HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-23 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 7:30 p.m. on the 1 lth day of April,
1995, in the Civic Center Council Chambers,
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at
which hearing the Council will consider:
1. An ordinance conditionally amending
the use regulations of approximately
34.21 acres located west of Taft Ave-
nue along Court Street extended from
RS-5 to CN-1 (6.93 acres), RM-12 (12
acres), and RS*8 (8.14 and 7.14
2~., acres).
An ordinance amending City Code Title
14, Chapter 5, Article H, entitled "Site
Plan Review," by adopting design stan-
dards for exterior stairwells and exterior
corridors on multi-family residential
buildings.
3. An ordinance amending City Code Title
14, Chapter 6, entitled "Zoning," Arti-
cle N, entitled "Off-Street Parking and
Loading," to reduce the amount of off-
street parking spaces required and
amend the parking area design stan-
dards in the CN-1, Neighborhood Com-
mercial Zone.
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
ORIGINAL DRAFT ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO.
xAN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE
14., CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED "BUILDING AND
HOUSING," ARTICLE H, ENTITLED "SITE PLAN
REVIEW," BY ADOPTING DESIGN GUIDELINES
:OR EXTERIOR STAIRWELLS AND EXTERIOR
:)RRIDORS ON MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
{
REAS, the City has established a Site
Plan
certain
orderly
WH
family
buildin
ground floor
under said Site
WHEREAS,
exterior
utilized on
commercial buildir
above the ground
integrated into the
ings; and
WHEREAS, the City,
architectural integration
and exterior corridors
overall buildin~
lines to be inco~
Review procedures.
NOW, THEREFOI BE IT ORD.~
CITY COUNCIL
THAT:
SECTION I.
"Buildin
Plan Revi~
Standard~
ed
follow.,
view procedure in order to review
of property to ensure
I harmonious development; and
development plans for multi-
nent buildings and commercial
units located above the
= currently subject to
'lan Review procedure; and
City wishes to ensure
nd exterior corridors,
[y apartment buildin and
containing dwel units
are
of the build-
THE CiTY
Uq
NDMENT. Cha
"Article H
,," Section 5, entitled
City
a new Section 14-5H-5 1
to ensure the
stairwells
design of the
Hide-
Site Plan
ED BY THE
CITY,
"Site
design of exterior stairwells and exteri-
corridors which provide access to dwell-
units located above the ground or first
floor of a building containing three (3) or
more dwelling units or where any number of
residential units are located above a com-
mercial use, shall be approved by the Direc-
tor of Planning and Community Develop-
ment with respect to the following guido-
lines. Any guideline applying to exterior
stairwells shall also apply to exterior lifts.
Alternative designs may be approved if the
Director of Planning and Community Devel-
Ordinance No.
Page 2
opment determines that the alternative
design meets the intent of assuring that
exterior stairwells and corridors are archi-
tecturally incorporated into the overall
design of the building, or if a second exit is
required on an existing building for the,
purpose of fire safety.
1. For all dwelling units located above
ground floor, an interior
tam, for the purpose of enter[ and
exiting each unit, is
rior stairwells and exterior
preferred
(internal circular
;couraged
circulation)
Where exterior are utilized,
they should be partially by a
building wall{s) similar in and
design to the the struc-
ture. Other than said
wall(s) should be solid from to the
roof of the stairwell and
tecturally integrated into the ign of
the overall structure through of
similar materials and style.
is encouraged, but should
Ordinance No.
Page 3
more than fifty percent (50%) of the
total surface area of the wall, Exposed,
unpainted or unstained lumber should
not be utilized unless approved by the
Director of Planning and Community
Development. At a minimum, a wall
should be provided on the side of the
stairwell opposite the wall of the struc-
ture to which the stairwell is attaphed.
appropriate /
)riate
Exterior
should be,
design and mater
rest of the
be incor
of the structure.
and exterior corridors
with a roof similar in
s to the roof over the
Said roof should
le overall roof plan
appropriate
Ordinance No.
Page 4
inappropriate
¢, Exterior corridors should not
on the elevation(s) of the
faces a street, When
are utilized, they should
integrated into the
structure.
5. Wh,
)nd
yard,
integrate
in Sub
cad
Arc
ar
also
g
that
rchitectural-
n of the over-
unpainted or
lumber not be utilized
of Plan-
ty Development.
are located on
a building facing a front
I care should be taken to
enclosing wall(s} required
14-§H-§M2 into the fa-
building architecturally,
Jetails such as fensstration
utilized on the facade
incorporated into the
inappropriate
Ordinance No.
Page 5
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and
parts of ordinances in conflict with the provi-
sions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION III. 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/
)r part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconsti:
tional.
IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordi-
shall be in effect after its final pa~ssage,
and publication, as provided by law.
~ssed and adopted this /
/
/
/
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY
Approved
ALTERNATIVE DRAFT
ORDINANCE AND
RESOLUTION
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE
14, CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED "BUILDING AND
HOUSING," ARTICLE H, ENTITLED
REVIEW," BY REQUIRING CITY APPROVA
EXTERIOR STAIRWELLS AND EXTERIOI
RIDORS ON MULTI-FAMILY
BUILDINGS.
