Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting July 23, 2025 Cedar Falls, Iowa MINUTES The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on July 23, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The following Commission members were present: Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins. Henderson, Johnson and Sorensen were absent. Karen Howard, Planning and Community Services Manager, Thomas Weintraut, Planner III, Michelle Pezley, Planner III, and Chris Sevy, Planner II were also present. 1.) Chair Hartley noted the Minutes from the July 9, 2025 regular meeting are presented. Moser made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 2.) The first item of business was a final plat for Winding Creek. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Ms. Pezley provided background information. There are currently six condominiums within 3, two-unit buildings on the subject property. These condominiums are addressed as 635, 637, 703, 705, 709 and 711 Stanwood Drive. Ms. Pezley explained that the applicant proposes to split the existing property into six lots. The preliminary plat was recently approved by City Council. The final plat conforms to the preliminary plat. She noted a few technical corrections needed prior to sending the item to City Council. Staff recommends approval with the corrections. Grybovych made a motion to approve the item. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 3.) The next item for consideration by the Commission was a College Hill Neighborhood design review for siding at 703 W. 20th Street. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Sevy provided background information. He explained that the petitioner would like to renovate the façade, where most elements will be replaced with similar materials with the exception of the siding. The existing owner would like to change from wood shakes to vinyl siding. Staff recommends approval based on compatibility with siding materials used in the surrounding neighborhood. Stalnaker appreciated that they are making improvements to the house while retaining most of the of the architectural detail. Stalnaker made a motion to approve the item. Moser seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 5 ayes (Alberhasky, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), 1 abstention (Grybovych) and 0 nays. 4.) The Commission then considered a request for an easement vacation at 2407 Willow Lane. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Sevy provided background information. He explained that the owners have requested to vacate the 10 ft. wide utility easement on their property as they would like to construct an accessory dwelling unit on or near the easement. The accessory dwelling unit is not being considered at this time; only the vacation of the easement. The easement is not needed for public use or access to other easements or utility 1  lines, and the City and CFU do not have utilities within the easement. Staff recommends approval of the vacation. Stalnaker asked about the easements on the surrounding properties and why those aren’t being vacated as well. Mr. Sevy clarified that there are utilities in the easement on the other properties, so staff would not recommend vacating the easement on those properties. Stalnaker made a motion to approve the item. Moser seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 5.) The next item for consideration by the Commission was a HWY-1 District site plan amendment for Golden China Restaurant at 1150 Brandilynn Boulevard. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Weintraut provided background information. He explained that the item came through the commission for approval last year and spoke about concerns staff had at that time. He explained that the applicant has come back with changes to the site plan to address those concerns. Staff noted that if the proposed location of the dumpster is approved along the Brandilynn frontage, there should be vigilant monitoring of the dumpster area to make sure that maintained, and that the doors to the dumpster enclosure remain closed, and that the landscaping is maintained to provide screening from view of the public right-of-way. Mr. Weintraut showed renderings of the proposed changes and discussed proposed landscaping. He discussed the analysis of the requested changes and noted that staff recommends acceptance of the amendment with the conditions noted in the staff report. He also explained that an updated landscape plan and the Owner’s Statement as noted in the report will need to be provided prior to Council approval. Dan Levi, Levi Architecture, spoke on behalf of the applicant acknowledging that the owner was accepting of the conditions outlined in the staff report. Hartley felt that the changes to upgrade the materials of the dumpster enclosure to match the building and the addition of landscape screening are helpful and feels that they are acceptable. Stalnaker asked about any recourse if there are issues with the dumpster enclosure and Ms. Howard explained that if the site is not maintained as described that it would be an issue for code enforcement to resolve with the owner. Watkins made a motion to approve the item with conditions stated in the staff report. Grybovych seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 6.) As there were no further comments, Stalnaker made a motion to adjourn. Alberhasky seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Alberhasky, Grybovych, Hartley, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Howard Joanne Goodrich Community Services Manager Administrative Assistant 2