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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-02 CorrespondenceI --I_-- -4 CITY OF IOWA CITY 5e(3) Q- MEMORANDUM Date: March 30, 2017 To: Planning and Zoning Commission From: John Yapp 7/ y Re: Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Mitigating impact of redevelopment on existing tenants of multi -family buildings Introduction The City Council adopted an Affordable Housing Action Plan on June 21, 2016. One of the specific actions called for in the Plan is to amend local ordinances to address the impacts of tenant displacement associated with major site plans / redevelopment of existing multi -family residential properties, designed to increase notice to and foster greater communication with tenants. This grew, in part, out of discussions related to the redevelopment of Rose Oaks, and the concern that tenants of Rose Oaks, with short notice in some cases, did not have their leases renewed and were faced with the difficult challenge of finding alternative housing in a short timeframe. Background The 2007 Iowa City Metro Area Affordable Housing Market Analysis found, among other findings, that housing prices have outpaced income; that many cost -burdened households are active members of the region's workforce whose salaries are not keeping pace with housing costs; that the market is producing many more high-priced housing units than moderately priced units; and that projected housing construction activity is not expected to address affordable housing needs. This Market Analysis was updated in 2015. This update found that the majority of housing stock growth was single-family housing; and that the proportion of renters in Iowa City considered severely cost -burdened had increased. The update identified several public policy strategies to address affordable housing including inclusionary zoning, preservation of existing affordable housing, and fostering an environment of collaboration and cooperation. City Steps 2016-2020 is a document that identifies local housing and community development needs. It lists priorities including expansion of affordable housing opportunities, public facilities improvements, and housing and housing -related services for homeless and those that at risk of becoming homeless. Iowa Code Chapter 186, Smart Planning Principles, includes a principle of Efficiency, transparency, and consistency, stating that planning, zoning, development, and resource management should be undertaken to provide efficient, transparent, and consistent outcomes Approval of a site plan is a process for assuring compliance with the City's codes and regulations (e.g. zoning, utility design, etc.). Unlike a rezoning, the approving body does not have the discretion to exercise its judgment on the best use of the property, but rather, reviews the site plan with reference to existing codes. While the site plan review process can require considerable review and amendment before approval given various code requirements, it is a March 30, 2017 Page 2 ministerial process. If a site plan complies with all applicable City Code requirements and standards, it must be approved - once a site plan is approved, a building permit may be issued. Site plan submittal requirements and the level of detail differ depending on whether the plan is a "major site plan" or a "minor site plan." A major site plan involves the construction or remodeling of projects with over 12 residential units or over 10,000 square feet of non-residential floor area. Notice must be posted on the property within 24 hours of receiving the application. The review and approval process is administrative, performed by City Staff, unless a request is made for the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the application. There is currently no process for Council review and approval of site plans. The application submittal requirements are set forth in City Code Section 18-2-2. Discussion of Solutions 1. AMEND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Among the housing goals in the existing IC2030 Comprehensive Plan are: Identify and support infill development and redevelopment opportunities in areas where services and infrastructure are already in place; Improve and maintain housing stock in established neighborhoods; • Maintain and improve the safety of all housing; • Encourage the improvement or redevelopment of substandard multi -family housing. The IC2030 Comprehensive Plan does not currently have a goal that addresses mitigating the impact of redevelopment for existing residents of a redeveloping property. Given the importance of affordable housing, services for those at risk of becoming homeless and increasing communication with existing residents, the Comprehensive Plan should be amended to reinforce the importance of this goal. Staff recommends the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan be amended to add a goal to the Housing section (pages 27-28) stating: Mitigate impact of large-scale residential redevelopment. Mitigate the impact of redevelopment on occupants of proposed projects involving the remodeling or reconstruction of existing multi -family residential dwellings by fostering communication between property owners and occupants through sufficient notice requirements, and encouraging the developer to create thoughtful transition plans that seek to accommodate the relocation needs of current occupants. Staff also recommends amending the Community Vision section of the Comprehensive Plan to reinforce this goal, and amending the Background — Housing section of the Comprehensive Plan to reference existing and future affordable housing plans and studies, including the 2015 Update of the Affordable Housing Market Analysis, CITY STEPS, and future affordable housing studies. March 30, 2017 Page 3 2. AMEND SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS Staff is in the process of drafting code amendments to Title 18 of the Iowa City Code of Ordinances to implement and codify requirements for resident notice, more transparency with residents about the phasing of proposed construction, and the creation of transition plans for residents during the construction process for major site plans (12 units or more). The Code will specify the requirements of the transition plan and the plans would be reviewed and approved by Council. While amendments to the Site Plan Review chapter do not require review by the Planning and Zoning Commission (the Site Plan Review chapter is not part of the Zoning Code), staff wanted to make the Commission aware of the amendments. 