[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6646171,"mediaKeyId","3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5","parentId",3391684,"title","Council refers UTV (side‑by‑side) ordinance for North Cedar to staff; public safety and scope to be reviewed","audioSeconds",840,"startMs",4562000,"endMs",5402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5&start=4562&end=5402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5/thumbnail_4562000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6646171/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-refers-UTV-sidebyside-ordinance-for-North-Cedar-to-staff-public-safety-and-scope-to-be-reviewed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646171-0683f5914381e1af339c2f1e5ef13caa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175207&Signature=I2N8OmEFwOrQtXedK~ANs8DJA-5OQ2uOD~n-Y8iTawuVW3H7cYWoYjTOvK1SVn4wuTdTrZ2CEquoVeRGWJLuecDAFAfXhKGXLT8g5VigKWtyfySXpLzKasacBFcDTpjFPeP1fB9Mgv-PLrdtCauuJK3tNE-yfdYnu3rMuu8siLIbJx39c7q4FIlHQpmlD3b2yb-1~X7ZoGQtE6Jh6YopDTuqJ8Jx0cZqwYk-cTIHymj5LA-~A5DgW23MunMAvEaaJ6RclvZgHBlOamXeRvYawWFhVbXw7muiDtPk09t-PueEAQm2acDclBoES4QmgVuPb5yAMvdWCeKjC0jKc8uCWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cedar Falls","date","2025-05-20T13:43:47Z","article","The Cedar Falls City Council referred a citizen request to draft an ordinance permitting utility task vehicles (UTVs, also called side‑by‑sides) on designated streets in the North Cedar area and asked staff to return with recommendations after additional review.

Council member Schultz brought the referral and said North Cedar residents had requested a defined perimeter for legal UTV operation. Neighborhood advocates and the North Cedar Neighborhood Association spoke in favor of limiting operation to the northern perimeter and said local owners already comply with state safety rules.

Rusty Easton, who presented the neighborhood’s proposal, said his group would limit the proposed area to North Cedar and follow Iowa’s 2022 changes that allow communities to authorize UTVs. He reviewed state equipment and operator requirements, including that operators be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license, carry proof of liability insurance and registration, display a slow‑moving vehicle sign, have lights and seat belts, and limit speeds to 35 mph or posted limits. “Safety is a concern of ours…we feel we are far safer, highly visible day or night, especially compared to a motorcycle or a bicycle,” Easton said.

Jim Newcomb, president of the North Cedar Neighborhood Association, told the council the association had no objections after a neighborhood presentation and that neighbors reported no problems with UTV owners in their area.

Councilors asked staff to examine site‑specific issues including park and campground boundaries (Big Woods Lake and Blackhawk Park were identified as out of scope for the proposed perimeter) and enforcement, and to return with draft ordinance language, recommended permitted streets and an implementation plan later this summer. Council members and staff discussed a tentative schedule for committee or council review after the RAGBRAI event; staff suggested bringing a preliminary draft to a committee meeting in August.

No ordinance was adopted at the May 19 meeting; the council directed staff to prepare options and said it expected to revisit the matter at a future meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cedar Falls City Council Meeting: May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members directed staff to draft an ordinance allowing utility task vehicles (UTVs) on designated streets within the North Cedar area and to return with recommendations later this summer. Neighborhood proponents said they want use limited to North Cedar and would follow state vehicle rules.","taxTitle","Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa","taxId",51799,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646176,"Residents report sewer backups on Ironwood Drive; city says team will review and provide update",143,493000,636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5&start=493&end=636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6646176/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Residents-report-sewer-backups-on-Ironwood-Drive-city-says-team-will-review-and-provide-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646176-2f67b45294878442135e2099bf13e590/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175207&Signature=fULVjtpo-3sS99P4DCN~Pkv0fi2t5Xn6xWMV15GTi2SifoCCL1cdQ0n8ibyrJ7gfGPKrRgkLGQST8kNPixZ6QFs8c8-YE3vFsCTsykuXNt7vNEqnriYL8hRdwn0j5B06Mapofhc2lBUvtUTBqLaxVBIHZBbXlhAfCIwV4mIwJN8n0Qtda7doMmZYWK9AuXvragZCmIIUyI8oaUA0q87AnqAcWASUDBX5x8gAYJtYSek6Ce2m~F85jgActMYimBZGtDtjrgkgwhZk8tYm7EG7ptJnJr3fHTyY72yAaUoBO0GEdjmchoQSlBm-6~5~~4vTGXWzs3P9IPLp1dTSg7V-tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents from the Meadows subdivision told the City Council during public forum that rainwater or sewer water entered basements in mid‑April and caused muddy flooding.

