HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-06 CorrespondenceTo: Planning and Zoning Commission
Item: REZ17-00005
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Applicant:
STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Karen Howard
Date: May 18, 2017
513 Riverside, LLC
528 S. Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Contact: Charles Graves
13 Woodcrest Lane NE
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-337-4700
Charlie@cghanson.com
Requested Action
Purpose:
Location:
Size:
Existing Land Use and Zoning:
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning
File Date:
45 Day Limitation Period:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Rezone 513 South Riverside Drive from Community
Commercial (CC -2) zone to Riverfront Crossings -
West Riverfront (RFC -WR)
Redevelop the property according to the Riverfront
Crossings —West Riverfront standards
513 S. Riverside Drive
Approximately 0.6 acres (27,040 square feet)
vacant -former convenience store/gas station (CC -2)
North: undeveloped - University of Iowa (P-2)
South: fast food/take-out restaurants (CC -2)
East: used auto dealership (CC -2) and Iowa River
West: multi -family residential (RM -44)
March 30, 2017
May 14, 2017 (waived by applicant)
3e(1)
The applicant, 513 Riverside LLC, has requested a rezoning from Community Commercial (CC -2)
Zone to Riverfront Crossings West Riverfront (RFC -WR) Zone for 0.6 acres at 513 S. Riverside
Drive. This property is currently vacant, but was previously a Kum & Go convenience store and
gas station. Kum & Go vacated and sold the property when they moved the operation to their new
location at the corner of Benton and Riverside Drive. The property is located in the Riverfront
Crossings West Riverfront subdistrict and is directly adjacent to the west campus area of the
University of Iowa and across the street from properties that abut the Iowa River and the Iowa
River Corridor Trail.
In 2016 the City of Iowa City conducted a planning effort to improve conditions along Riverside
Drive for pedestrians and to improve the aesthetics of the corridor to encourage reinvestment and
redevelopment. This planning effort resulted in the South Riverside Drive Streetscape Master
Plan. The first phase of implementation of that plan will include a pedestrian tunnel through the
railroad embankment, full signalization and pedestrian crossing at the Myrtle intersection, and
improved sidewalks, parkway buffer and street trees from the Myrtle Avenue to Benton Street
along the west side of Riverside Drive. Similar to properties that have been rezoned and
developed according to the Riverfront Crossings form -based code along Riverside Drive south of
the Iowa Interstate Railroad embankment, additional right-of-way along the frontage of the subject
property will be needed to achieve this safer and more comfortable pedestrian environment to
support the increase in residential population made possible with the subject rezoning.
The applicant did not hold a Good Neighbor Meeting.
ANALYSIS:
Current and proposed zoning: The current CC -2 zoning is intended for major retail commercial
areas that serve a significant segment of the community population. The maximum building height
in the CC -2 Zone is 35 feet. The zone is primarily a commercial zone, but allows upper floor
residential uses by special exception. Minimal parking and building setbacks apply, but parking
may be placed between buildings and the street, which has resulted in the auto -dominated
commercial strip development along Riverside Drive.
The Riverfront Crossings form -based zoning for the West Riverfront subdistrict allows for a broad
mix of commercial and residential uses. Unlike the CC -2 Zone, the Riverfront Crossings code
allows for a variety of building types, residential, commercial and mixed-use. New buildings must
be located close to the street and oriented to Riverside Drive with street -facing entries opening
onto an improved streetscape designed to provide a safe, comfortable and attractive environment
for pedestrians buffered from vehicular traffic on Riverside Drive. Parking must be located behind
or to the side of buildings and screened and buffered from the sidewalk and the street. Residential
density is limited by building height and the amount of parking that can be provided on the site.
The maximum building height in this area of the West Riverfront subdistrict is four stories. An
additional story may be granted through the bonus provisions. An open space requirement of 10
square feet per bedroom is required for properties containing residential uses. Building design
standards apply and will be administered through the staff design review process. If the project
includes residential uses, the affordable housing requirement that applies in Riverfront
Crossings will apply. At this time the owner of the property has not decided whether the
property will be developed with a commercial building or a mixed-use building. Both types of
buildings would be allowed and appropriate in this location according to the Riverfront Crossings
Master Plan.
Comprehensive Plan: The Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Master Plan was adopted in
January 2013 as an integral part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The subject property is
located in the West Riverfront Subdistrict of Riverfront Crossings. One of the primary goals for
this subdistrict is to encourage redevelopment that will help create a more pedestrian -friendly
character along Riverside Drive by enhancing the streetscape and overall aesthetics, tempering
auto -dominated frontages by locating buildings closer to the street with parking behind or to the
side of buildings, and creating a place where people can live close to the Iowa River and to
shopping, restaurants, and other services. The new form -based zoning code for Riverfront
Crossings is intended to help implement that vision and contains standards for building and
parking placement, streetscape improvements, building form and design, and landscaping and
Page 2 of 6
open space requirements. Due to the absence of building and parking placement standards and
few requirements related to building form and design, the current CC -2 zoning will allow the
property will develop in a manner inconsistent with the Riverfront Crossings Master Plan.
