116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Debate continues over Iowa City zoning changes
Gregg Hennigan
Mar. 20, 2012 8:20 pm
IOWA CITY – The debate over student housing in Iowa City continued Tuesday night, but the issue is far from settled.
At issue at the City Council meeting was a proposed ordinance that would set at three the maximum number of unrelated people who can live together in neighborhoods near the University of Iowa campus. That standard is already applied in the rest of the city.
Residents, many wearing pink stickers with a heart and the word “neighborhood” on them, argued that the new rule was needed to protect what they say are fragile neighborhoods under increasing pressure from apartments with four-to-five-bedroom units marketed for college students.
“We're the people who live in these neighborhoods,” said Jean Walker, who lives on Lucon Drive. “I think there are more important things than making a profit.”
She was one of about 10 residents to speak in support of the proposal. Only three representatives of developers and property owners spoke.
Property owner Mike McLaughlin noted that the University of Iowa has not built a new dorm in more than 40 years and it has fallen on the community to supply the rising demand of student housing.
The City Council deferred its first consideration of the ordinance to verify a petition protesting the proposal. If it is determined enough signatures were collected, it will take the affirmative votes of six of the seven council members to approve the ordinance rather than the typical four.
The council is expected to take up the matter at its April 3 meeting. The council withheld its deliberation on the matter, but not before Connie Champion expressed her support and said it would be one of the rare decisions made in her 14 years on council that she believes could have a long-term effect.
“This is a very important decision for this council to make,” she said.
On April 3 the council is expected to also consider setting public hearings on two other zoning changes related to large student apartments.
One would prevent the construction of multifamily dwellings with more than three bedrooms per unit and limit the number of three-bedroom units. Another would require more parking spaces for larger apartments.
The recent destruction of three buildings on East Washington Street to make way for a four-story building brought increased attention to the issue. Nancy Carlson of East Jefferson Street said she's worried something similar may happen on her street, although those details are not yet clear.
She was referencing four homes at 318, 320, 324 and 328 E. Jefferson St. that were sold last month. Three of the homes are more than 100 years old, and all are the type residents say they want to protect.
Steve and Barbara van der Woude sold the homes to University Houses LLC. University Houses has the same business address, 414 E. Market St., as Apartments Downtown and other entities run by the Clark family. The Clarks, one of Iowa City's largest landowners, are mostly known for building apartment complexes.
Jeff Clark declined comment when asked Tuesday whether he was involved in a project on the 300 block of Jefferson Street.
Steve van der Woude said he and his wife put the properties in the limited liability company and would continue to rent the homes to people like professors and people visiting the University of Iowa.
He did not respond to follow-up phone and email messages asking about a possible connection with the Clark family.
The van der Woudes also sold the Bostick House, 115 N. Gilbert St. and on the same block as the other four properties, to University Houses.
Bostick House was Iowa City's first City Hall and is a local historic landmark, meaning the city's Historic Preservation Commission would have to OK any changes to the property. Van der Woude said they will continue to operate the property as they have been.
City officials said they have received no plans for any projects on the properties. They also said the van der Woudes have a history of restoring old homes north of downtown.
Neighborhood east of downtown Iowa City on Saturday, April 9, 2011. (Cliff Jette/SourceMedia Group)