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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouthwest District Plan 2023-01-24SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN ADOPTED OCTOBER 8, 2002 AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2021 AMENDED JANUARY 24, 2023 Department of Neighborhood and Development Services 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN ADOPTED OCTOBER 8, 2002 AMENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2021 AMENDED JANUARY 24, 2023 Department of Neighborhood and Development Services 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 www.icgov.org At time of initial adoption City Council of Iowa City Ernest W. Lehman, Mayor Dee Vanderhoef, Mayor Pro Tem Connie Champion Steven Kanner Mike O'Donnell Irvin Pfab Ross Wilburn Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Ann Bovbjerg, Chair Dean Shannon, Vice Chair Jerry Hansen, Secretary Donald J. Anciaux, Jr. Benjamin Chait Ann Freerks Elizabeth Koppes Department of Planning and Community Development Karin Franklin, Director Jeff Davidson, Assistant Director Robert Miklo, Senior Planner Karen Howard, Associate Planner Shelley McCafferty, Associate Planner John Yapp, Associate Planner John Adam, Associate Planner Kay Irelan, Graphics Tech Erin Welsch, Intern INTRODUCTION The Iowa City Comprehensive Plan presents a vision for Iowa City, provides a strategy for realizing the vision, and sets policies for the growth and development of specific geographic areas of the city. Since the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan in 1997, and its update in 2013, the City has embarked on a series of District Planning efforts in order to provide vision and guidance for development that is more closely tailored to specific areas of the City. District plans are intended to promote patterns of land use, urban design, infrastructure, and services that encourage and contribute to the livability of Iowa City and its neighborhoods. District plans are advisory documents for directing and managing change over time. They serve as guides to decision-making, public deliberation, and investments. The Southwest District Plan establishes planning principles, goals and objectives that relate specifically to the history and existing conditions of specific areas within Southwest Iowa City. The plan addresses issues of housing, transportation, commercial development, public and neighborhood services, and parks, trails and open space. Since the Southwest Planning District includes older neighborhoods, new subdivisions, and also areas that have yet to be developed, it is difficult to establish specific goals and objectives that would apply to all areas of the district. Therefore, the plan divides the district into four subareas: the Roosevelt Subarea, the Willow Creek Subarea, the Weber Subarea, and the Rohret South Subarea. While there are basic planning principles that apply to the entire Southwest District, the plan highlights specific issues and corresponding goals and objectives for each of the four subareas and illustrates a vision for future land use on plan maps for each subarea. The planning principles, goals, and objectives within this plan are intended to be consistent with community-wide goals and policies that are embodied in the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan. Establishing sound planning principles and a vision for the future will benefit citizens living or working in the Southwest District as well as citizens in Iowa City as a whole. The Plan is divided into two sections: I.The Southwest District: Past and Present, which describes the location, history and existing conditions in the Southwest District; and II.The Southwest District: Planning for the Future, which sets forth the planning principles, goals and objectives that will act as a framework on which to base future development decisions. This section includes a discussion of district-wide issues such as transportation and public infrastructure as well as more detailed guidelines for each of the four subareas in the district. Plan maps and concept plans in this section help to illustrate plan goals and objectives. Southwest District Plan 1 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 2 Planning Process The Southwest District Plan is based on the input of many individuals, neighborhood groups, and other interested organizations. During the summer and fall of 2001, staff from the City's Department of Planning and Community Development collected background information about the area through historical research, interviews, and site visits. To kick off the public process, the City sent over 5,000 individual notices to invite area residents to a planning workshop on November 8, 2001. The workshop was also promoted through area schools, on the City's website and in the local newspaper. Over 200 citizens responded to this outreach effort and requested to be kept informed of the planning process as it unfolded. At the first workshop, participants used the background information gathered by city staff to inform their own knowledge and experience as they worked to formulate a vision for the district. Approximately 100 citizens spent the evening examining issues relating to housing, commercial development, transportation, parks and open space, and discussed ways to make the district more livable over time. On February 5, 2002, citizens met at a second workshop to build on the work accomplished in November. Participants worked in small groups to develop more specific goals and objectives for the plan. It became apparent during the workshop process that more specific direction was needed for different geographical areas in the district. A plan for the development of new neighborhoods was needed for the outlying areas of the district, while existing zoning, traffic, and redevelopment issues are a priority for inner neighborhoods and commercial areas. In addition, specific recommendations were requested by the City Council for the area bounded by Miller Avenue, Benton Street, Harlocke Street, and Highway 1. This area was placed under a development moratorium to allow time to complete a planning study to determine the most appropriate zoning and land uses for the remaining undeveloped land. A 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 3 smaller working group of citizens and planning staff was formed to help identify specific concerns and discuss possible scenarios for future development. The planning principles, plan maps, and concept plans contained in this document were developed from the public input gathered throughout the planning process. Citizens generated many of the specific policies and design concepts in the plan. A draft plan was presented to the public in July of 2002. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and discussed the plan with citizens at several public hearings in August and September and forwarded their recommended draft to the City Council for review and adoption. The City Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommended draft at a public hearing in September. After consideration of public comments, the City Council adopted the Southwest District Plan on October 8, 2002, making it an integral part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. In winter 2020, the City began a targeted update of the plan focused on background information and the Rohret South Subarea. The goal was to vision what future development may look utilizing form-based zones for greenfield sites in light of the planned wastewater service extension under Highway 218 in 2023. Public input was gained throughout the project timeline, including a public open house on September 1, 2022. The draft plan was posted in October 2022, after which the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the draft update at a public hearing in November. After considering public comments at a public hearing, City Council adopted the Plan Update on January 24, 2022. How Will the Southwest District Plan Be Used? The Southwest District Plan is intended to be a guide to development within the district for the next twenty to twenty-five years. As the City reviews subdivision and rezoning requests, the plan will be consulted to help ensure that new development fits into the surrounding neighborhoods. The City will refer to the Plan when setting funding priorities for public projects and services. Property owners, developers and others may also use the plan when making decisions regarding investment in the Southwest District. Continued citizen input will be important during the implementation of the plan. Private investment and neighborhood initiatives to enhance or improve housing and commercial areas and to protect valuable environmental and historic resources will be essential to the implementation of the Southwest District Plan. 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 4 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 5 The Southwest District Past and Present  Location  History & Existing Conditions 01/24/23 LOCATION The Southwest Planning District extends from the Iowa River west to the City’s western growth area limit. It is bounded on the north by Melrose Avenue and Grand Avenue and on the south by Iowa Highway 1. In the mid-1990's the City’s growth area limit was expanded westward to the future alignment of Highway 965, which will eventually skirt the eastern edge of the Iowa City Landfill. The growth area limit was further expanded in 2021 to account for new anticipated growth, which added just over 712 acres of land in the western and southern portions of the Southwest Planning District. Southwest District Plan 6 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 01/24/23 7 ( Southwest District Plan 8 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 9 HISTORY AND EXISTING CONDITIONS The Southwest District consists primarily of residential development, although it also contains important commercial areas along Riverside Drive, Highway 1 and Mormon Trek Boulevard. The residential neighborhoods and commercial areas are linked to the rest of Iowa City by a network of arterial streets and regional trails, including Melrose Avenue, Benton Street, Rohret Road, Mormon Trek Boulevard, Riverside Drive, the Willow Creek Trail, and the Iowa River Corridor Trail. Along Melrose Avenue the District abuts University Heights, which is incorporated as a separate city. The land use map on the previous page is provided as a reference. It indicates the various land uses in existence at the time this plan was being updated in August 2022. Land uses remain similar to when the plan was originally drafted in June 2002. Housing The map on the previous page illustrates the existing development pattern in the Southwest District. As one can see from this map, the residential uses in the District range from low-density single-family homes to high-density apartments in areas along the north side of Benton Street and along Mormon Trek Boulevard. While the area located east of Highway 218 is nearly completely developed, the area west of the highway contains low-density single-family subdivisions bordering large areas of agricultural land. While much of the land south of Rohret Road and west of Highway 218 is still used as farmland, vestiges of early country living still remain in the eastern part of the district along Melrose Avenue and Benton Street. The earliest-known house of record is at 817 Melrose Avenue. Two blocks east is the Billingsley-Hills-Widness house at 629 Melrose Avenue, which was originally a 34-acre country estate. Constructed in 1870, this Italianate structure is one of three former estates on Melrose Avenue listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other two houses are the Cannon-Gay and Pratt-Soper houses at 320 and 503 Melrose Avenue, respectively. There are also a number of historic houses on Benton Street, including the Williams- Unash house located just east of Roosevelt School at 602 W. Benton Street, and the Pratt –Soper House Pratt House A Mix of Housing 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 10 Cyrus S. Ranck house at 747 W. Benton Street, which was recently designated an Iowa City Landmark. Built at the turn of the century, the house was originally surrounded by a 22-acre orchard. The current owners continue to maintain a large part of this property as natural woodland. The property across from the school was once occupied by another historic brick structure, the William Butterbaugh house, which was built in 1884 on a 160-acre farm. Behind the house were several barns and other farm structures. In 1925 Charles W. Ruppert, Sr. purchased the property and rented it to William Sanger who operated a dairy farm at this location. The house was abandoned and eventually demolished. It is now developed and includes the Prairie Hill Co-Housing project and a new public park. The earliest subdivisions within the Southwest District were developed between 1921 and 1924 in the area south of Melrose Avenue and north of the former Rock Island Railroad and Myrtle Avenue. These included Melrose Place, Circle and Court, as well as Brookland Place, Brookland Park, and Triangle Place. This neighborhood has narrow streets, and a wooded, rugged character that makes it intimate and distinct. Another early subdivision occurred along Miller and Hudson Avenues south of Benton Street. Many of the homes along these streets were built as a part of the Baily and Beck Addition, which was platted in 1927. Much of the area along Benton and Orchard Streets was platted in the late 1940s. A World War II aviation manufacturer constructed the small ranch-style homes along Douglas Street and Douglas Court, which was platted in 1954. Further development in the 1950s took place between Myrtle Avenue and the Iowa Interstate Railway (formerly the Rock Island Railway). Other areas south of Melrose Avenue and north of Highway 1 continued to develop through the 1970s in a rather ad hoc manner. Another factor in the development of Southwest Iowa City was an increasing need to house university students. The University expanded its west side dormitory space with the construction of Rienow Hall and Slater Hall in the late 1960s. In addition, a number of apartment blocks were developed among the small subdivisions. The Seville, Carriage Hill and Benton Manor apartment complexes were constructed at the top of the Benton Street Hill. Apartment complexes were constructed around “University Lake” between University Heights to the north and 1960s-era single-family neighborhoods to the south. Additional apartment blocks were built along Oakcrest Street. Larger subdivisions in the Southwest District were not platted until after the 1960s. From the late 60s through the 70s, most of the area south of Benton Street and east Douglas Court 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 11 of Willow Creek Park was platted and built. The subdivisions west of Willow Creek Park were all platted in the last two decades of the twentieth century. In the western portion of the Southwest District, development is occurring primarily in the area north of Rohret Road. The Galway Hills subdivision was developed south of the intersection of Highway 218 and Melrose Avenue. A new retirement community was constructed in this vicinity, directly adjacent to West High School. West of Highway 218, Wild Prairie Estates and Country Club Estates continue their build-out near Weber Elementary School. Urban development slowly expanded south of Rohret Road due to the difficulty in providing sanitary sewer service. Some homes in this area are located outside the city limits in Johnson County. These residences have private wells and their own septic systems. Since the plan was originally adopted in 2002, the Southwest District experienced additional development. Almost all land east of Highway 218 is now built out, and areas near the Iowa River and University have seen significant redevelopment following adoption of the Riverfront Crossings Form-Based Code in 2013. West of Highway 218 and north of Rohret Road, Country Club Estates and Wild Prairie Estates continued to grow, and additional development is expected in the Rohret South Subarea due to the planned extension of sewer service under Highway 218 in 2023. Public Institutions The Southwest District is home to a number of public institutions that serve the community. These institutions are markers of the district’s individuality. Not only do they serve the citizens of the Southwest District, but they also bring people from other areas of the city to the district. The University of Iowa has a significant presence in the northeast part of the district, including the Boyd Law Building overlooking the Iowa River, several parking lots, and scattered properties along Melrose Avenue used as rental property and child daycare. In addition, the University influences development in the Southwest District because it owns much of the property directly north of the District, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing, the university's athletic facilities, and several dormitories. The Iowa City Community School District has a number of schools in southwest Iowa City. Horn elementary school is located along Benton Street. 