One of the most important goals for the West Riverfront subdistrict is to improve the
environment along Riverside Drive to make it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians and
bicyclists. Since the requested rezoning will allow a significant increase in the residential
population in the area, staff recommends as a condition of rezoning, that the applicant dedicate
land along the Riverside Drive frontage of the property to widen the public right-of-way and
close driveways that are inconsistent with the new zoning and the City's access management
standards. Details of these necessary improvements are described in more detail in the traffic
and pedestrian circulation section, below. Closure of noncompliant driveways and the increased
right-of-way will be used to create a wider landscaped buffer between the traffic lanes on
Riverside Drive and the public sidewalk and a safer condition along the sidewalk and at the
intersection for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. This will improve public safety and provide
for a higher quality living environment for residents of the new building and encourage those
residents to walk or bike to area businesses and to other destinations in the community. In
addition, those improvements will provide safer bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular access to any
new businesses developed on the site and a more attractive frontage condition that will be of
economic benefit to the property owner and the businesses. The City is also moving forward with
plans to create a pedestrian tunnel through the railroad embankment. The proposed tunnel will
allow safe pedestrian movement north along Riverside Drive to the subject property and to the
University campus and Downtown. The applicant has indicated willingness to dedicate the
necessary land for widening the right-of-way along Riverside Drive and to reduce the number of
driveways on the property.
For all the reasons stated above, staff finds that the requested zoning (RFC -WR) is consistent
with the City's Comprehensive Plan and will help to facilitate redevelopment that will comply with
the Riverfront Crossings Master Plan, provided that land along Riverside Drive is dedicated to the
City to allow for improvements to the street corridor necessary to accommodate the increase in
residential density and pedestrian -oriented commercial development allowed by the rezoning.
Compatibility with neighborhood: The proposed rezoning to RFC -WR will allow development
that is compatible with the future goals of the Comprehensive Plan to transform this auto -
dominated area into a more pedestrian -friendly environment with a better mix of residential uses
and neighborhood -serving businesses provided the public space along the street is also
improved to support a more walkable urban neighborhood. The form -based zoning standards
will help ensure that new buildings are compatible with the vision of the Riverfront Crossings
plan and with surrounding residential neighborhoods. Therefore, staff finds that the proposed
rezoning is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, provided the necessary
improvements are made to the street corridor along Riverside Drive and Myrtle Avenue.
Traffic and pedestrian circulation: The proposed rezoning will allow a considerable increase
in residential density and new pedestrian -oriented commercial and mixed-use buildings. The
subject property fronts on Riverside Drive and Myrtle Avenue. One of the objectives of the
Riverfront Crossings Plan is to create high quality mixed-use neighborhoods with tree -lined
streets and safer conditions that encourage walking and biking. Riverside Drive is a high-
volume, 4 -lane arterial street that is also a State highway. The public right-of-way in this location
is only 63 feet wide. With the wide traffic lanes, higher traffic speeds, excessive number of
driveways and no on -street parking to buffer the pedestrian area, there is not enough space
between the street curb and the front property line of abutting properties to achieve a safe and
Page 3 of 6
comfortable environment for pedestrians. In much of the corridor the limited space does not
leave enough room for any landscape buffer between the sidewalk and the travel lanes along
the street and in some cases not even enough space for a sidewalk. Lack of street trees and an
excessive number of driveways further degrade the pedestrian environment along the corridor.
As mentioned, the City is planning improvements to the corridor to construct a pedestrian tunnel
through the railroad embankment located to the south of the property, extend a new sidewalk
north to the intersection of Myrtle Avenue, and signalize the Myrtle/Riverside Drive intersection
to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic circulation in the area (See preliminary design, below).
As properties are rezoned along Riverside Drive, staff recommends requiring a dedication of
land to improve conditions for pedestrians and to ensure that the streetscape and frontage area
improvements required in the Riverfront Crossings form -based code can be achieved. The
cross-section in the South Riverside Drive Streetscape Master Plan (see below) calls for a
minimum of 20 feet between the street curb and the front property line. This pedestrian area
would include a 6 -foot sidewalk, 8 -foot wide area for street trees, and 6 -foot wide area between
the street curb and the trees for snow storage and utilities.
Page 4 of 6
(� 1
�ry ti
. - 6, A
t r t o
����� N , �
The applicant has agreed to enter into a conditional zoning agreement to dedicate land along
the frontage of the subject property to create a right-of-way that achieves the minimum
requirements specified in the streetscape master plan and the improvements necessary for
signalization of the intersection and also to reduce the number and location of driveways to be
consistent with the City's access management standards.
