Planning and Zoning Commission on January 4, 2022
Agenda
6:30 PM, North Liberty City Council Chambers, 1 Quail Creek Circle, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
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- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Approval of the Agenda
- Review of Conditional Use: Request of Colony 1927, LLC and Four D’s Acres, LLC for a Conditional Use for an Agricultural Experience on 220.60 acres, more or less, on property located at 2780 Front Street NE. The property is currently located in unincorporated Johnson County, however, the Conditional Use is being requested in anticipation of being annexed into the City of North Liberty.
- Staff Presentation
- Applicants Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Site Plan: Request of Brewland, LLC to approve a Site Plan for a new micro-brewery on approximately 3.9 acres of property located at 925 and 945 Liberty Way.
- Staff Presentation
- Applicants Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Site Plan: Request of Haza Bell of Nebraska, LLC to approve a Site Plan for a new Taco Bell on 1.5 acres of property located at 1000 Liberty Way.
- Staff Presentation
- Applicants Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Public Hearing for Zoning Code Amendment: Request of the City of North Liberty for an Ordinance amending Chapters 165 through 170 and Chapter 173 of the North Liberty Code of Ordinances, governing the administration, organization, enforcement, requirements and definitions of the zoning districts, development and sign regulations.
- Staff Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Request of the City of North Liberty for a Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment from Residential to Commercial on approximately 20.12 acres of property located on the east side of South Jones Boulevard east of the termini of Copper Mountain Drive.
- Staff Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Public Hearing for Zoning Map Amendments: Request of the City of North Liberty for the following Zoning Map Amendments (Rezonings): C-2-A Highway Commercial District and RM-8 Multi-Unit Residence District to C-3 High Intensity Commercial District on property located at the southwest corner of West Forevergreen Road and Coral Ridge Avenue; RM-6 Multi-Unit Residence District to RM-8 Multi-Unit Residence District on properties located at 22 through 77 Jaro Way; and RS-O Single-Unit Residential Special Use District to RS-4 Single-Unit Residence District Professional Office Overlay District on property located at 205 West Penn Street.
- Staff Presentation
- Public Comments
- Questions and Comments
- Recommendation to the City Council
- Approval of Previous Minutes
- Old Business
- New Business
- Adjournment
Minutes
Planning Commission
January 4, 2022
Call to Order
Planning Commission Chair Becky Keogh called the January 4, 2022 Planning Commission to
order at 6:30 p.m. Commission members present: Barry A’Hearn, Josey Bathke, Jason Heisler,
Becky Keogh, Patrick Staber, Brian Vincent, Dave Willer.
Others present: Ryan Rusnak, Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Grant Lientz, Kevin Trom, Carter
Kurdlre, Nick Bettis and other interested parties.
Staber moved to table the 2780 Front Street NE Conditional Use Application. Bathke seconded.
The vote was: ayes- Bathke, Heisler, Keogh, Staber, Vincent, Willer, A’Hearn; nays – none. Motion
carried.
Approval of the Agenda
Staber moved, A’Hearn seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was all ayes. Agenda
approved.
Brewland LLC Site Plan
Staff Presentation
Rusnak presented the request of Brewland, LLC to approve a Site Plan for a new micro-brewery
on approximately 3.9 acres of property located at 925 and 945 Liberty Way.
Staff recommends
that the Staff recommends the Planning Commission accept the two listed findings that
1. The commercial use of the property would be consistent with the current C-1-B
General Commercial District and the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map
designation of Commercial and Commercial withResidential; and
2. The site plan, with recommended conditions, would achieve consistency with North
Liberty Code of Ordinances Section 165.04(2) entitled, “Site Plan Requirements”
Section 169.12 entitled “Design Standards, Section 169.13, entitled “Other Design
Standards” and other Code of Ordinance requirements;
and forward the request to approve a Site Plan on3.9 acres for a new micro-brewery to the
City Council with a recommendation for approval with the following conditions.
1. That prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy the applicant dedicate a sidewalk
easement to the City for any portion of the public sidewalk that extends onto private
property as are shown on the site plan, subject to approval as to form and content by the
City Attorney.
2. That prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy a plat of survey formally combining
the two lots into one lot in accordance with Section 180.10(2) North Liberty Code of
Ordinances be recorded with the Johnson County Recorder, and that applicant is
responsible for any costs associated therewith.
