Coralville council approves rezoning for Caliber Collision after hour of public debate

Coralville’s City Council voted May 12 to rezone Auditor’s Parcel 2025104 to C-2 Arterial Commercial District to allow a Caliber Collision facility, advancing Ordinance No. 2026-1004 on second consideration after a period of public comment and council questions.

The rezoning would allow the parcel to be combined with an adjacent outlot to meet lot-width-to-depth requirements for an automotive repair use. Community Development Director Dave Johnson told the council the Board of Adjustment approved a Conditional Use Permit for an automotive repair facility with several explicit conditions: no outside storage or parking of vehicles except for vehicles awaiting repair; all stored vehicles must be currently licensed for public street use; and no vehicles are to be stored or parked outside for more than 30 days. Johnson said the CUP requires final staff approval of the site plan and building design and remains in effect while Caliber operates; a new operator would need to apply for a new CUP.

Local business owner Matt Kahler, who runs Kahler Collision Center on James Street, urged the council to reject rezoning, saying the proposal conflicts with the Coralville Community Plan and raising operational concerns. Kahler said he expected increased noise, paint fumes and frequent deliveries by semis and tow trucks, and questioned whether consolidated chain operations would store totaled vehicles outside. “They are basically real estate people who may not have a clear understanding of the collision repair process,” Kahler said, and he added that Caliber has approached local shops about acquisition in the past.

Aaron Bertrand, a developer representing Old Acre McDonald and Caliber interests, disputed several of Kahler’s concerns and described typical Caliber operations as indoor-focused, noting enclosed paint booths, advanced air filtration and regulated hazardous waste handling. Bertrand said vehicles awaiting work are stored behind a perimeter fence and that Caliber’s business hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. He emphasized Caliber’s compliance with federal and state environmental and workplace regulations and cited the company’s community programs and local hiring efforts.

Other public speakers included Phil Haddy, who spoke in support of Caliber citing positive site visits to other Caliber locations, and Michael Gibbs of GLD Commercial, who said Hawkeye Hotels does not expect disruption to its hotel business. Jennie Wunderlich used her public-comment time to announce her candidacy for Johnson County Supervisor, District 3.

Council discussion focused on whether the rezoning is consistent with the Coralville Community Plan and on the city’s ability to enforce the CUP conditions. Councilperson Mike Knudson said his vote would be based on city planning rules rather than the question of supporting local versus national businesses; Councilperson Hai Huynh said she supported staff enforcement of conditions and appreciated additional information provided by staff.

Ordinance No. 2026-1004 was introduced for second consideration by Councilmember Knudson, seconded by Peterson; a roll-call vote was taken and the motion carried. The council also introduced Ordinance No. 2026-1007 (water and solid waste rates) for first consideration. The rezoning vote was recorded as carried by the council during the meeting; no separate recorded dissent was noted in the minutes.

Next steps: city staff will complete final site-plan review and building-design approvals required under the CUP and will monitor compliance with the approved plans and the conditional-use conditions described by staff at the hearing.