WHEREAS, the City has
Plan Review procedure in o
certain improvements of pr~
rdedy and harmonious dev
develc
ly apartment buildi
ings with dwelling
floor are
Site Plan
WH: {EAS, the
corem
above the
integrated h
ings; and
WHE
architectL
and
overall I
their
a Site
to review
to ensure
)ment; and
plans for multi-
and commercial
hove the
subject to review
procedure; and
wishes to ensure that
exterior corridors, when
and
s containing dwelling units
und floor, are architecturally
the design of the overall build-
City, in order to ensure the
ration of exterior stairwells
into the design of the
'ishes to require approval of
Ih the Site Plan Review
ures,
THEREFOF
COUNCIL OF
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY,
TF
AMENDM
and Housing,"
'lan Review," Section
Standards," of the Cit
ed by adding a new Sectlot
follows:
M, The design of exterior
or corridors which
ing units located above
floor of a building
more dwelling units or where
residential units are located ~
mercial use, shall be approved
tot of Planning and
merit with respect to g
Chapter 5, entitled
entitled "Site
entitled "Design
be hereby amend-
14-5H-5 to read as
rwells and exteri-
~ccess to dwell-
round or first
three (3) or
' number of
a corn-
the Direc-
Develop-
by
City Council Resolution.
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinance;' and
parts of ordinances in conflict with the provi-
sions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Ordinance No.
Page 2
SECTION III. 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 u,n'consti-
tutional. ~
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. Ordi-
nance shall be in effect after its fir passage,
approval and publication, as pro~ by law.
Passed and adopted this
T;
City
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUT
STAIRWELLS
DWELLING
~,DOPTING DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR
JD CORRIDORS FOR MULTI-FAMILY
LOCATED ABOVE A COMMERCIAL
OF EXTERIOR
LING UNITS AND
WHEREAS, the City
improvements of
a Site Plan Review
ensure orderly and harm,
order to review certain
development; and
WHEREAS,
with dwelling
Site Plan Review procedure;
s for multi-family
the ground floo~
,nt buildings and commercial buildings
currently subject to review under the
WHEREAS, the City wishes
utilized on multi-family ar
above the ground floor, are
and
nsure
stairwells and exterior corridors, when
=ial buildings containing dwelling units
rated into the design of the overall building;
WHEREAS, the City, in order to
exterior corridors into overall buildin
when such structures are reviewe~
architectural integration of exterior stairwells and
Jesign, wishes to adopt design guidelines to be applied
der the Site Plan Review procedures.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOI
IOWA, THAT, the design guid~
family residential buildings, al
hereby adopted.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY,
stairwells and exterior corridors on multi-
are approved as to form and content and are
Passed and approved this
day ,1995.
ATTEST:
CITY CLI
It was moved and seconded by
adopted, and ion roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS:
the Resolution be
ABSENT:
~'~uoaker
rowitz
bby
Leh~,,, an
Novi~k
Pigott
__ Throgmortqn~ ,.'
GUIDELINES FOR REVIEW OF EXTERIOR STAIRWELLS AND CORRIDORS
The design
located above
or where any
approved by the
stairwells and exterior corridors which provide access to dwelling units
ground or first floor of a building containing,tRee (3) or more dwelling units
3ber of residential units are located above a commercial use, shall be
following g~
Community Develo
that exterior stair~
the building, or if a
safety.
1. For all ~ ~g
the
exterior corridors.
preferred
(internal circulation)
irector of Planning and Community Develol~ment with respect to the
Alternative designs may be approved if t.He Director of Panning and
;nt determines that the alternative design,~neets the intent of assuring
nd corridors are arch'tecturally mcorpor, ated ~nto the overa design of
nd exit is required on an existing b, dilding for the purpose of fire
/
~cated above the ground fioo/an interior circulation s. ystem, for
and exiting each un. it, iyeferred over exterior sta~rwells and
~ discouraged
~ (external circulation)
Where exterior stai
wall(s) similar in
fenestration, sai,
should
use of similar
constitute
Exposed, ur
Director
utilized, they be partially enclosed by a building
and design to the of the structure. Other than
should be solid from g~ le to the roof of the stairwell and
:turally integrated into the desi the overall structure through the
~ls and style. Fenestration encouraged, but should not
than fifty percent (50%) of the Ial surface area of the wall.
or unstained lumber should not be :ilized unless approved by the
~1 and Community Development. minimum, a wall should be
provided the side of the stairwell opposite the w
stairwell attached.
/
he structure to which the
~nappropriate
2
Exterior stairwells and exterior corridors should be coveredw~h a roof similar in design
and materials to the roof over the rest of the structure," Said roof should be
incorpor~ed into the overall roof plan of the structure.
pref ri~ /~.I
discouraged
Exterior corridors 3ot be Io the elevation(s) of the building that faces
a street. When exterior utilized, they should be architecturally integrated
into the design of the Exposed, unpainted or unstained lumber
should not be utilized unle ~proved by the Director of Planning and Community
Development.
