Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting June 25, 2025 Cedar Falls, Iowa MINUTES The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on June 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The following Commission members were present: Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins. Grybovych, Moser and Sorensen were absent. Karen Howard, Planning and Community Services Manager, Michelle Pezley, Planner III, and Shane Graham, Economic Development Coordinator, were also present. 1.) Chair Hartley noted the Minutes from the June 11, 2025 regular meeting are presented. Alberhasky made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 2.) The first item of business was a request to rezone property from P-Public to R-2 Residence District. Chair Holst introduced the item and Ms. Pezley provided background information. She explained that the property is located south of Quail Hollow Lane and north of the new Cedar Falls High School. The request was brought about by the University of Northern Iowa noticing a few properties along Quail Hollow Lane that had rear yard amenities. UNI offered those properties an opportunity to purchase part of the property, up to 40 feet. Eight property owners have chosen to purchase that land. Ms. Pezley discussed the criteria for the rezoning and noted that those requirements have been met. Staff recommends approval of the rezoning. Michael Hager, University of Northern Iowa (petitioner), praised staff for their detailed work. Stalnaker made a motion to approve the item. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 3.) The next items for consideration by the Commission were the Urban Renewal Plans for Panther Farms Phase 1, Panther Farms Phase 2, Panther Farms Phase 3, and Panther Farms Phase 4. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Graham provided background information on all 4 plans. He explained that Phase 1 is located within Prairie Winds 6th Addition, east of Aldrich School and would include the completion of Ashworth Drive, which would add a second connection to the school from Hudson Road. This phase would encompass 44 new residential lots. He discussed State Code requirements for urban renewal plans, explaining that Planning and Zoning will review whether the plans are in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan for the City, and will recommend the item to City Council for the public hearing on the requests, which will occur on July 7, 2025. Mr. Graham discussed conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, noting that its goals include encouraging diverse housing opportunities to serve a variety of needs and preferences, repairing aging infrastructure and expanding technology infrastructure to attract business and industry. The Comprehensive Plan shows a need for 3,778 housing units by 2030. He displayed the Future Land Use Map explaining that all phases comply with the map. Objectives for the Urban Renewal Plan include:  Increasing the availability of housing opportunities  Stimulating private investment in new housing and residential development 1   Planning and providing for sufficient land for residential development  Helping to finance the cost of constructing public infrastructure  Achieving a well-balanced economy providing a desirable standard of living  Strengthening the tax base To meet the objectives in the Plan the City Council has adopted a new guideline to allow for the reimbursement of 50% of the cost to install new public infrastructure in a residential subdivision to the developer. Public infrastructure includes new roads, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water mains, etc. This incentive can only be offered after an urban renewal area has been established, and approval of a subsequent development agreement between the developer and the City. Based on the goals and designated future land uses listed in the Comprehensive Plan, staff finds that the proposed objectives and activities of the proposed Panther Farms Phase 1 Urban Renewal Plan, Panther Farms Phase 2 Urban Renewal Plan, Panther Farms Phase 3 Urban Renewal Plan, and Panther Farms Phase 4 are in conformance with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission find that the proposed Urban Renewal Plans are in conformance with the Cedar Falls Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Graham displayed location maps for all four phases. Stalnaker asked if it is anticipated that every new development will now be interested in an urban renewal plan. Mr. Graham stated that it is likely, but will be up to City Council. Johnson made a motion to approve Phase 1. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. Stalnaker made a motion to approve Phase 2. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. Watkins made a motion to approve Phase 3. Henderson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. Alberhasky made a motion to approve Phase 4. Stalnaker seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 4.) Ms. Howard provided a reminder that there will be a Public Review Draft of the Parks Master Plan at the next meeting on July 9. As there were no further comments, Alberhasky made a motion to adjourn. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. The meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Howard Joanne Goodrich Community Services Manager Administrative Assistant 2