116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Cedar Rapids council will consider Cedar Rapids Country Club’s modified tennis facility proposal
Also, Corridor communities designated as ‘Iowa Great Place’
The Cedar Rapids City Council this week will consider the Cedar Rapids Country Club’s modified proposal for a new outdoor tennis facility rather than the indoor facility it proposed last year.
The City Planning Commission, in a 3-3 tie vote last month, recommended denying the rezoning needed for the facility, 520 27th St. Dr. SE.
The Country Club is asking to amend the rezoning approved last year for an indoor facility because the club decided it was not feasible to build a permanent building at this time.
It is seeking permission to use a temporary, inflatable “bubble” to be used seasonally, similar to the ones used at Elmcrest Country Club, off 35th Street NE.
The Country Club, which is now zoned P-IN, or public institutional district, would keep its zoning.
The project had to return to the council and planning commission because of the proposed change in structure. The rezoning approved in 2022 came with specific conditions.
The temporary structure would be opaque and no more than 40 feet in height, or 30 feet above the street. It would be limited to use 180 days, from Oct. 15 to April 30. Use beyond that time would require city approval. Mechanical equipment would have to be located away from neighbors, as the structure requires a fan to remain inflated.
Conditions that remain from the previous zoning approval require screening along the club’s west property line and the parking area to curb light pollution. Motion-based lighting would be used at night.
Those looking to provide input may attend the council meeting at noon Tuesday at City Hall, 101 First St. SE, and speak during the public hearing on the proposal.
Linn solar ordinance feedback now online
A summary is now available online of the Linn County Board of Supervisors’ feedback on proposed revisions to the ordinance on utility-scale solar projects.
The supervisors in May held their first public discussion of recommended changes to the code, coming out of four review committees. Supervisors emphasized their desire to see strong language in the ordinance, particularly surrounding the long-term operations of solar installations.
Policy changes in four areas are being considered: good neighbor practices, battery energy storage systems, life-cycle costs and balancing agriculture and solar.
The summary recaps the discussion and notes whether Planning and Development staff plan to propose new code language for each statement.
The summary is available on the county’s Renewable Energy Review Committees page on its website, linncountyiowa.gov.
While reviewing code and exploring policy changes, the supervisors extended a moratorium on new solar applications through Sept. 30. This allows time for proposed new code language to wind through the bureaucratic process from staff, to the Planning and Zoning Commission and eventually to the three-member Board of Supervisors.
Any changes would not apply to previously approved projects. Last year, the supervisors approved three utility-grade solar installations — one near Coggon and two related ones near Palo.
The 640-acre site near Coggon is being developed by Idaho-based Clenera and the Central Iowa Power Cooperative. NextEra is developing two projects on 1,000 acres near the decommissioned Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear plant near Palo.
Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty remain ‘Iowa Great Place’
Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty have been redesignated as an “Iowa Great Place” for the next decade. This designation acknowledges the cities' commitment to preserving and enhancing their local character and cultural assets.
The Iowa Great Places Program from the Department of Cultural Affairs seeks to cultivate the local characters and qualities of neighborhoods and communities in the state. The program focuses on the concept of "creative place-making," aiming to build more livable communities and vibrant places.
Think Iowa City, the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, submitted the application on behalf of the three cities.
Nick Pfeiffer, Think Iowa City’s vice president of public affairs, said in a news release that three communities applying together is an outlier since most applicants are single communities.
“It speaks to how well our communities work together and share a singular vision for Johnson County,” Pfeiffer said.
The three communities were originally designated as a great place in 2008. The designation creates funding opportunities, as well as ideas on how to improve the area, Pfeiffer said.
Funded projects have included refurbishing the Ranshaw House in North Liberty and the Literature Walk in downtown Iowa City. The most recent application focused on place-making along the Iowa River and Centennial Park.
“There are so many opportunities to improve access to the Iowa River for recreation and entertainment. It will be a game changer when these come to fruition,” Pfeiffer said. “The plans in place for Centennial Park and the upgrades there will make that a regional destination.”
New principal named at Prairie Edge
Scott Black will be the new principal at Prairie Edge, an alternative school in the College Community School District, this fall.
Prairie Edge, located on the Four Oaks campus at 5400 Kirkwood Blvd. SW in Cedar Rapids, is an alternative school that provides an educational environment for students with behavior and mental health needs.
Black replaced Stephanie Van Hemert, who recently resigned.
Black comes from Challenger Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he was the dean of students and coordinator of a system that helped students achieve academically while providing social, emotional and behavior support.
Black also has experience as an athletic director, instructional coach, curriculum specialist and language arts teacher.
“Scott has a variety of experiences and the educational background we were looking for to lead Prairie Edge,” Julie McKibben, executive director of special education in the College Community School District, said in a news release. “”
Black, a native of New Jersey, received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in education from Regis University.
“I am honored to be named the new principal of Prairie Edge,” Black said in a news release. “I look forward to serving with the staff to support our students and families in new and innovative ways.”
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne, Izabela Zaluska and Grace King contribute.
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