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Council approves preliminary plat to redevelop former ACT campus into 14‑lot mixed‑use district
Summary
The council approved a preliminary plat for the former ACT campus (14 developable lots, required sidewalks and ~3 acres of open space to be addressed, with protections for sensitive areas). Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval; council vote passed 6–0.
The Iowa City Council voted unanimously on July 14 to approve a preliminary plat for the former ACT campus, moving the project into the next stage of subdivision review and creating a framework for mixed residential and commercial development.
Daniel Sussman of neighborhood and development services (Speaker 15) told council the preliminary plat divides the site into 14 developable lots, shows planned street extensions (including an ACT Drive extension and Betler Drive), and includes sidewalks and an open‑space requirement estimated at about three acres (likely to be addressed with fee‑in‑lieu at the final‑plat stage). Sussman said staff found the proposal consistent with the revised comprehensive plan and city subdivision standards and that the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 5–0.
Support and developer plans: Steve Long (Speaker 16), representing part of the ownership group, said grading is under way, that a parcel sale to Oak Knoll anticipates breaking ground on a 140‑unit project next spring and that one lot (Lot 10) has already been sold for a 44‑unit, 55+ senior housing project. Katie Gerlach, representing Greater Iowa City Inc., spoke in support and said the redevelopment will expand housing and business opportunities.
Environmental and infrastructure safeguards: staff noted the plat identifies environmentally sensitive areas (woodlands, wetlands, slopes, and archaeological sites) and that the design complies with the city’s sensitive‑areas ordinance; easements or dedications will be used to protect features as the project advances.
What happens next: the preliminary plat approval allows the developer to proceed toward final plats and individual site plans and building permits. Councilors expressed support for the housing and economic benefits described during the presentation.