These modifications to the street corridor will improve conditions for future residents and
businesses that live or do business on the subject property. To improve traffic safety, staff
recommends requiring closure of several of the existing driveways in concert with the City's
streetscape project or prior to issuance of a building permit, whichever occurs first. At a
minimum the two driveways closest to the intersection of Myrtle and Riverside should be closed
to bring the site into compliance with the City's access management standards. With regard to
the southernmost driveway on Riverside Drive, depending on the type of building and the uses
proposed, some limited access, such as a right -out may be acceptable to support a ground level
commercial use on this corner. If, however, a 100% residential building is proposed, then
access should be restricted to the westernmost Myrtle Avenue driveway and all access points to
Riverside Drive should be closed. Regardless of the type of project proposed, negotiation of a
shared cross access easement between adjacent properties along this frontage may also
provide good options for safe traffic circulation for all modes of transportation. Further traffic
analysis will need to be conducted at the time a project is proposed to determine whether a
driveway is appropriate on Riverside Drive and, if allowed, its design and location should be in
accordance with the City's access management standards.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of REZ17-00005 a proposal to rezone approximately 0.6 acres of
property at 513 S. Riverside Drive from Community Commercial (CC -2) Zone to Riverfront
Crossings -West Riverfront (RFC -WR) Zone, subject to a conditional zoning agreement requiring
dedication of land along the Riverside Drive frontage to widen the pedestrian area within the
public right-of-way to a minimum of 20 feet measured between the inside of the street curb and
the new front property line, and closure of driveways consistent with the City's access
management standards. These conditions should be satisfied coincident with the City's street
improvement project or prior to issuance of a permit for any improvements to the subject property,
whichever occurs first.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map
Approved by:
F
John Yapp, Developmen(Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
Page 6 of 6
1.0 ! •a
2600 V" j
A rezoning application submitted by 513 Riverside, LLC
to rezone property at 513 S. Riverside Drive from
Community Commercial (CC -2) to to
Riverfront Crossings -West Rivefront Subdistrict (RFC -WR)
1
l�
i
CITY OI IOWA CIl
77, 9
A„
`"W PRENTISS ST"
` ►
OWN
lit
b
From:
Kate Degner <kkdegner@yahoo.com>
Sent:
Monday, May 15, 2017 4:49 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Mercer Park 5/15/17
Attachments:
IMG_4924.JPG; ATT00001.txt; IMG_4923.JPG; ATT00002.txt; IMG 4921.JPG; ATT00003.txt
Dear Iowa City City Council Members,
I'm emailing regarding the garbage cans at Mercer Park. This afternoon I took my kids after school to play at the park. The
garbage cans in the shelter were over flowing and garbage had blown all over the playground. There were also quite a few
glass cans and bottles left near the garbage cans that some of the kids were breaking on the cement.
I'm just wondering if there is a schedule for emptying the garbage and if that schedule could be updated after the shelter
house has been rented.
I love the park and would hate to see it get overrun with trash and broken glass!
Thanks,
Kate Degner
Sent from my !Phone
t
iow-
IA.u..
It
am
r
� � w
Julie Voparil
From:
Juli Seydell Johnson
Sent:
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:26 AM
To:
'kkdegner@yahoo.com'
Cc:
Council; Zac Hall
Subject:
FW: Mercer Park 5/15/17
Kate,
Thank you for your email from May 15 regarding the trash issue at Mercer Park. Our trash compacter truck was broken over
the weekend of May 12-14 so, indeed, staff was behind in picking up regular trash routes. Even so, I apologize that you found
the park in this condition and have taken steps to address procedures and staffing when regular equipment is not available.
Sincerely,
Juli Seydell Johnson
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Iowa City
319-356-5104
Juli-s!ohnsonPiowa-citv.org
WWW.icgov.org/or
-----Original Message -----
From: Geoff Fruin
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 8:39 PM
To: Juli Seydell Johnson
Subject: FW: Mercer Park 5/15/17
-----Original Message -----
From: Kate Degner [mailto:kkdegner@yahoo.comj
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 4:49 PM
To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org>
Subject: Mercer Park 5/15/17
Dear Iowa City City Council Members,
I'm emailing regarding the garbage cans at Mercer Park. This afternoon I took my kids after school to play at the park. The
garbage cans in the shelter were over flowing and garbage had blown all over the playground. There were also quite a few
glass cans and bottles left near the garbage cans that some of the kids were breaking on the cement.
I'm just wondering if there is a schedule for emptying the garbage and if that schedule could be updated after the shelter
house has been rented.
I love the park and would hate to see it get overrun with trash and broken glass!
Thanks,
Kate Degner
Sent from my!Phone
f�J "ti ^ MAY 16,2017
TO ALL CITY COUNCIL PERSONS 04 I�6L*"Z_
THIS A FURTHER COMPLIAINT ABOUTTHE BAD -BAD TREATMENT THE VETERANS ARE GETTING AT THE
IOWA CITY HOME -LESS SHELTER.. AGAIN I WAS SINGLE OUT FOR A SET-UP BY THE STAFF
MEMBER,NAME "GLORIA" . THIS TIME SHE PUT VICTOM DIRECTLY IN FRONT MESO AS TO BYTHE
PERSON BY INCH'S HE MADE A "SLUM-GETTO " REMARK TO ME THAT I REACTED TO, IN THE FORM OF
CURSEING HIM. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD MADE THE REMARK,THE LAST TIME WE WERE
IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE SHELTER -HOUSE. HAVING HEARD ON MY RESPONSE"GOLRIA THE
WHITE -STAFF PERSON INFORM ME I WAS ON 6 DAY KICK AND HAD TO LEAVE THE SHELTER A.S.A.P..
1 DID, STAYING IN MY CAR ON THE STREET.THE OTHER WORKER "FAITH" TOLD ME LATER THE I HAD
MADE A AGGRESSIVE STANS AND LOOK LIKE I WAS GOING TO ATTACK THE GUY. A BIG -FAT LIE. AS SOON
AS I CAN I RIDE THE ELEVATOR -UP AND AM IN BED IN 30 -MINS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER
STATEMENT IS I HAVE BACK INJURY AND HAVE A PROBLEM STANDING UP,FOR MORE THAN 5 -MINS.