3. That the plans be revised to show the sidewalk ramps at the southeast corner of Liberty
Way and Washington Avenue with a crossing across Liberty Way and that the curb ramps
at the southwest corner of the same streets be removed from the plans.
4. Thatthe plans berevised to include the installation of a “tee”onthe water main so that any
valves are located outside of the sidewalk/trail.
5. That the plans be revised to show retaining walls/blocks, fencing and other
improvements outside of the public access easement (where the pond trail in
located).
6. That the grading at the southeast portion of the parking lot be revised such that the
grades do not exceed 3:1. Otherwise, a retaining wallbe installed.
7. That a fence detail be provided on the plans.
8. That a dumpster enclosure detail be provided on the plans.
9. That fire lane signs be installed and curbing painted red accordance with the
following diagram:
Applicants Presentation
Nick Bettis, Axiom Consultants, was present on behalf of the applicant and offered to answer
questions.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered.
Questions and Comments
The Commission discussed the application including the positive addition to the area, requirement
for food service in the updated code, and compliance with parking standards.
Recommendation to the City Council
Willer moved, Bathke seconded to accept the two listed findings and forward the site plan to the
City Council with a recommendation for approval subject to the nine conditions listed by staff. The
vote was: ayes – Heisler, Keogh, Bathke, Vincent, Willer, A’Hearn, Staber; nays – none. Motion
carried.
Taco Bell Site Plan
Staff Presentation
Rusnak presented the request of Haza Bell of Nebraska, LLC to approve a Site Plan for a new Taco
Bell on 1.5 acres of property located at 1000 Liberty Way. Staff recommends approval with the
findings of:
1. The commercial use of the property would be consistent with the current C-2A
Highway Commercial District and the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map
designation of Commercial; and
2. The site plan would achieve consistency with North Liberty Code of Ordinances
Section 165.04(2) entitled, “Site Plan Requirements” Section169.12 entitled “Design
Standards, Section 169.13, entitled “Other Design Standards” and other Code of
Ordinance requirements;
and forward the request to approve a Site Plan on 1.5 acres for a new Taco Bell at 1000
Liberty Way to the City Council with the following condition:
1. That the sidewalk ramp for the Liberty Way crossing be included on the plans prior
to the City Council’s consideration.
Applicants Presentation
The applicant was present and offered to answer questions. of the applicant and offered X.
Public Comments
No comments were offered on the application.
Questions and Comments
The applicant discussed the application including the design aesthetic, increase in traffic on
Liberty Way, queuing of customer cars, dining in vs. drive through, comparison to Coralville’s size,
Liberty Way pavement markings, and street width.
Recommendation to the City Council
Bathke moved, A’Hearn seconded that the Planning Commission accept the two listed findings
and forward the site plan to the City Council with a recommendation for approval subject to the
condition listed by City staff. The vote was: ayes – A’Hearn, Heisler, Keogh, Vincent, Bathke, Willer,
Staber; nays – none. Motion carried.
Public Hearing for Zoning Code Amendment
Staff Presentation
Rusnak presented the request of the City of North Liberty for an Ordinance amending Chapters
165 through 170 and Chapter 173 of the North Liberty Code of Ordinances, governing the
administration, organization, enforcement, requirements and definitions of the zoning districts,
development and sign regulations. Staff recommends the Planning Commission accept the listed
finding that the proposed ordinance would modernize the Zoning Code, make it more user
friendly, and revise outdated and/or antiquated language, and forward the Ordinance amending
several chapters of the Zoning Code to the City Council with a recommendation for approval
subject to the following condition:
1. That the following uses be prohibited within the Villas at Liberty Executive Square – Parts
One, Two, Three and Four:
A. Heavy Retail Establishment.
B. Enclosed Self-Storage Facility.
C. Outdoor Self-Storage Facility.
D. Vehicle Dealership, New and Used.
Public Comments
No comments were received regarding this application.
Questions and Comments
The Commission discussed the ordinance amendments including the relevance, the
improvements, streamline look at codes, site plan revisions, rental code, parking amendments, and
the lone RM-6 Parcel.
Recommendation to the City Council
Heisler moved, Willer seconded to amend the proposed ordinance amendments to include the
following staff recommended amendments:
1. Amend Section 168.06 Table 168.06 by allowing the use “Healthcare Institution” as a
permitted use in the P District.