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 12 Roosevelt elementary school was also on Benton Street until 2012, after which it was converted into an education center and was subsequently decommissioned in 2019. West High School has a large campus along Melrose Avenue and Weber Elementary School is located in the western part of the district along Rohret Road. These schools serve both educational and community purposes and are often a gathering place for people in the surrounding neighborhoods. One of the Southwest District’s largest undeveloped properties is owned by Johnson County and was formerly the site of an important public institution. Located on Melrose Avenue near Slothower Road, the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm provided care to those who were unable to care for themselves, including both the indigent and the mentally disabled, from the 1850s until the 1960s. The intent was for the farm to be partially self- supporting. From its earliest days, farming was an important part of its operations. Residents of the historic poor farm were expected to do what farm chores they could manage in order to compensate the county for their care. In 1964, a newer facility was built on the site. Chatham Oaks, a privately run institution for persons with mental illness, is currently housed in this building. Johnson County continues to own and maintain the property. In 1977, the remaining wing of the original 1859 asylum building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This structure was restored by the County and opened to the public in 1990. In addition to the historic asylum building, a number of early farm buildings and the Historic Poor Farm cemetery are notable features of the site. Since a master planning effort in 2016, the County has hosted the Land Access Program which leases plots for small farming operations and has also leased space to various nonprofits including GROW: Johnson County, which grows and donates foods to local pantries, and the Iowa Global Food Project, which provides garden spaces for immigrant communities to grow their native foods. Weber Elementary Johnson County Historic Poor Farm 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 13 Transportation Melrose Avenue, Benton Street, Highway 1, Riverside Drive, Mormon Trek Boulevard and Rohret Road form the backbone of the transportation network in the Southwest District. These arterial streets serve two important functions, to provide travel routes for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians through and to different parts of the community, and to provide access to adjacent properties via collector and local streets. Highway 218, which cuts diagonally through the district, also provides access to the southwest portion of Iowa City, although its primary function is to serve motorists travelling through the metropolitan area. Many of these streets were also important in the early development of the district. Melrose Avenue was once called Snooks Grove Road and known popularly as the Poor Farm Road. Snooks Grove was a settlement located on Bear Creek in Poweshiek County. The residents of Snooks Grove Road eventually rebelled and it was renamed Melrose Avenue. This name became the basis for the naming of Melrose Place, Melrose Circle and Melrose Court. However, the origin of “Melrose” is not known. The topography in certain areas along Benton Street is quite steep. For years, what is now referred to as the Benton Street Hill was called Ranck Hill. The steep hill has always been difficult in the winter months. Irving Weber notes accounts of Roosevelt schoolteachers having to “gun” their engines and push their vehicles to reach the school. To the children living in the area, however, the hill was a popular location for sledding until 1952, when the City paved it. Rohret Road was named for Bavarian immigrant Wolfgang Rohret. He, his wife Katrina, and four sons had staked out a claim along Old Man’s Creek in 1840. Wolfgang and his sons traveled the early road daily to and from Iowa City and their employment as construction workers on the new state capitol building. The Rohret sons were later hired by Lyman Dillon to plow the 100-mile-long Dillon’s Furrow between Iowa City and Dubuque. In 1856, Iowa City was the westernmost stop for the railroad. During that year, five parties of Mormon converts from England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, and Denmark passed through Iowa City on their trek to Salt Lake City, Utah, which they believed to be the promised land. The first party arrived in May and they spent four weeks at a camp along Clear Creek. While encamped, they built handcarts for hauling their belongings on the continuation of their journey. By the end of July, the last party left The sledding hill on Benton Street 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 14 Iowa City for Utah with their handcarts in tow. Because of the late start, however, they encountered severe winter weather, and between 135 and 150 died en route. Legend has it that five Mormon graves are located near their Iowa City camp, but none have yet been discovered. The Mormon Handcart Park and Trail commemorate this camp and Mormon Trek Boulevard was named in honor of their journey. The decision in the late 1970s to construct Highway 218 as a diagonally-routed, limited-access highway through southwestern Iowa City has had, and will continue to have, a major influence on development in this part of the city. Highway 218 forms part of the “Avenue of the Saints,” an expressway between Saint Paul, Minnesota and Saint Louis, Missouri. While providing an important transportation route, Highway 218 is a substantial barrier separating the neighborhoods southwest of it from the rest of Iowa City. Melrose Avenue, Rohret Road, and Highway 1 are the only streets that bridge across the highway. Integrating and connecting the neighborhoods west of Highway 218 to the rest of the community will remain a challenge as the City develops westward. Trail connections under the roadbed may help to integrate new neighborhoods into the community and provide connections to important destinations, such as West High School, on the east side of the highway. Additional north-south street connections between Melrose Avenue, Rohret Road and Highway 1 will improve traffic circulation within the area and will help to connect these westernmost neighborhoods with neighborhoods east of the highway. Improvements to Melrose Avenue, Mormon Trek Boulevard, and Rohret Road in the past decade have improved the capacity of the arterial street system in western Iowa City. While there is some congestion on portions of Benton Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard near the University of Iowa campus during peak hours, level of service is generally adequate. However, there are still opportunities to better control access to improve safety. As development continues west of Mormon Trek Boulevard and along Highway 1, the demands on the arterial street system will increase. High vehicle speeds have been reported along long curvilinear streets near West High and in Southwest Estates, especially on streets like Lakeshore Drive and Duck Creek Drive. As a result, plans to connect Edingale Drive to Highway 1 have been met with some concern. As the property at 1160 Highway 1 West redevelops, attention must be given to traffic calming and connectivity to Horn Elementary, West High, and the University. Mormon Trek Boulevard 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 15 Commercial Development The Southwest District contains extensive commercial development along Highway 1 and on Riverside Drive. Much of this development is in the form of commercial strips. Larger businesses line the Highway 1 corridor and provide goods and services to the greater Iowa City area. South Riverside Drive is composed of smaller commercial lots with many individual access drives off of the roadway, making it seem busier and more congested. The Riverside Drive commercial area has a long history and is in many ways the very model of post- World War II commercial strip development. The area was annexed in the 1920s and remained mostly residential for the next couple of decades. Following the war, households began moving out and businesses began moving in, finally outnumbering homes by 1959 and reaching saturation around 1970. Contributing to this was Riverside’s changing transportation role over the years. It served as the converged route of State Highway 1 and U.S. Highways 6 and 218 and as the southern entryway into Iowa City. This made it an attractive place to locate filling stations and other auto-service uses and auto-oriented uses, such as fast-food restaurants. The growth of residential neighborhoods in areas to the west, the expansion of commercial uses along Highway 1 West and Highway 6 East, and the reorientation of Highway 218 far to the west in the 1980s effectively displaced Riverside Drive from its former entryway role. Since the adoption of the Riverfront Crossings Master Plan in 2013, several redevelopment projects have occurred on Riverside Drive which have improved the appearance and functionality of the street, provided additional commercial amenities, and added residents along the corridor. The Southwest District also contains a smaller neighborhood commercial area called Walden Square. This compact shopping center is located on Mormon Trek Boulevard near its intersection with Benton Street. Walden Square includes a neighborhood grocery store, several retail shops and restaurants, and a credit union. Unlike commercial development along Highway 1 and Riverside Drive, which relies primarily on attracting drive-by customers from the entire Iowa City area, the primary focus at Walden Square is to Riverside Drive Walden Square 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 16 provide for the everyday shopping needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. While parking spaces are prevalent at Walden Square, neighborhood residents can also ride their bikes or walk to these shops via the Willow Creek Trail, which runs adjacent to this development. In addition, the Southwest District has seen significant commercial development at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 218. These developments, which are primarily large commercial uses including car lots and home and garden stores, were driven by the extension of Mormon Trek Boulevard from Highway 1 to South Riverside Drive. Parks and Open Space The Southwest District contains a number of regional and neighborhood parks. Willow Creek Park and Kiwanis Park together provide a large regional park facility that not only serves the surrounding neighborhoods on the west side of the City, but also attracts users from other parts of town. The Iowa River Corridor Trail skirts the eastern boundary of the district. Ned Ashton Park, located at the corner of Benton Street and Riverside Drive, provides a neighborhood access point and resting area for the Iowa River Corridor Trail. Brookland Park, at the intersection of Greenwood Drive and the Iowa Interstate Railway, provides both active and passive recreational opportunities for the surrounding Melrose and Miller-Orchard neighborhoods. Benton Hill Park across from the former Roosevelt Elementary was developed into a small park with play equipment and a shelter to serve the surrounding residents. Tower Court Park is a small pocket park that is enjoyed by residents living along Tower Court and Oakcrest Street. Similarly, Harlocke Hill Park, acquired in 2004, is a small park serving its neighborhood at the junction of Harlocke Place and Harlocke Street. Villa Park, located west of University Heights, contains both active and passive areas and also doubles as a stormwater detention facility. Hunters Run Park serves the westernmost neighborhoods of the district. It is located west of Highway 218 along Duck Creek Drive. While this park consists largely of natural areas with trails, improvements have recently been made to provide more active park space. Iowa River Corridor Trail 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 17 The Southwest District Planning for the Future  Planning Principles  Transportation  Public Services and Facilities  Southwest District Subareas •Roosevelt Subarea •Willow Creek Subarea •Weber Subarea •Rohret South Subarea 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 18 PLANNING PRINCIPLES During the planning process, citizens discussed what was most valued in the Southwest District and those aspects that could use improvement. They also discussed principles that should be followed as new neighborhoods are developed in the future. Many of the specific ideas, concepts, and goals generated at the citizen planning workshops are included in the remaining sections of the plan. These principles also mirror those in the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan. The following citizen-generated principles provide the underlying framework for the plan: •Citizens stressed the importance of providing a diversity of housing in the District, including homes for first time buyers, mid-sized homes, estate-style homes, townhouses, condominiums and apartments. The appropriate design and mix of housing types is important to the creation of livable neighborhoods. •Citizens emphasized the importance of preserving and stabilizing close-in, diverse neighborhoods. Citizens expressed a desire for better enforcement of existing zoning and nuisance laws and a re-examination of existing zoning patterns in the older parts of the District. There is also concern about the encroachment of university uses into the neighborhoods south of Melrose Avenue. •Design issues are important to citizens. There was a desire expressed to establish design standards for higher density uses so that these uses would be well integrated into existing and future neighborhoods. Variety in building design is a desirable goal. Monotonous repetition of the same building along a street frontage or in a neighborhood should be discouraged. Citizens emphasized that buildings should be designed to be sensitive to the environment, the topography, and the surrounding development. •Citizens feel it is important to design new neighborhoods around a focal point such as a neighborhood commercial district, community center or park. The Future Land Use Map was developed with this principle in mind. •Citizens want to prevent sprawl and preserve the rural character of the far western and southern portions of the district. Although these areas are not likely to remain permanently in farm use, the plan encourages orderly growth. Urban densities should not occur until public facilities are in place and until areas adjacent to existing urban development are built out. •A safe, efficient network of streets is important to neighborhood residents. Emphasis should be placed on designing street networks that prevent cut-through traffic on local streets and provide safe travel routes for bicyclists and pedestrians. •Citizens emphasized the importance of providing good access to public transit. Expansion of transit service should be considered in areas where higher densities develop. •Trails, wide sidewalks, and bicycle lanes are viewed as important transportation links to neighborhood destinations. •With regard to parks, open space and trails, there is overwhelming support for creating an interconnected system of neighborhood and regional parks throughout the district. •Citizens expressed support for attractive, well-designed commercial areas that serve the daily needs of the surrounding residents. Design, accessibility, and types of commercial uses were important topics discussed at the workshops. 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 19 TRANSPORTATION The transportation system in the Southwest District includes arterial streets, trails and wide sidewalks, and public transit. More detailed information about neighborhood transportation issues is included in the subarea sections below. Arterial Streets The only new arterial street corridor planned for within the Southwest District is the future extension of Highway 965 from Highway 6 to Melrose Avenue, and eventually to Highway 1. North of Melrose Avenue, the Highway 965 corridor will be located along the Hurt Road alignment and along the east side of the Iowa City Landfill south of Melrose Avenue. Highway 965 will not only provide an additional north-south link between Iowa City and Coralville, it will create an additional link in the regional arterial street system by connecting Highway 1 in Iowa City to Highway 6 in Coralville and beyond to North Liberty. While it’s identified as a project in the Long Range Transportation Plan, the extension of Highway 965 through the district is not expected to receive funding through at least 2045. Other arterial street extensions that affected traffic patterns in the Southwest District included the extension of Mormon Trek Boulevard from Highway 1 through the South Central Planning District to Riverside Drive, and Camp Cardinal Boulevard from Melrose Avenue north to Highway 6 in Coralville. The extension of Mormon Trek Boulevard to Riverside Drive in 2008 created an additional east-west arterial street link. The extension of Camp Cardinal Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Highway 6 in 2007 created an additional north-south link between Iowa City and Coralville. The construction and improvements to these roads facilitated additional growth in the area. The City has also recently converted some 4-lane roads into 3-lane roads, including much of Mormon Trek Boulevard. New traffic counts are not yet available to show the impact of these changes due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which substantially reduced traffic from 2020 to 2021. For existing arterial streets, segments of Benton Street, Highways 1 and 6, and Riverside Drive have been identified as needing improvement. Sidewalk gaps and inadequate bicycle facilities make the area less safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, access control can be improved, especially along Benton Street and Riverside Drive. As opportunities arise through redevelopment projects, a concerted Sidewalk gaps along Riverside Drive 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 20 effort should be made to fill in the sidewalk gaps, consolidate driveways and/or shift the location of driveways to safer locations. In the case of Highways 1 West/6 East, significant pedestrian improvements are needed near the intersection of Riverside Drive and on the bridge over the Iowa River. While the addition of vehicle travel lanes is not currently being contemplated, Benton Street and Riverside Drive will periodically be evaluated for improved turning lanes, bicycle facilities, and traffic control. Traffic control devices, such as traffic signals or signs, may be warranted if they improve safety and/or traffic flow without having a negative impact on other neighborhood streets. Because traffic control devices have the potential to increase the collision rate and/or increase traffic on surrounding streets, a traffic engineering study needs to be completed before additional traffic control is added to an intersection. Public Transit As a result of the City’s major transit study and overhaul of the bus lines in 2021, the Southwest District is now served by a number of Iowa City transit routes, including the 8 – Oakcrest, 10 – West Iowa City, and 12 – Highway 1 routes. The University of Iowa’s CAMBUS provides service to the Hawkeye Park commuter lot and the University of Iowa Campus. The 8 – Oakcrest route serves Melrose Avenue, Sunset Street, and the residential areas along Oakcrest and Benton Streets with headways of 15 minutes during peak hours, 30 minutes during off-peak hours, and 60 minutes on Saturday. The 10 – West Iowa CityRoute directly serves residential, commercial, and institutional areas along Melrose Avenue, Mormon Trek Boulevard, and Rohret Road with headways of 30 minutes on weekdays and 60 minutes on Saturday. The 12 – Highway 1 serves Riverside Drive/Highway 6, the Highway 1 commercial area, Sunset Boulevard, Benton Street, and the commercial/employment areas on Mormon Trek Boulevard north of Benton Street with headways of 30 minutes during peak hours and Saturdays, and 60 minutes during off-peak hours. Each of these routes terminates at the Downtown Transit Interchange in Iowa City. Transfers between routes can be made wherever routes overlap. As growth occurs in the Southwest District west of Highway 218 and south of Rohret Road, additional changes to transit service may occur. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Pedestrian trails within the city are used both for recreation and as transportation routes. Three major trails serve the Southwest District: the Iowa River Corridor (IRC) Trail, the Highway 1 Trail, and the Willow Creek Trail. The IRC Trail is part of a regional trail system that extends more than 12 miles, from Terry Trueblood Recreation Area to the Macbride Nature Area. Future plans will Iowa River Corridor Trail 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 21 extend the IRC Trail along the west side of the river from Benton Street south to McCollister Boulevard. The Highway 1 Trail runs from Orchard Street to Mormon Trek Boulevard, where it connects with a side path that extends north to Coralville. A short on-street connection from the Highway 1 Trail links to the Willow Creek Trail, continues on through Kiwanis Park, Willow Creek Park, Walden Square shopping area, and on to West High School. Future plans include extending the Willow Creek Trail under Highway 218 to Hunters Run Park and the County Historic Poor Farm property, and eventually to Melrose Avenue. A side path is also provided along Rohret Road. To the south, pedestrians can cross Highway 1 at a signalized intersection which connects to the commercial properties on the south side of Highway 1. Bike lanes are provided on Mormon Trek Boulevard and Rohret Road. Iowa City’s Bicycle Master Plan calls for bike lanes and/or sidepaths in the following areas: Benton and Sunset Streets; west of University Heights on Melrose Avenue; and south of Highway 1 on Mormon Trek Boulevard. Wide sidewalks within arterial street corridors enhance the pedestrian/bicycle network and are used to help connect neighborhoods to the trail system. An important objective of the plan is to continue filling in the existing gaps in the sidewalk network in the district, as well as expanding connectivity throughout the pedestrian and bicycle network. As arterial streets in southwest Iowa City are reconstructed, it will be important to continue adding features such as wide sidewalks, bike lanes or wide travel lanes for bicyclists, and pedestrian-friendly bridges and underpasses. While many gains have been made since 2002 including trails and crossings along Highway 1, the City should continue to prioritize the following pedestrian facility improvements: •Fill in the gaps and improve the sidewalks along Riverside Drive; •Fill in the gaps and improve the sidewalk network along Benton Street; •As the district continues to develop, evaluate the need for new or improved pedestrian crossings; •Provide pedestrian and bicycle routes that improve connectivity, especially in well- travelled areas such as near the University of Iowa campus. •Provide pedestrian facilities on the Highway 6 bridge across the Iowa River and at the intersection of Highway 1/Highway 6 and Riverside Drive. Rohret Road Pedestrian Overpass 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 22 PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES Fire Protection The Iowa City Fire Department provides fire protection to the Southwest District. Fire Station No. 2, located at 301 Emerald Street, provides primary response to the District. Secondary response is provided by Fire Station No. 1, located downtown at the Iowa City Civic Center. First response times for the developed properties in the District average between four and eight minutes. However, response times for properties located on the periphery of the Southwest District can exceed eight minutes. As the Southwest District continues to develop westward, it is likely that response times will increase. To help keep response times low, it will be necessary to secure land to develop a new Fire Station on the far west side of the city. Arterial street continuity and secondary access are important to ensure adequate fire and emergency protection. A location on a primary street with good access to the area would be appropriate. Sanitary Sewer Service Sanitary sewer is essential for development within Iowa City. Without public sewer service, development is generally limited to one house per acre. In such situations a private septic system is required and is controlled by the Johnson County Health Department. Because it greatly increases the allowable intensity of development, the construction of a sewer line can have as much influence on development as zoning laws. Sanitary sewer service in the Southwest District is provided by a series of major interceptor/trunk sewer lines and the lateral sewer lines which feed into them. Interceptor and trunk sewers are large pipes that provide service to an entire drainage basin and are usually constructed by the City. The City has a standing policy of recouping the cost of trunkline construction by collecting “tap-on” fees from developments that later hook into the sewer. In the Southwest District, the primary sewers are the Westside Trunk, Willow Creek Interceptor, and Southwest Trunk. Lateral sewer lines are smaller sewers that feed into trunk and interceptor sewers. Individual houses and buildings have service lines that hook into the lateral sewer lines. All of the city’s sewer lines flow to the City’s wastewater treatment plant located to the north of Napoleon Street on the far south side of the city. This plant treats raw sewage according to Federal and State requirements so that the treated wastewater can be released into the Iowa River. Fire Station No. 2 Fire Station #2 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 23 All of the existing developments in the Southwest District are adequately served by the existing sanitary sewer system. There are properties south of Rohret Road and west of Highway 218 that cannot be further developed until the Abbey Lane Trunk Sewer is extended to the west side of Highway 218. Until this improvement is made, there will be no further expansion in this part of the city. Development in the area west of Slothower Road can utilize the landfill lift station to pump sewage to the Westside Trunk as a temporary measure until additional trunk lines, a lift station, and the Abbey Lane Trunk sewer are constructed to serve the larger growth area south of Rohret Road. The provision of sewer service to the area south of Rohret Road and west of Highway 218 will require the Abbey Lane Trunk Sewer to be extended under Highway 218 and, for the far westerly portions of the growth area, the construction of a lift station. The Abbey Lane Trunk Sewer is scheduled to be extended in 2023. The development of land to the south will also require a lift station. Water Service As development occurs, water lines are extended from adjacent subdivisions to serve areas of new growth. Individual developers are responsible for installing water mains within their subdivisions. Developers are also charged a water main extension fee that is applied to their share of the cost of building the city-wide distribution system. The City installed water main along Slothower Road from Melrose Avenue to the water main in the Country Club Estates Additions. The water main in the Country Club Estates Additions extends to the water main in Rohret Road and creates a looped system that improves the resilience of the water supply system on the far west side of the city. For the same reason, it will be necessary to loop the existing mains along Highway 1 and Rohret Road. Solid Waste The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center abuts the western boundary of the Southwest District and is directly west of the proposed future alignment of Highway 965.The landfill has been in use since 1972, serving all of Johnson County and the communities of Riverside and Kalona in Washington County. The landfill has an estimated site life of 25 to 30 years. The current cell has about 130 out of 411 acres buried in refuse mainly on the eastern portion of the property. Much of this area has been capped and grass has been planted to stabilize the banks. The land on the west side of the site create a buffer between the landfill and any surrounding properties. Portions of the buffer area could be used for recreation and the landfill itself could be used for recreational purposes in the distant future. Besides landfilling operations, the City manages multiple recycling programs and a commercial compost facility at this site. 01/24/23 Southwest District Plan 24 SOUTHWEST DISTRICT SUBAREAS The following sections of the plan refer to the four subareas illustrated on the map above. The goals and objectives for each of these areas are highlighted in the text and illustrated on conceptual plan maps. These plan maps are color-coded to indicate the types of land use or types of development intended for specific areas. In addition, future road extensions and possible new street configurations are illustrated using dashed lines. The red lines on the plan maps indicate existing and future trails and wide sidewalks. 01/24/23 ROOSEVELT SUBAREA The Roosevelt Subarea extends from the Iowa River west to Sunset Street. It is bounded on the north by Melrose Avenue and on the south by Highway 1. Benton Street provides an important east-west arterial street connection through this area. The Iowa Interstate Railway bisects the subarea, which restricts the number of north- south roadway and pedestrian connections. The hilly topography and wooded ravines also limit development and make it difficult to create a truly connected street system. Much of the subarea has already been developed, although there are a few notable undeveloped parcels along Highway 1 and Miller Avenue. The area is largely residential and contains a variety of housing types, including single-family homes, apartments, elderly housing, and assisted living facilities. Commercial development lines Riverside Drive from Myrtle Avenue to the intersection with Highway 1 and also west along Highway 1. Housing For purposes of identifying and describing the various housing issues facing this area of the City, the plan divides the Roosevelt subarea into three "neighborhoods:" •Melrose Neighborhood, which includes all of the area between Melrose Avenue and the Iowa Interstate Railway; •Miller-Orchard Neighborhood, which includes all of the residential areas between the railway and Highway 1 as far west as Greenwood Drive; and •Benton Hill Neighborhood, which is bounded by University Heights, the railway, Greenwood Drive, Sunset Street, and Highway 1. Southwest District Plan 2510/8/02 Melrose Neighborhood Single family homes in the Melrose Neighborhood The Melrose Neighborhood is an older single- family neighborhood located directly adjacent to the University of Iowa, which has a significant influence on development in this area. A main portion of the University's campus is located north of Melrose Avenue, including the University's large teaching hospital, its medical and nursing schools, its athletic facilities, and a number of student dormitories. In addition, the University owns a significant amount of property south of Melrose in the eastern part of this neighborhood and various lots scattered throughout. The University has expressed a need to expand the law school facilities and find a suitable area for new dormitory space. The University is acquiring property in the area along Melrose Avenue as it comes up for sale. There is concern on the part of the residents living in the Melrose neighborhood about the University's long-term expansion plans. As property is converted to university uses, it will make this area less viable as a residential neighborhood. In addition, there is a strong community interest in Iowa City to preserve historic properties and there are a number of historically significant homes in this area. It will be difficult to balance the needs of an expanding university with the needs of the residents over the next twenty years. The City has little regulatory power over the University since it is a state institution. However, it is an important goal of the City to preserve and stabilize existing residential neighborhoods close to the University and the downtown. Achieving this goal will help to prevent urban sprawl along the edges of the community, reduce commute times, provide a diverse residential community, preserve historic resources, and support the vitality of the City's central business district. Efforts should be made to encourage the University to work more closely with the City and the surrounding community as it develops future expansion plans. In areas such as the Melrose neighborhood, the City must take a more assertive role in the zoning and regulation of University properties if it is to achieve these important goals. University Law School Myrtle Avenue is an important collector street in this area. It not only provides the residents of the single-family homes with direct access to Riverside Drive, it is also Southwest District Plan 2610/8/02 the primary access point for a concentration of higher density apartments clustered behind the commercial area on Riverside. A traffic signal at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Riverside Drive may be warranted in the future. Miller-Orchard Neighborhood Miller-Orchard is an older neighborhood of modest single-family homes. The area also contains a few apartment buildings located near the rail line. The single-family housing in the neighborhood is nearly equally split between owner-occupied units and rentals. The City recently purchased a two-acre parcel of land across from Roosevelt School that will be developed into a park in the near future. The Parks and Recreation Commission will continue to work with the neighborhood on more specific plans for the new park. The area also contains approximately nine acres of undeveloped, residentially zoned land along Miller Avenue. The Miller-Orchard neighborhood has many assets, but a number of challenges. Affordability of the housing, the proximity to the University, downtown Iowa City, Roosevelt School, and the new park, all make this area a potentially attractive location for a variety of households. However, short-term tenancy, traffic circulation patterns, an unattractive interface between the commercial and residential areas, and a lack of pedestrian links both within and between this neighborhood and surrounding destinations have all contributed to some disinvestment in the area. In April and May of 2000, the City conducted a survey to assess basic housing conditions in a number of the City's older neighborhoods. Results from this survey indicate that nearly one- third of all single-family homes in the Miller-Orchard Neighborhood are in need of major repairs. Vehicular and pedestrian circulation in the neighborhood is less than ideal. Miller Avenue, Hudson Avenue, and Orchard Street all provide direct connections between Benton Street and Highway 1. This factor invites cut-through traffic onto these local streets. As vacant parcels in the vicinity are developed, the impact on traffic along Miller and Hudson may need to be evaluated to determine if traffic-calming measures should be implemented. In addition, gaps in the sidewalk network along Benton Street, Hudson, and Miller make walking to nearby destinations, such as Roosevelt School, the University, and the Riverside Drive commercial area difficult. Most notable is the missing pedestrian link along the south side of Benton Street from the top of the hill to Miller Avenue and the sidewalk gaps along Riverside Drive. Also absent is a safe travel route for children between Roosevelt School and the The embankment problem on Riverside Drive Southwest District Plan 2710/8/02 new park across Benton Street. As roadway and pedestrian improvements are made along Benton Street, it may be feasible to construct a pedestrian overpass between the school and the park to address this concern. For pedestrians wishing to travel from the neighborhood north to downtown or the university, the railroad embankment presents a frustrating barrier. A tunnel should be constructed through the embankment where it meets Riverside Drive to improve pedestrian circulation and safety. Orchard Street is the dividing line between the single-family neighborhood on its west side and the Riverside Drive commercial area on its east. There is little connection and no transition between the businesses and the residential neighborhood. Many of the businesses provide goods and services to the larger community and therefore rely primarily on drive-by traffic from Riverside Drive and Highway 1. While these businesses provide an important function in the wider community, the nearby residents feel the effects of increased congestion and unsightly parking and work areas. To provide a more attractive transition between the commercial and residential areas, the City should encourage redevelopment along this street that might include mixed-use buildings, with commercial on the first floor and dwelling units above, and encourage site redevelopment plans that provide creative solutions for customer parking and service areas. Concept Plan for a Planned Housing Development (PDH) along Miller Avenue Future development of the vacant land along Miller Avenue should be carefully considered with regard to efforts to stabilize and revitalize the Miller-Orchard neighborhood. The concept plan to the left illustrates how this area can be developed in a manner that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.1 A combination of single-family houses and townhouses at a density of approximately eight units per acre is possible on this parcel. In order to integrate new housing into the existing neighborhood, vehicular access to Miller Avenue is important. The concept plan shows housing units facing a central green space with garages to the rear off of a private street. Southwest District Plan 28 1 See Appendix C for a more detailed description of this property and recommendations for future development. 