public examination in the office of the City Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing to make their views known for Council consideration are encouraged to appear at the above-mentioned time and place. MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK hisadm/nph-pme.0oc