When exterior stairwells al
special care should be tal
14-5H-§M2 into the fac
as fenestration and orr
into the enclosing wa of the
on the elevation of a building facing a front yard,
ntegrate the enclosing wall{s) required in Subsection
building architecturally. Architectural details such
utilized on the facade should also be incorporated
~irwell.
ppdadmln~$taEcor.gdl
appropriate
inappropriate
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing
will be held by the City Council of Iowa City,
iowa, at 7:30 p.m. on the 23rd day of May,
1995, in the Civic Center Council Chambers,
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa; at
which hearing the Council will consider an
amendment to the Iowa City Comprehensive
Plan to include the vision statement entitled
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000.
Copies of the proposed amendment are on
file for public examination in the office ol 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
City of low& City
MEMORANDUM
To:
From:
Re:
Karin Franklin, Director, Dept. of Pla'~i~g~'& Community Development
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000
Enclosed in your packet is the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommended version of
"IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000 -- Iowa City's Vision for the Future"; a memorandum from
George Starr to me explaining the concept of inclusion; and correspondence from the Evert
Conner Rights and Resources Center for Independent Living and the Johnson County Coalition
for Persons with Disabilities. You may wish to review some background material that was
sent to you previously-the task force reports dated July 15, 1994 and the board and
commission responses dated March 10, 1995. If you cannot find these materials, I will have
extra copies at the work session Monday.
The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed three significant issues--the concept of a
visible edge (Land Use & Urban Pattern), the directive language in the Social Services section,
and the concept of inclusion, particularly as it related to language highlighting special
populations. The Commission made a number of non-substantive editorial changes to the
original text.
Visible edQe. The Commission discussed extensively the concept of a definite, visible edge
for the City. The discussion centered on whether such an edge could be achieved. It was
concluded by a majority of the Commission that it was appropriate to include the concept in
the vision for the City even if implementation of the concept was not clearly achievable.
Social Service section. The language of the task force was very directire in this section, often
using the word "will". The Commission felt this was inappropriate and modified the language
to be less directlye.
Inclusio~q. The concept of inclusion was introduced by one of the Commission members. As
I understand the philosophy, one should use broad, all-encompassing terms to refer to total
populations rather than listing specific groups or special populations as being included in a
given policy. The term "all citizens" is preferable to listing specific populations, such as"
persons with disabilities", when addressing the focus or purpose of a particular policy. The
intent is to include everyone by the language used, not targeting any particular group and
thereby not leaving anyone out, The opposing view advocates inclusion by specificallylisting
special populations to ensure their inclusion in policy or action statements. By listing the
special populations, they are assured of being known as a group to be included and their
inclusion is not left to whatever someone may define as "all citizens".
Public input focused on this issue at the Planning and Zoning Commission hearings. The
Commission deleted all references to special populations in the various sections of the
document and included in the overall vision statement for the City, specific language to define
"all citizens"; this language includes "persons with disabilities".
TO: Karin Franklin
FR: George A Starr
RE: Iowa City: Beyond 2000
DATE: April 10, 1995
As I mentioned to you, I discussed the concept oflnclnsio~'as it relates to theIowa CiO,
Beyond 2000 draft document with several offters including an individual with disabilities.
While we applaud the Task Forces' efforts to incorporate disability issues in their final
reports, we felt that the special attention being paid to people who have disabilities was, in
some cases, exclusionary if they were not mentioned. This would also hold true for people
who are elderly, children, etc. Specifically, by targeting any group in a document designed
to be very broad based, we certainly run the risk of overlooking that group if they are not
consistently represented.
We suggest that the concept of inclusion be referenced in the "preamble" and applied to
each report. The concept of inclusion is nothing more than including all "groups" or
targets as "all citizens" which, of course, they are. Inclusion is a mind set that we need to
be developing so, as we identify goals, objectives, tasks, we don't have to think of special
ways to accommodate citizens; it simply occurs naturally. While I will agree that we run
the risk of developing projects, for example, and not thinking ofaceessibility unless
accessibility issues are specifically mention, we really should not need to be reminded to
make things accessible. These projects are for all citizens. We should not and cannot
discriminate. Accessibility includes not only physical accessibility, but accessibility to
information in alternative formats which can include a myriad of issues. But I ramble...
Preamble:
Last sentence:
"Iowa City will be an inclusive, accessible, and sate community to all citizens.
This document reflects Iowa City's inclusive policy throughout."
Rationale:
inclusive by definition includes "people of different abilities"
accessible inchides acceptance, affordable, and physical"
all citizens is inclusive of everyone...not exclusive due to lack of identification of
groups or audiences.
Arts, culture, and human development
Ooal 4
"Programs and services that meet the needs of all citizens"
Rationale:
It seems if you are going to provide programs and services for the unique ne~ls of
special populations, shouldn't programs and services for other citizens be offered
as well? Inclusiveness of all citizens includes "special populations".
Environmental Protection
Objective 6: "Conveniently located parks and Irails that are easily accessible to all citizens,
and are litter fi'ee and hospitable to a diversity of plants and animals"
No change. Good example ofinclusion..."all citizens"
Housing
Goal 1
'.'Ensure that an appropriate supply of adequate, accessible, and affordable housing
is available for all households of all sizes, incomes, and ages."