Ryan Pence said water and mud came up through the sewer system beginning April 16 and affected about 15 houses on Ironwood Drive. “We started getting rain or water coming up through the sewer system in our basement,” Pence said. He praised city crews for responding late at night and urged a quick resolution and help with claims.

Larry Bachman said his family had roughly three inches of mud in the basement at 2 a.m. on a Wednesday and estimated at least 12 homes were affected. Bachman said he faces about $38,000 in reconstruction costs and planned to submit a claim to the city.

After the public comments, a city official told residents, “We are working. Our team will be meeting internally this Wednesday to review some of it. We do plan to get an update to everybody here by the end of the week.” The city also encouraged affected homeowners to submit damage claims to document losses.

Residents at the meeting said they were told a contractor had left a manhole cover off during recent work, allowing water, grass and mud to enter the system and back up into homes. The city acknowledged crews lifted drain covers and investigated, and staff committed to follow up with a neighborhood update and to use damage claims to determine next steps.

No formal council motion or vote was recorded on the matter at the May 19 meeting; staff said follow‑up would be handled administratively.

","Homeowners in the Meadows subdivision told the council that sewage and mud entered basements after a manhole was left open during construction work. City staff said they will meet internally Wednesday and provide an update by the end of the week; residents were urged to file damage claims.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646181,"Council approves several ordinances, vacates easement and clears consent calendar; item on Prairie Stone postponed",2586,1969000,4555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5&start=1969&end=4555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5/thumbnail_1969000.jpg","/articles/6646181/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-several-ordinances-vacates-easement-and-clears-consent-calendar-item-on-Prairie-Stone-postponed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646181-e6ff47d6398d3b1252993424899dae57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175207&Signature=VTlLJEqO~6Kve4B5wf5xnwXYuQEcRUZHyC7ardrzMuLwPltxZa6GaGn5IyVwW68Bvu-DPeLg3-FlkPe8bpw3IujP~ZjXJQZ2PorDz5q2MSIjVR0Jxrtuhh2PlKlGbTGfvwqbXXH9XSziNrfqiuSwr5pyFvVAbikEwdbqF18plAcQBv8wnG3sXZEvnzhGsRLPs4kTXgWHRXBNR1sdMnCynrYFGoeKKT9qw-cdUimZ1SJTA0WCtHtbKKiW6Ow7DrP-EEESUT9915RSK0Lo0SOydJ1mNnf~qaPWyc5dExfYdYpaIea3AGp916e0fUsmqWXxipFRUZkrgwQ~uCvQm9IT1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar Falls City Council on May 19 approved multiple code changes and routine items in a single meeting and postponed one contested land‑use matter for additional neighborhood outreach.

Among the adopted measures, the council:

- Adopted Ordinance No. 3108, amending Chapter 19, Article 8 (Major Thoroughfare Plan) upon third and final consideration.

- Adopted Ordinance No. 3109, amending Chapter 20 (Subdivisions) to update definitions and regulations related to street connectivity; the clerk recorded 5 votes in favor and 2 against.

- Adopted Ordinance No. 3110, amending Chapter 26 (Zoning) with changes to swimming pool regulations upon second consideration; the clerk recorded 5 votes in favor and 2 against.

- Adopted Ordinance No. 3111, amending Chapter 10 (Garbage and Refuse) relative to service charges for unsanitary accumulations, yard waste and container regulations, upon second consideration (all members voting aye).

The council received and filed proof of publication and approved a resolution vacating an access easement on Lot 6 and Parcel D of Block 8 of Garrison and Dean’s Addition; the clerk recorded all members voting aye on that roll‑call vote.

Items 7 through 11 on the consent calendar were approved by voice vote as a single motion; the council then approved resolution calendar items 12 through 33 by roll call vote, excluding item 25 (the Pinnacle Prairie item), which councilors pulled for separate discussion.

The council also voted to approve bills and claims and later voted by roll call to enter an executive session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the acquisition or sale of particular real estate where premature disclosure could affect price.

No public hearings were required for the consent and many resolution items. Where recorded, roll‑call tallies were noted in the meeting minutes and by the city clerk during the meeting.

