Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends rezoning to codify Oakdale Research Park master plan
Summary
The Coralville Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning the Oakdale Research Park to an I-PUD-1 overlay to codify updated covenants and design standards intended to preserve a research-park character and align development with City Code.
The Coralville Planning & Zoning Commission on March 4 recommended approval of a rezoning that would codify a master development plan and updated covenants for the Oakdale Research Park.
Dave Johnson, Community Development Director, told the commission the University of Iowa Research Park Corp. coordinated with city staff to align the park’s covenants and design standards with City Code and create an overlay zoning district that will establish land-use, building and site-design standards for future businesses.
Austin Korns, Associate Director of Economic Development with the University of Iowa Research Park, said the park is intended to be "an area devoted to research and related production activities" and to be "set apart from other office parks to serve tech innovation and ensure development with the character to be an asset for the University of Iowa and surrounding community." Charlie Cowell of RDG Planning & Design added the requested overlay would remove duplicative processes and relies on standards originally drafted in 2009 that were not previously adopted.
Commissioners asked whether the rezoning would allow increases in density, how front setbacks had been adjusted, and whether existing businesses would become nonconforming. Cowell and staff said businesses typically need more space and do not anticipate substantial densification; front setbacks were reduced to allow optional building proximity to streets, and Johnson stated setbacks would be less restrictive so existing businesses would not become nonconforming. Johnson also confirmed the project incorporates stormwater management measures consistent with City Code.
Commissioner Holderness moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Arens seconded. The motion carried 6-0.
The commission’s recommendation advances the rezoning to the next step of city review; staff and the applicant said the overlay is intended to streamline future development review while preserving environmental protections, trail connections and internal walkability.
