Coralville panel backs Oakdale Overlook plan to add 63 apartments and commercial space

The Coralville Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval June 6 of a land-use map amendment and a preliminary plat and PUD-A master plan for the Oakdale Overlook Subdivision, a mixed residential and commercial project proposed by Grand Rail Development.

Dave Johnson, Coralville Community Development Director, told the commission the applicant seeks to amend a 3.69-acre portion of the future Oakdale Overlook Subdivision from Corridor Commercial to High-Density Residential to allow a 63-unit multifamily building. Johnson said the residential component would average 17 dwelling units per acre and that staff supports the request as compatible with neighboring commercial and residential land uses and consistent with the Coralville Community Plan and the West Land Use Area (WLUA) Master Plan. “Staff supports the request finding that the proposed multi-family units would be compatible with neighboring commercial and residential land uses,” Johnson said.

The preliminary plat and PUD-A site plan cover the broader property at the northeast corner of Oakdale Boulevard and Jones Boulevard. Johnson said the site is currently in a C-PUD-1 (Commercial Planned Unit Development One) zoning district that allows mixed residential and commercial uses; the proposal calls for a 63-unit multifamily building and four commercial multi-tenant buildings on roughly 7.09 acres, with construction anticipated from fall 2026 to spring 2028. Johnson said parking is shown as 115 stalls for the residential component (based on the developer’s market estimate of 1.5 stalls per unit), with 70 residential stalls in-building, 95 commercial spaces and a total of 210 stalls on the plan.

Kelly Beckler of MMS Consultants, representing Grand Rail Development, told commissioners about the unit mix: about half the units would be one-bedroom and the remainder two-bedroom. Commissioners asked several site-specific questions: Commissioner Wenman asked whether development to the north will determine Jones Boulevard’s future alignment; Johnson said development will drive the northward extension and that the city is still coordinating final alignment details with the State of Iowa. Commissioner Holderness asked about a proposed pond sited on University of Iowa land; Johnson said the university is agreeable to the pond. Holderness also asked whether the planned driveway’s location was safe in proximity to the Jones Boulevard roundabout; Johnson said staff is comfortable with the driveway placement.

Following the hearings, the commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the land-use map amendment (motion by Commissioner Wenman, second by Commissioner Dokun), 6-0 to recommend approval of the preliminary plat (motion by Commissioner Holderness, second by Commissioner Arens) and 6-0 to recommend approval of the PUD-A site plan (motion by Commissioner Wenman, second by Commissioner Dokun). Johnson noted that the PUD-A master plan establishes a framework and that more detailed PUD-B site plans will come later for review of final site and building designs.

No public speakers opposing the project were recorded in the hearing transcript. Staff said the high-density residential location would be near clinics, grocery stores, schools and other amenities. The commission adjourned at 6:10 p.m.