Planning commission recommends rezoning for Oakdale Research Park, Caliber Collision subdivision and Iowa River Power redevelopment

The City of Coralville Planning & Zoning Commission on March 4, 2026 recommended approval of three land-use proposals: an overlay rezoning and master-development plan for the Oakdale Research Park, a rezoning and final plat for a Caliber Collision vehicle repair site, and rezoning plus a PUD-B site plan and final plat for the redevelopment of the Iowa River Power site. Each recommendation passed on 6-0 votes.

Commission staff presented the Oakdale Research Park request as an update to the park’s covenants and design standards to better align with Coralville’s code. Community Development Director Dave Johnson said the proposal would create an overlay zoning district that codifies a master development plan and incorporates stormwater management consistent with City Code. Austin Korns, associate director of economic development for the University of Iowa Research Park, described the park as an area devoted to research and production activities that benefits from proximity to the university and said the overlay aims to set the park apart for technology innovation. Charlie Cowell of RDG Planning & Design said the park’s original covenants, drafted in 2009, were never adopted and that the overlay will simplify the review process for incoming businesses; Commissioner Freidhof asked about potential increases in density, and Cowell replied he did not anticipate higher density, noting reduced front setbacks are optional. Johnson said existing businesses will not become nonconforming under the new standards.

The commission then reviewed a request by OM3, LLC to rezone parcel 2025104 to C-2 and approve a final plat creating Lot 1 of the Caliber Collision Subdivision. Johnson told the commission the plat consolidates lots to meet the city’s width-to-depth ratio and that automotive repair in C-2 requires a Conditional Use Permit; the Coralville Board of Adjustment approved that permit on Jan. 19, 2026 with conditions. Gus Wilson, representing Caliber Collision, said the shop will operate entirely indoors, that doors will remain closed except to move vehicles in and out, that they will not work on totaled vehicles, and that vehicles will not sit in the parking lot. The commission recommended the rezoning and approved the final plat, both by 6-0 votes.

The final major item was Old Gold & Black LLC’s plan to rezone a formerly industrial site to C-PUD-2 and pursue a PUD-B site plan and final plat to adapt the historic Iowa River Power building for restaurant and event uses. Johnson said staff approached the project with flexibility to keep the historic building viable. Civil engineer James Kincade explained that the existing parking geometry and prior arrangements with MidAmerican Energy reduced available parking; the project team proposed removing perimeter and one interior parking island and revising lot geometry to regain stalls, producing a projected total of 150 stalls (the previous restaurant configuration counted 162 stalls and the code-based expectation had been 205). Kincade said the changes preserve city access, easements, fire access and flood mitigation. Mackenzie DeRoo of Greater Iowa City voiced support for preserving the building as a community gathering place, and applicant Tom Beardsley said the lot will be private and managed by tenants rather than reserved for public trail access. The commission approved the rezoning, the PUD-B site plan and the final plat, with all motions passing 6-0; staff confirmed the parking reconfiguration will not affect the city’s flood-protection measures.

Each of the commission’s recommendations will be recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript does not specify subsequent city-council steps or dates for further hearings. The commission’s unanimous votes indicate support for aligning land-use controls and enabling projects that the staff and applicants described as preserving historic character and facilitating business operations in Coralville.