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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-11 CorrespondenceMarch 14, 1995 Mayor Susan Horowtiz City oflmva City Civic Center 410 East Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Horowitz, iowa CITY AREA CHAMBER OF 325 E. Washington P.O. Box 2]58 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 ] 19-337-96]7 At the February meeting of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Board approved the following position concerning the proposed industrial park southeast of Iowa City: The Iowa CiO, Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Dh'ectors endorses the preservation of an 80 acre tract of land southeast of lowa City, east of Scott Blvd., and adjacent to Iowa City's indus#'ial park, as a potential site for industrial development. lhe endorsement is only to preserve this areaft'ore any development until a determination can be made as to the possible use of this land for indnstrial development and whether a public-prh,ate venture is Jkasible. Furthermore, the Board encourages continued cooperation among property owner~; the ,Johnson County Board of Supervisors, and area city govermnents in quickly assessbtg this area and evaluating other potential sites for fitture industrial growth and diversification of the local economy while continuing to explore economically .[kasible methods of development. I would like to emphasize that the Board does not presume that a decision to develop this land for the purposes of industrial development is well-advised at this time. However, the Board is clearly concerned about the diminished inventory of quality industrial sites in Johnson County, particularly in Iowa City. As an area Chamber representing the entire Jolmson County business community, the Board urges all area governments to carefully plan for the long term expansion needs of local industries. Sincerely, Jotm Beckord President Serving the Iowa City, Coralville, and Johnson County Area 230 Windsor Dr. Iowa City, IA 52245 Mareh27,1995 City Council Members and Steve Arkins Civic Center 410 East Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Council members and Steve Atldns: Tlfis letter regards the proposal to appropriate several acres of Hickory Hill Park for the expansion of Oakland Cemetery. We would like to add our voices to those who strongly oppose the idea. As pointed out by Parks and Recreation Commissioner Deb Liddell in the article appearing in the Press Citizen on March 8, and Mark Meyer's subsequent letter to the editor P(PC, March 25), Hickory Hill Park is a unique and naturally fragile area in a town where green space is becoming more threatened each year. Those of us who enjoy the park regularly are well aware of the detrimental changes to the ecology of the area that development surrounding the park has created. We feel it would destroy the character of the park to compromise it further. In the March 8 PC article, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bruce Maurer is reported as questioning whether there may be a part of Hickory Hill that isn't "quality land" - land that might therefore be used for the cemetery. Every area in the 193 or so acres of the park is "quality land," sanctuary for wildlife and any person that valnes what natural balance we have left in this city. For those who believe that it's the city's responsibility to maintain a cemetery business, let them look elsewhere for land, possibly not as centrally located to the heart of downtown Iowa City, and leave Hickory Hill Park intact. Sincerely, Amy and Michael Kolen cc: Terry Trueblood and Parks and Recreation Commissioners Io 3 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: March 27, 1995 To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council City Clerk From: James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer Re: Parking Prohibition on the North Side of Mayfield Road As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the City Code, this is to advise you of the following action: ACTION: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A. 10 of the City Code, the City Traffic Engineer will direct the installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the north side of Mayfield Road so as to prohibit parking at all times from its intersection with First Avenue east to its intersection with Washington Park Road, This installation will occur on or shortly after Apdl 12, 1995. COMMENT: This action is being taken upon the completion of a postcard questionnaire sent to the residents of Mayfield Road. 27 questionnaires were distributed and 24 were returned. Of the 24 returned questionnaires, 15 respondents favored the proposed prohibition and 9 were opposed to the proposed prohibition. Additionally, 11 respondents preferred that the prohibition be placed on the north side with 9 preferring the prohibition be placed on the south side and 4 respondents having no preference. The action noted above reflects the majodty of the respondents to the questionnaire. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This prohibition was originally installed in late 1989. After the original installation, members of the neighborhood came forward to the City Council complaining about the prohibition and its impact upon the neighborhood. At the direction of the City Council, an agreement was reached with the Iowa City Community School Distdct wherein the City would remove the permanent NO PARKING ANYTIME signs and the ICCSD staff would place signs on the north side of Mayfield Road prohibiting parking from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Fridays when football games at Bates Field were scheduled. In February, 1995, Mr. John Orth of 2507 Mayfield Read requested that the permanent sign installation be reconsidered. The postcard survey of February, 1995, and this memorandum are a result of Mr, Odh's request. bcl .SJB City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 4, 1995 To: The Honorable Mayor, City Council and City Clerk From: James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer Re: Parking Prohibition on Jema Court As directed by Title IX, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the City Code, this is to advise you of the following action: ACTION: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A10 of the City Code, the City Traffic Engineer will direct the installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the west and south sides of Jema Court from its intersection with Benton Street to the end of Jema Court. This action will take place on or shortly after April 19, 1995. COMMENT: This action is being taken upon the completion of a mailout questionnaire of the residents affected by this change. 24 postcards were sent out and 22 responses were received. Of the 22 responses, 15 preferred that a prohibition be installed on one side of Jema Court. Of those 22 respondents, 11 preferred that the prohibition be on the west/south sides of Jema Court, 7 preferred the east/north sides of Jema Court, and 4 had no preference as to which side the prohibition be installed upon. bj~jemact )o¥1 April 9, 1995 Susan Horowitz, Mayor Civic Center 410 E. Washington Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Susan: I'm writing on behalf of the BBoPS steering committee to solicit your help with BBoPS week, which this year will be held May 15 to 20. One of our primary goals this year will be to involve no! only Iowa City City Council but also your colleagues from Coralville and other governing umts in Johnson County. We hope that Iowa City will again recognize our event with a proclamation. Over the past few weeks, we have talked informally with some of you about potential activities. Our interest is to emphasize the value of alternative transportation to our community, and through BBoPS draw attention to alternative transportation in a fun and enjoyable way. Two potential activities which appear to be viable options for the city council would be: 1. A participation challenge between the city council's of Iowa City and Coralville. The city council which had the greatest participation rate per day over the week would be declared the winner. The losing council would provide a service to the w'n ~er's community, e.g. washing buses or plant trees in the park. 2. City council members from both communities serving cookies on the Cookies for Bus Riders promotion. As some of you who participated last year can attest, this is a lot of fun and provides the riders with a nice start to the day. I am sure there are other options. We would be receptive to any activity you found enjoyable which promotes the BBoPS goal. We will contact you in the near future to see how you would like to become involved. Sincerely, Robert A. Oppllger 1903 Grantwood St. Iowa City, IA 52240 .Larry Baker_. ~x)C/Erni~ L~'hman'h l~rano~lgett Karen Kubby Naomi Novak Jim Throgmorton Date. To: From: April l l, 1995 The City Council of Iowa City The Concerned Neighbors of the RNC-12 Zone generally located on Jefferson and Market between Dodge and Clapp Streets. We, the undersigned, are petitioning the City Council of Iowa City to down zone our neighborhood from an RNC-12 to an RS-5. Two years ago, we were before the Council with the same request. We were concerned because developers had purchased two lots in our area. They had numerous agendas, one being an apartment house enclosing both lots, the other being the construction of two homes on each lot. Our neighborhood is divided and surrounded by traffic. We didn't feel the alley would hold any more congestion nor could the land. The Council discussed at that time that if houses were built on the alleys, the alleys would be turned into streets, which would then necessitate the alleys being paved. Two years ago, with the support of practially all the owner occupied homes in our area, we accepted the RNC- 12 zoning. This excluded the apartments but allowed duplexes and single family residents. The developers then build a five bedroom, five bath single family home and we accepted It and considered it a compromise. However, we are now faced with the construction of a new three bedroom home butted back to back against a 90+ year old home. One door faces Jefferson the other door faces the alley. It is a legal building but we feel that the definition of "duplex" as it is now adversely affects the conservation of our neighborhood. We would request that the Council review the current definition which states: A duplex is two building adjoined by a common wall. A better definition would, perhaps, be one building divided, with two front doors t~aving street access. As the definition now stands, the majority of I~ouses on our alley and in our area could be turned into duplexes. It seem apparent that the RNC-12 zoning, which we accepted, Is not working to preserve the integrity of our neighborhood. Therefore, we are requesting the Council to direct staff to initate the rezoning process. We are, also, petitioning the Council to issue a moratorium on the building permit issued for 942/944 Jefferson Street until this issue is resolved. Therefore, we are requesting the Council to direct staff to Initate the rezoning process. We are, also, petitioning the Council to issue a moratorium on the building permit issued for 942/944 Jefferson Street until this Issue is resolved.