3. UPDATE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY The current Good Neighbor Policy recommends that developers hold a meeting with interested members of the public (including property owners, residents, business, etc.) and makes available staff resources (Neighborhood and Development Services staff) to encourage and assist developers/applicants with setting up and attending the meetings. Locally, most developers/applicants do hold Good Neighbor meetings for projects that are perceived to have neighborhood impacts. While the Good Neighbor Policy currently recommends that such meetings be held for any development activity, in practice the attention has focused on such meetings for rezonings and subdivisions. Staff intends to amend the policy and change its practice to clarify that good neighbor meetings are encouraged for major site plans, not just rezoning and subdivision actions. A Good Neighbor meeting would help explain the proposed project to affected residents, how it will impact them, and the details of the phasing/transition plan. No Planning and Zoning action is required to update the Good Neighbor Policy, but staff wanted to make the Commission aware of the proposed changes. P&Z RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan be amended to: 1. Add a goal to the Housing section (pages 27-28) stating: Mitigate impact of large-scale residential redevelopment. Mitigate the impact of redevelopment on occupants of proposed projects involving the remodeling or reconstruction of existing multi -family residential dwellings by fostering communication between property owners and occupants through sufficient notice requirements, and encouraging the developer to create thoughtful transition plans that seek to accommodate the relocation needs of current occupants. 2. Add a goal to the Community Vision Statement (page 7) stating: Fostering communication among owners, redevelopers and occupants to mitigate the impact of redeveloping existing residential properties. March 30, 2017 Page a 3. Add a statement in the Background — Housing section (page 12): The City has several affordable housing related documents including the 2015 Update to the Affordable Housing Market Analysis and the CITY STEPS Consolidated Plan, which document affordable housing issues and trends. These and future documents provide the basis for affordable housing -related discussions, policies and legislation. Approved by: Attached: Pgs. 7, 12, 27-28 of current IC2030 Comprehensive Plan Community Vision Statement Iowa City is an energetic and friendly community, renowned for its arts and culture, healthcare and education, and distinctive local businesses. The small-town character of our neighborhoods combined with the big -city vitality of our Downtown and university campus make Iowa City a unique and appealing place for people of all ages. These assets define our sense of place and are the foundation of our stable economy. We will strive to preserve and build upon these aspects of our community while supporting compatible growth and investment that contributes to the overall sustainability of Iowa City by: • Fostering a resilient local economy that increases the tax base, stimulates job growth, and pro- motes the overall prosperity and progress of our people; • Protecting and enhancing the environment and encouraging the responsible use of our natural and energy resources; Providing safe and efficient modes of travel for all in order to ensure the opportunity for full partic- ipation in community life and efficient use of resources; • Creating attractive and affordable housing for all people—housing that is the foundation of healthy, safe, and diverse neighborhoods throughout our city; ■ Promoting opportunities for civic engagement and human development for all who call Iowa City home; and • Encouraging and supporting collaborative efforts with the University of Iowa, the Iowa City Com- munity School District, Johnson County, and other neighboring jurisdictions for the mutual benefit of all communities. A shared community vision is the foundation of the Comprehensive Plan. This vision statement was drawn from a number of public pro- cesses, including the IC2030 work- shops, the Good Ideas web survey, recent district planning processes (including the Southeast District and Central District Plans), a series of workshops for the Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Master Plan, and from community respons- es to recent events, policy debates, and development activities, espe- cially those in the central and near campus neighborhoods. 