Rationale:
Identifying populations with special needs is redundant when "all households".
Parks, recreation, and open space
Goal 2
"Ensure that programs and facilities are accessible o all ca~zens.
Rationale:
Identifying needs of"those with disabilities" is redundant to "all citizens". What
about people who are elderly? What about people whose primary language is not
English? Etc._Etc.
Transportation
"Maintain" Goal 5
"A mnsportation system which enhances the quality of life for all citizens."
Rationale:
If you are going to provide a quality of life enhancing transportation system it
seems that it should be offered to all citizens, not just a group of them. Again,
elderly, etc etc. Actually, I wonder if this is a maintain goal or an improve goal.
But I won't get picky at ~fis point.
"Improve" Goal 2
Traffic conlrol devices, curb cuts, slreet markings, sigange, etc. which are ~ensitive
to lhe needs of all citizens using a variety of movement and Iransportation modes.
Cooperative Efforts
Goal 1
"Cooperate in devising inclusive ways in which citizens of Iowa Cily can be
actively informed about local issues and become active parficipanls
There you have it. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Hope lifts was
helpful.
Evert Conner Rights and Resources
Center for Independent Living
26 East Market Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 · Voice and TI'Y: (319) 338-3870
April 20, 1995
To Whom It May Concern:
It was brought to my attention that your vision for the
future, Iowa City: Beyond 2000 does not include people
with disabilities. It seems that we were a part of the original
plans, but for some reason became deleted from the text in
many categories.
While I fully understand that in theory "all citizens" should
include all people, but historically people who are different
are not automatically recognized.
When I spoke with Ms. Franklin today, I made a special effort
to describe how the term people with disabilities is all
encompassing which eliminates the need to specify
particular disabilities.
"People with disabilities" must be stated explicitly if they are
to be included in this or any other plan.
As a person with a disability, I urge the committee to make
a special effort to see that the future vision for this
community includes a well designed plan to ensure that all
of its citizens (including people with disabilities) have equal
access to all community activities.
Ethel Madison, Director
LANGUAGE IS MORE THAN A TRIVIAL CONCERN!
By June Isaacson Kailes
Disability Policy Consultant
Los Angeles, California
Our words affect our thoughts,
.our thoughts affect our beliefs,
our beliefs affect our feelings,
our feelings affect our behavior,
and
our behavior affects the world!
Shirley Devol VanLieu,
Ph.D.
Public attitudes about disability are much more disablJ. ng than
the actual disability. Attitudinal barriers are the most difficult
barriers to overcome. The challenge is to change attitudes on many
levels: legislation, regulation, integration, education, personal
relationships and LANGUAGE.
PEOPLE WITH. DISABILITIES
In our use of language, both written and verbal, we can choose
to emphasize peoplest similarities or their differences. The term
"a disabled person" is a sloppy short-cut to the more involved and
sometimes more awkward, but psychologically sounder expression,
person with a disability.,, The latter is by far preferred. It
depicts a person with a disability as a person first, with multi-
dimensional haracterlstzcs in addition to his or her particular
disability. "Disabled person" represents differenthess and
separateness, reducing a person's identity to his or her
disability. This distorts and undermines who people with
disabilities are and how they want to be We
people wi.th broken legs as "broken-le~ seen. dol~'k re£e[- to
of "the disabled', or "tile blind', deni;~ people!" Similarly, the use
any sense of individuality.
A preferable term would be "people with disabilities,, or "people
who are blind".
Disability culture is the commonality of the xperlence of
living· with disability and language is one of the keys to
acknowledging this culture. In an effort to choose our own terms,
various groups have coined such words as "inconvenienced,,, "able-
disabled,,, "differently-able,,, "handicapper,,, ,henall-capable and
"physically challenged.,, These alternatives ]lave not been widely
.'~endorsed' because they are seen as euphemistic -- denying the
· re.a, lity of a disability, or trivializing disability.
The 'f.ollowing list illustrates examples of both acceptable and
. .una. cceptable. terminology:
., . · EXAMPLES OF PREFERRED TERMINOLOGY
Dehumanizing/Offensive/
Unacceptable
Disabled person ............
A blind person .............
A deaf person ..............
Acceptable
..... A person with a disability
.,...A person who is blind
..... A person who is deaf
A hunchback or humpback ........ A person who has a
spinal curvature
The disabled ...............
-She is crippled ............
He is arthritic ............
..... People who are disabled
People with disabilities
Disability community
..... She has a disability
..... lle has arthritis
She is cerebral palsied ......... She has cerebral palsy
· Dumb, deaf [~ute, dummy .......... a perso.n wb.o ha.s a speech
.(Implies an Intellectual or or hearing impairment, or is
....mental deficit occurs with
a hea~ing. loss or a speech impairment)
Mute ............................ A person without speech or a
parson who has a speech
impairment
She is chronically mentally ill
He is crazy ..................... l{e is mentally ill
She has an emotional disability
t{e has a psychiatric disability
deaf
Hs was afflicted with, victim of,
stricken with or suffers
had polio
Retard, retardate,
retarded, feebleminded .......... A person who is menta
. 11y
; retarded
Birth.defect ........ ~ .......... .A person who has:
Fit ~ ~
Sick ...........................
