2008 Woodie Awards
Olive Court tailgating could be no more
Christopher Patton - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 6/25/08 Section: Metro
The long-controversial Olive Court tailgating grounds may soon be home to dozens of families, instead of kegs.
The Iowa City City Council heard strong arguments both for and against rezoning of nearly 9.5 acres of land located south of Olive Court. The councilors ultimately approved the measure, setting the stage for homes to be constructed in the undeveloped yet close to campus area.
"I understand the desire to want to protect the way of life that you've lived in this neighborhood, but we have to try and restrict sprawl in our community," Councilwoman Amy Correia said.
Arguments over proposed condominiums have been heard several times by the council now.
The council also considered new planning and zoning requirements for subdivisions.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the changes be adopted at its May 12 meeting, but the City Council has yet to vote on the measure.
A subdivision is defined as a parcel of land divided into 3 or more plots. The city's subdivision rules are designed to encourage orderly development, regulate the extension of infrastructure, and implement the city's comprehensive development plan.
Proposed changes to the subdivision requirements include encouraging interconnected streets rather than cul-de-sacs and requiring complete streets that allow safely for pedestrians, bikes, cars, and buses. The new rules would also mandate parks and open spaces for neighborhoods as well as requiring blocks longer than 600 feet to be broken up with interconnecting sidewalks.
A specific new requirement would be that developers would have to extend utility infrastructure to the boundaries of their developments so that new developments beyond those areas would be easier to undertake.
Councilor Connie Champion expressed concern about some of the proposed changes, especially whether the city or developers would be required to pay for infrastructure extension beyond the requirements of the area immediately under development.
the council ultimately voted to delay further discussion of the issue until its July 15 meeting.
Near the end of its long session, the City Council passed a resolution aimed at facilitating reconstruction of flood-damaged areas.
The resolution waives fees until July 1, 2009, for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and demolition permits, inspections, and temporary certificates of occupancy for structures that have been damaged by the flood.
"This is a good initial step," said Councilor Matt Hayek.
E-mail DI reporter Christopher Patton at:
chris-patton@uiowa.edu
The Iowa City City Council heard strong arguments both for and against rezoning of nearly 9.5 acres of land located south of Olive Court. The councilors ultimately approved the measure, setting the stage for homes to be constructed in the undeveloped yet close to campus area.
"I understand the desire to want to protect the way of life that you've lived in this neighborhood, but we have to try and restrict sprawl in our community," Councilwoman Amy Correia said.
Arguments over proposed condominiums have been heard several times by the council now.
The council also considered new planning and zoning requirements for subdivisions.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the changes be adopted at its May 12 meeting, but the City Council has yet to vote on the measure.
A subdivision is defined as a parcel of land divided into 3 or more plots. The city's subdivision rules are designed to encourage orderly development, regulate the extension of infrastructure, and implement the city's comprehensive development plan.
Proposed changes to the subdivision requirements include encouraging interconnected streets rather than cul-de-sacs and requiring complete streets that allow safely for pedestrians, bikes, cars, and buses. The new rules would also mandate parks and open spaces for neighborhoods as well as requiring blocks longer than 600 feet to be broken up with interconnecting sidewalks.
A specific new requirement would be that developers would have to extend utility infrastructure to the boundaries of their developments so that new developments beyond those areas would be easier to undertake.
Councilor Connie Champion expressed concern about some of the proposed changes, especially whether the city or developers would be required to pay for infrastructure extension beyond the requirements of the area immediately under development.
the council ultimately voted to delay further discussion of the issue until its July 15 meeting.
Near the end of its long session, the City Council passed a resolution aimed at facilitating reconstruction of flood-damaged areas.
The resolution waives fees until July 1, 2009, for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and demolition permits, inspections, and temporary certificates of occupancy for structures that have been damaged by the flood.
"This is a good initial step," said Councilor Matt Hayek.
E-mail DI reporter Christopher Patton at:
chris-patton@uiowa.edu
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