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Council approves revised Villages of Mason concept plan and rezoning; developer says changes improve open space
Summary
Mason City Council on Oct. 13 approved a revised concept plan for the Villages of Mason and rezoned a 5.306-acre parcel at 4960 Cox Smith Road from residential PUD to R1 single-family after a public hearing. The developer told the council the redesign reduces roads and parking, increases open space and raises total units from 224 to 247.
After a public hearing and a staff presentation, Mason City Council voted unanimously Oct. 13 to approve a revised concept planned unit development plan for the Villages of Mason and related rezoning of a 5.306-acre parcel at 4960 Cox Smith Road from Residential PUD to R1 single-family.
Planning staff described the changes to the Villages concept plan as a move from a prior approval (2021) of 21 two-story multifamily buildings with attached garages to a new plan with seven three-story multifamily buildings (no attached garages) and 52 story-attached townhomes with attached garages. The reconfiguration increases the total number of units from 224 to 247 and raises the overall density to 7.94 units per acre — just under the 8-units-per-acre threshold referenced in the city charter.
Staff said the developer reduced the number of buildings and impervious surface while increasing open space, adding pocket parks adjacent to multifamily buildings, a dog park and pickleball courts for the townhome residents, and additional shared walking trails. Planning Commission recommended approval.
A representative of the development team, Spencer Lee, said the redesign saved on roads and parking acreage, which reduced construction costs and allowed more green space and fewer required roads. No members of the public asked to speak against the plan during the public hearing; the council closed the hearing after developer remarks and moved to adopt the ordinances.
Council adopted both Ordinance 2025-65 (revised concept plan) and Ordinance 2025-66 (rezoning of the specified parcel) after motion and roll call votes recorded as unanimous.