Patient ........................
Midget, dwarf,
had a disability since birth,
a congenital disability
.Seizure
· Use only when a persoil is
actually ill
.Use only when a persoil
actually being seen or
treated by medical
personnel
little people .... People of short stature
"Normal person', "able-bodied person" as compared
to a disabled ........
~. · .......... A person without
as compared to a
a disability
is
a disability
person with
confined to a wheelchair/
wheelchair bound.... ....... A person who uses a
' - wheelchair, a wheelchair user
She overcame her disability .... She lives with a disability
People don!t Overcome disability. They overcome ooclal, economic,
psychological ,· attitudinal, a '
educational ~and employment arrlers.
· b . rchltectural, transportation,
Other words?which should be avoided because they have egatlve
c°nn°.tations and/or tend to evoke pity include:
Abnormal
Afflicted
Burden
Defect
Deformed
Deviant
Disfigured
Invalid
Imbecile
Maimed
Misshapen
Moron
Palsied
Poor unfortunate
Spastic
Spas
stricken with
Sufferer
The Johnson County Coalition for Person's With Disabilities
c/o Ev,~t Conner Rights and Resources Center for
Independent Living
26 East Market Street
Iowa Cits.', Iowa
Ciw Council
410 East Washington
Iowa CiD', Iowa 52240
Dear City Council Members:
We. the Johnson County Coalition for Persons With
Disabilities are vers' dissatisfied with the most recent version
of Iowa City Bevond 2000 edited bv the Zoning and
Planning Conm~ission. They decided to erase all references
to persons with disabilities and change them to all citizens.
We believe that the following paragraph should be added to
the preamble:
Persons with disabilities are made up from people from
ever>.' segment ot' socieh,.'. The likelihood of one becoming an
individual with a disability increases the longer one lives.
Historically persons xvith disabilities have been ignored
when "all" has been used. Therefore. it is imperative that
persons with disabilities be included in even' aspect of the
vision for Iowa City.
We want you to put us (persons with disabilities) back in the
edited task force vision statements. We want vou to upgrade
the terminolog3.' from special populations and persons with
special needs to persons with disabilities. We want to be
mentioned in every task force vision.
Feel free to discuss an5,' of these matters with us. We can be
reached through Evret Conner Rights and Resources Center
for Independent Living 338-3870. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Jolmson County Coalition for Persons With Disabilities
Johneon County Coalition for Persone With Disabil~ties
Statement to the Io~a ~t¥ ~it¥ ~oun~l
Members of the Council:
As we stated in our earlier letter, we support inclusion of
specific references to persons with disabilities to the extent that
those references were contained in the products of the task forces.
It is noteworthy that the citizen members of many of the task
forces thought it important enough to include specific mention of
persons with disabilities as a priority. The problem with the
current vision statement is that when specific mention of persons
with disabilities was changed to "all citizens," what was once a
mandate by the citizens as a priority has turned into an ideal that
at once means everything and nothing. Further, the use of the
phrase "all citizens" is sufficiently nebulous as not to lead
anyone to think of anything he or she had not previously
considered. In conclusion, we trust that the deletion of definite
reference to persons with disabilities does not portend a retreat
to the amorphous "feel-9ood" politics of the past. Please know
that we of the Coalition do not plan to go back.
Respectfully,
The Johnson County Coalition for Persons With Disabilities
Iowa City's
Vision for the Future
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000
Iowa City's Vision for the Future
City Council of Iowa City
Susan Horowitz, Mayor
Naomi Noviek, Mayor Pro Tern
Larry Baker
Karen Kubby
Ernie Lehman
Bruno Pigott
Jim Throgmorton
City Manager
Stephen J. Atkins
Project Coordinator
Karin Franklin, Director
Planning and Community Development
Iowa City: Beyond 2000 Task Forces
IOWA CITY
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission
Thomas Scott, Chair
Ann Bovbjerg, Vice Chair
George Starr, Secretary
Kenneth Cooper
Sally Dierks
Richard Gibson
Jane Jakobsen
Board of Library Trustees
Committee on Community Needs
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Commission
Human Rights Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
Riverfront & Natural Areas Commission
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000
1994 TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Facilitator - Susan Craig
Peggy Doerge
Harold Engen
Clark Houghton
Jody Hov[and
Mike Huber
Christine K. Pacek
Cheryl J. Schlote
Eldon Snyder
Charles T. Traw
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
Facilitator - Stephen Atklns
William Gerhard
Vicki Lensing
Derek Maurer
Mary New
Lynn E. Rowat
Loren Schmitt
Mark Smith
Tom Werderitsch
Cheryl Whitney
PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE
Faei[itator - Terry Trueblood
Eric L. Engh
Richard Hoppin
Kevin Houlahan
Jean Kistler Kendall
Deb Liddell
Dee W. Norton
JaneHe R. Rettig
Marls Snider
Bill Snider
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Facilitator - Melody Rockwell
Kerry M. Fitzpatrick
Michael Garyin
Marc Libants
Gertrude MacQueen
Mark Phillips
Nancy Seiberling
Frieda Shannon
Robert M. Sierk
Ron Vogel
PUBLIC SAFETY
Facilitator - Chief R.J. Wlnkelhake
Jarnes R. Berry
Richard Blum
Ann Bovbjerg
Anna Buss
Margery Hoppin
Mitchell F. Jones
Terrence L. Neuzil
Gregory M. Smith
Steven L. Stimmel
HOUSING
Facilitator - Marianne Milklnan
Paula Brandt
Robert C. Carlson
Jason Chen
Carolyn Corbin
Susan Dulek
Charles Eastham
Mark F. Kamps
Betty Kelly
Eric A. Nilausen
LAND USE AND URBAN PATTERN
Facilitator - ILarin Franklin
W. Michael Blair
John S. Casko
Gertrud Champe
Casey Cook
Steven L. Droll
Nancy Os~ognai
DouglasS. Russell
Robert J. Saunde~
Dee Vanderhoef
SOCIAL SERVICES
Facilitator - Marge Penney
Sara Mehlin Cartie Norton
Lowell Brandt Jennifer Olson
Barbara Curtin Jim Swaim
Jay Meridenhall Linda A. Whitaker
TRANSPORTATION
Facilitator - Jeff Davidson
Linda Heneghan
Del Holland
Howard Horan
Catherine Johnson
Tim Clancy
Gregory Kovaciny
Brian McClatchey
Liz Miller
Frederic W. Yocum, Jr.