7 11 Owner Rental 47% 13,011 units 53% 14,646 units Occupied Housing According to the 2010 Census, more than half of all occupied housing units in Iowa City are rentals. According to the 2010 Census there were 29,270 housing units in Iowa City. Of those, 27,657 were occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8%. This is comparable to the vacancy rate in the state of Iowa (2.0%) and in the U.S. (2.4%) The rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. This is low when compared to the vacancy rate in the state of Iowa (8.5%) and in the U.S. (9.2%). *Housing unit refers to dwelling for an individual household, i.e. a house, or an apartment within a larger building. Housing While unique forces contribute to a more resilient housing market than in most parts of the country, Iowa City was not immune to the recent national economic downturn. Likewise, new demographic trends, un- certainty in the financial sector, and concerns over the price of energy influence the demand for housing, as well as the type or style of housing being sought. According to the 2010 Census, rental housing accounted for 53% of all occupied housing in Iowa City. Residents age 15-34 made up 73.1% of all renters, and one- or two -person households accounted for 72.6% of all rentals.3 Small households are also typical for owner -occupied housing, with 65.5% consist- ing of one- or two- person households. Median home value and median gross rent in Iowa City were the highest of any of the five most populous cities in the state.4 Median home value in 2010 was estimated at $188,000. Median gross rent was esti- mated at $856. Housing prices outpaced income growth from 2000 to 2007. Meanwhile real median household income for Iowa City, which peaked in 2008 at $54,466, dropped 11% by 2011.s A growing percentage of Iowa City s population consists of students, young adults, retirees, and seniors. Housing trends for these populations point toward greater demand for homes, townhouses, condomini- ums, and apartments located in walkable urban neighborhoods such as those that exist and that are being contemplated in and around the Downtown, University Campus, and in other areas close to employment and recreation. Strong interest in the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership Program; a significant in- crease in the pace of development of new homes in the Peninsula Neighborhood (despite the economic recession); continued reinvestment in and sales of homes, condominiums, and townhouses within walk- ing distance of Downtown and the University campus; and continued construction of Downtown high-rise condominiums suggest there is increasing demand for higher -density, urban housing for people other than college students. An overall growth strategy should take into account the trend toward infill development in areas such as the Riverfront Crossings and continued reinvestment in the city's existing housing stock to make these areas more affordable and attractive for families. Development of new neighborhoods should be designed as compact and walkable neighborhoods with a variety of housing types with access to public transit and within walking and biking distance to neighborhood schools and commercial services. 3.2010 U.S. Census 4.2010 American Community Survey (1 -year estimates) 5. Department of Numbers website Housing Vision: Iowa City is a community of neighborhoods with safe, attractive, and affordable housing options to serve residents throughout their lifetimes. To this end, the City of Iowa City will support policies that preserve and enhance the character of existing neighborhoods while encouraging diverse and affordable housing options in all neighborhoods—new and old. Housing Goals and strategies: Encourage a diversity of housing options in all neighborhoods. ■ Ensure a mix of housing types within each neighborhood, to provide options for households of all types (singles, families, retirees, etc.) and people of all incomes. ■ Encourage development on smaller lots that conserve land and allow for more affordable single- family housing options. ■ Strive to create a healthy balance of rental and owner -occupied housing in all neighborhoods. ■ Identify and support infill development and redevelopment opportunities in areas where services and infrastructure are already in place. ■ Concentrate new development in areas contiguous to existing neighborhoods where it is most cost effective to extend infrastructure and services. ■ Encourage projects that attract long-term residents to Downtown, Riverfront Crossings, and the University Impact Zone. ■ Encourage publicly and privately developed dormitory -style housing for University students in ar- eas close to the University campus, but away from single-family neighborhoods. ■ Ensure that dormitory -style housing for University students includes recreational and open space amenities that provide for a safe and healthy student living environment ■ Promote housing design and features that allow people to age in place, such as universal design. ■ Encourage green building techniques and promote energy efficiency in all housing. n Neighborhoods should provide a variety of housing options to serve people throughout the various stages of life: single working people, families, and seniors. 28 Improve and maintain housing stock in established neighborhoods. • Continue to support and promote programs that fund or provide low-interest loans for housing maintenance or rehabilitation such as the General Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (GRIP), the Targeted Neighborhood Improvement Program (TARP), and the UniverCity Neighbor- hood Partnership. ■ Encourage the improvement or re -development of substandard multi -family housing. ■ Identify areas within established neighborhoods where infill development would be appropriate. Maintain and improve the safety of all housing. ■ Enforce building and housing codes. ■ Review existing codes for consistency with the goal to provide safe housing, re-evaluating provi- sions that have no apparent basis in safety. ■ Update codes to accommodate the use of new technology and construction techniques. ■ Explore Home Energy Rating Standards for new construction and significant remodel/rehab- ilitation projects. Preserve the integrity of existing neighborhoods and the historic nature of older neighborhoods. ■ Develop neighborhood plans that help ensure a balance of housing types, especially in older parts of the city. ■ Support the Historic Preservation Commission's efforts to meet its goals. ■ Support housing rehabilitation programs and re -invest in housing in existing neighborhoods. The UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership purchases and renovates rental properties in Support sustainability initiatives to