Housing/senior living development planned in NE Iowa City

IOWA CITY — A new housing development featuring single-family homes and a senior living community is being proposed in northeast Iowa City.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday unanimously recommended approving the request from Welch Design and Development to rezone 64.37 acres of land west of Scott Boulevard and north of Rochester Avenue.

The proposal now heads to the Iowa City Council for consideration. It could come before the council in early August.

The Monument Hills project would consist of 64 single-family homes, along with a senior living community on the east side of the development. The proposed development is near Harvest Preserve and Calder Park.

The senior living community for those 55 and older would have 12 single-family homes, three duplexes and a two-story multifamily building with 29 units. There would also be a clubhouse in the senior living community featuring a fitness center, outdoor grilling area, meeting spaces, game rooms and other activities.

“The addition of the senior housing will increase the diversity of housing types and help to satisfy an ongoing need for senior housing in the city,” according to a staff report from the city included in the commission’s agenda.

The senior living community — named The Borough — would be run by Vintage Cooperatives by Ewing Properties.

Heather Ropp, regional director for Ewing Properties, said the mission is to “provide a community where people know each other.” Ewing Properties is based in Pella.

Vintage Cooperatives by Ewing Properties has two existing senior living communities in Iowa City and Coralville with one under construction in North Liberty.

To the north of the proposed development is Harvest Preserve, a privately held, membership-based open space area. The property owner does not have intention of developing this area, according to the city.

There are existing homes to the west and south of the proposed development.

The proposed development would include construction of Allison Way, Heron Drive and a private drive for the senior living community. Access to the development will be off of Rochester Avenue via Allison Way and the extension of Heron Circle. There would be no access off of Scott Boulevard.

A handful of residents who raised concerns by email brought up the potential for increased traffic and the removal of woodlands. The three residents who spoke at this week’s commission meeting did not have objections.

A good neighbor meeting was held in late May and attended by 24 residents, said Michael Welch, owner of Welch Design and Development.

“We regrouped after that meeting and looked at that feedback,” Welch said.

Six lots along Rochester Avenue were removed to reduce the woodland impact and alleviate concern of residents of Rochester Hills Condominiums.

Welch Design and Development provided a traffic study at the request of transportation planning staff. The study shows the proposed development will not overburden the existing street system.

A threatened and endangered species study was also done and found that the development can be constructed in a way to avoid impacts to potential bat habitat.

Staff requested the developer construct a 10-foot-wide trail to provide easier access to Calder Park.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com