CITY OF IOWA CIT~
C
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000
The character and £uture of a community are set by the imagination, vision and
commitment of its residents. Oar vision is what we collectively describe as the
kind of place in which we wish to live.
In the spring of 1994, the community of Iowa City set about determining its
vision for the city as we move into the next century. Task forces of citizens
committed to the future of the community came together to reach consensus on
the direction and outcomes we should expect in various topical areas. Nine task
forces were formed to address issues such as housing, transportation, public
safety, and economic well-being. Alter two months of debate and discussion,
each group submitted a vision statement and goals to the City Council. Some
of the tusk forces also suggested strategies for realizing the goals and vision they
described.
The following pages present the Vision of Iowa City beyond the year 2000.
This is the target for our community as we enter the next century. Public policy
will follow the direction provided by this comprehensive vision statement.
These statements are a synthesis of the work of the task forces. All of the
concepts introduced by the task forces have been retained; some of the language
has been modified to integrate areas where the work of more than one task force
overlaps and to achieve some consistency. Since much of the original language
of the task forces is retained, it is evident that this document is the work of a
commtmity of people. Strategies to achieve our vision of the future have been
deleted from the principal text; however, these strategies will be included in the
plan to achieve our vision.
Having arrived at the vision of our future--the direction in which we are going
-- our next challenge is to determine how to get there. The next step is to
revise our Comprehensive Plan and other pertinent policy documents to reflect
the vision set forth hem and to ensure we work to achieve the future community
we have described.
ppddi6in~o
-1-
IOWA CITY: BEYOND 2000
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, embrac-
ing persons with disabilities and all races, cultures, lifestyles, and
socio-economic groups.
COOPERATWE EFFORTS
Iowa City is a growing city within the Johnson/Linn County region. It is a city composed of diverse
individuals and groups. The community is best served through the participation of its members, the
cooperative efforts of its parts, and coordination among the governments that serve the region.
GOALS
· Cooperate in devising inclusive ways in which the citizens of Iowa City can be actively
informed about local issues and become active participants in setting the community's agenda.
· Offer and support opportunities for res;dents, govemmant and organizations to work together.
· Encourage a city govemment and a transportation planning pmcass that are open to input from
citizens and will ensure adequate attention is paid to all forms of transportation.
Encourage and support collaborative efforts among government, business, community
organizations and the University to further Iowa City's vision.
· 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.
· Foster creative partnerships with neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, governmental
agencies, and other organizations in parkland and program development.
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
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,
human 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,
* complementary to the rich resources of the University of Iowa, and
* mcoguized as critical to the economic success of the City.
Iowa City must meet the on-going challenge to preserve and improve a unique quality of
life for a growing population and to provide a fertile environment for creative endeavors.
GOALS
Current public facilities and programs that promote culture, human development and the arts
will be considered essential city services. Options to provide additional or improved public
spaces in support of this role will be explored.
Elected officials and city policy makers will consider human development factors when making
decisions.
Promote positive media relationships for the purpose of promoting culture, human development
and the ans.
Programs and services will be offered that meet the aeeds of all citizens.
Our cultural heritage will be documented and preserved.
The economic
$
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
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, recreational, and educational activities thrive and in turn
provide economic opportunities;
encouraging the diversification of the community's economic base to maintain a
vibrant economy through changing economic conditions, while providing quality
employment opportunities for all work force skills and educational levels;
encouraging linkages among new and existing businesses to create netxvorks in
which businesses may find materials and markets in the local economy;
sustaining and enhancing riscally responsible and socially relevant local government
services, which include supportive services for the local work force; and
maintaining a vibrant economy consistent with the environmental health of the
community, by stimulating energy and resource conservation and promoting clean,
non-polluting industries.
GOALS
· Promote awareness of the city's economic development projects through public forums.