create more energy efficient development areas near the Downtown and Campus. These ■ Support programs to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of housing. homes are then resold as affordable owner- ■ Support compact, contiguous development to ensure the efficient use of land and to enhance op - occupied housing. The goal is to achieve a portunities for alternatives to commuting by car. healthier balance of owner -occupied and rental properties in near -campus neighbor- hoods that still retain a single-family charac- ter. To: Planning and Zoning Commission Item: REZ17-00006 812 S. Summit St. GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicant and Owner: STAFF REPORT Prepared by: Bob Miklo and Sarah Walz Date: April 20, 2017 Jamie Powers 812 S. Summit Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-338-5000 Jamie.powers@deluxeiowa.com Requested Action: Rezone from Low Density Single Family Residential Historic District Overlay (RS-5/OHD) Zone to Neighborhood Commercial Historic District Overlay (CN-1/OHD) Zone Purpose: Location: Size: Existing Land Use and Zoning: Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: File Date: 45 Day Limitation Period: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: To allow for expansion of the existing retail use 812 S. Summit Street 3,440 square feet Retail use (bakery) and upper floor residential North: Residential (RS-5/OHD) South: Residential (RS-5/OHD) East: Residential (RS-5/OHD) West: Residential (RS-5/OHD) March 30, 2017 May 14, 2017 5e(4) The applicant, Jamie Powers, is seeking a rezoning from Low Density Single -Family Residential with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS-5/OHD) to Neighborhood Commercial with a Historic Preservation Overlay (CN-1/OHD) for a 3,440 square foot property located at 812 South Summit Street. The property includes a two-story mixed-use building, with the bakery on the ground level and an apartment on the second level. The building was originally constructed c.1900 as a front -gabled American Vernacular house. According to Irving Weber, in the 1910's owner Harry Smith began a grocery in the house and later added the "boomtown" storefront that was built beside the 2 house. Having been established as a retail business prior to the adoption of a zoning code by the City in the mid -1920s, the property has continued to be used for commercial purposes on the ground floor throughout its existence. Therefore, the retail use of the property is considered a legal non -conforming use. As a non -conforming use it may continue as is, or be converted to another use within the same use category, but cannot be expanded in size. The applicant wishes to build a 7' x 15' addition on the north side of the building to allow the relocation of the stairway to the second floor apartment, and to improve access for persons with disabilities. The relocation of the stairway will also create more ground floor area for use by the bakery. Such an expansion is not permitted for a non -conforming use. Therefore the applicant has requested the property be rezoned to CNA to make the bakery a conforming use. Because the property is located within a historic district, any changes to the exterior of the building require approval of the Historic Preservation Commission. The applicant has indicated that she has used the "Good Neighbor Policy" and will hold an informational open house at the bakery on April 14. ANALYSIS: Current zoning: The Low Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) is primarily intended to provide housing opportunities for individual households. The regulations are intended to create, maintain, and promote livable neighborhoods. The regulations allow for some flexibility of dwelling types to provide housing opportunities for a variety of household types. This zone also allows for some nonresidential uses that contribute to the livability of residential neighborhoods, such as parks, schools, religious institutions, and daycare facilities. Related nonresidential uses and structures should be planned and designed to be compatible with the character, scale, and pattern of the residential development. As noted the retail bakery is considered a legal non -conforming use in the zone and may continue to operate but it may not be expanded. Under the current zoning, if the building were to be destroyed, it could only be replaced by a single-family house or another use permitted in the RS -5 zone. The property is included in the Summit Street Historic District. Changes to the exterior of the building require review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Historic Overlay zone will still apply if the underlying zone is changed to CN -1. Proposed zoning: The purpose of the Neighborhood Commercial Zone (CN -1) is to promote a unified grouping of small-scale retail sales and personal service uses in a neighborhood shopping area; encourage neighborhood shopping areas that are conveniently located and that primarily serve nearby residential neighborhoods; promote pedestrian -oriented development at an intensity level that is compatible with surrounding residential areas; and promote principles of site design, building articulation, scale and proportion that are typical of traditional main street design. Allowed uses are restricted in size to promote smaller, neighborhood -serving businesses and to limit adverse impacts on nearby residential areas. CN -1 Zones are generally located with direct access to an arterial street. Uses allowed in the zone include retail sales, general and medical office, personal service, eating and drinking establishments, hospitality, daycare, specialized instruction. However, as noted below some of the uses normally allowed in the CN -1 zone will not be allowed on this property, even if it is rezoned, due to the limited number of parking spaces. 