10/8/02 When this parcel is developed it will be important to establish a pedestrian trail that links the Miller Orchard Park to the dedicated open space in the Benton Hill Neighborhood and to the adjacent commercial area. To provide safer access to Miller-Orchard Park, it will be necessary to acquire additional parkland at the corner of Miller Avenue and Benton Street. This land could be dedicated as open space as a part of a subdivision or planned development (PDH) of the larger parcel or could be acquired by the City. While it would be desirable for the entire two-acre corner property to be developed as parkland, one acre would be sufficient to provide a safe and attractive entrance to the park. When the adjacent residential land is developed it will be important to provide an attractive interface between the park and the housing units. The concept plan on the previous page shows one method of achieving this goal. Housing units could be constructed to face the park with the garages to the rear off of a private street. In order to stabilize and revitalize the Miller-Orchard neighborhood, the City should assist in and encourage private reinvestment in the area. Following are a number of objectives to achieve this goal: •Provide financial assistance to area residents for housing maintenance and repair through the City's Targeted Area Rehabilitation Program. •Target Community Development Block Grant funds for housing rehabilitation and public infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood. •Provide down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals and families to encourage home ownership in the area. •Use neighborhood PIN grants to fund efforts to improve the aesthetics and livability of the neighborhood. •Encourage mixed-use redevelopment along Orchard Street to transition between residential and commercial. •Invest in parkland improvements and streetscape work along Benton Street. •Improve enforcement of existing zoning and nuisance laws. Benton Hill Neighborhood The single-family neighborhoods in the Benton Hill area are located primarily west of Harlocke and George Streets and along Tower Court and Woodside Drive. North of Benton Street there is a large concentration of apartment buildings between Greenwood Drive and Oaknoll Drive and along Oakcrest Street. The area directly south of Benton is also zoned for and developed as high-density apartments. While it is a policy of the City to locate multifamily housing along arterial street corridors in areas with good access to city services, the amount of land zoned high- density multifamily is excessive for this location. Steep topography and poor site Southwest District Plan 2910/8/02 design has limited street connections that serve the multifamily areas. This is particularly problematic for the area zoned RM-44 south of Benton Street. While most of these apartment buildings have direct access to Benton Street, the apartments along Harlocke Street do not. The residents of the apartment buildings in this area must travel through the single-family neighborhood along Harlocke and Weeber Streets to get to Benton Street and destinations beyond. With the recent development of three twelve-plexes along Harlocke Street, indications are that traffic will reach or exceed the City’s secondary access threshold. Any additional multifamily development in this area will be required to provide a second or alternative means of access. The lack of transition between the low-density single-family neighborhoods and the area zoned High-Density Multifamily (RM-44) is also problematic. This zoning has resulted in large apartment buildings being located directly adjacent to single-family homes. The bulk and scale of these buildings, the large parking lots, bright lights, and noise can be nuisances to the adjacent single-family homes. The City should consider downzoning some of the property in the area south of Benton Street in order to address these problems. A designation of RNC-20 would accommodate the existing development in the area, but would not allow properties to redevelop at higher densities in the future. Concept Plan for low-density multi-family on undeveloped property along Highway 1 A more immediate concern is the ten acres of undeveloped property between Benton Street and Highway 1 that is zoned for high-density multifamily development. Given the character of the adjacent neighborhood, the steep topography and current lack of adequate street access, the zoning designation for this property is inappropriately high. A planning study conducted by the City indicates that low-density multifamily Southwest District Plan 10/8/02 30 zoning (RM-12) is the maximum density that could be achieved without seriously compromising the slopes and natural ravines on the property, unless a substantial portion of the parking is built underneath the buildings and development is clustered away from critical slopes. As outlined in more detail in Appendix C, medium density multi-family zoning (RM-20) may be acceptable if the property owner agrees to a conditional zoning agreement that ensures that the site will be developed in a manner that is sensitive to the topography and the surrrounding neighborhoods.2 If this property is developed, several important issues should also be taken into account: •The western portion of this property is directly adjacent to a low-density single- family zone. Any new multifamily development should be set back from the zoning boundary at least 50 feet and screened with a vegetative buffer. •The Iowa Department of Transportation has approved two access points along Highway 1 that could be improved to serve new development on this property. Access to the property should be from Highway 1 rather than from Harlocke Street so that traffic from the higher-density uses will not create congestion on local streets that serve the adjacent single-family neighborhood. •The developer will be required to dedicate a certain amount of open space to the City when this property is developed. Given that the property is currently under the same ownership as the aforementioned vacant property located in the Miller-Orchard neighborhood, priority should be given to dedication of additional open space at the corner of Miller Avenue and Benton Street. In addition, it is important to create a trail connection between the new Miller- Orchard Park and the recently dedicated open space at the end of Harlocke Street. This trail would not only create a connection between parks, it could also serve as an alternative pedestrian connection to adjacent commercial areas and to other neighborhood destinations, such as Roosevelt School and the University. The concept plan on the previous page shows how these important design elements can be incorporated into a plan for multifamily development of the property. There are two additional parcels of undeveloped land in the Benton Hill Neighborhood. Both of these properties are currently zoned for single-family development. The vacant property at the end of Olive Court is likely to have only limited development due to difficult access issues. Development could occur north of the ravine with access from Olive Court and Leamer Court; access south of the ravine is possible from Marietta Avenue. There are approximately four acres of undeveloped RS-5-zoned property off of Weeber Street. While it may be possible to develop a few single-family homes on the property, the owner has indicated a desire to maintain the property as open space. Given that the neighborhood has an open space deficit, parkland would be an appropriate future use for the property. Southwest District Plan 10/8/02 2 See Appendix C for a more detailed description of this property and the results of this study. 31 Commercial Areas Commercial development in the Roosevelt Subarea is concentrated in corridors along Riverside Drive and Highway 1. The businesses in the area rely primarily on capturing business from motorists driving along these major arterial streets. While many of the businesses in the area are doing well, competition from newer commercial areas in the region may reduce the desirability of this area. Measures should be taken to improve traffic circulation, aesthetics, and connections to the surrounding neighborhoods in order to sustain or improve the economic health of these commercial areas. Riverside Drive Commercial Area Highway 1 Commercial Corridor While the bulk of commercial development along Highway 1 is located on the south side of the highway in the South Central District, there are a number of businesses located on the north side of the highway in the Roosevelt Subarea. While most patrons of the businesses along Highway 1 arrive by automobile, citizens living in the adjacent neighborhoods expressed a desire to make this area more accessible to those traveling on foot or by bicycle. There is a lack of safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities along and across Highway 1. Constructing sidewalks and adding pedestrian signals at signalized intersections should be a priority. Making this commercial area more pedestrian-friendly may encourage more neighborhood-serving businesses to locate along the corridor in the future. There is a parcel of undeveloped land along Highway 1 west of Miller Avenue that is zoned Community Commercial (CC-2). However, the configuration of the property would make the resulting commercial lots relatively shallow, which restricts the possible uses for this property. It may be desirable to rezone part of the adjacent RS- 8-zoned property to CC-2 in order to encourage future commercial development of this property. The concept plan on page 28 illustrates how deeper commercial lots in this location could be developed in a manner that would be compatible with the adjacent residential property.3 A pedestrian trail connecting the adjacent multi-family and single family residential areas to the commercial property may encourage the development of more neighborhood-serving businesses. Southwest District Plan 10/8/02 3 A more detailed description of this property and the recommendations for rezoning are included in Appendix C. 32 Riverside Drive Commercial Corridor The South Riverside Drive Commercial Corridor extends from Myrtle Avenue to the intersection of Highways 1 and 6, and from the Iowa River west to Orchard Street. It is intersected by Benton Street and contains Sturgis Corner Drive. A segment of the Iowa River Corridor Trail (IRC) passes through along the river’s edge. The whole area is zoned CC-2, Community Commercial. Cities and towns across the country have begun to rethink aging commercial strips and their role in communities as development has “moved” these former edge places to more interior positions. Attention has turned to ways of making them more attractive for both nearby residents and shoppers from around the community. District planning meetings identified the following problems that detract from South Riverside’s sense of place: •A connectivity gap exists in the pedestrian/bicycle network: Pedestrians and bicyclists can get to Riverside Drive but have trouble traversing the area. Missing sidewalk links and poor sidewalk maintenance create travel barriers. The Iowa River Trail does not currently extend south of Benton Street on the west side of the river. In addition, the quantity and distribution of curb cuts blurs the demarcation between pedestrian and vehicular modes of transportation, making it an unsafe environment for people who are walking or bicycling. •Too few retail uses connect to or serve adjacent residential neighborhoods: Commercial development along Riverside Drive is largely auto-oriented. Pedestrian connections and amenities are absent and retail services that might otherwise draw nearby residents are substantially lacking. •The commercial corridor lacks aesthetic appeal: Comments gathered from district planning meetings and an opinion survey revealed that the South Riverside Drive commercial corridor is generally regarded as being unsightly—lacking in adequate landscaping, having too many buildings in poor condition, dominated by parking lots—and pedestrian unfriendly. Notably, the businesses along South Riverside literally turn their backs on the Iowa River and wall it off from view. The condition of the streetscape along some parts of Riverside Drive Results of a recent study of the area indicate that a number of changes could be made to improve the function and the economic health of the Riverside Drive commercial corridor.4 Recommendations range from short-term aesthetic and traffic improvements to longer-term solutions that could occur as property is redeveloped over time. Southwest District Plan 4 The South Riverside Drive Gateway Corridor Project was conducted by John Adam and John Maxwell, graduate students in urban planning at the University of Iowa at the request of the Iowa City Department of Planning and Community Development. The full report is available for review in the Department of Planning, 410 E. Washington. 10/8/02 33 Attractive site design for auto- and truck- oriented use To address immediate aesthetic issues, the City should partner with the business community to work out a means of encouraging improvements in landscaping and, in some cases, building facades. This can be done either through a loan or grant program, the establishment of a tax- increment financing district or a business improvement district. The City also should take the lead by providing various public amenities, some of which are outlined in the aforementioned report. The first step in providing amenities and making other public improvements is to refine the goals through a design and engineering study, then to investigate and outline implementation strategies. The City should also work with the community to develop a plan to address long-term redevelopment along Riverside Drive. The basic provisions of this plan could include updated standards for facade design, building orientation and landscaping, and a possible zoning overlay district. The Roosevelt Subarea plan map indicates that the Riverside Drive commercial area may be an appropriate location for a mixture of commercial and residential uses. However, the eventual mixture of uses and appropriate development standards will have to be carefully considered during future planning efforts. Southwest District Plan 3410/8/02 Goals and Objectives for the Roosevelt Subarea Following is a summary of the goals and objectives of the Roosevelt Subarea. These are described in more detail in the previous sections and are illustrated on the attached Roosevelt Subarea Plan Map. Housing It is a goal of the plan to stabilize existing single-family neighborhoods in the Roosevelt Subarea in order provide the opportunity and encourage households of all types to live close to the University and downtown Iowa City. In addition, the City should encourage the development of high-quality multifamily housing in the Roosevelt Subarea that is compatible with surrounding development to meet the housing needs of a variety of households including singles, young families, university students and elderly populations. Following are a number of recommended actions that will help to achieve these goals: •Identify historic properties and encourage their preservation. •Avoid concentrations of high-density multifamily zoning directly adjacent to low- density single-family zones; facilitate downzoning multifamily property where appropriate. •Apply the Multifamily Residential Design Standards contained in Section 14-5H-5N of the City Code to the Roosevelt Subarea. •Review and make needed changes to the Multifamily Residential Design Standards to ensure compatibility of new multifamily development with surrounding development. •Encourage the University of Iowa to balance expansion needs with the community's goal to preserve existing neighborhoods. •Encourage the University to inform and coordinate with the City regarding any plans to develop dormitories and other types of student housing. Student housing should be located in areas that are suitable to meet the unique needs of university students balanced with the goal to protect existing housing that is suitable for families, singles, and older persons desiring to live close to the University and downtown Iowa City. To this end, the City should take steps to develop and enforce appropriate zoning regulation of university property. •Encourage rehabilitation of the existing housing stock