Cedar Rapids City Council votes down rezoning request for duplex developer

CEDAR RAPIDS - Residents successfully fought off a proposed duplex development slated for a lawn adjacent to an old church in an older northeast neighborhood near Wright Elementary, during a City Council meeting Tuesday.

Adam Stradt's development required rezoning roughly three-quarters of an acre to construct four duplexes at 1525 Hollywood Blvd. NE. Concerns included stormwater drainage, traffic, crime, loss of mature trees and increased runoff into nearby McLoud Run, possibly to the detriment of trout.

'It's a stable, developed area of single-family homes and kids walk to school,” said Jeanne Russell, who lives nearby on Arizona Avenue NE. 'We've all been blessed with a quiet, peaceful area. I am concerned building of duplexes will change the quality and safety of the neighborhood we've enjoyed for years.”

The rezoning required a supermajority vote due to opposition from contiguous neighbors. The City Council voted 6-3 against the measure during the meeting.

The project is considered infill in that it does not stretch city borders but rather resides in existing development. Infill development is typically favored by city leaders, but wasn't in this case.

'I'm for infill, but I feel like this is not the right place for this kind of structure,” said Ann Poe, a City Council member in explaining her ‘no' vote.

Russell was one of 13 speakers - some spoke multiple times - voicing concerns against the rezoning during a 90-minute discussion. Two spoke in favor, including Stradt, who noted efforts to mitigate concerns and constraints of infill development.

The city also received a petition with 221 signatures of opposition and 35 letters of opposition.

Some residents said they don't want to see any development of the land, which sits on the same property as Knox Presbyterian Church. The property is owned by Apple Kids CR, LLC.

'What the city needs to do is turn this into a park and make this a more family friendly neighborhood,” said Tom Furmanski, who lives on Richmond Road NE, near the property. 'The city needs to make these neighborhoods more safe, more for family.

'We don't need any more complexes.”

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com