BECAUSE OF A SIMILER SET-UP 1 NO -LONGER EAT WITH REST OF THE WELFARE-PARISITES,AND STAY IN
ROOM UNTIL IT IS TIME TO LEAVE THE SHELTER.AGAIN MOST OF THE WELFARE PARISITES ARE IN AND
OUT TO RUN-DOWN APARTMENTS, GO-LOOK,THE STUPID IIDAE THAT THESE PEOPLE CAN LIVE LIKE
NORMAL HUMANS IS JUST THAT, STUPID..THE LAST 60 YEARS HAVE THEM DOING NOTHING BUT LIVING
OFF WELFARE..ANY ONE WHO IS DOING THINGS LIKE WORK ARE BAD.YOUR PAYING FOR THE
DESTRUCTION OF IOWA CITY AND NOW YOU WANT BUILD ON THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF WHERE
YOU ARE..WHY ARE YOU NOT ADDING TO JOHNSON COUNTY JAIL??? ITS LIKE BEING JAIL OR WELFARE
OFFICEWORE POLICEMEN ON THE WEEK -ENDS.. WE ARE NO -LONGER IN KANAS DORTHY..
(213-840-2960 —cell)
JERRY BOKASSA —NATIVE
P.O. BOX 1905
IOWA CITY,IOWA..52244
rr
N
�y
°-
J
to-
U!-
�- U
LL
U 3
g
N
MAY 16,2017
TO ALL CITY COUNCIL PERSONS
THIS A FURTHER COMPLIAINT ABOUT THE BAD -BAD TREATMENT THE VETERANS ARE GETTING AT THE
IOWA CITY HOME -LESS SHELTER.. AGAIN I WAS SINGLE OUT FOR A SET-UP BY THE STAFF
MEMBER,NAME " GLORIA'. THIS TIME SHE PUT A VICTOM DIRECTLY IN FRONT ME SO AS TO BY THE
PERSON BY INCH'S HE MADE A "SLUM-GETTO " REMARK TO ME THAT I REACTED TO, IN THE FORM OF
CURSEING HIM. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD MADE THE REMARK,THE LAST TIME WE WERE
IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE SHELTER -HOUSE. HAVING HEARD ON MY RESPONSE"GOLRIA THE
WHITE -STAFF PERSON INFORM ME I WAS ON 6 DAY KICK AND HAD TO LEAVE THE SHELTER A.S.A.P..
I DID, STAYING IN MY CAR ON THE STREET.THE OTHER WORKER "FAITH" TOLD ME LATER THE I HAD
MADE A AGGRESSIVE STANS AND LOOK LIKE I WAS GOING TO ATTACK THE GUY. A BIG -FAT LIE. AS SOON
AS I CAN I RIDE THE ELEVATOR -UP AND AM IN BED IN 30 -MINS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER
STATEMENT IS I HAVE BACK INJURY AND HAVE A PROBLEM STANDING UP,FOR MORE THAN 5 -MINS.
BECAUSE OF A SIMILER SET-UP I NO -LONGER EAT WITH REST OF THE WELFARE-PARISITES,AND STAY IN
ROOM UNTIL IT IS TIME TO LEAVE THE SHELTER.AGAIN MOST OF THE WELFARE PARISITES ARE IN AND
OUT TO RUN-DOWN APARTMENTS, GO-LOOK,THE STUPID IIDAE THAT THESE PEOPLE CAN LIVE LIKE
NORMAL HUMANS IS JUST THAT,--STUPID..THE LAST 60 YEARS HAVE THEM DOING NOTHING BUT LIVING
OFF WELFARE..ANY ONE WHO IS DOING THINGS LIKE WORK ARE BAD.YOUR PAYING FOR THE
DESTRUCTION OF IOWA CITY AND NOW YOU WANT BUILD ON THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF WHERE
YOU ARE..WHYARE YOU NOT ADDING TO JOHNSON COUNTY JAIL??? ITS LIKE BEING JAIL OR WELFARE
OFFICE.MORE POLICEMEN ON THE WEEK -ENDS.. WE ARE NO -LONGER IN KANAS DORTHY..
(213-840-2960 -cell)
May 17, 2017 REVISED
AMENDED ADDITION
JERRY BOKASSA —NATIVE
P.O. BOX 1905
IOWA CITY,IOWA..52244
Forgotten information; many staff (the one who attack me) Go about telling medical,illneses, personw
(,medications to any one whom thay see fit to..this has been repeated to me from one than one
person.. these welfare people that are hired by the Shelter House are not qualified to hold the
information given to the Shelter. You may as well give it to the —Daily Iowa paper.Any information
giving out is a violation of federal laws.
Q/3a &&,
°-
a -
`UJ
L�
o
_
May 17, 2017 REVISED
AMENDED ADDITION
JERRY BOKASSA —NATIVE
P.O. BOX 1905
IOWA CITY,IOWA..52244
Forgotten information; many staff (the one who attack me) Go about telling medical,illneses, personw
(,medications to any one whom thay see fit to..this has been repeated to me from one than one
person.. these welfare people that are hired by the Shelter House are not qualified to hold the
information given to the Shelter. You may as well give it to the —Daily Iowa paper.Any information
giving out is a violation of federal laws.