","At its May 19 meeting the Cedar Falls City Council adopted multiple ordinances and resolutions by roll call and voice vote, approved a consent and resolution calendar (excluding a contested Pinnacle Prairie item, which was postponed) and voted to enter executive session on property acquisition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6646186,"Council postpones decision on Prairie Stone rezoning after neighbors demand more outreach",2272,2229000,4501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5&start=2229&end=4501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3391684-d2825d7613f9e0d38f459fdfb02e28e5/thumbnail_2229000.jpg","/articles/6646186/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-postpones-decision-on-Prairie-Stone-rezoning-after-neighbors-demand-more-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646186-9c5581d65fc09eb004ec6d9dc538ae0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175207&Signature=MSaa7LPMl6PXyQjpyZ1qSy0ifpN3ZbfIm9CE-HIsXpY2~AjXrdCxh9u2ZKsg25HAEOpaZicVjh68Mf1RX-NYjDU1TYpQ4sp9-DTtKsVOtujH4pxGyjegWACmK2Eg1YgghB5PeQinf-svoLsrpct-2qKF202N-iZ7N-kXMQILBUulTuTA9uAe0daSWT8fCEiaHvLHHVygfvIzgSOTv8Qn86XKutScAgBC0-xX6KFsNMVjuWA1yrdWtK5maVE7PB-HYgG7x9zc9YLy5r5hz6k3oj2-rLYxMGCsj2Ky9GCcdx-Q94Yiw78Od7RSz5mcf9XI8~t0hdxv2CjkYYFHzhLwXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Cedar Falls City Council on Monday postponed action on a proposed amendment to the Pinnacle Prairie Mixed Use District master plan that would allow conversion of the Prairie Stone senior‑living facility at 4900 Prairie Parkway into a residential addiction‑treatment center called Thrive Now.

The council voted to postpone final action until its June 16 meeting after residents near the Western Home community said they had not received adequate notice and asked for a broader neighborhood meeting before a vote.

Neighbors said the city’s courtesy notices had a roughly 250–300‑foot mailing radius and that several Western Home residents directly across the street did not receive mailed notification. Suzanne Eastman, a registered nurse who said she lives near the site, told the council the project was rushed and asked that the council delay so surrounding residents could attend a neighborhood meeting with the developer and operator. “Please do not rush into this decision,” Eastman said, adding that the applicant planned to start with 45 beds and could expand to about 100.

Mary Kristoff, who also lives across the street, said the proximity of a treatment center to a largely elderly population at Western Home was a safety concern. “We have a couple…widows over there, couples that are just, bound to walkers, and you can't be more vulnerable than that,” she said.

Representatives for the owner and operator said the facility will be voluntary, licensed by the State of Iowa and accredited by The Joint Commission. Brian Shaw, director of development for Nelson Construction, which owns Thrive Now, said the company has opened two similar centers in Iowa in the last five months and saw immediate demand. “We provide structured licensed care that includes treatment, counseling, peer support, medical oversight, all delivered by…highly professional individuals,” Shaw said.

Brandon George of Ascension Recovery Strategies, the facility operator, said the ownership group is Iowa‑based and that Thrive Now intends to work with local health systems and the University of Northern Iowa. “We want to be part of the community,” George said, adding that the facility’s patients are voluntary and are not court‑committed.

Council discussion reflected a split in emphasis: some members urged postponement to allow more direct neighborhood outreach; others said more treatment capacity is needed in the region and that similar facilities have not been shown to increase neighborhood crime. Council member Kaffel announced an abstention on the item for a potential conflict of interest.

The council’s postponement motion passed; the item will return to council on June 16 with direction for further community outreach and additional information from the applicant.

If the council ultimately approves the master‑plan amendment, staff reminded members that the MU (Mixed Use) zoning already in place allows professional services under the district but that the master plan designation and any use restrictions would need to be updated. Council members and staff also noted that changing the master plan to professional services would prohibit residential uses in that mapped location unless the process were reversed later.

The postponement leaves the property’s future unresolved; neighbors and applicants were instructed to meet in the interim and staff said it would work with the parties to schedule more community engagement before the June 16 consideration.

","The Cedar Falls City Council postponed a resolution to amend the Pinnacle Prairie master plan that would allow a former senior-living facility to become a voluntary substance‑abuse treatment center. Residents raised notice, safety and traffic concerns; developers and operators said the facility would be licensed, accredited and voluntary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council refers UTV (side‑by‑side) ordinance for North Cedar to staff; public safety and scope to be reviewed

Residents report sewer backups on Ironwood Drive; city says team will review and provide update

Council approves several ordinances, vacates easement and clears consent calendar; item on Prairie Stone postponed

Council postpones decision on Prairie Stone rezoning after neighbors demand more outreach