Council approves first consideration to rezone 7.2 acres north of Meadows Avenue to mixed-use

The Iowa City Council gave first consideration and voted to advance a conditional rezoning that would change roughly 7.2 acres north of Meadows Avenue and east of Camp Cardinal Boulevard from interim single‑family residential to a mixed‑use zone.

Anne Russett, senior planner, told the council the property sits at the intersection of two arterial streets near Highway 218, abuts Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church to the north and a mix of single-family and multifamily zoning nearby, and includes a 30-foot pipeline easement along the east that will act as a buffer to existing single-family homes. Russett said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with one condition: the owner must reconstruct the median on Camp Cardinal Boulevard to allow site access and construct a dedicated left-turn lane.

Mike Welch of Shoemaker and H&z (representing the applicant, St. Andrew) said the easement is a petroleum pipeline and that development is expected to be concentrated in the flatter areas away from the steep slopes and wooded regulated areas. He said the easement owner periodically clears brush but that development east of the easement is not anticipated.

Councilors asked logistical and procedural questions about access, the pipeline easement and whether topography would trigger future sensitive-areas review. Russett said a sensitive-areas review would be required only if the site’s future development triggers a level 2 review; otherwise exhibit materials will be required as part of any site plan.

The council voted 6-0 to give first consideration to the rezoning and to continue the matter through the normal review process; any subdivision, site plan, or building permit would return to staff and, if necessary, to council for subsequent approvals.