Dear Members & Supporters of Responsible Land Use:

 Please plan to support responsible land use in Iowa City by attending and speaking at a meeting on June 27 at 7:30 PM at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

 What’s Happening:  Iowa City’s Planning and Zoning Commission is holding public hearings to discuss a proposed new Zoning Code.  These are the regulations and incentives that will determine WHAT KIND of development will happen in Iowa City and WHERE it will be. Developers and builders have already indicated opposition to many of the “smart growth” features of the code.  Click below to read comments from those supporting the new code (and the more numerous and detailed comments from those opposed to it):

 http://www.icgov.org/pcd/urbanplanning/zoningcode/4-28-05PubHrg.pdf

 The new code is designed to give builders incentives to build smaller, more compact lots in order to give home buyers more choices and flexibility.  The important message is that residents want the town to grow, but in a responsible manner that is compact, walkable, livable, and gives people the choice to have smaller lot sizes.  This is the best way to protect farmland and natural areas and provide services at a reasonable cost.

 Background:  Iowa City’s Comprensive Plan (adopted in 1997) is designed to control urban growth and preserve open space and critical environmental areas.  The proposed new Zoning Code would make that vision a reality by encouraging:

·        compact, walkable neighborhoods

·        a wide variety of affordable housing types

·        mixed-use commercial areas

·        a balanced transportation system that includes walking, biking, and transit use.

 What you Can Do: 

(1)   Attend and speak at the public hearing

(2)   Volunteer to help get the word out to those who support responsible land use

 Let your representatives know that you support the proposed Zoning Code, which is designed to make Iowa City’s Comprehensive Plan a reality.  That plan “envisions neighborhoods that contain a mix of housing types, for people of all incomes and lifestyles, located close to stores, services, jobs and recreational facilities; a vibrant economy; a street network that provides opportunities for all types of transportation; and preservation and protection of the city's natural, scenic and historic resources.”

 The preliminary draft of the Zoning Code and a reader's guide are available for public review on the City's website: www.icgov.org/zoningcode and is also available in hard copy from the City's Department of Planning and Community Development.

 For more information about the details of the proposed code, contact Karen Howard at 356-5251 or email:karen-howard@iowa-city.org