Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting March 11, 2026 Cedar Falls, Iowa MINUTES The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on March 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The following Commission members were present: Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, and Watkins. Alberhasky and Stalnaker were absent. Karen Howard, Planning and Community Services Manager, Thomas Weintraut, Planner III, and Michelle Pezley, Planner III, were also present. 1.) Hartley noted the Minutes from the February 28, 2026 regular meeting are presented. Moser made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Grybovych seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, and Watkins), and 0 nays. 2.) The first item of business was Final Plat- Creekside Business Park (FP26-002). Vice Chair Hartley introduced the item and Michelle Pezley provided background information. Ms. Pezley gave a summary of the makeup of the plat and noted that the final plat conforms with the approved preliminary plat. This Spring a new Welcome to Cedar Falls sign will be put on Outlot A along Hudson Road along with landscaping in the roundabouts. Staff recommends approval of the final plat with any comments or directions specified by the Commission and conformance with all staff recommendations and technical requirements. Grybovych made a motion to approve the item. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, and Watkins), and 0 nays. 3.) The next item of business was Preliminary Plat- Meadow Ridge Addition (PP25-005). Vice Chair Hartley introduced the item and Thomas Weintraut provided background information. Mr. Weintraut gave a summary of the plat stating that 3 parcels of land totaling 22.79 acres fronting on W. 1st Street will be used for the subdivision. Lot 1 consists of multi-unit residential, Outlots “A” & “B” are reserved for future development, 1.69 acres in Outlot “C” will be dedicated to the City for future parkland, Tract “A” for an extension and construction of Lake Ridge Drive, Tract “B” set aside for wetlands and stream corridor including a 25 foot buffer, Tract “C” to be used for stormwater management for Lake Ridge Drive. There will be a disturbance to the wetlands extending Lake Ridge Drive and where the driveway access is planned to serve Lot 1. The Sanitary Sewer will be relocated to a future extension of Whitetail & Lake Ridge Drives. All other utilities will be installed in Lake Ridge Drive ROW. Lot 1 will contain Stormwater Dentention and water quality. Tract “C” will be the detention and stormwater quality area for Lake Ridge Drive. Any stormwater will be managed on Outlots “A” & “B” if development takes place in the future on those lots. Staff recommends that the Commission invite the public to comment, discuss, provide direction as needed, and continue presenting the request at the April 08, 2026 meeting to allow the Parks & Recreation Commission an opportunity to consider the proposal. Hartley asked for clarification on the makeup of the multi-unit residential building, Mr. Weintraut indicated that a proposal has not been presented and that they will have to meet the development requirements and the final number of units will not be determined until the site plan is submitted. Watkins asked about RP Zoning in place, Howard clarified that they have zoning rights already and that the density will be reviewed when the site plan comes in. 1  Dan Ahrends, Civil Engineer with VJ Engineering in Cedar Falls spoke on behalf of the petitioner. He acknowledged the amount of time spent with City staff trying to make this project work. He also stated that the buffer for wetlands will be updated before the next meeting and that density will be addressed in the upcoming site plan. Citizen Eric Andreassen of Cedar Falls spoke about density concerns amongst neighbors in the area. Citizen Bill Dalhauser of Cedar Falls asked for clarification on the entrance for the property. Thomas Weintraut provided the preliminary entrance location. Further discussion on this item will occur at the Planning and Zoning meeting on April 8th, 2026. 4.) The next item of business was Street Vacation- 1st Avenue Remnant (VAC26-001). Vice Chair Hartley introduced the item and Thomas Weintraut provided background information. This street was originally platted in 1874. Portions of ROW previously vacated leaving a 34ft wide portion. This remnant piece is no longer used as a street, and there is no need to use it to access private property. One fire hydrant is located on the remnant and the City can maintain ownership of the area surrounding the hydrant. No other known utilities in ROW to be vacated. Any easements will need to be maintained or relocated. Staff recommends approval on this vacation. Grybovych made a motion to approve the item. Watkins seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, and Watkins), and 0 nays. 5.) As there were no further comments, Henderson made a motion to adjourn. Watkins seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously with 6 ayes (Grybovych, Hartley, Henderson, Johnson, Moser, and Watkins), and 0 nays. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Howard Lyndzy Murtha Planning and Community Services Manager Administrative Assistant 2