2. Amend Section 168.07(2)(B)(3)(b)(v) by increasing the maximum building size to 6,000
square feet in area.
City of North Liberty – 2021
Page: 5
3. Amend Section 169.01(3) – Table 169.01-C by changes the minimum required vehicle
spaces for a healthcare to “1 per 3 beds + 1 per 250 SF GFA office and administrative
area” and for a medical/dental office to “1 per 350 SF GFA”
After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Staber, Bathke, Vincent, Heisler, Willer, A’Hearn, Keogh; nays
– none. Motion carried.
A’Hearn moved, Staber seconded to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance
amendments as amended with the following condition:
1. That the following uses be prohibited within the Villas at Liberty Executive Square – Parts
One, Two, Three and Four:
A. Heavy Retail Establishment.
B. Enclosed Self-Storage Facility.
C. Outdoor Self-Storage Facility.
D. Vehicle Dealership, New and Used.
to the City Council. The vote was: ayes – Willer, Staber, Keogh, Bathke, Vincent, A’Hearn, Heisler;
nays – none. Motion carried.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Staff Presentation
Prior to the meeting the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics communicated their desire to
have the zoning be P-Public instead of C-3 Higher Intensity Commercial. Rusnak presented the
request of the City of North Liberty for a Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment
from Residential to Public on approximately 20.12 acres of property located on the east side of
South Jones Boulevard east of the termini of Copper Mountain Drive. Staff recommends the
Planning Commission accept the two following findings:
1. The Commercial Future Land Map Amendment would allow the P-Public District zoning to
achieve consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
2. The Commercial Future Land Map Amendment would allow the University of Iowa
Hospitals and Clinics development to achieve consistency with the Comprehensive Plan;
and forward the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the City Council with a recommendation for
approval.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered on this application.
Questions and Comments
The Commission discussed the application including the benign nature of the application and the
nature of the use on this property.
Heisler moved to amend the designation to be P-Public. Willer seconded. The vote was: ayesVincent, A’Hearn, Heisler, Willer, Staber, Keogh; nays – none; abstain – Bathke.
Recommendation to the City Council
City of North Liberty – 2021
Page: 6
A’Hearn moved, Staber seconded to accept the two listed findings and forward the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. The
vote was: ayes – A’Hearn, Staber, Willer, Vincent, Heisler, Keogh; nays – none; abstain – Bathke.
Motion carried.
Public Hearing for Zoning Map Amendments
Staff Presentation
Rusnak presented the request of the City of North Liberty for the following Zoning Map
Amendments (Rezonings): C-2-A Highway Commercial District and RM-8 Multi-Unit Residence
District to C-3 High Intensity Commercial District on property located at the southwest corner of
West Forevergreen Road and Coral Ridge Avenue; RM-6 Multi-Unit Residence District to RM-8
Multi-Unit Residence District on properties located at 22 through 77 Jaro Way; and RS-O SingleUnit Residential Special Use District to RS-4 Single-Unit Residence District Professional Office
Overlay District on property located at 205 West Penn Street. Staff recommends the Planning
Commission accept the two listed findings:
1. The zoning map amendments would be consistent with the North Liberty Comprehensive
Plan Future Land Use Map designations;
2. The zoning map amendment would facilitate amendments in the proposed Ordinance
amending the Zoning Code;
and forward the zoning map amendments to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered.
Questions and Comments
The Commission discussed the application including talking to property owners and the timing.
Heisler moved, A’Hearn seconded to amend the zoning map amendment to revise the zoning on
the southwest corner of West Forevergreen Road and Coral Ridge Avenue to P-Public per the
request of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The vote was: ayes – Keogh, Staber, Willer,
Vincent, A’Hearn, Heisler; nays – none; abstain – Bathke. Motion carried.
Recommendation to the City Council
A’Hearn moved, Heisler seconded to accept the two listed findings and forward the zoning map
amendments to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. The vote was: ayes –
Heisler, A’Hearn, Staber, Willer, Keogh, Vincent; nays – none; abstain – Bathke. Motion carried.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Willer moved, Bathke seconded to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2021 meeting. The
vote was all ayes. Minutes approved.
Old Business
No old business was presented.
New Business
Rusnak spoke regarding the email from newly elected Mayor Hoffman.
Adjournment
At 7:32 p.m., Staber moved, Willer seconded to adjourn. The vote was all ayes. Meeting adjourned.