in the Roosevelt Subarea, particularly in the Miller-Orchard Neighborhood. Commercial Areas •Develop a long range plan to guide future redevelopment along Riverside Drive. •Encourage development of well-designed mixed-use buildings that incorporate upper floor apartments over commercial uses. Southwest District Plan 3510/8/02 •Employ greater scrutiny whenever an applicant seeks to establish an auto- and truck- oriented use along Riverside Drive, taking into consideration such factors as aesthetics, landscaping, and parking lot location and design. Emphasis should be placed on creating a more attractive commercial corridor over time. •Explore possibilities for encouraging a mixture of residential and low intensity commercial uses on the west side of Orchard Street to create a transition between Riverside Drive and residential neighborhoods to the west. •Provide public amenities, such as bus shelters, decorative lamp posts, and bollards separating pedestrians from streets, drives, and parking areas. •Pursue funds to bury the overhead utility lines. •Establish a public/private program for facade and landscaping improvements. •Improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Highway 1 and Riverside Drive. Parks, Trails, and Open Space •Develop new parkland in the Miller-Orchard neighborhood in a manner that will serve the needs of the surrounding residents. •Acquire additional parkland at the corner of Miller Avenue and Benton Street in order to provide safe pedestrian access to the park from Miller Avenue. •Create trail connections between important neighborhood destinations. •Investigate the feasibility of creating a pedestrian overpass between Roosevelt School and the new park on the south side of Benton Street. •Encourage dedication of additional public open space in the Benton Hill Neighborhood. Transportation •Close the gaps in the sidewalk and trail network to improve and promote transportation alternatives, particularly along Benton Street, Riverside Drive and Highway 1. •Construct a pedestrian tunnel through the Iowa Interstate Railway embankment on the west side of Riverside Drive. •Consolidate curb cuts along Riverside Drive as properties redevelop. •Add turning lanes and traffic signals at intersections when warranted. •Add pedestrian signals and crosswalks at signalized intersections along Highway 1. •Investigate options to improve pedestrian and traffic safety along Benton Street. Southwest District Plan 3610/8/02 Southwest District Plan 3810/8/02 WILLOW CREEK SUBAREA Townhouses in the Willow Creek Subarea The Willow Creek subarea consists of a collection of neighborhoods located south of Melrose Avenue, west of Sunset Street, north of Highway 1 and northeast of Highway 218. Most of the area is completely developed with a mix of single-family homes and apartments. Areas along Mormon Trek Boulevard, Westgate Street and Westside Drive contain a mixture of duplexes, townhouses and apartment buildings. Walden Square, a neighborhood shopping center, is well situated in the center of the area. Highway-oriented commercial development is located along Highway 1. West High School is a major institution in the Willow Creek Subarea, providing secondary education to approximately 1,600 students on its 80-acre site off of Melrose Avenue. Housing The neighborhoods in the Willow Creek subarea are stable and unlikely to experience major redevelopment. The only sizeable vacant area is Galway Hills, which will be completed with single-family homes. Smaller infill properties that may be developed include: •A triangular-shaped area of approximately 4.5 acres located south of Rohret Road and northeast of Highway 218 contains a potentially historic farmhouse. If this property is further developed it may be appropriate for a cluster development that incorporates the farmhouse as a reminder of the agricultural history of the Southwest District. Residential development on this property should include a landscaped buffer along Highway 218. Alternatively, this site would be appropriate for low-intensity, nonresidential uses, such as a child care center, a small religious institution, or a fire station. •An approximately 10-acre property located at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and MacBride Road contains one house. If this area is further developed, single-family homes would be appropriate for the southern portion of the property. Townhouses or small, well-designed apartment buildings would be an alternative to single-family homes along Melrose Avenue. The portion adjacent to Melrose Avenue would also be appropriate for low-intensity nonresidential uses. •The two-acre property at the north end of Jensen Street is appropriate for single-family homes similar to those that already exist in the neighborhood. 3910/8/02 Southwest District Plan •Another area that is appropriate for townhouses or small apartments is located at the northeast corner of Benton street and Westgate Street. This property is currently owned by the University Baptist Church and is appropriately zoned Low-Density Multifamily (RM-12). •An approximately 3.7-acre property north of Walden Court will require careful design due to its topographic conditions and the unusual shape and size. It is zoned Medium-Density Single-Family (RS-8). Commercial Development Walden Square Walden Square, a neighborhood shopping center, located at the intersection of Morman Trek Boulevard and Westwinds Drive, includes a good mix of retail, service and residential uses. Citizens expressed a desire for better pedestrian crossings on Mormon Trek Boulevard and more landscaping and amenities within the center to improve access to Walden Square and enhance the pedestrian environment within it. To achieve, this the City will install pedestrian-oriented traffic improvements on Mormon Trek Boulevard and Westwinds Drive. A traffic signal may be warranted in the future. Trees and other landscaping features along the sidewalks located in front of shops would help make the center a more attractive and more comfortable focal point for the surrounding neighborhoods. Improvements to the public streets will be the responsibility of the City. Any improvements within the center would be done by the owner and individual businesses. A large commercial area located along Highway 1 between Highway 218 and Sunset Street contains a wide variety of uses including auto dealerships, offices, auto body repair shops, a school bus barn, a health club, a convenience store and a fast food restaurant. Due to the location of this area near the highway interchange these businesses serve a regional market rather then the surrounding neighborhoods. Because this is a major entrance to the community from the Avenue of the Saints (Highway 218), the appearance of this corridor is an important component of its economic development. Improvements to landscaping on private property and within the street and highway right-of-ways would help to visually unite the diverse land uses and make it more appealing to the adjacent neighborhoods as well as motorists traveling in this part of the city. The only sizable vacant commercial land is the area is along Willow Creek Drive and is zoned for Intensive Commercial, CI-1. Because this area is adjacent to a residential neighborhood, landscaped buffering at the rear of the properties is required. 10/8/02 Southwest District Plan 40 The triangular area northwest of Highway 1 and east of the Westside Drive area is under the jurisdiction of Johnson County. As this area is surrounded by the city and city services are available, it should be annexed. Parks, Trails, and Open Space Willow Creek Park, Kiwanis Park and Villa Park provide open spaces in the center of these neighborhoods. Additional parkland will be developed in the southern portion of Galway Hills and adjacent to Shannon Drive in the northern portion of Walden Hills. A smaller undeveloped park is located north of Walden Road, east of the Walden Woods Subdivision. Willow Creek Trail Willow Creek trail provides a pedestrian connection between many of these parks and other destinations such as the West High School Campus and the Walden Square neighborhood shopping center. Future plans include extending the Willow Creek Trail west under Highway 218 to Hunters Run Park and south across or under Highway 1 to connect to the commercial area on the south side of the highway. A small trail in the Mormon Trek Village development provides another trail option. An enhanced sidewalk in combination with landscaping features along Spencer Road may provide a link between Villa Park and Willow Creek Park. Other than these parks and trails, no significant new open space is proposed in the Willow Creek neighborhoods, although small areas of open space and trail links may be established as infill properties develop. Transportation Arterial streets that serve these neighborhoods include Mormon Trek Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, Benton Street, and Highway 1. Sunset Street, a major collector street, provides some arterial street function as a connection between Melrose Avenue and Highway 1. There are no plans to develop additional arterial streets in this subarea. Turn lanes at key intersections and sidewalk improvements may be necessary on Benton Street, as discussed in the transportation section of the plan. A north-south collector street in Galway Hills between Shannon Drive and Dublin Drive, in combination with additional local streets, will complete the vehicular network in this neighborhood. The collector street system will be designed with intersections to prevent Shannon Drive from becoming a convenient short cut through the neighborhood. A trail is planned from Galway Hills to West High on the south side of Melrose Meadows Elder Housing Development. This will provide for pedestrian access to the school campus. 10/8/02 Southwest District Plan 41 Melrose Avenue contains a landscaped median that helps to soften the appearance of this arterial street and makes it an attractive entrance to these neighborhoods. Maintenance and additional landscaping of this median will assure that Melrose Avenue continues to be an attractive feature even as traffic increases. Sunset Street is 49 feet wide—fifteen feet (44%) wider than necessary for a collector street. In the long term, or as repairs to Sunset Street become necessary, it will be appropriate to narrow the pavement or to add features such as a landscaped median or landscaped neck-downs at intersections to create shorter pedestrian crossings, to clearly demarcate parking bays, and to beautify the street. Sunset Street Residents on Westwinds Drive have complained about students crossing private lawns to reach the school campus. A pedestrian trail between Westwinds Drive and the West High campus would be helpful in directing pedestrian traffic to the school. Because this area is already platted, the School District will need to obtain an easement or land from one of the vacant lots located on the west side of Westwinds Drive in order to provide access to the school in this location. 10/8/02 Southwest District Plan 42 Southwest District Plan 4410/8/02 WEBER SUBAREA Farm along Rohret Road The Weber Subarea is located south of Melrose Avenue and Highway 218, north of Rohret Road, extending to the City’s growth limits half a mile west of Slothower Road. Before the 1980s this area was relatively undeveloped, with a few houses fronting onto Rohret Road. Through the 1980's and 90's housing developed westward on the north side of Rohret Road and south of the County Poor Farm property. Roughly two-thirds of the land area is undeveloped. Some patches of woodland and native prairie exist, but most of it is under cultivation. The area contains three public/institutional uses: Irving B. Weber Elementary School, the Korean Methodist Church, and Chatham Oaks, a residential care facility located on the County Poor Farm property. There are no commercial uses in the subarea. Transportation In the future, the City plans to extend Highway 965 southward along the current western growth limit to connect with Rohret Road via the eastern edge of the Iowa City Landfill. It will eventually reach Highway 1 and serve as a far west side arterial. As development approaches this area, the City needs to secure adequate road right- of-way and sufficient buffer width against the Iowa City Landfill. As an entryway corridor into Iowa City, Highway 965 should incorporate boulevard design standards with a well-landscaped median and generous landscaping along both sides, wide sidewalks and bicycle lanes. This could serve as additional buffer against the landfill. In the more immediate future a north-south collector street will be required between Melrose Avenue and Rohret Road, part of it configured using the Slothower Road right-of-way. Care must be taken to keep the eventual route somewhat circuitous between Melrose and Rohret to diminish its desirability as a cut-through route for non-local traffic. In addition, access routes to the southern portion of the County Poor Farm should be incorporated into the local street layouts in future phases of both Wild Prairie Estates and Country Club Estates. Willow Creek Trail will eventually cross Highway 218 via tunnel and connect Hunters Run Park to the wider community trail system. A trail link across the County Poor Farm property to Melrose Avenue will connect this regional trail to the arterial street system in the far western part of the Southwest District. If a regional stormwater lake is constructed in the Rohret South Subarea, it will be important to construct a trail connection between Hunters Run Park and the public open space surrounding this new lake. Southwest District Plan 4511/30/21 As westward development creates the need, both Rohret Road and Melrose Avenue will be improved to City standards beyond the point of the current corporate limits. Public Services and Facilities Before much of the area between Slothower and the landfill can be developed, a sanitary sewer lift station will have to be constructed. Northern portions of Country Club Estates can build out without further sewer improvements, but the southern two- thirds adjacent to Rohret Road drains to the southwest. This portion cannot be developed until a temporary lift station is built that connects to the landfill’s lift station or a proposed permanent lift station is built south of Rohret Road on the western edge of the Rohret South Subarea. Land Use Several areas of particular interest stand out in the Weber subarea with regard to land use: the build-out of Country Club Estates and Wild Prairie Estates; the development of the area west of Slothower Road; and future use of the County Poor Farm property. Johnson County Poor Farm Future use of the County Poor Farm property generated considerable discussion and a wide variety of suggestions during Citizen Planning workshops. The following considerations should be used as a guide to future development of this property: •The following important elements should be preserved and protected from the encroachment of development: the historic poor farm buildings and cemetery; Chatham Oaks residential care facility; and any environmentally sensitive areas. •Approximately 90 acres of the property are wooded, brushy, or contain prairie remnants. These areas would be suitable for use as a regional park that could be connected via the Willow Creek trail to other parks and destinations in the Southwest District. •The southwest portion of the property contains approximately fifty acres of relatively flat ground that is currently row-cropped. This area would be suitable for residential development. Any new subdivisions in this location should be connected to the street network developed in the Southwest Estates and Wild Prairie Estates subdivisions located directly south of the County Farm property. •If any development occurs on the county property adjacent to Highway 218, a buffer should be maintained. •Future use of the county property located north of Melrose Avenue should be considered carefully with regard to potential impacts on the poor farm property. Southwest District Plan 4611/30/21 Wild Prairie Estates will soon reach its northern boundary. Access to and through the Poor Farm is a desirable option in the future and for now a street stub northward up to the Willow Creek-Hunters Run Trail extension will be necessary. North of that and adjacent to Highway 218’s right-of-way, a noise and sight buffer should be established between residential areas and the highway. The Comprehensive Plan discourages the establishment of commercial uses around the Melrose Avenue-Highway 218 interchange. This policy generally should be maintained because there are several commercial services in the vicinity to serve this area. The Highway 1-Highway 218 interchange further south provides community and highway commercial services. In addition, Walden Square in the Willow Creek Subarea provides neighborhood commercial services, and a future neighborhood commercial area is proposed in the Rohret South Subarea. However, intensive commercial uses may be appropriate along Melrose Avenue further from the interchange due to proximity to major thoroughfares and to serve as a buffer for residential uses from the potential future expansion of the landfill and Highway 965. The remaining portion of the Country Club Estates property is primarily suitable for low-density single-family development. If well-designed, the portion of the property adjacent to Rohret Road may be suitable for clusters of medium-density residential uses, such as townhouses or condominiums. A transition between existing Rural Residential-zoned (RR-1) portions of Southwest Estates and future low-density single-family residential development to the west may be accomplished by platting larger RS-5- zoned lots backing onto the existing rural residential lots of Southwest Estates. A New Subdivision in the Weber Subarea The land west of Slothower is currently used for agriculture. The Weber Subarea Plan Map designates this area as "future urban development." However, until