3 Parking: In addition to being a non -conforming use, the property is also non -conforming regarding parking. The current uses require 4.69 spaces based on the 1 -bedroom apartment and the amount of floor area for the retail bakery (1 space per 300 square feet of floor area). There are two parking spaces provided to the rear of the building, which will not change with the proposed modifications to the structure. The ability to satisfy the minimum parking requirement does not change with the rezoning—there is simply not enough space on the property—and thus the parking will remain non -conforming. If the use of the commercial property changes over time, the parking will be grandfathered in with the 4.69 spaces. This control on parking will also limit the types and intensity of businesses (for example: eating and drinking establishments require 1 parking space per 150 square feet of floor area and therefore would not be allowed). Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan encourages sustainable and walkable neighborhoods and envisions neighborhood commercial uses as contributing to the quality of life within neighborhoods. The Plan states: Neighborhood commercial areas can provide a focal point and gathering place for a neighborhood. The businesses within a neighborhood commercial center should provide shopping opportunities within convenient walking distance for the residents in the immediate area. The design of the neighborhood commercial center should have a pedestrian orientation with the stores placed close to the street, but with sufficient open space to allow for outdoor cafes and patios or landscaping. Parking should be located to the rear and sides of stores with additional parking on the street. Incorporating apartments above shops and reserving public open space are two ways to foster additional activity and vitality in a neighborhood commercial area. (IC2030: Comprehensive Plan Update page 21.) In staff's view the current use conforms to the vision for Neighborhood Commercial described in the Comprehensive Plan. In addition to serving as a retail bakery, the business provides a gathering space for neighborhood residents. The property's physical design is similar to a small main street shop, with the building being close to the street, it includes a small outdoor seating area, and parking is at the back of the property, in conformance with site design standards in the code. The Central District Plan also acknowledges a number of properties originally developed with buildings that served as neighborhood grocery stores and have remained, over time as non- conforming commercial uses. These include the Design Ranch Building on Dodge Street, the former Seaton's Meat Market, Watt's Grocery on Muscatine, and Deluxe Bakery on South Summit Street. The former New Pioneer Co-op site (more recently Za-Za's on Bowery Street) and the Akar Architects office on Rochester Avenue also continue to serve as commercial uses within a residential zone. Some of these properties have been granted special exceptions or historic preservation designations to ensure preservation the buildings themselves as well as their opportunity to function as commercial uses. For this reason the current zoning code includes a number of provisions to encourage the continued use of these unique properties provided that their use does not disrupt or detract from the residential character of surrounding neighborhoods. The Economic Development chapter of the Comprehensive Plan encourages small local businesses, such as Deluxe Bakery. Economic goals and strategies include: • Establish strategies to retain and encourage growth of existing locally -owned businesses. • Recognize that small, and independently owned, local businesses are integral to Iowa City's "brand" and sense of identity. (IC2030: Comprehensive Plan Update page 30.) 4 Based on these policies and the current conditions evident at 812 S. Summit Street, staff finds that rezoning of the property to CN -1 (with the historic district overlay zoning designation) would be in conformance the Comprehensive Plan. Compatibility with neighborhood: The bakery has operated in this location for approximately 15 years. Prior to that, the property contained other retail businesses, such as a grocery store, art gallery, and a yarn and craft shop, all as grandfathered non -conforming uses. These uses have proved to be compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood. And as noted in the Comprehensive Plan, such uses often enhance the quality of life in a neighborhood. If the change to the CN -1 zone is approved, the property will be allowed to make the small proposed expansion and improve access for persons with disabilities. The non -conforming parking will limit the sorts of businesses that may locate here should the use change over time. The historic preservation overlay zone will control the design of any exterior changes to the building. Given the small size of the lot and its proximity to adjacent single-family uses, staff recommends two conditions to control certain aspects of allowed uses that may not be compatible with the surrounding single-family residential neighborhood: restricting hours that the business is open to the public to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, and no sales of alcohol or tobacco on the property. These restrictions are, in the view of staff, appropriate in order to ensure the commercial use of the property remains neighborhood serving and compatible with nearby residential properties and to minimize activities that may be injurious to the use and enjoyment of residential uses in the immediate vicinity. Similar restrictions were put in place for the property at 518 Bowery Street (another commercial use within a residential zone) through the special exception process. The applicant has been informed of these conditions and is agreeable to them. Traffic implications: The property may continue to operate as a retail commercial use in the RS -5 zone. Rezoning of the property to CN -1 will allow the commercial use to increase slightly in size, but the intensity of use will be similar to the existing bakery and will not likely generate additional traffic when compared to the current use. If the bakery closes, the other uses allowed in the CN -1 zone are likely to generate similar levels of traffic. Although no specific data is available, observations indicate that a significant number of customers walk or bike to this location. Restricting night time hours of operation will help to assure that traffic from the business uses on this property are not disruptive of the neighborhood in the future. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of REZ17-00006, a rezoning of property at 812 S. Summit Street from Low Density Single Family Residential/Historic Preservation Overlay (RS-5/OHP) zone to Neighborhood Commercial/Historic Preservation Overlay (CN-1/OHP) zone subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement restricting hours that the business is open to the public to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, and prohibiting the sale of alcohol and tobacco. ATTACHMENTS 1. Location Map 2. Application materials Approved by: / % John Yapp, DevelopMent SeNces Coordinator Department of Neighborhood and Development Services .:Y r x a yf - a. ' 4 �_ K'l.. •� r I An application submitted by Jamie Powers, owner of Deluxe Bakery, to rezone property at 812 S. Summit Street from Low Density Single Family Historic District Overlay(RS-5/OHD) to Neighborhood Commercial Historic District Overlay (CN-1/OHD). CITY OF IOWA CITY I am interested in changing the location of 812 S.Summit St. to a Commercial Neighborhood use. This change will allow for a more efficient and safe work space for the employees and guests. It will be safer for all involved by creating a more streamlined workspace for bakers and creating a new entrance which flows with all abilities. After 15 years of operation, DeLuxe Bakery has proven that a commercial gathering space, much like what was exemplified from 1979 and before, can enrich, solidify and contribute to locking in as a neighborhood gathering place. After reviewing various plans, changing this location to commercial will allow for the best handicap access plans to move forward. Thank you so much for your help All the best, Jamie Julie From: Simon Andrew Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 2:04 PM To: 'Ryan DeClerck'; Council Subject: RE: Recent Ordinance Hi Ryan, Thank you for your email. I would be happy to speak with you about the ordinance under consideration. My contact information is below - please call at your convenience. Have a good afternoon! Best regards, Simon Andrew Assistant to the City Manager City of Iowa City 410 East Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 (319)356-5010 simon-andrew@ iowa-citv.ora -----Original Message ----- From: Ryan DeClerck [mailto:rdeclerck30@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 1:56 PM To: Council Subject: Recent Ordinance Hello, To whom that may answer. I am a student/citizen of the Iowa City community. After skimming through the The Daily Iowan today I noticed the recent ordinance that was passed, "Open -Container." This headline very well peaked my interest, but after reading the article there were a lot of questions unanswered. I was curiously as to if there were more details on this? Or if someone had a second for me to pick their brain. I look forward to hearing back. Thank you for your time. Julie From: Kent Ralston Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:26 PM To: donald.baxter@gmail.com Cc: 'City Council; Chris O'Brien; Geoff Fruin; Ron Knoche; Doug Boothroy; Jason Havel Subject: RE: Road -striping season is coming up: A request Hello Mr. Baxter—Thank you for sharing your concerns with the City. You are correct that the existing striped lanes on Benton Street are not currently wide -enough to be designated as true bike lanes. This issue has also been raised in the feedback we've received as part of our current Bike Master Planning efforts that the City is undertaking. While the Bike Master Plan is not yet complete, we anticipate that the Plan will recommend adding true bike lanes on Benton Street. Knowing this, the City is already considering undertaking this work with a pavement overlay project that is being planned for Benton Street. Regarding Rohret Road, the striped shoulders are currently of adequate width to be designated as true bike lanes and there are existing pavement markings indicating as much. With spring upon us, the Streets division is out sweeping and repairing roadways as quickly as possible; I hope that these efforts will make riding on these (and other corridors) more safe and enjoyable. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me directly. Best Regards, Kent Ralston, AICP Executive Director I Meimpolilan Planning organization of Johnson County Transportation Planner I City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319.356.5253 From: Donald Baxter[mailto:donald.baxter@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 2:09 PM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org>; Chris O'Brien <Chris-OBrien@iowa-city.org>; Geoff Fruin <Geoff-Fruin@iowa-city.org> Subject: Road -striping season is coming up: A request To the Iowa City Council and Traffic Engineering Staff: As Iowa City streets and roads get re -striped this Spring and Summer, here's something to think about. A few Iowa streets like Benton Street and Rohret Road have white stripes that i suspect are for the purpose of delineating the furthest right vehicular traffic are supposed to travel in the lane. There's usually about two feet of space to the right of this white line and then the curb. While these lines are not for the purpose of creating a bike lane, drivers often assume this is where bicycles are supposed to travel on the street. These are not bike lanes. They are neither signed as such nor are they wide enough to be standard bike lanes and they are not maintained as bike lanes. If you are a cyclist and are not using