Develop criteria to use whenever considering the use of financial incentives for economic
development projects.
Encourage the creation of a business development clearinghouse and network that would assist
individuals pursuing entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
Encourage growth in job opportunities suitable for a mix of diverse citizens.
Focus economic development efforts on promoting the attractiveness of Iowa City to facilitate
expansion of existing businesses, maintaining the mix of high-tech and production line jobs, and
encourage new businesses of a similar nature to locate in Iowa City.
Provide an attractive, well-maintained downtown business area, complete with open spaces,
inviting to both citizens and tourists.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Iowa City has been recognized for its progress toward a quality environment. The community will
strive toward:
* a high level of community environmental awareness and action;
cooperative environmental protection efforts including publie-private partnerships to advance
a quality environment;
* a citizenry that recognizes and values the unique ecology of the area;
development that occurs with consideration of ecological features - protecting critical
wildlife habitats, natural terrain and future green space;
patrems of compact growth and development that emphasize pedestrian access and
neighborhood eohesiveness, 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 efficient waste treatment, recovery of valuable resources and
energy, participation in waste reduction and recycling programs, and that allows growth
without sacrificing envimnraental quality;
conveniently located parks and trails that are easily accessible to all citizens, and are litter-
free and hospitable to a diversity of plants and animals;
air and water that are clean, odor and color free, and noise levels, lighting and signs that are
unobtrusive.
GOALS
· Promote accessible public education and participation in environmental protection.
Encourage and support acquisition and ecological management of watersheds, floodplains,
wetlands and greenways.
· Protect the water quality of stormwater ranoff, landfill leachate and wastewater effluent through
public education, monitoring and enforcement.
Reduce the use of toxic chemicals, particularly lawn pesticides.
· Foster initiatives that will provide safe and effective waste disposal, recycling opportunities and
beneficial reuse of things currently landfilled.
· Protect scenic and historic vistas, control offensive noises, and promote unobtrusive lighting and
signs.
Aggressively pursue identification and preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and,
where appropriate, roestablish antuml areas.
HOUSING
Housing in a vital, energetic city builds a community of neighborhoods 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
ancoumge the creation of neighborhoods in new devzlopments.
GOALS
· Ensure that an appropriate supply of adequate, accessible, and affordable housing is available for all.
· Maintain and improve the safety of all housing to ensure the health and safety of all residents.
· Take an active role to ensure diversity of housing types in future growth areas.
· Develop planned neighborhoods that support the principle of diversity of both housing types and
households, and provide opportunities for interaction among neighbors.
· Increase City involvement in the annexation of undeveloped areas and in planning the direction of
housing growth in such axeas, for the development of sustainable and livable neighborhoods.
-7-
LAND USE & URBAN PATTERN
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 development shoald cherish and protect the character of the downtown and
existing neighborhoods, while carefully creating new areas which are innovative 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 whicb is:
-definable in character and space;
-accessible to all;
-humane;
-inclusive;
-diverse in land uses, employment and housing opportunities;
-environmentally sensitive; and
-economically healthy.
GOALS
Define the limits of the City's adopted growth area with a definite, visible edge.
DEVELOPMENT:
· Maintain and contain industrial development on the edge of the community in industrial parks, but
not ia a ring around the city.
o Create defined commercial centers.
Foster a strong, accessible downtown that is a cultural and commercial center with a residential
component.
Implement land use planning and management to protect existing and invaluable resources of the
City -- the urban forest, the Iowa River and its environs, open space and wildlife habitat -- to secure
a balance between natural areas and development.
NEIGHBORHOODS:
Take an active role to ensure neighborhood commercial centers, scaled to the needs of surrounding
development, in future grovnh areas.
o Retain the character of the community by preserving historic landmarks and older neighborhoods,
and by encouraging adaptive reuse and compatible infill.
* Arrange arterial streets in a grid pattern to define the edges of neighborhoods.
Create a sense of community in neighborhoods by considcriug the mix of housing, the presence of
institutions such as schools, churches, and recreational facilities, "walkability", access for all, the
p[ace of the neighborhood in the community and the presence of a neighborhood focal point.
Maintain a vital, pedestrian-friendly downtown, a population appreciative of and willing to use the
multi-modal transportation system available to them, and compact neighborhoods which encourage
non-motorized modes of transportation.
-8-
PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE
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:
* beautiful lands, trees and open spaces;
* sufficient parkland, 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 affordable.
GOALS
Keep fees for use of recreational facilities and programs as low as possible to make recreation
affordable to community residents. Special subsidy programs should be available for low income
residents.
· Ensure that programs and facilities are accessible to all citizens.
Provide for neighborhood open space, parkland and recreational corridors in accordance with the
Neighborhood Open Space Plan.
Enhance and expand both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, with special attention to the
Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, Mercer Park Aquatic Center and the south side sports
complex.
Improve and maintain each of the municipal parks to meet the needs of the neighborhood and the
community.
· Establish bikeways and trails connecting parks, schools, neighborhoods, and the downtown area.
· Offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities and programs to all citizens.
· Create and maintain attractive entrances to Iowa City.