sewer service is extended in that direction and one or more lift stations constructed, there will not be any significant urban development. Before reaching the twenty-year horizon of this plan, some residential uses, or intensive commercial, may develop along the west side of Slothower Road and begin moving toward the future Highway 965 extension. However, the expectation is that development will not and should not “leapfrog” without street and trail connections bridging the gap between 965 and Slothower Road. When development becomes imminent a more detailed plan will need to be developed for this area. When development does occur, it will be important to buffer residential uses from the Iowa City Landfill and Highway 965. Southwest District Plan 4711/30/21 Open Space As this subarea continues to develop additional public open space will be needed. Recent improvements to Hunters Run Park increased the amount of active park space in the area. This park may be extended to the west when the northern part of Wild Prairie Estates is subdivided. As mentioned, the County Poor Farm property contains land that is suitable for public open space and connecting trail corridors. The County should plan for public open space needs as it contemplates future uses for the property. Hunters Run Park The City plans to use a small parcel of land near the southwest corner of the County Poor Farm property for a water reservoir. Most of the ground will remain open and could be used for a small neighborhood park. Additional parkland could be added to this property as Country Club Estates continues to develop. Southwest District Plan 4811/30/21 Southwest District Plan 5011/30/21 ROHRET SOUTH SUBAREA The Rohret South Subarea extends west from Highway 218 and south from Rohret Road to the City's growth area limit. Most of the land in this subarea is currently outside Iowa City's corporate limits and is used primarily for agriculture. The non-farm uses in the area can be characterized as large-lot semi-rural homes located along the south side of Rohret Road, along Kitty Lee Road, in the Rohret Court and Kessler Road area, and in other scattered locations. Topographically, much of the subarea consists of rolling hills with some flatter areas along the hills’ crests. Land in the northeast portion of the subarea generally drains into the Middle Branch Willow Creek which flows east through two semi-wooded drainageways leading to a low area directly west of Highway 218. In the southeast portion of the subarea, the watershed drains south. West of Maier Avenue, water sheds west and then south to Old Man’s Creek. The topography provides scenic vistas for the area but also creates infrastructure challenges. Public Services and Facilities To develop at urban densities, city services such as sewer and water will have to be extended to the Rohret South Subarea. The Abbey Lane trunk sewer project in 2023 will extend sewer services west of Highway 218, which will make the northeast portion of this subarea suitable for urban development. It is, therefore, important to plan now for the future orderly growth of this part of the Southwest District. Once the northeast portion of the subarea develops, sewer will need to be extended west to the Old Man’s Creek watershed via a pressurized sewer main and lift station, according to the 2011 Sewer System Master Plan. To the southeast, sewer can be provided by a pressurized sewer main and lift station south of Highway 1. Both proposed lift stations to the west and south are planned, but not expected to be constructed in the near future. The Rohret South Subarea Southwest District Plan 5101/24/23 Storm water management is also required to offset the detrimental effects of urbanization on downstream land use. In this subarea, stormwater should be managed at the regional level with fewer, larger detention basins, which would reduce the number of smaller basins needed. This creates several benefits, including more efficient use of land resources, lower total maintenance costs, and additional multipurpose uses. For example, the future land use map shows a regional stormwater detention lake in the northeast portion of the subarea which could accommodate recreational uses such as water activities, trails, and other amenities that serve surrounding residential neighborhoods. It is based on a study which identified that this area may be suitable for a future regional stormwater management facility.1 In addition to recreational uses, such a regional facility would provide safe and efficient control of drainage from the undeveloped watershed and would reduce flood risk and damage in the downstream, developed areas. Additional study is required for the southeast and west portions of the subarea to evaluate future regional stormwater management options. Form-Based Land Use The future land use map on p. 59 illustrates the potential future uses of property within the Rohret South subarea. It utilizes form-based land use categories to demonstrate characteristics desired in this subarea, including neighborhood centers, a mix of housing types, public parks, pedestrian routes between amenities, an interconnected street network, and adequate public services. There is some flexibility in interpreting and applying the future land use vision to this subarea depending on engineering constraints, environmental factors, and the preferences of individual property owners. However, any development must be consistent with this vision and City regulations. Form-based land use represents a paradigm shift from more conventional use-based maps. Traditional land use maps are organized into four major categories: residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional. In other words, they identify areas for houses, for stores and offices, for factories, and for schools and civic buildings respectively. However, this future land use map utilizes form-based categories to determine what may be built where. This means that it focuses on how the built environmental may look and function first, and then the land use secondarily. As a result, it reflects the intended physical character of places, such as describing a "main street" area rather than a "commercial" or "mixed use" area. In addition, form-based land uses incorporate other elements of the built environment to create vibrant walkable urbanism, including the interaction of uses, civic spaces, thoroughfares, frontages, and building types. Iowa City’s form-based land use categories are organized by the Natural-to-Urban Transect framework. ‘Transects’ are a hierarchy of physical environments ranging from the natural environment (Transect 1 or T1) to the urban core (Transect 6 or T6). The designation of each transect along this hierarchy is determined first by the type of place and intensity of development, and secondly by the mix of uses. This hierarchy replaces 1 Preliminary Design Report for Carson's Lake, Regional Storm Water Management Plan for Iowa City, Iowa. City of Iowa City, Iowa Public Works Department, October, 1996. Southwest District Plan 5201/24/23 traditional use categories as the organizing principle for most of this subarea. Because the subarea is on the edge of Iowa City, it includes only designations from the T3 Suburban and T4 General Urban transects. Any future annexations, rezonings, and subdivisions must be consistent with the vision in this Plan. In 2021, the City developed form-based zones for greenfield sites at Article 14-2H Form-Based Zones and Standards. The Article has zoning districts and regulations that are generally consistent with this Plan and may be used to help in the implementation of its vision. New Neighborhoods Given the pattern of existing development and infrastructure constraints in the Southwest District, it is likely that new development in the Rohret South Subarea will begin near the intersection of Rohret Road and Highway 218. This area is closer to existing services than areas further west or south and development is expected to continue following the Abbey Lane trunk sewer as it extends west. As noted above, this area may be suitable for a regional stormwater detention facility along with associated amenities which would further encourage new development in the remainder of the Subarea. The future land use map illustrates how a regional stormwater facility can be integrated into the design of a new neighborhood. The following elements should be included to maximize the benefit of this public facility to all area residents and visitors to this part of the City: •A park should be created around the lake with appropriate recreational facilities to allow for easy public access, views, and recreational enjoyment. Amenities may include areas for a playground, picnic tables, and restrooms. •A public street and bicycle/pedestrian trail ring the entire lake. The street would define the edge of the park, while the trail should run through the park and tie into the broader trail system which connects to other neighborhoods. Southwest District Plan 5301/24/23 •Other civic uses such as an indoor recreation center and/or elementary school should be located near the future park to provide mutual benefit to all uses involved. Given the drainage issues in this area, if a stormwater lake is not constructed, a park with a smaller water feature and public amenities, including trails, picnic tables, playground and restrooms, may be considered in lieu of the lake. The design considerations above should also apply to the park if it does not include a lake. Regardless, a regional park of some sort is needed in the Southwest Planning District. This Plan also shows neighborhood centers spread throughout the subarea, along with an interconnected street and pedestrian network. Neighborhood centers serve as a focal point for nearby residents and can include a mix of commercial, residential, and institutional uses, such as schools, parks, fire stations, or other civic buildings. Interconnected streets and pedestrian routes diffuse traffic and make it easier to get around the area using multiple modes of transportation. These centers help to promote walkability and address the needs of those living nearby. Care must be given to the design of new neighborhoods to preserve the natural features of the area, including woodland areas, streams, potential wetlands, and steep slopes, and minimize the need for extensive grading. The impact of development on these features should be minimized in compliance with the City’s Sensitive Area’s Ordinance and significant trees preserved. It may be appropriate to use semi-wooded ravines for trail corridors and open space which could also provide connections between future neighborhood parks in the Rohret South Subarea and to other neighborhoods in the Southwest District. In addition, other public parks and private open space areas may be appropriate for recreational use of nearby residents and for stormwater management as the area continues to develop. A regional stormwater facility could provide a focal point for new neighborhoods Southwest District Plan 5401/24/23 Housing It is likely that much of the housing developed in the Rohret South Subarea will be single-family homes due to market forces. However, a variety of housing types and styles should be provided for persons of various incomes and family types, including singles, couples, families and retired persons. In addition, development should be compact and orderly to help preserve agricultural uses until such property is developed and to help ensure the efficient provision of public services. As illustrated in the future land use map, much of the subarea is proposed to be Transect 3: Suburban (T3). Neighborhood Edge areas - which allow single-family, duplex, and cottage court building types - are located near existing, large lot development. Much of the remainder of the subarea is designated Neighborhood General, which also allows townhouse and small-scale multi-family uses. All T3 areas should contain a mix of building types, though it must be at a scale that is consistent with typical single-family homes. Other areas are designated Transect 4: General Urban (T4), which allows denser buildings adjacent to neighborhood centers and major thoroughfares. Neighborhood Small areas provide a transition from T3 areas by allowing house-scale multi-family and cottage court building types. Neighborhood Medium and Main Street areas comprise the core of neighborhood centers and are located along major thoroughfares, especially where a street only has buildings on one side and open space on the other (called “single-loaded” streets). These areas allow block-scale multi-family buildings up to 3.5 stories, which increases access to significant public amenities and supports commercial uses. Main Street areas are also identified near Highway 218 as a noise buffer for residential areas.. When sewer service is extended under Highway 218 it will be possible for some large lot residential properties to connect into the City sewer system upon annexation. When these properties have better access to City services, the existing large lots could be further subdivided in accordance with T3 Neighborhood Edge standards if property owners decide to do so. Neighborhood Centers Neighborhood centers with a mix of commercial, residential, and institutional uses are ideally located throughout the subarea to provide a focal point for nearby residents. Areas designated as “open” would allow but not require a wider variety of uses, including small- scale commercial uses that are compatible with adjacent properties. Mainstreet Commercial Design Southwest District Plan 5501/24/23 Areas shown as T4 Main Street are intended for commercial uses on the ground floor. These should be constructed as a more traditional “main street” area with buildings at the front lot line and parking provided on the street or behind buildings. Ideally, commercial buildings should be at least two stories high to give definition to the street with residential or office uses located above where appropriate. Attention should be given to public amenities such as benches, garbage receptacles, bus stops, and bicycle parking. Neighborhood centers are shown on the future land use map surrounded by T4 areas to help support the viability of commercial development which depends in part on the residential density of the immediate area. Civic and institutional uses can also be an important component of neighborhood centers, which may include places of worship, a fire station, or a recreational center. The future land use map shows a recreation center and elementary school near the proposed regional stormwater lake and park. Another civic center is located on the future alignment of Slothower Street/Landon Avenue which proposes space for a park, fire station, an elementary school, and possibly a junior high school. While a fire station is needed in this subarea, it may also be developed sooner in another neighborhood centers if the neighborhood grows quickly. Similarly, an emergency siren will be needed for this area as it continues to develop west and south. Transportation The thoroughfare map is a component of the future land use map included on p. 60. It shows a potential hierarchy of streets that support the goals of this Plan, including a well-connected street network with multiple routes to destinations, pedestrian connections between neighborhood centers and parks, and smaller block sizes and thoroughfare types that support the form-based land use categories. It also includes streets that directly abut major parks and the lakefront to help ensure a highly visible and substantive means of public access and high-quality of public spaces and view corridors. Most of the major street framework in this subarea is established between Rohret Road, Highway 1, and Highway 218. The only new major street planned is the extension of Highway 965 through the west side of the subarea, which will provide an additional north-south link for high volumes of traffic. As land is annexed to the City and developed, improvements to the existing major street system will likely be needed. For example, Rohret Road must continue to be improved to City standards, Storefronts close to the sidewalk invite pedestrians Southwest District Plan 5601/24/23 including pavement, storm sewers, and sidewalks. As traffic patterns develop, turning lanes may be needed at key intersections such as Rohret Road / Maier Avenue. Other important through-streets in the Rohret South Subarea must include new north- south and east-west connections to serve the future neighborhood centers and planned commercial, institutional, and recreational areas. Maier Avenue is an existing north-south link between Rohret Road and Highway 1 that will continue to be important in facilitating access between Highway 1 and Rohret Road. As land eventually develops to urban densities and Maier Avenue is paved, it will be subject to additional traffic pressure. To keep traffic moving at appropriate speeds for a residential area while allowing for traffic circulation between Rohret Road and Highway 1, the future land use map proposes realigning Maier with Wild Prairie Drive to the north and incorporating a neighborhood square and median improvements. These physical changes to the roadway should help control the speed of traffic, while still allowing for circulation between Rohret Road and Highway 1. Additional north- south collector streets along the Slothower Road / Landon Avenue alignment to the west and parallel to Highway 218 to the east will further help distribute traffic which will reduce impacts on all through-streets. East-west connections are shown throughout the subarea for the same reason. In all cases, attention must be paid to street design to ensure appropriate speeds. For local streets, traditional neighborhood design with an integrated system of streets, sidewalks, trails, and street trees should be the model for Rohret South neighborhoods. The traditional grid street pattern will discourage high traffic speeds and disperse traffic. Where urban residential