Q/3a &&,
Julie Voparil
From:
billadair1940@gmail.com
Sent:
Thursday, May 18, 2017 11:55 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Be careful for what ask for
"If San Francisco can declare itself a sanctuary city and ignore Federal law regarding
immigration, why should a community within San Francisco be forbidden from declaring itself
as a Sharia Law community and ignore federal and state laws. Thus, girls could be married
at 9 years old, burkas required in public, females must be accompanied by male
relatives, mutilation of young females is an accepted practice and amputation of limbs is a
fitting punishment for crime. Where are we going? What are our values? What is right and
what is wrong? What is the rule of law? What law prevails?
I do not believe that a nation can long exist, when its citizens can decide which laws that
they will follow and which they will ignore.
William H. Adair
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
1
Julie
From:
Brad Grupe <bradgrupe@mchsi.com>
Sent:
Monday, May 22, 2017 9:20 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Fireworks
I have a suggestion based on what the Des Moines City Council just passed with respect to Fireworks.
They, like Iowa City don't want to allow the use of fireworks within city limits. I can understand that point of view,
even though I am an advocate for fireworks in general and I occasionally help shoot commercial fireworks displays.
I'd like council to consider allowing the use of fireworks on July 4th only in the city limits. Des Moines came up with
this as a compromise to allow some use of fireworks. It's limited to one day and can be used to evaluate whether
usage should be expanded to a longer period in the future.
Thanks for your consideration.
Bradley Grupe
1654 Aber Ave
Iowa City
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
Julie
R
From: Geoff Fruin
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 10:19 AM
To: Julie Voparil; Kellie Fruehling
Cc: Eleanor M. Dilkes; Simon Andrew; Ashley Monroe
Subject: FW: Like Chicago, can you post all the climate data deleted by Trump's EPA on your website?
Julie and Kellie,
Please place this correspondence to Council in the next packet. Thank you,
Geoff
From: John Macatee [jrmacatee@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 11:07 PM
To: Botchway, Kingsley; Cole, Rockne; Terry Dickens; Susan Mims; Pauline Taylor; Thomas, John; Jim Throgmorton
Subject: Like Chicago, can you post all the climate data deleted by Trump's EPA on your website?
To all
Please consider posting this on your website as the City of Chicago has. Thanks John Macatee
Chicago Just Posted All the Climate Data Deleted by Trump's EPA.
http://Rrist.org/briefly/ch icago-i ust-posted-a I I-the-climate-data-deleted-by-trumps-epa/
[https://grist.fi les.wo rd press.com/2017/05/ra h m -e ma nue l.j pg?w=970& h=545&crop=l]
Daniel X. O'Neil
Chicago just posted all the climate data deleted by Trump's EPA.
The EPA's climate change webpage<https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/signpost/cc.html> was taken down for
revisions<httr)s://www.wa sh ineton Dost.com/news/ene rev-environment/wr)/2017/04/28/epa-we bsite-removes-cl imate-
science-site-from-public-view-after-two-decades/?utm term=.e130633c8e73> last month to "reflect EPA's priorities under the
leadership of President Trump and Administrator Pruitt." It's apparently still being updated. (We checked, so you don't have
to.)
The page<https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home.html> — which explained the basics of climate
science and how it affects us — now has a new home: The City of Chicago's website.
"Here in Chicago, we know climate change is real, and we will continue to take action to fight it," reads a statement city
officials added to what is essentially a direct facsimile of what was once on the EPA's site.
An archived "Jan. 19 snapshot"<https://196anuarv20l7snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange .html> of the climate science page is
still linked on the EPA site, but there's one tiny problem: As Climate Central
reported<http://www.climatecentraI.org/news/epa-obama-website-snapshot-missing-information-21420>, the archive is
missing information.
"The Trump administration can attempt to erase decades of work from scientists and federal employees on the reality of
climate change," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a press
release<https://www.cityofchicago.orp/city/en/depts/mayor/press room/press releases/2017/april/EPACIimateChangeWebsi
te.html>, "but burying your head in the sand doesn't erase the problem."
In April, Chicago pledged to power its municipal buildings with 100 percent renewable
energy<https://grist.org/briefly/chicago-wants-to-dominate-in-renewable-energy/> by 2025. It's one of many cities
committing to clean energy<https://grist.org/briefly/cities-all-over-the-u-s-are-pledging-to-go-100-percent-renewable/> while
the federal government backslides.
Julie Vovaril 311 6=1
From: Carol deProsse <lonetreefox@mac.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:33 PM
To: Juli Seydell Johnson
Cc: Geoff Fruin; Council; Zee Hall
Subject: Re: Kiwanis Park
Thanks, Juli, much appreciate hearing about this. I hope the work to stabalize the creek will not cause too much
damage to the trees as there as so few of them. Looks pretty full in the growth season, but during the winter months it
is easy to see how desperately they are trying to hang on to what little creek bank there is.
On May 31, 2017, at 01:27 PM, Juli Seydell Johnson <iuli-SJohnson(&jowa-city.org> wrote:
Carol,
The work you will see in Kiwanis Park this week and next week is additional drainage work to the recently
installed trail. The City has not accepted the 2016-2017 project yet due to these drainage issues and several
areas of seeding that have not been properly established. The contractor was back last week to re -seed the
areas but we plan to monitor through the fall before signing off on the project.