· Enhance the City's urban forest on public property, encourage the preservation of trees on private
property, and provide public education programs.
-9-
PUBLIC SAFETY
Iowa City will be known as a community that keeps its environment and its people free from harm
rnd injury. Through the City departments charged .with public safety, resources will be directed
toward education, prevention and enforcement to enhance the quality of life in Iowa City.
IOWA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department's purpose is to reduce the risk of death, injury, and property loss from fires,
medical emergencies, hazardous material releases, and other disasters. To this end, the Depan'rnent will
provide a well-coordinated and timely response to emergencies within Iowa City, and enhance public
safety in the community through preventive activities such as code enfomement and public education
programs.
GOALS
· Promote public education in the methods and techniques of fire and injury prevention.
· Participate in the enforcement of the building and fire codes.
Conduct "cause and origin investigations" and participate in prosecution of arson cases.
Organize the operations of the department to deal effectively with the various types of emergencies
which present themselves.
Instruct personnel in the required knowledge and skills.
Develop plans and objectives which make efficient and effective use of its resources and plan for
the future fire safety needs of the community.
· Continue to seek cooperative working relationships xvith other departments and agencies promo[ing
public safety.
IOWA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Iowa City Police Department will protect the rights of all persons within its jurisdiction to live in
peace, to be free from crime, and to be secure in their possessions through education, prevention, and
enforcement.
GOALS
· Generate understanding about the nature and extent &crime and encourage public support for crime
prevention.
Crimes can be deterred by proactive police and an involved citizenry. The Department will deploy
forces to deter crime and to inspire confidence in its ability to promote a peaceful m~d crime-free
environment.
· Once a crime has been committed, initiate the criminal justice process:
1. identify and apprehend the offender
2. obtain necessary evidence
3. cooperate in prosecuting the case
· Attempt to recover lost and/or stolen property, to identify its owners and to ensure its prompt return.
· Enforce traffic laws, investigate accidents, and direct the safe movement of all users of the street
system.
· Respond to calls for emergency and routine service, aid or advice as necessary and/or possible.
· Develop personnel capable of providing the public with professional law enforcement.
Develop annual objectives which make efficient and effective use of its resources and plan for the
future public safety needs of the community.
· Continue to seek cooperative working relationships with other departments and agencies promoting
public safety.
-11-
SOCIAL SERVICES
The City of Iowa City provides the foundation for a caring community by responding to human
needs, being ethically accountable, and making decisions for the greater good. Our community
encourages the participation of all citizens to ereate a climate of social acceptance and well-being.
We embrace life-long education, 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
complement and strengthen tha efforts of citizens helping each other to enjoy that quality of life.
GOALS
· Promote "service to others" as a community standard that calls on each of us to help address the
social service needs of our fellow citizens.
· Establish centers for social services in which a wide array of programs can be coordinated and
provided to the community throughout the City.
o As an employer, model a leadership role in the area of social service through employee programs.
· Strengthen internal support for human services planning and coordination.
· Increase financial support for human service agencies as necessary.
· The City of Iowa City will assume a leadership role and a proactive stance on accessibility issues
to ensure that every citizen has equal access to all aspects of the community.
Before action is taken on any matters being considered by Iowa City's City Council, its Commis-
sions, Boards, or Committees, the potential impact upon the social service needs of the people in
this community should be considered.
-12-
TRANSPORTATION
The quality of life for residents of Iowa City is and will continue to be enhanced by a balanced,
multi-modal system for the transportation of people. This is a system which will accommodate
motor vehicles, public transit, bicycles, general aviation, and pedestrians 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, track, and rail modes. As the community changes in the
future, the City should pay increased attention to innovative -- even adventurous -- methods of
maintaining and improving our transportation system.
GOALS
Maintain:
1. our high level of transit and paratransit service;
2. our well-maintained and safe transportation infrastructure;
3. modest traffic congestion and good air quality in our community;
an efficient, well-managed, downtown automobile parking system which will strive to cope with
downtown parking capacity issues; and
5. a transportation system which enhances the quality of life of all citizens.
Improve:
1. a street system which will accommodate all modes of transportation efficiently and effectively;
2. traffic control devices and street markings which are sensitive to the needs of all users of the
street system; as well as motor vehicles (pedestrian access across major streets must be
balanced with the need to move arterial street traffic efficiently);
3. pedestrian walkways, bicycle trails and multi-use pedestrian/bicycle facilities must continue to
receive increased emphasis to reduce dependence on automobiles;
4. financing arrangements which will eliminate the annual fiscal vulnerability of public transit and
paratransit;
5. transit service that is frequeat enough, extensive enough, and late enough in the evening that
transit is perceived as a reasonable alternative to the antemobile;
6. our transportation system in relationship to the environment; and
7. the management of regional transportation in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will
be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa,
at 7:30 p.m. on the 9th dayof May, 1995, in
the Civic Center Council Chambers, 410 E.
Washington Street, Iowa City, iowa; at which
hearing the Council will consider:
An ordinance amending Title 14, Chapter
5-E, entitled "Building and Housing" City
Code by revising Article E entitled "Housing
Code" to enhance the life safety provisions
for existing rental housing.
Copies of the proposed ordinance 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