densities are proposed, alleys in the rear may be used to relocate utilities and reduce the impact of driveways and garages on the streetscape, which de-emphasizes the automobile and creates a more people-friendly neighborhood. However, direct property access from Rohret Road, Highway 1, and the future Highway 965 should not be allowed, so alleys or an alternative point of access will likely be necessary. The use of architectural features such as front porches or other frontage types further contributes to this goal. In addition, pedestrian connections should be provided to promote walkability and linkages between neighborhood centers, school sites, parks, and within longer blocks. Because of the rolling hills and drainageways throughout the subarea, an integrated street grid may need to be somewhat modified to respond to the topography, though connectivity must continue to be prioritized. Alleys should be encouraged, but where they are not feasible, the impact of driveways and garages should be minimized to the extent possible, such as by locating garages behind or to the side of the front façade of the house or by utilizing shared driveways. Where possible, a more traditional grid system should be utilized to maximize connectivity, which makes an area easier to navigate, disperses traffic, reduces traffic spaces, and encourages walkability. Southwest District Plan 5701/24/23 Care should be given to ensure the accessibility to and quality of public spaces and view corridors. It will be important to ensure that a highly visible and substantive means of public access to the lake is provided such as using single-loaded streets along the lakefront. Because of the rolling hills in this area, care should also be given to the design of the buildings that can be seen from across the lake or other public spaces. Timing of Development Development in the Rohret South Subarea will largely depend on the provision of public services and the demand for new housing. While a small area near the intersection of Highway 218 and Highway 1 could develop currently, much of the rest is dependent on the expansion of the sanitary sewer system, watersheds boundaries, and development interest. Prior to development, land must be serviceable by City infrastructure and must be annexed, zoned, and subdivided. In general, development should occur in a compact manner with properties adjacent to existing urban development built out first. Goals for the Rohret South Subarea •Encourage housing diversity in new neighborhoods. •Preserve natural features and topography. •Build streets that enhance neighborhood quality. •Encourage commercial development that serves local residents. •Reserve space for neighborhood parks and trails that connect to other areas of the City. •Provide adequate street and pedestrian access to recreational facilities and other public amenities. •Establish a public focal point for new neighborhoods, such as a lake or park. Southwest District Plan 5801/24/23 SOUTHWEST PLANNING DISTRICT Rohret South Subarea Future Land Use Map October 2022 Kitty Lee Road Maier Avenue SW Landon Avenue SW Slothower Road SOUTHWEST PLANNING DISTRICT Rohret South Subarea Thoroughfare Map October 2022 (20’ ROW) (20’ ROW) (100’ ROW; 0’ Utility Easement Area) (70’ ROW; 10’ Utility Easement Area) (80’ ROW; 0’ Utility Easement Area) (100’ ROW; 15’ Utility Easement Area) (100’ ROW; 15’ Utility Easement Area) (Undetermined ROW; 15’ Utility Easement Area) Kitty Lee Road Maier Avenue SW Landon Avenue SW Slothower Road Southwest District Plan Map Designations Large Lot/Rural Residential Suitable for large lot single family development in areas not suited for more intensive development due to natural limitations, i.e. soil, slope, unavailability of sewer and water utilities. Development Density: approximately 1 dwelling unit/acre Single-Family/Duplex Residential Intended primarily for single family and duplex residential development. Lower density zoning designations are suitable for areas with sensitive environmental features, topographical constraints, or limited street access. Higher densities are more appropriate for areas with good access to all city services and facilities. Development Density: 2-12 dwelling units/acre Narrow Lot/Townhouse Residential Suitable for medium to high density single family residential development, including zero lot line development, duplexes, townhouses, and narrow lot detached single family housing. Development Density: 6-12 dwelling units/acre Low-Density Multi-Family Residential Intended for low -density multi-family housing. Suitable for areas with good access to all city services and facilities. Higher density zoning designations may not be suitable for areas with topographical constraints or limited street access. Development Density: 8 -15 dwelling units/acre Medium- to High-Density Multi-Family Residential Intended for medium- to high-density multi-family housing. Suitable for areas with good access to all city services and facilities. Higher density zoning designations may not be suitable for areas with topographical constraints or limited street access. Development Density: 16-44 dwelling units/acre Future Urban Development Areas within the growth limit that are not yet served by City services and may not experience substantial development within the lifetime of this district plan. As development becomes imminent in these areas, the City will develop more detailed land use and street layout concepts to supplement the current plan. Public/Private Open Space Indicates existing open space that is important for the protection of sensitive natural features and/or to provide for recreational opportunities and protect the aesthetic values of the community. An open space designation on private land may indicate that an area is largely unsuitable for development due to environmental or topographical constraints. While these areas are best reserved or acquired for private or public open space, development may occur on privately held land if a proposal meets the underlying zoning requirements and the requirements of the Iowa City Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Vegetative Noise and Sight Buffer Useful public facilities, such as limited-access highways or landfills, can produce undesirable side-effects. In these areas a substantial vegetative buffer should be maintained or established to separate residential development from these uses. Alternatively, where appropriate, nonresidential uses can be used to buffer residential areas from highways, landfills, and other such uses. Public Services/Institutional Areas intended for civic, cultural, or historical institutions; public schools; and places of assembly or worship. Iowa City does not have a zone that designates institutional uses as the primary, preferred land use. However, there are a number of zones where these uses are permitted or provisional uses. Development proposals are subject to the requirements of the underlying zoning designation. Land that is owned by a public entity is typically zoned Public (P). Neighborhood Commercial Areas intended for retail sales and personal service uses that meet the day-to-day needs of a fully developed residential neighborhood. A grocery store or grocery store/drug store combination is preferred as the primary tenant in a Neighborhood Commercial area. Specific site development standards will apply in these areas to ensure that commercial development is pedestrian-friendly and compatible with surrounding residential development. Office Commercial Areas intended for office uses and compatible businesses. In some cases these areas may serve as a buffer between residential areas and more intensive commercial or industrial uses. General Commercial Areas intended to provide the opportunity for a large variety of commercial uses that serve a major segment of the community. Mixed Use Areas intended for development that combines commercial and residential uses. An area may be primarily commercial in nature or may be primarily residential depending on the location and the surrounding neighborhood. Commercial uses will typically be located on the ground floor with housing above. Development is intended to be pedestrian- oriented with buildings close to and oriented to the sidewalk. Appendix A Southwest District Plan Map Designations Intensive Commercial Areas intended for those sales and service functions and businesses whose operations are typically characterized by outdoor display and storage of merchandise, by repair businesses, quasi-industrial uses, and for sales of large equipment or motor vehicles, or by activities or operations conducted in buildings or structure not completely enclosed. Retail uses are restricted in order to provide opportunities for more land-intensive or quasi- industrial commercial operations and also to prevent conflicts between retail and industrial truck traffic. Special attention must be directed toward buffering the negative aspects of allowed uses from any adjacent lower intensity commercial areas or residential areas. FORM-BASED LAND USE CATEGORIES TRANSECT 3: SUBURBAN Neighborhood Edge A walkable neighborhood environment of detached, low- intensity housing choices, supporting and within short walking distance of neighborhood-serving retail, food and service uses. Building types are house-scale with a small-to-large building footprint, which may include single-family homes, duplexes, and cottage courts. Building height should typically be up to 2.5 stories. Neighborhood General A walkable neighborhood environment of detached, low- intensity housing choices, supporting and within short walking distance of neighborhood-serving retail and services. Building types are house-scale with a small building footprint, which may include single-family homes, duplexes, cottage courts, townhouses, and small multiplexes. Building height should typically be up to 2.5 stories. TRANSECT 4: GENERAL URBAN Neighborhood Small: A walkable neighborhood environment of attached and detached, moderate-intensity housing choices, supporting and within short walking distance of neighborhood-serving retail and services. Building types are primarily house-scale with a small-to-medium-footprint, which may include cottage courts, townhouses, small multiplexes, and larger multi-family buildings with courtyards. Building height should typically be up to 2.5 stories. Neighborhood Medium A walkable neighborhood environment of attached and detached, moderate-intensity housing choices, supporting and within short walking distance of neighborhood-serving retail and services. Building types are primarily house-scale with a small-to-medium-footprint, which may include townhouses and larger multi-family buildings. Building height should typically be up to 3.5 stories. Main Street A walkable, vibrant district of attached, moderate-intensity, mixed-use buildings, supporting neighborhood-serving ground floor retail, food and services, including indoor and outdoor artisanal industrial businesses. Building types are block-scale with a medium-to-large-footprint, which may include townhouses (and stacked townhouses), large multi- family buildings, and main street buildings. Building height should typically be up to 3.5 stories. OTHER DESIGNATIONS Open Subareas: Open subarea designations may be applied to T3 Neighborhood General, T4 Neighborhood Small, or T4 Neighborhood Medium land use designations. The subarea indicates that a wider range of uses should be allowed. However, buildings must maintain the same form and character of the base land use category. As such, open subareas provide additional flexibility that can allow them to function as a neighborhood center of non-residential uses. Public or Private Civic/Park/Open Space Indicates existing or potential civic or open spaces on public or private land that is important for a variety of reasons, which may include the protection of sensitive natural features, the management of stormwater, the provision of private, shared passive or recreational opportunities for adjacent properties, or the protection of the aesthetic values of the community. This designation may indicate that an area is unsuitable for development due to environmental or topographical constraints. Development may occur if a proposal meets the under- lying zoning and subdivision standards. Appendix A SOUTHWEST DISTRICT CITIZEN PARTICIPANTS Marva Abel Marcia Allen Eugene Anderson Ruth Baker Charles & Eileen Barfknecht Meg Bayless Michaela Bell Anne Bendixen Tom Bender Kevin Boyd Jim Brenneman Joe Buffington Anna Buss William & Barbara Buss Mark Cannon Ellen Caplan Steve Carson Bruce & Sue Clark Vicki Concha Grace & Ken Cooper Ernest Cox Graham Dameron George Dane Kathy & Paul Davis Werner & Helen Dietrich Linda Donelson Terri Fanning Jeannette Fitzpatrick Cathy Gehris Tim & Deana Gholson Pat & Roger Gingrich Bill & Nancy Graf Pat Gragg Jerry Hansen Dale & Linda Hawley Mary Hitchcock Jamal Hoballah Don Hurt Mary Hurt Glenn Jacobsen Jeff & Claudia Jansenius Larry Jewell Bev Johlin Carrie Jones Sue Kann Theresa Kann Judith & William Klink William & Judith Knabe Jim & Pat Knebel Marva Abel & Richard Knoedel Mary Knudson Jeff Koenig Ann Kohl Nanci Kohl Elizabeth Koppes Bruce Kout John Lanaghan Bill & Donna Launspach Ron Logsden Dorothy Lynn John Maxwell Sadie May Charles Meardon Cindy Miller Chander Deanne Mirr Jody Murph Steve & June Nasby John & Darlyne Neff John & Terri Navazio Olympia Niederecker Carl & Barbara Orgren Esther Otto Catherine Pope Bob Porter Preston Rath Sharon Rebouche David & Aletia Redlawsk Dale & Mary Reiman Jim Ruebush Edward Ruppenkamp Charles & Marie Ruppert Paul Ruppert Paul & Kathy Ruppert Chester & Gloria Schulte Robynn & Tim Shrader Glenn Siders Don & Sandy Slothower Dan Smith Jill Smith Dan Smith Samantha Solimeo Michele Sorrell Rich & Rhonda Tack Mitchael Thomas James & Hari Turner Betty Vornbrock Jerry Walker Mr & Mrs Waller Lambert White Michaelanne Widness Les &Jolene Wieland Margaret Wieting Larry Wilson Lois Elaine Wingate Kristen Wingate & Bob Porter Eric & Fang Zirbes Appendix B Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C MORATORIUM AREA CONCEPT PLAN The high density (RM-44) zoning south of Benton Street has been the subject of discussion and dissension over the last twenty years. The rugged topography, difficult access issues, and lack of transition between high density and low density zoning have prompted several down-zoning efforts. The most recent downzoning attempt was initiated by the City in 1993. However, negotiations between the property owners and the surrounding neighborhood residents reached a stalemate. The City Council was reluctant to take action without a consensus between these groups, and therefore tabled the request. A rezoning effort in 1984 resulted in a similar stalemate. Prompted by recent development and redevelopment of multi-family properties south of Benton Street, a number of residents in the area requested that the City re-examine the zoning pattern once again. As a consequence, the City Council placed a development moratorium on property in the area, so that the zoning issues could be carefully examined through the Southwest District planning process. As a part of this planning effort, a group of citizens, which included neighborhood residents and property owners, agreed to work with City staff to work to resolve contentious zoning issues in this area. Based on input from this group and from the larger Southwest District planning workshops, staff developed the a conceptual plan for the undeveloped properties within the moratorium area. The important elements of this plan are illustrated on the attached map, which was developed by Steven Ford, a landscape architect with Shoemaker & Haaland Professional Engineers. The properties examined during this process are owned by the Ruppert family. These properties are a part of their original family farm. They have never been developed for urban uses. Approximately four acres at the corner of Highway 1 and Miller Avenue have been zoned for commercial uses since the 1960's and is currently zoned Community Commercial (CC-2). The portion of the property along Miller Avenue is currently zoned Medium Density Single Family (RS-8). The approximately 9-acre parcel, located at the end of Harlocke Street and south of the Benton Manor apartments and the recently developed Southgate property, has been zoned High Density Multi-Family (RM-44) since the City completed a comprehensive rezoning in 1983. Prior to that time, the property was zoned R1A, which was a single family zone allowing approximately 4 dwelling units per acre, similar to the City's current RS-5 zone. Each of these parcels of land are analyzed separately below. Land zoned High Density Multi-Family (RM-44) Existing Zoning: The RM-44 zone allows one dwelling unit for every 1,000 square feet of lot area, or about 44 units per acre. In general, high density multi-family development should have direct access to an arterial street, have good access to public transit and/or be within walking distance of major destination points and not be located in areas that will have negative environmental impacts. Results of this study indicate that RM-44 zoning is unrealistic and inappropriately high for this property. The property contains steep and critical slopes and two wooded ravines, which will make development difficult. Access to the property is also problematic at this time due to the steep grade from Highway 1 and the existing traffic concerns along Harlocke Street. The property is also directly adjacent to a single family zone and concerns have been expressed about a lack of transition between high density uses permitted in the RM-44 zone and the low density Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C uses intended for the RS-5 zone. Each of these issues is described in more detail below. Topography - The property consists of a south-facing hillside with some steep and critical slopes. The elevation of this hillside is such that it offers unobstructed views of the Iowa River valley to the south. A wooded ravine separates