Planning & Zoning Minutes October 4, 2011

Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes
October 4, 2011

Call to Order. At 6:30 p.m., Chairman Mausser called the October 4, 2011 Regular Session of
the North Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission to order. Commission members present:
Anderson, Covert, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Mausser, Moore.
Others present: Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Scott Peterson, Kevin Trom, Dean Wheatley,
Erika Harper and other interested parties.

Approval of the Agenda. Moore moved, Haack seconded to approve the agenda as drafted. The
vote was: ayes – Haack, Moore, Detlefsen, Covert, Frost, Mausser, Anderson; nays – none.
Motion carried.

Public Comment. No public comment was offered.

Midwest Home Builders Rezoning Request.
Staff Presentation. Wheatley presented the request of Midwest Home Builders to approve a
rezoning from RS-4 (Single-Family) to RM-8 (Multi-family) for property generally located east
of the Dubuque Street and north of West Penn Street. The developer has reached an agreement
with the adjacent property owner, Copeland Meadows, for access. Staff recommends approval of
the application with the following condition: That the developer/owners agree in a written
document addressed to the city that development on the site will be generally consistent with and
no denser than the concept plan.
Applicant’s Presentation. Duane Musser from MMS Consultants and Dan Sweeting from
Midwest Homes reported that an agreement has been reached with Copeland Homeowner’s
Association regarding the access to Hidden Meadows.
Public Comments. No public comments were received.
Questions and Comments. The Commission spoke in favor the application as presented.
Recommendation to City Council. Moore moved, Detlefsen seconded to recommend approval of
the rezoning request to the City Council with the condition that the developer/owners agree in a
written document addressed to the city that development on the site will be generally consistent
with and no denser than the concept plan and with an approved access agreement with Copeland
Meadows Homeowners Association. The vote was: ayes – Detlefsen, Mausser, Frost, Moore,
Covert, Anderson, Haack; nays – none. Motion carried.

Hidden Meadows Preliminary and Final Plats.
Staff Presentation. Wheatley presented the request of Midwest Home Builders to approve a 3-lot
preliminary and final plat for property generally located east of the Dubuque Street and north of
West Penn Street. Staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
1. That the extension of Copeland Lane meets city street design standards for pavement thickness
and subgrade drainage.
2. That a sidewalk connection is provided from West Penn Street to Copeland Lane.
Applicant’s Presentation. Duane Musser presented additional information regarding the
application.
Public Comments. No public comments were offered.
Questions and Comments. The Commission discussed the storm water detention basins and
public access.
Recommendation to City Council. Haack moved, Frost seconded to recommend approval of the
Preliminary and Final Plats of Hidden Meadows Subdivision to the City Council with the
following conditions:
1. That the extension of Copeland Lane meets city street design standards for pavement
thickness and subgrade drainage.
2. That a sidewalk connection is provided from West Penn Street to Copeland Lane.
The vote was: ayes – Frost, Haack, Covert, Moore, Anderson, Mausser, Detlefsen; nays – none.
Motion carried.

Allen Homes Rezoning Request.
Staff Presentation. Wheatley presented the request of Allen Homes to approve a rezoning from
C-1-B (Commercial) to RM-21 (Multi-family) for property generally located west of Highway
965 at the end of the private drive Club House Road. Staff recommends approval with the
condition that the developer/owners agree in a written document addressed to the city that
development on the site will be generally consistent with the layout and building style of the
concept plan. No rezoning completion until access is complete.
Applicant’s Presentation. Jesse Allen from Allen Homes reported on the application for the site.
He has hired an architect from Chicago for the site plan design. Allen presented the preliminary
site plan. The applicant has met with the owners of the condominiums and golf course regarding
the roadway.
The commission asked about parking, the pond, and the density of the proposed development.
Public Comments. Karen Johnson stated that the Quail Creek Condominiums presented a letter
signed by several owners at the Good Neighbor meeting. She stated that this will be good for
Quail Creek condos and that the access road will be improved in the process. Evelyn Bollinger
said that she is surprised that this application is being recommended by staff for approval. She
stated that only one unimproved access exists and this will put lots of cars on Highway 965. She
stated that the application is not a companion building as indicated by staff. She further stated
that the association agreement being signed was a surprise as the Association not had a meeting
regarding the document. Wheatley stated that access improvement is critical. If recommended for
Council approval, the application will be held until there is assurance that the drive will be
upgraded. Kevin Johannsen of 1180 Hauer Drive spoke against the rezoning. He would prefer
more single family homes rather than higher density. Blaine Thomas, one of the applicants,
reported that he delivered a letter to the golf course owner. The developer will pay for the road
improvements and maintenance. He stated that this development would be a unique cornerstone
piece for North Liberty. Kevin Johannsen then stated that no other community has this type of
design because it is a bad idea. George Pappageorge, the architect for the project, spoke about
the project. The developer is seeking to create an interesting sense of place for diversity in
culture and age groups. He stated that commercial district uses could far exceed the traffic
movements of residential district movements. The proposed use is compatible with existing
neighbors and has large outdoor spaces. Chad Waring of 1150 Hauer Drive expressed concerns
with the density.
Questions and Comments. The Commission discussed the traffic impact on Highway 965, the
density of the proposed structure, the access road improvements, the term of the build out, and
the size and cost of the proposed units.
Recommendation to City Council. Mausser moved, Haack seconded to recommend non-approval
of the rezoning request to the City Council. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Mausser,
Anderson, Haack, Covert, Frost; nays – Detlefsen; abstain – Moore. Motion carried.
Land Use Plan Updates.
Staff Presentation. Wheatley reviewed the proposed changes to Land Use Plan discussed at
previous joint meetings with Council.
Recommendation to City Council. Detlefsen moved, Frost seconded to recommend the proposed
Land Use Plan Updates to the City Council. The vote was: ayes – Moore, Covert, Anderson,
Haack, Frost, Detlefsen, Mausser; ayes – none. Motion carried.

Minutes of Previous Meetings. Frost moved, Moore seconded to approve the minutes of the
Planning Commission meetings contained in the packet. All ayes. Motion carried.

Cases Under Development. Wheatley summarized the pending case for the Commission.
Adjournment. At 8:00 p.m., Moore moved, Haack seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting
adjourned.