this area as a bike lane, drivers become irate. ICPD officer will sometimes even remind cyclists they should use such bike lanes (that aren't actually bike lanes). Why does Iowa City continue to persist with this lane marking? The markings don't narrow the travel lane for vehicles enough to encourage slower driving. The lanes aren't bike lanes; they are often full of debris and road imperfections and could make cycling more dangerous for riders who feel obligated to use them even though.... it's not a bike lane. Could the city scrub these off the pavement and stop marking them? Or, perhaps the City could make them wider, maintain them, fill the imperfections and sign them AS bike lanes while making the main travel lane narrower which might have the positive effect of slowing traffic down making things safer for everyone. Best wishes, Donald Baxter Donald Baxter 316 Ridgeview Avenue University Heights, Iowa 52246 319/337-0494 413/294-1280 (e -fax) homepage: www.onanov.com The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around. —Gaylord Nelson Julie From: Susan Mims Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 2:18 PM To: Council Subject: FW: park rule of no alcohol, even for small events Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Kayla Cress Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 9:41 AM To: Susan Mims Subject: park rule of no alcohol, even for small events 5f(3) Good morning Susan, I am writing to see if the Iowa City Council would consider changing their Parks and Rec rule of no alcohol in a City Park shelter rental. One of our kids got engaged recently, and the girls want to have an engagement party for them at a City Park shelter. Over the phone, we were told that you pay the rental fee first, then apply for a temporary alcohol permit, and pay the fee. We were thinking some wine and a bottle of champagne, mostly food and visiting. After applying for the shelter, she was then told that the rules already state that no alcohol permits are allowed. The guy I spoke with said they believe that small events had turned into keggers. He also passed the buck to you and said the rule is a City Council decision. It would be nice if the rule would be changed to allow wine, beer, champagne, and then specify, no kegs. Then if a keg is found, the party is shut down. I would like to think that our City has more adults in it that are responsible, than kegger prone college students. As a long time Iowa City resident, I would like to remind the City Council that there if life outside of the 2 mile bubble around the campus. In checking the Coralville city website for Parks and Rec, they charge a shelter fee, plus a $15 alcohol fee. We would prefer to spend our time and dollars in Iowa City. Thanks for listening. Kayla Cress Iowa City resident Julie Voparil 51(4 From: Kate Revaux <kater@cwise.com> Sent: Friday, April 21, 2017 2:36 PM To: Council Subject: USGBC Iowa -Annual Meeting Invitation! Good Afternoon City Council of Iowa City, The U.S. Green Building Council is proud to announce 19 projects in Iowa earned LEED certification in 2016! To celebrate our successes and plan for the road ahead, as sustainable building construction and design practices become increasingly important, USGBC Iowa will be hosting their annual meeting on Thursday, May 18th in Coralville, Iowa and we would love for you to come! Derek Nelson, Manager of Sustainability for Kum & Go, will discuss the company's initiative to LEED certify new locations, as well as host a tour through the newly certified Kum & Go Marketplace on 1 at Avenue in Coralville. LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for the places we live, work, learn, and play. LEED's global sustainability agenda is designed to achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health - putting people, planet, and profit first. Please be sure to register below and let us know if you have any questions! Follow the link here to let us know you'll be able to make it! httos://www eventbdte com/e/usgbc-iowa-annual-meeting-and-social-tickets-33757333092 Thank you! Kate Revaux Julie From: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition <jcaffordablehousing=gmail.corn@mail254.atl221.rsgsv.net> on behalf of Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition <jcaffordablehousing@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 24, 2017 10:23 AM To: Council Subject: Say Goodbye to Andy News and Updates from the Johnson County Is this email not displaying Affordable Housing Coalition! correctly? View it in your browser. Next Monday, May 1 st, join the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County in thanking Andy)ohnson for his public service! Join the Housing Trust Food of Johnson County M we bid e 7 olid Farct�ell to ANDYJOHNSON 00o. -Monday, May 10 Tboo,4:e0 •6:00 p... 4 IOCWN 'CopCMS Comer Sports Pub 749 Monne. Trek SIs0., levee City Appetizers will be prorlele0. 1 Also, SAVE the DATE for our Summer Mixer, on June 21st from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Iowa City Area Association of Realtors, 847 Quarry Road in Coralville. Nick Westergaard and Meghann Foster of Brand Driven Digital will kick off the event with a presentation about reframing and remessaging affordable housing to achieve a balanced mix in our communities. The Mixer will feature hors d'oeuvres and a variety of beverages. Please join us!! Copyright © 2017 Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event or meeting. Our mailing address is: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition 205 Black Springs Circle Iowa City, IA 52246 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list I update subscription Preferences I view email in browser F Julie Vo From: Ron Knoche Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 4:42 PM To: 'jean-florman@uiowa.edu' Cc: Council; Jason Havel; Jon Resler Subject: RE: iowa city roads Jean Thank you for your email to Council regarding street conditions in Iowa City, particularly Benton Street. I have been asked to provide a response. With this year's overlay program, Benton Street from Greenwood Drive to Michael Street will be overlayed with hot mix asphalt. We have applied for federal funds to continue the overlay from Greenwood Drive west to Mormon Trek. It appears the funding will be granted but it will not be available until 2021-22. Council continues to commit additional funding to the streets maintenance program, but we try to obtain outside funding whenever possible. You mention the mild winters we have been experiencing, but unfortunately the mild winters have been the leading cause, other than age, to the deterioration of the streets. The additional freezing and thawing events that have been occurring with the mild winters cause more potholes in hot mix asphalt and joint failures in Portland cement concrete streets. Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Sincerely, rm Ronald R. Knoche, PE Public Works Director City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa Email: ron-knocheCiliowa-citv.org Phone: (319) 356-5138 Cell: (319) 430-3625 Fax: (319) 356-5007 From: Florman, Jean C [mailto:] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 2:11 PM To: Council Subject: Iowa city roads Dear Mayor Throgmorton and City Council Members, I want to thank you for the good work you do for those of us who live and work in Iowa City. I especially appreciate the idea of the mayor's neighborhood walks. I'm not sure if you have walked on the west side of town around Benton Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard, but if you plan to do that soon, I would like to suggest you actually drive to and from on Benton Street. The road is a horrible mess, with potholes, cracks, bumps, patches, divots, and just about any other impediment to smooth travel one could imagine. I've driven on that road by car, bus, or bike almost every day for 20 years, and have seen it repaired (i.e., patched) exactly three times. Is there any hope for tearing it up, end-to-end, and starting over with a road that isn't bone -jarringly bad? (I would point out two other roads in town that are equally bad, but for selfish reasons, I'd like to see West Benton Street improved first). It's terribly prosaic to complain to city leaders about potholes, so my apologies for that. I just can't stand driving on Iowa City roads that are, frankly, an embarrassment. And we haven't even had bad winters for several years, so blaming this on the wonderful road crews doesn't seem fair. Thank you for your attention to this problem. Best, Jean P.S. It looks like Mormon Trek is going to be changed, but I hope that also isn't an excuse for not repairing the dreadful roads we already have. ' a 1 %pomp r� CITY OF IOWA CIT 05-02-17 COUNCIL ACTION REPO 5f(7) May 2, 2017 Removal of (1) parking meter space and installation of (1) NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the northwest corner and removal of (1) parking meter space on the northeast corner of the East Bloomington Street and North Van Buren Street intersection. 12b Prepared By: Emily Bothell, Acting Senior Transportation Engineering Planner Reviewed By: Kent Ralston, Transportation Planner Fiscal Impact: No impact Recommendations: Staff: Approval Commission: N/A Attachments: None Executive Summary: As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (17, 10); Remove meter BL430E and install NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the northwest corner and remove meter BL502E on the northeast corner of the East Bloomington Street and North Van Buren Street intersection. Background / Analysis: This action is being taken to improve visibility at the intersection. r 1 05-02-17 ^per CITY OF IOWA CITY 5f(8) MEMORANDUM Date: April 13, 2017 To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager From: Jason Havel, City Engineer Z-0 Re: Competitive Quotation Results First Ave (US Hwy 6 to Mall Dr) Four Lane to Three Lane Conversion Competitive quotations for the First Ave (US Hwy 6 to Mall Dr) Four Lane to Three Lane Conversion Project were opened on March 28, 2017 and the following quotes were received: Quality Striping, Inc. Des Moines, IA $ 22,365.59 Advanced Traffic Control, Inc. West Branch, IA $28,363.95 Engineer's Estimate $ 43,000.00 Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the contract to Quality Striping of Des Moines, Iowa. The project will be funded through Account #S3937 First Avenue Three -Lane Conversion. Late Handouts Distributed Julie Voparil From: Eleanor M. Dilkes �) / -7 Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 1:52 PM �1 To: 'Tom Hertz'; Council; Tammy Neumann (Date) Subject: RE: Iowa City Farmers Market Plastic Bag Ban Mr. Hertz, HF 295 prohibits cities from regulating the use of plastic bags by private enterprises. The Farmer's Market is a city operation that takes place on city property and is not affected by HF 295. This interpretation is supported by the history of the Act, the requirement of formal action by the City Council ("A city shall not adopt an ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment.....") and the provision of the Act that states it does not apply to city solid waste or recycling programs. Feel free to give me a call if you have questions. Eleanor M. Dilkes City Attorney City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Email: eleanor-dilkes0iowa-citv.ora Phone: (319) 356-5030 Fax: (319) 356-5008 From: Tom Hertz [mailto:thertz2001@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 10:46 AM To: Council; Tammy Neumann Subject: Iowa City Farmers Market Plastic Bag Ban The Iowa City Farmer's Market has implemented a plastic -bag ban which I believe is in direct violation of state House File 295: House File 295: an Act prohibiting counties and cities from establishing certain regulations relating to employment matters and the sale or marketing of consumer merchandise, providing for properly related matters, and including effective date provisions