Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting January 14, 2026 Cedar Falls, Iowa MINUTES The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on January 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The following Commission members were present: Grybovych, Hartley, Johnson, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins. Alberhasky and Henderson were absent. Karen Howard, Planning and Community Services Manager, Thomas Weintraut, Planner III, and Shane Graham, Economic Development Coordinator, were also present. 1.) Chair Stalnaker noted the Minutes from the December 17, 2025 regular meeting are presented. Grybovych made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Johnson, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 2.) The first item of business was a College Hill Neighborhood Overlay District design review for 7803 University Avenue. Chair Stalnaker introduced the item and Mr. Weintraut provided background information. He explained that the applicant has been contracted to repair an upstairs bathroom that sustained water damage. As the property is in the College Hill Neighborhood Overlay District, the review process requires that any structural improvement or façade renovations are reviewed by the Commission. The applicant would like to remove one bathroom window upstairs in the process of the repairs. The window is on the rear of the house so it shouldn’t have any affect on the character of the neighborhood and will not significantly change the appearance of the building. Staff recommends approval of the façade change, specifically the removal of the bathroom window. Hartley made a motion to approve the item. Moser seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Johnson, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 3.) The Commission then considered a request regarding an Urban Renewal Plan for North Cedar Estates. Chair Stalnaker introduced the item and Shane Graham, Economic Development Coordinator, provided background information. He explained that the property is located north of Tomahawk Lane and West of Cypress Avenue and contains 33 lots for single-family dwellings and will include park space. The Urban Renewal Plan would lead the way to enter into a Development Agreement to provide tax incentives for reimbursement of a portion of the public infrastructure costs. Mr. Graham discussed State Code requirements and noted that this is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. Objectives of the Urban Renewal Plan include increased availability of housing opportunities; stimulation of private investment in new housing and residential development; planning and providing for sufficient land for residential development; helping to finance the cost of constructing public infrastructure; achieving a well-balanced economy that provides a desirable standard of living and strengthening the tax base. Mr. Graham explained that to meet the objectives in the Plan, City Council has adopted policy guidelines to allow for the reimbursement of 50% of the cost of installing new public infrastructure in a residential subdivision to the developer. Public infrastructure includes new roads, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water mains, etc. The 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. 1  Staff finds that the proposed objectives and activities of the proposed North Cedar Estates Urban Renewal Plan are in conformance with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole and recommends that the Commission find the proposed Plan is in conformance with the Cedar Falls Comprehensive Plan. Hartley made a motion to forward their finding to City Council that the proposed North Cedar Urban Renewal Plan is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Watkins seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Johnson, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. 4.) As there were no further comments, Hartley made a motion to adjourn. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Johnson, Moser, Stalnaker and Watkins), and 0 nays. The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Howard Joanne Goodrich Community Services Manager Administrative Assistant 2