The next large project in Willow Creek/Kiwanis will likely take place during the summer of 2019. The shelter,
restrooms and playground are scheduled to be replaced along with work to clear and stabilize the creek
throughout the park.
Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Juli Seydell Johnson
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Iowa City
319-356-5104
Juli-siohnson(@iowa-city.ora
WWW.icgov.org/pr
From: Carol deProsse [mailto:lonetreefox@mac.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 10:35 AM
To: Simon Andrew
Cc: Council; Geoff Fruin
Subject: Kiwanis Park
Good morning,
After my continual complaining over the course of about a year, I would like to tell you how much
nicer the park is now, especially putting in the community gardens and mowing the'prairie' at the
south end on an annual basis, which has allowed the invasive plants to get less of a foothold. I now
find a number of flowers blooming that were previously barely noticeable. (The work done by West
Liberty was still sucky and parts of the park still show evidence of their miserable work.)
Yesterday on my walk I notice a combo grader/backhoe in the park and stakes marking several
places. Can you tell me what the next plan is for our little neighborhood park. It is such a joy to
see people out working in their gardens, often with their kids along for hauling the water!
Thanks,
Carol
Julie Voparil 3f(7)
From: 30th Century Bicycle <30centbike@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:22 PM
To: Council
Subject: Todays Edition Of Fun Doing Business In Iowa City
Attachments: IMG 4344.mov
Howdy, once again I contact you about this demilitarized zone south of downtown where we do business. Today there
is a city crew digging up the pavement with concrete saws and jackhammers and a dump truck parked on the sidewalk
that keeps backing up with it's beepers going off. Kind of a normal day around here, really, believe it or not, and it's
made all the nicer by the fact that it is a beautiful day and they chose lunch hour to get started. This disrupts the entire
area, but really, that this is being done in front of a restaurant, with a patio or not, during lunch hour, on a beautiful
day to sit outside and enjoy, is just insult on top of injury slathered with a complete lack of regard. They have been
marking the pavement and stopping by to eyeball things for weeks, and they can't do this at 9am? I checked with the
crew leader and he told me they could not stop, and somehow they could not do this another time, for instance this
morning they did a concrete pour. I don't want to argue about it, not with him or you, I just want SOMEONE to
understand that this is not acceptable what is going on down here, and address it.
Steve Goetzelman
30th Century Bicycle
(319)248-1288
http://30thcenturv.wordpress.com/
30th Century Bicycle
(319)248-1288
hD:H30thcentury.wordnress.com/
Julie
From: Susan Mims
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 2:35 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: FW: ICACC Policy Reccommendations RE: TIF Policy
Attachments: ICACC Letter RE TIF Policy Changes.pdf
Julie,
Please put the attached letter from the chamber in the packet.
Thanks,
Susan
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Ryan Sempf
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:09 PM
To: Jim Throgmorton: Susan Mims; Rockne Cole
Cc: John Thomas; Pauline Taylor; Kingsley Botchwav: Terry Dickens; Wendy Ford; Geoff Fruin
Subject: ICACC Policy Reccommendations RE: TIF Policy
Dear Council Members and City Staff,
On behalf of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, I respectfully submit these comments regarding the
proposed changes to TIF policy in Iowa City.
Please feel free to reach out to Kim Casko or I with any questions or comments regarding our position on the issue.
Best,
Ryan Sempf
Public Policy Assistant
(319) 270-7462
�IOWA CITY
EAC AMBER
OF COMMERCE
325 E. Washington Street, Suite 100, Iowa City, IA 52240
p.(319)337-9637
f. (319) 338-9958
Actively fostering a better business environment through Advocacy, Connections & Education.
iowacityarea.com/(cDicareachambe Ifacebook.comlicareachamber
Helping businesses grow and succeed in:
IOW .s
cre011ye
corridor
IOWA CITY
May 30, 2017 "A AREA CHAMBER
To: Iowa City Council Economic Development Committee ��� OF COMMERCE
From: Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
RE: TIF Policy Changes
Mayor Throgmorton and Council Members Mims and Cole,
On behalf of the members of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the business
community, we respectfully ask that you consider the following suggestions and comments before
moving discussion on TIF to the entire city council.
It is the mission of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce to actively foster a better business
environment and we strive to do this in a fashion that not only serves our business owners but also
the community at -large. It is important to our members that incentives for smart, sustainable
development throughout downtown are available to encourage a livable community for employees
and customers alike. To that end, we agree with much of the desired improvements to the City's TIF
policy.
• LEED standards are an acceptable way to incentivize sustainable development within the
downtown area.
• Affordable housing requirements are helpful for workforce development and encourage a
diverse population of residents within the downtown.
• Support through TIF of Arts and Cultural improvements adds value to adjacent property and
can improve quality of place downtown.
This list is not exhaustive but represents the Chamber's support for many goals discussed
throughout this process. However, there are areas of concern that have the potential to harm
development and opportunity in the future, if enacted as written today.
• Although the idea requiring a LEED standard is feasible, we agree with staff's
recommendation to require only LEED silver certification. Amendments to a nationally
recognized standard on a city level makes it difficult to ensure standards are indeed met.
The process for doing so will raise costs, the burden of which will ultimately fall on the
taxpayers of Iowa City.
