Planning Commission forwards Civic Campus preliminary plat to council, formalizing parcel for city hall and police station

The North Liberty Planning Commission voted April 7 to forward a preliminary subdivision plat that consolidates several parcels into a Civic Campus parcel containing city hall and the police station and dedicates right-of-way for the South Dubuque realignment.

City planning staff described the plat as formalizing the existing parcel configuration the city has acquired for the realignment and said the current zoning (P public-use and C1B general commercial) is consistent with the comprehensive-plan future land use (public/semi-public and urban medium intensity). "This just really formalizes what you see outside," staff said when explaining the plat.

Staff reported that the preliminary plat shows one primary lot and a second smaller lot at the corner of Dubuque and Front streets (the remnant parcel). Commissioners asked whether garages would be on lot two; staff confirmed they would not and said the remnant is currently a grass area that could be combined with a redevelopment project in the future.

During discussion, staff emphasized design goals for the area: reduced setbacks for a proposed fire station to strengthen the built environment and encourage walkability, the Cherry Street reinvestment concept for a festival street and other measures intended to bring more people to North Liberty City’s core.

A motion to accept the staff finding and forward the preliminary subdivision plat to city council with a recommendation for approval was seconded and approved by roll call. The planning staff will continue review as the item proceeds to council and as any detailed site plans or final plats are prepared.