Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting August 13, 2025 Cedar Falls, Iowa MINUTES The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on August 13, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The following Commission members were present: Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen, Stalnaker. Alberhasky and Watkins were absent. Karen Howard, Planning and Community Services Manager, Thomas Weintraut, Planner III, Michelle Pezley, Planner III, Jaydevsinh Atodaria, Planner II, and Chris Sevy, Planner II were also present. 1.) Chair Hartley noted the Minutes from the July 23, 2025 regular meeting are presented. Grybovych made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Moser seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker), and 0 nays. 2.) The first item of business was the Parks Master Plan. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Ms. Pezley provided background information. She explained that only public comments are being asked for at this time and opened the meeting up to the public. Andrew Schroll, 2523 Hawthorne, currently serves as the chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission and they voted to recommend approval of the Parks Master Plan. They also committed to supporting it in different aspects, including completion of the trail network, safe routes to school, etc. As there was no one else there for comments, the Commission moved to the next item. 3.) The next item for consideration by the Commission was a College Hill Neighborhood Design Review for roofing at 2110 Campus Street. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Ms. Pezley provided information. She explained that the applicant is proposing a new steel roof in a charcoal color. Staff recommends approval of the new roof. Stalnaker made a motion to approve the item. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker) and 0 nays. 4.) The Commission then considered a Zoning Code Text Amendment regarding parking requirements for studio and one-bedroom apartments. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Sevy provided background information. He spoke about an application received requesting a text amendment to change parking requirements for studios in multi-unit developments from two spaces per unit to one space per unit. He explained that there are some mismatches in parking, such as the current requirement of more parking for studios and one bedroom apartments than most single-family homes. He also noted that providing more parking than necessary represents a real cost to the end user and that demographics show a projected increase in one-person households. The primary advantages would be the promotion of housing affordability, encouraging sustainable living, being proportionally fair to users of smaller units, adaptation to demographic and lifestyle changes, promotion of efficient land use and support of urban density and walkability. 1  Mr. Sevy discussed the proposed solution and noted that staff recommends that the Commission discuss the proposed changes to the parking requirement for studio and one- bedroom apartments, provide direction and set a public hearing date for August 27, 2026. Ms. Henderson asked why this requirement was in the code to begin with. Mr. Sevy explained that the code was created in the early 1990’s, and at that time it was a trend to require so much parking for residential uses. Ms. Henderson also noted concern with reducing overall parking. Ms. Howard spoke to the trend in reducing parking requirements to keep housing costs down and not require more parking than is needed. Stalnaker asked if staff could provide requirements for other similar communities to use as a reference. Sorensen made a motion to set public hearing. Grybovych seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker) and 0 nays. 5.) The next item for consideration was a Zoning Code Text Amendment regarding land use permits. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Sevy provided background information, explaining that the land use permit requirement is insufficiently and inconsistently defined in the Zoning Ordinance, which led to discussion at a City Council meeting. Staff proposes to clearly define the requirements to obtain a land use permit. He discussed the proposed solution and a summary of the proposed changes. Staff is bringing forward the proposed code language for review and discussion at this time. If the Commission is supportive of the general approach, staff recommends setting a public hearing for the text amendments to be considered at the August 27th meeting. Grybovych made a motion to set public hearing. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker) and 0 nays. 6.) The Commission finally considered a Zoning Text Amendment regarding Accessory Dwelling Units. Chair Hartley introduced the item and Mr. Sevy provided background information. He discussed the issues for consideration at this time, including council referral and a new State Code that mandates the allowance of accessory dwelling units. He explained that local authority is limited and discussed those limitations. He provided a summary of the proposed changes. Hartley asked about mobile homes on a foundation. Mr. Sevy stated that there is a provision in the State Code that essentially requires the City to allow that as long as the unit fits within the setbacks. Grybovych asked for clarification on which proposed changes are required by State law compared to those that were a council request. Johnson asked for clarification on the proposal to delete the design and material standards. Mr. Sevy explained that as long as the structure meets Code requirements, it will be allowed regardless of aesthetics. Sorensen made a motion to set public hearing. Grybovych seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker) and 0 nays. 2 7.) As there were no further comments, Sorensen made a motion to adjourn. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 7 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, Sorensen and Stalnaker) and 0 nays. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Howard Joanne Goodrich Community Services Manager Administrative Assistant 3