• It is the position of the Chamber that building height should rely heavily on the underlying
zoning code, with subjective measures of "rhythm" or "sensitive and complementary" be
used only in extreme cases that may be specifically defined.
o On this same note, Johnson Countys population is expected to grow by nearly 50%
or more than 60,000 residents by 2040. As a community, we should be supporting
innovative infill development as much as possible in order to curtail urban sprawl in
the city's fringe area and to ensure housing stock can keep up with demand.
• With regard to quality job standards required for TIF projects, we are concerned about the
specificity of the regulation. We support the intent of the legislation but would recommend
clarifying when TIF use would require compliance and when it would not.
o Considering it mirrors the High Quality Jobs Tax Credit available at the state, our
suggestion would be to implement the rule when projects undertake similar
activities (namely a single business looking to expand current facilities or a single
business looking to relocate within the area). Tenants (renters) of a TIF'd building's
retail or commercial space should not be required to comply with the HQJTC
standards.
• Lastly, we support the Iowa City Downtown District's request for a listening post in which
business owners and the public have an opportunity to express their opinion and take part
in an open dialogue with the committee.
We appreciate the Economic Development Committee's interest in our thoughts and willingness to
listen to our various concerns about the proposed changes to TIF policy in Iowa City.
Sincerely,
Kim Casko
President & CEO
Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
Ryan Sempf
Public Policy Assistant
Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
325 E. Washington Street
Suite 100
Iowa City, IA52240
Telephone: (319) 337-9037
Fax: (319)338-9958
..m P p 3f(9'
�_,-. CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 23, 2017
To: Geoff Fruin, City Manager
From: Jason Havel, City Engineer -r&4
Re: Competitive Quotation Results
Fiber Infrastructure at Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center
Competitive quotations for the Fiber Infrastructure at Iowa City Landfill & Recycling
Center Project were opened on May 10, 2017 and the following quotes were received:
Advanced Electric Iowa City, IA $ 57,000.00
Utility Service Contractors Hiawatha , IA $ 59,445.00
Engineer's Estimate $ 37,000.00
Public Works and Engineering and Information Technology Services recommended and
the City Manager awarded the contract to Advanced Electric of Iowa City, Iowa. The
project will be funded through Account #L3326 Landfill Surveillance Cameras.
Bloomington GSR Booster Pump VFD Replacement
Competitive quotations for the Bloomington GSR Booster Pump VFD Replacement
Project were opened on May 11, 2017 and the following quotes were received:
Esco Electric
Cedar Rapids, IA $ 119,450.00
Gerard Electric
Iowa City, IA $ 120,979.00
Merit Electric
Iowa City, IA $ 126,320.00
Engineer's Estimate
$ 125,000.00
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Esco Electric of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The project will be funded through
Account #W3213 Ground Storage Reservoir VFD Upgrades.
City Hall Landscaping
Competitive quotations for the City Hall Landscaping Project were opened on May 16,
2017 and the following quote was received:
Base Bid Alternates
1&2
Feldman Concrete Dyersville , IA $ 15,951.09 $ 14,600.15
Engineer's Estimate $ 15,000.00 $ 18,733.00
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Feldman Concrete of Dyersville, Iowa in the amount of $30,551.24, which
includes Alternates 1 & 2. The project will be funded through Account #G4704 City Hall -
Other Projects.
May 24, 2017
Page 2
Iowa River Trail Handrail Repair
Competitive quotations for the Iowa River Trail Handrail Repair Project were opened on
May 18, 2017 and the following quotes were received:
CAJ Enterprises West Branch, IA $ 17,862.95
Calacci Construction Iowa City, IA $ 23,250.00
Hardscape Solutions of Iowa Cedar Rapids, IA $ 31,700.00
Engineer's Estimate $ 25,050.00
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to CAJ Enterprises of West Branch, Iowa. The project will be funded through
Account #R4173 6.14 Flood Parks Category G.
r 1 CITY OF IOWA CIT
'^� COUNCIL ACTION REPOR 3f(10)
June 6, 2017
Installation of (1) "No Parking Here to Corner" sign for westbound motorists
on the northwest corner of the Oakland Avenue and Seymour Avenue
intersection
Prepared By: Emily Bothell; Acting Senior Transportation Engineering Planner
Reviewed By: Kent Ralston; Transportation Planner
Doug Boothroy; Neighborhood & Development Services Director
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 (10); Install (1) "No Parking Here to Corner" sign for westbound
motorists on the northwest corner of the Oakland Avenue and Seymour Avenue intersection.
This action is being taken to allow for turning movements of large vehicles during construction of
the Longfellow Elementary School addition. The sign will be removed once the construction
work is complete.
r 11% r
-4 CITY OF IOWA CIT 06-06-17
at rwzrTm
-r� COUNCIL ACTION REPO 3f(11)
June 6, 2017
Relocate (1) "No Parking Corner to Here" sign at the southwest corner of
the East Court Street and Oakland Avenue intersection
Prepared By:
Emily Bothell; Acting Senior Transportation Engineering Planner
Reviewed By:
Kent Ralston; Transportation Planner
Doug Boothroy; Neighborhood & Development Services Director
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 (10); Relocate (1) "No Parking Corner to Here" sign further south on
the southwest corner of the East Court Street and Oakland Avenue intersection.
