Appeal hearing on Kinnick Stadium-style house postponed

IOWA CITY — Neighbors and the owner of the lot at 101 Lusk Ave. have to wait a bit longer to find out the fate of the Kinnick Stadium-like structure proposed for the property.

Attorney James Larew, who represents the Neighbors of Manville Heights Association, said neighbors agreed to postpone a city Board of Adjustment meeting on the building to Sept. 4. The board originally was set to bring up the issue in its Aug. 10 meeting, but the owner of the property, Decorah resident Frederic Reed Carlson, could not make the meeting, said John Yapp, the city's development services coordinator.

Members of the neighborhood association and individual residents filed an appeal with the Board of Adjustment, saying city staff made errors while approving the house to be built. The Board of Adjustment is a group of five citizens who act as judges and its decisions are binding unless appealed in court.

Sarah Walz, the board's secretary, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Neighbors expressed concerns to the Iowa City Council that the proposed house, designed on the outside to look like the University of Iowa football stadium, was not going to be used as a single-family home — the type of building the land is zoned for — but rather as a place for large gatherings. Plans for the structure include a commercial kitchen, a small basketball court and a courtyard.

'Members of the neighborhood are extremely concerned and are well organized in their opposition,' Larew said.

Carlson previously told The Gazette he had no plans for the proposed house to become a party hangout. Rather, he said, it would be used for occasional family gatherings and be empty much of the year.

Until the board hears the appeal, the property is under a stop-work order so construction cannot begin.

The UI said the copyright on the Kinnick Stadium design has expired so it has no say in whether the design can be used on a private home.