City Council approves first reading to rezone site for Cedar Crossing casino development

Cedar Rapids City Council held a public hearing March 25 and approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone about 15 acres for the proposed Cedar Crossing casino and related development.

City zoning administrator Seth Gunnarsson and Bill Michael, the city’s director of economic and development services, told council the rezoning would convert multiple parcels now zoned urban neighborhood general and parks and public open space — some of which sit inside a flood mitigation overlay — to a planned unit development (PUD) using the traditional mixed-use center base district. Gunnarsson said the PUD would permit the overall site layout, parking arrangement, building size and height exceptions, and a tailored sign and landscaping approach that staff and the applicant negotiated.

Staff presented the proposal as consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and neighborhood studies, noting the site was shown for high-intensity urban use in applicable planning documents and that the development agreement and license with the developer are in place. The ordinance on first reading removes the flood mitigation overlay from the rezoned area and allows a roundabout and single-aisle parking layout on the site plan the applicant supplied.

During public comment, Asa Beatty of Dean Road Southwest said he supported the project and asked whether the plan allowed restaurants or a hotel; Gunnarsson said the PUD permits a range of uses and that the applicant’s site plan could accommodate additional commercial uses in the future. Council discussion focused on traffic and floodplain issues: Councilmember Scott Olson recused himself from considering the matter and asked whether the building footprint would be raised to comply with the floodplain ordinance while the city’s larger levee and flood-control work remains unfinished. Gunnarsson confirmed the building must meet the floodplain ordinance and be raised above regulatory flood elevations, and Bill Michael added that the city is coordinating street and utility changes, including conversion of F Avenue to two-way and intersection improvements beneath the interstate to restore turning movements.

Gunnarsson said the City Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval earlier in March. Pending action by the council, the ordinance will return for second and third readings at the April council meeting and the applicant will continue through the administrative site-plan review and utility-relocation work.

Council approved the ordinance’s first reading on a voice vote. The item will return to the council for additional readings and final action.