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Planning commission approves two-lot "Iowa Meadows" subdivision on Slothauer Road
Summary
The Iowa City Planning Commission approved SUB25-005 (Iowa Meadows), splitting two existing homes on Slothauer Road into separate ~1-acre lots, creating three non-developable outlots and requiring a road-improvement fee estimated at about $40,000 per lot, payable before building permits.
The Iowa City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved SUB25-005, the "Iowa Meadows" subdivision, allowing two existing homes at 1257 and 1527 Slothauer Road to be platted as separate, approximately 1-acre lots and creating three outlots reserved for future development. Anne Russett of Neighborhood and Development Services presented the proposal and recommended approval, saying staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan.
"The comprehensive plan identifies this as appropriate as 2 to 8 dwelling units per acre," Anne Russett said, and she told commissioners the property—annexed into the city in the late 1960s or early 1970s—is currently zoned rural residential. Russett said the subdivision is a combined preliminary and final plat for an 18.2-acre site that would create two residential lots to accommodate two existing single-family homes and three outlots that are not developable without a future subdivision.
Applicant Lacey Stutzman of MMS Consultants, representing property owner Marion Delbert Weber, said the proposed access easement covers the existing driveway and is intended to "tighten up that lot" and preserve more open space while allowing a shared driveway to serve a related farmstead split outside city limits.
Commissioners also discussed the subdivision ordinance requirement that owners contribute a fee toward improving Slothauer Road to city collector standards. Russett said the fee is based on 25% of the estimated cost to improve the collector and is assessed by linear frontage; the fee must be paid before issuance of a building permit for either lot. Staff explained the city’s engineering estimate places the current fee in the range of about $30,000 to $40,000 per lot, with staff and the applicant noting that the exact amount would be calculated at the time of a future building-permit application.
A commissioner asked that prospective buyers be made aware of the potential obligation; staff acknowledged that disclosure and clarified the fee’s purpose and timing.
A commissioner moved to approve SUB25-005; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The chair announced the motion passed unanimously. Per staff, upon the commission’s recommendation the item will be forwarded to the City Council in January.
The commission’s approval sets the lot lines and the requirement that any future development on the outlots would require a new subdivision and connection of city utilities and road improvements as conditions for further development.
