Former Kirkwood campus rezoned by Iowa City Council

IOWA CITY — The former Kirkwood Community College campus in Iowa City was rezoned by the Iowa City Council Tuesday night.

Council members voted 6-1 in their third and final vote on the matter. Council member Mazahir Salih cast the lone dissenting vote.

With Tuesday’s vote, the former campus’ 6.8 acre lot, at 1816 Lower Muscatine Rd., will be rezoned from neighborhood public to general industrial. The rezoning was requested by Procter & Gamble, which bought the property for $6.4 million in February.

The company operates manufacturing plants around the city, including an Oral-B plant next to the campus. At previous meetings, P&G Site Engineering Leader Joe Townsend has said plans are not finalized for the future of the property, but the company likely will use it to expand its Oral-B production.

Townsend said the existing buildings on the property will be demolished and the land will be converted into a green space until plans for it are finalized.

The rezoning has been controversial with neighbors of the campus, who spoke against it at previous city council meetings. Residents have said a new plant on the property could adversely affect air quality in the area and neighbors’ health.

Many of those residents have said existing plants in the area produce strong odors.

Despite this push back from residents, council members have supported the rezoning, although some have suggested establishing a task force to investigate residents’ concerns.

Salih, in contrast, has said she believes and agrees with residents’ concerns about air quality. She reiterated that point on Tuesday.

Comments: alejandro.rojas@thegazette.com.