This action is being taken to allow for turning movements of large vehicles during construction of
the Longfellow Elementary School addition. The sign will be relocated back to its original
location once the construction work is complete.
CITY OF IOWA CIT
COUNCIL ACTION REPO 3f(12)
June 6, 2017
Installation of (1) "No Right Turn on Red" sign for east to southbound
motorists at the 1 st Avenue and Mall Drive intersection
Prepared By: Emily Bothell; Acting Senior Transportation Engineering Planner
Reviewed By: Kent Ralston; Transportation Planner
Doug Boothroy; Neighborhood & Development Services Director
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 (9); Install (1) "No Right Turn on Red" sign for east to southbound
motorists at the 15` Avenue and Mall Drive intersection.
This action is being taken as there is inadequate sight distance for eastbound motorists to see
vehicles approaching from the north.
3-1 (03)
Julie Voparil
From: Susan Eberly <susanl 7eberly@gmail.com> Late Handouts Distributed
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 4:26 PM
To: Council
Subject: Committing to the Paris climate accord
Would love to see Iowa City added to the list of cities that are supporting this: (Date)
Representatives of American cities, states and companies are preparing to submit a plan to the United Nations pledging to meet the
United States' greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Paris climate accord, despite President Trump's decision to withdraw from
the agreement.
The unnamed group — which, so far, includes 30 mayors, three governors, more than 80 university presidents and more than 100
businesses — is negotiating with the United Nations to have its submission accepted alongside contributions to the Paris climate deal
by other nations.
hams://www.nytimes.com/2017/061011climatelamerican-cities-climate-standards.html? r-0
Sue Eberly
Julie Voparil Late Handouts Distributed
From: marta carson <mmwcarson@icloud.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2017 9:33 AM L I S
To: Council
Subject: Paris accord (Date)
Have you joined the others mayors in affirming the Paris climate accord? If not, PLEASE DOl l ll Marta Carson
Julie
From:
Nelson, Benjamin C <benjamin-nelsoi
Sent:
Friday, June 02, 2017 4:29 PM
To:
Council
Cc:
Julie Voparil; Stewart, Gustave
Subject:
UISG Proposal for secure off -campus
Attachments:
SecureHousing.pdf
� Is- 1'
(Date)
3 J�(``t�
The attached pdf file is UISG's proposal for more secure off -campus housing. If possible, please include this in the
late handouts for the June 6th meeting.
Best,
Benjamin Nelson
he/him/his
Economia & Philosophy I University of Iowa '19
City Council Liaison I University of Iowa Student Government
(319)457-0792
Proposal for Secure Off -Campus Student Housing
University of Iowa Student Government
June 2, 2017
This document recommends changes to the Iowa City Housing Code that would improve the security of off -campus
student housing by requiring all locks and keypads to comply with stricter security standards and by restricting
apartment access to property management employees that pass a background check.
Issues
In October 2016, a University of Iowa student who identified as female reported that an intruder broke into the
bedroom of her off -campus apartment during the night while she was sleeping. The occupant claims that she
locked her door prior to going to bed, implying the intruder either had a key into her apartment or that the lock to her
apartment was ineffective.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant number of apartment buildings are easily accessible to non-
residents of the buildings. On February 21, 2017, UISG released a short survey regarding off -campus housing
security, and 75.8% of students out of 95 of respondents reported that they did not feel the lock on the exterior of
their apartment building was secure. Additionally, out of 134 respondents, 18.9% reported that they did not feel that
the lock to their apartment unit was secure.
Four issues lead to this lack of security:
1. Locks to the common areas of apartment buildings can often be opened by any key.
2. Keypads to the common areas of apartment buildings have weak security codes.
3. Keypads to the common areas of apartment buildings do not change overtime.
4. Locks to apartment units are not deadbolts.
Under the subheading of "RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS RELATING TO THE MAINTENANCE AND
OCCUPANCY OF PREMISES," City Code 17-5-19: A.3. states, "Doors: Every door, door hinge, door latch, door
lock or any associated door hardware shall be maintained in good and functional condition, and every door, when
closed, shall fit well within its frame." According to Senior Housing Inspector Stan Laverman, the aforementioned
code as is current has little effect on the four issues stated above.
Also, as another measure to increase housing security, the UISG believes the Code should be amended such that
it would prevent property management employees who do not pass background checks from having access to
individual apartment units. Employees who have a history of violent crime, theft, or sexual assault potentially
compromise the safety and security of tenants if those employees can freely enter their living quarters.
Recommendations
UISG recommends the following changes to the Iowa City Housing Code:
1. Locks to an apartment complex must unlock to only one pattern of key that is consistent throughout the
premises.
2. Locks to an apartment unit must unlock to only one pattern of key that is unique to the unit on the premises.
3. Keypads to an apartment complex must have strong security codes, and they must change annually.
4. Doors to an apartment unit must be equipped with a secure deadbolt lock.
5. Property management employees who do not pass background checks will not be given unsupervised
access to apartment units.
Conclusion
It is important that the Housing Code achieve its stated purpose to protect and promote the health, safety, and
welfare of the general public. We believe these revisions to the Code will further these goals.
Benjamin Nelson Gustave Stewart
UISG City Council Liaison UISG Vice City Council Liaison
benjamin-nelson@uiowa.edu gustave-stewart@uiowa.edu