Housing/senior living development in northeast Iowa City gets council approval

IOWA CITY — A new housing development proposed in northeast Iowa City that would include single-family homes and a senior living community easily passed the Iowa City Council’s first vote on Tuesday.

The council unanimously approved the request from Welch Design and Development to rezone 64.37 acres west of Scott Boulevard and north of Rochester Avenue. The rezoning has to pass two more votes.

Council members expressed excitement about the project, noting it will feature a variety of housing. Residents, in public comment and emails to the city, shared their support for the development and having more senior living options.

“I'm very excited about this project. … It seems like it'll be a really wonderful asset to the city of Iowa City,” council member Pauline Taylor said.

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.

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

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning last month.

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

Additional senior living

City staff has said the addition of senior housing will “help to satisfy an ongoing need” in the city.

The senior living community — named The Borough — would be run by Vintage Cooperatives by Ewing Properties. The company has two senior living communities in Iowa City and Coralville, with one under construction in North Liberty.

Heather Ropp, regional director for Ewing Properties, said the two existing communities are sold out with dozens of people on the waitlist.

“What we have seen is a really high demand for what we're producing,” Ropp said.

The senior living development, Ropp said, promotes healthy aging by providing community and interaction. Residents are encouraged to use the common areas and other features.

"We want them to build friendships,“ Ropp said.

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 Rochester Avenue via Allison Way and the extension of Heron Circle. There would be no access off Scott Boulevard.

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 street system.

Addition of trail connection

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

A threatened and endangered species study found that the development can be constructed in a way to avoid impacts to potential bat habitat. The plan sets aside 32.8 acres for conservation, said Michael Welch, owner of Welch Design and Development.

Staff requested the developer build a 10-foot-wide trail to provide easier access to Calder Park. In a letter to the council, Welch said the sidewalk will provide a “missing link” for the neighborhood.

Lemme Elementary School students who live north of Ralston Creek will be able to use the trail to get to school. Residents also will be able to walk to businesses in Olde Town Village, such as Shorts East and Dairy Queen.

“This plan furthers the city’s goal of promoting walkable neighborhoods,” Welch said.

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