the RM-44-zoned area approximately in the middle. The property is adjacent to the Highway 1 right-of-way, which slopes steeply from the edge of the Ruppert property down to Highway 1. Any development proposal will have to subtract out areas for streets, pedestrian facilities, and storm water management facilities and as well as areas that are too steep or environmentally sensitive to develop, which leaves only about half of the property for buildings and parking. Due to the steep and rugged topography, it would be extremely difficult to develop this property at RM-44 densities without substantial disturbance of the slopes and wooded ravines. Development at this density would require large, level building pads and large amount of space for the required parking, unless that parking were built underneath the buildings. Covering this steep hillside with a large amount of impervious surface would also likely result in problems controlling stormwater run-off. Access - The property currently has no approved access from an arterial street. Harlocke, a local street, dead ends at the property's northern border. There are a number of problems associated with using Harlocke Street as access to the Ruppert property. Harlocke Street is a local street that serves as primary access to a number of apartment buildings and also to single family homes. It connects to Weeber Street, which is another local street that serves the adjacent single family neighborhood. Traffic from any new multi-family development on the Ruppert property would have to flow through the single family neighborhood before reaching Benton Street, the nearest arterial street to the north. Estimates of traffic along Harlocke Street indicate that the existing development along the street generates traffic at a rate of 500 or more trips per day, the City's local street traffic threshold, beyond which a second means of access should be provided. Connecting Harlocke Street to Edingale Drive to provide a second means of access would also be problematic. Such a connection would likely result in additional northbound traffic on Harlocke and Weeber Streets as apartment residents travel to central destinations, such as downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa, located north and east of this area. For the reasons stated above, access to any new multi-family development on the Ruppert property should be provided from Highway 1 rather than from Harlocke Street. Currently there is no IDOT - approved access to the RM-44 zoned property from Highway 1, although it is possible to share the IDOT-approved access located on the adjacent CC-2 zoned property to the east. Alternatively, staff suggests that a portion of the commercially zoned property to the east be rezoned to multi-family residential so that the approved driveway access is located on the multi-family tract. If the density of future development on the Ruppert property is such that a second means of access is needed, the use of Harlocke Street can be avoided by providing a second connection to Highway 1 through the property currently owned by Tim Russell, located directly to the southwest of the Rupperts’ property. If this property is developed for multi-family uses, pedestrian connections should also be considered. Major destination points, including the University of Iowa campus and downtown Iowa City are all located north of the property. In addition, all of the neighborhood open space is located north and east of the property. Given that there will Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C be no north-south street connections in this area, a pedestrian trail connecting this property to the neighborhood parks, adjacent public open space, and to Benton Street will be important. Surrounding Development - The property is bounded on the north by multi-family housing developed at an average density of approximately 26 units per acre. Directly to the west is an area zoned for low density, single family development. Existing single family homes front on Harlocke Street, Weeber Street, and Weeber Circle. A lack of transition between the low density single family zone and the high density multi-family zone has been problematic. The large parking lots, bright lights, and traffic associated with high density development as well as the bulk and scale of multi-family buildings have caused concern among the single family residents along Harlocke, Weeber, and Weeber Circle. Any development on the western portion of the Ruppert property should be designed to buffer higher density uses from the lower density uses to the west. Such a buffer will be difficult to achieve if the property is developed at RM-44 densities. To the east, the RM-44 zoned parcel is bounded by property zoned Community Commercial (CC-2). This CC-2 parcel is also undeveloped. A wooded ravine provides a logical dividing line between the commercial property and the residential property. However, the existing zone line is located approximately 150 to 200 feet to the west of the ravine. It would be logical to move the zone line east to the edge of the ravine to provide a better transition between the residential and commercial zones. Suggested Rezoning - Given the rugged topography, access issues, and lack of a transition between higher density and lower density zoning in the area, RM-44 zoning is inappropriate for this property. To avoid extensive grading and the need for large retaining walls, the property should be down-zoned. The RM-12 Zone allows one dwelling unit per 2,725 square feet, approximately 12-15 units per acre. As illustrated on the attached maps, it may be possible to achieve this density by working with the natural topography and clustering the development in areas so that grading of steep and critical slopes is minimized. Even at this lower density it may be necessary to build a portion of the parking underneath the buildings rather than on surface lots in order to remain sensitive to the environmental features of the site. It may be possible to achieve RM-20 densities (approximately 16-24 units per acre) on this property if the site is carefully designed and parking is structured or provided underneath the buildings rather than in large surface parking lots. It should be noted that while downzoning the property may reduce the incentive to maximize the size of the building pads by grading extensively and building large retaining walls, it will not ensure that the property is developed in a manner that is sensitive to the surrounding neighborhood and the topography. Nor will it ensure that pedestrian connections are integrated into the site design so that current and future residents have a means to walk to and from major destinations, such as the University, downtown Iowa City, and nearby commercial areas. Given the uncertainty of the eventual site design, staff recommends the lower RM-12 zoning designation. If, however, the property owner agrees to a conditional zoning agreement that ensures that future development is sensitive to the natural topography and is designed with appropriate buffering, pedestrian amenities, and vehicular access, a zoning designation of RM-20 may be reasonable. Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C Land zoned Community Commercial (CC-2) Existing Zoning - From the attached map, one can see that the vacant commercially zoned property consists of a rather shallow strip along Highway 1. This parcel is zoned Community Commercial, the City's general retail commercial zone. Given that uses in this zone may generate considerable traffic, access to a major thoroughfare is important. While this property seems well-situated for commercial development, the property owners have indicated that the configuration of the property makes the resulting commercial lots relatively shallow, which restricts the possible uses for this property. Deeper lots would provide additional space for required parking, pedestrian amenities and for attractive landscaping along this entry corridor to the City. Topography - The portion eastern portion of the subject property is relatively flat, sloping gently from the northwest to the southeast. The western portion contains a steep, wooded ravine. It would be logical to use the ravine as a natural boundary between the multi-family zone to the west and this commercial zone. However, the zone boundary is currently about 150 to 200 feet west of the ravine. Access - The commercially zoned property currently includes two IDOT-approved access points off of Highway 1; one at the intersection of Ruppert Road and Highway 1 and one further to the east next to Sobaski's Carpets. These driveways are currently unimproved farm access drives. They will have to be upgraded if the property is developed for commercial uses. During the Southwest District planning workshops, citizens stressed the importance of creating pedestrian links between local commercial areas and residential neighborhoods. Since there are few north-south street connections in the eastern part of the Southwest District, providing trail links should be even more of a priority. The Rupperts' commercial property along Highway 1 is well-situated to provide commercial services to the single family neighborhoods to the north and east and to any future residents of the multi-family property to the west. Therefore, it will be important to provide the opportunity for a pedestrian trail along the western edge of this property connecting it to the surrounding residential properties. Surrounding Development - The property directly to the north is zoned RS-8, Medium Density Single Family. If this property is developed for commercial uses, it should provide a landscaped buffer to protect the nearby residential properties. Suggested Rezoning - Since the comprehensive plan designates this area as appropriate for commercial development, moving the zone boundary north to provide the opportunity for deeper commercial lots may be warranted. The resulting zone change will increase the depth of the property to coincide with the depth of the commercial property located at the corner of Miller Avenue and Highway 1. In addition, squaring off the zoning boundary will provide for a more even transition between the single family zone to the north and this commercial zone. Providing deeper commercial lots will also allow adequate space for a landscaped noise and sight buffer between commercial development and future residential development. Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C As mentioned above, a zone boundary adjustment on this property's western edge may also be warranted. Moving the zone boundary to the east side of the ravine would provide a better transition between the multi-family zone to the west and this commercial property. This zone change would also provide the multi-family property direct access to an arterial street. Land Zoned Medium Density Single Family (RS-8) Existing Zoning - This property is currently zoned Medium Density Single Family (RS-8). This zone is intended to provide for the development of small lot single-family dwellings. Because this zone represents a relatively high density for single-family development, dwellings should be in close proximity to all City services and facilities, especially parks, schools and recreational facilities. Special attention should be given to landscaping and site development. Special provisions of this Zone permit dwellings with no side yard to accommodate attached single family dwellings, such as townhouses. Topography - The land slopes moderately from northwest to southeast. There are areas of mature woodland along the northern and western edge of the property. If developed, stormwater detention will be necessary. The most likely location for a detention basin is near the southeast corner of the property. Access - Property has frontage on Miller Avenue and Benton Street and is adjacent to the two-acre Miller-Orchard Park. Surrounding Development - The property is surrounded on three sides by medium density single family zoning (RS-8). Miller-Orchard Park and Roosevelt Elementary School are located on Benton Street north of the Ruppert property. Suggested Zoning - Given the surrounding zoning and development, this parcel is appropriate for medium density single family development. The property is close to City services, a commercial area, Roosevelt Elementary School and the newly acquired neighborhood parkland. The existing RS-8 zoning designation is appropriate. The property may also be suitable for a planned housing development or PDH. A rezoning to PDH-8 would provide flexibility in architectural design, placement and clustering of buildings, use of open space, traffic circulation and parking in order to encourage the best use of the existing topography and promote an attractive and safe living environment compatible with surrounding residential development. This type of zoning is particularly suitable for infill sites in older residential areas such as the Miller-Orchard neighborhood. The attached map illustrates one example of a planned development that would be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The plan shows single family and townhouse development facing a central common green space. Front doors and living space would front on the common area with garages located behind the dwellings on a u-shaped private drive with access to Miller Avenue. This new development should open out to Miller Avenue so that residents will have a connection to the existing neighborhood. An attractive single family development on this property would support the plan goal of stabilizing and revitalizing the surrounding Miller Orchard neighborhood. Appendix C 08/15/02 Southwest District Plan Appendix C Dedication of a certain amount of open space would be required with development of this property, whether as a conventional subdivision or a PDH. Additional park space is needed at the corner of Miller Avenue and Benton Street to provide attractive and safe pedestrian access to the existing Miller-Orchard Park. Depending on the amount of open space dedicated at this corner, there may be adequate land area to develop townhouses or single family homes that face the park with vehicular access allowed from the rear as shown on the concept map for this area. To increase the green pedestrian links within this area of the city, it will be important to reserve space for a trail between Miller-Orchard Park and the adjacent commercial area and to the public open space at the end of Harlocke Street. Concept Plan Maps The maps on the following pages illustrate the concepts and zoning recommendations described above. These maps provide an illustration of how the important goals and objectives for this part of the Southwest District might be accomplished. It should be noted that other site designs may be equally attractive for these properties as long as the design adheres to the underlying planning principles described in the analysis above. a4-ari4- 5a Prepared by: Sarah Walz, Associate Planner, 410 E. Washington St, Iowa City, IA; 319 - 356 -3239 (CPA12- 00006) RESOLUTION NO. 14 -80 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO AMEND THE SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED WEST OF MORMON TREK BOULEVARD, NORTH OF WESTWINDS DRIVE (WALDEN SQUARE) FROM NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL. (CPA12- 00006) WHEREAS, the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan serves as a land -use planning guide by illustrating and describing the location and configuration of appropriate land uses throughout the City, provides notification to the public regarding intended uses of land; and illustrates the long range growth area limit for the City; and WHEREAS, if circumstances change and /or additional information or factors come to light, a change to the Comprehensive Plan may be in the public interest; and WHEREAS, the Walden Square is located on Mormon Trek Boulevard near the intersection with Benton Street and is a major travel and commuter corridor; and WHEREAS, given its locational convenience, the commercial center draws customers from the entire southwest side of Iowa City in addition to the immediate neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the established streets, trails, and sidewalks that serve the commercial center safely support vehicle, bike, and pedestrian accessibility; and WHEREAS, the commercial center is nearly fully developed and includes a number of long - established uses, including a grocery store, bank, and drug store, coffee shop; and restaurants; and WHEREAS, some established retail and office uses within the commercial center wish to expand beyond the maximum square footage allowed in the Neighborhood Commercial zone; and WHEREAS, the established development more closely conforms to the requirements in the Community Commercial zone in terms of building setbacks and location of parking; and WHEREAS, the change in land use designation from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial and a proposed rezoning to Community Commercial is not anticipated to generate additional traffic along this corridor; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed this amendment and determined that circumstances have changed to the extent that an amendment to the comprehensive plan is warranted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, THAT: The land use designation for Walden Square shall be changed from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial in the Iowa City Comprehensive Plan and the Southwest District Plan. Passed and approved this 1st day of April , 2014. T.' . Approved by: Resolution No. 14 -80 Page 2 City Attomey's Office2l! (, C:\ Users \SHektoen\AppData\ Local \Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.0utlook \EIU1Y9HP \CPA Resolution Walden Square.doc Resolution No. 14 -80 Page 3 It was moved by Mims and seconded by Payne the Resolution be adopted, and upon roll call there were: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: x Botchway x Dickens x Dobyns x Hayek x Mims x Payne x Throgmorton