Besides voting for myself, here is who I will be voting for:
City Council
Jim Lane- Jim
is completing his second 2 year term on council, he has served as
finance chair for the past 4 years. His experience as a financial
planner has paid off in how he has managed city assets in order to
maximize returns, he has also made awareness of city budgets and budget
planning much easier for the rest of council to follow. Jim's experience
as a plant manager for Proctor and Gamble as well as his education as
an engineer has been invaluable as the city has worked through the
planning stages of the One University Place project. Construction Updates
Carla Aldrich-
Carla was appointed to council in June 2014 to fill the seat of Zadok
Nampala. She has served as co-chair of the Community Protection
Committee. Carla's contributions and insight served the city well in the
hiring of our Police Chief last year. Carla has also initiated our
Community Watch program, a quarterly meeting of all interested citizens
on community protection topics of interest. At the Kickoff Meeting in
April, there was a surprise incident where participants suddenly were
placed in situation where their "eye witness" recollections were tested.
The July meeting featured tips on how to prevent identity theft, and
the September meeting featured Iowa City Schools Equity director
Kingsley Botchway speaking on cultural competence. Community Protection
Stepheny Gahn- Stepheny
has served on the Zoning Commission for the past year. She was active
in the amending of our building ordinance. Stepheny has also been a
frequent attendee at council meetings, and has worked hard to make
herself aware of the many issues that the council faces.
Mayor
Louise From- Louise
has been an effective and tireless ambassador for our city. While she
does not have a vote, she runs council meetings. Louise spends an
incredible amount of time working with neighboring elected officials as
well as staff to ensure that U-Heights' interested are represented. Mayor's Report
Ballot Initiative
YES I
strongly favor adopting staggered four year terms for council. Being a
small community with each council member expected to manage a department
of city business (Finance, Building/Zoning/Sanitation, Streets and
Sidewalks, Community Protection, eGovernment) it is hard to have
continuity and stability when you must run for your seat every other
year.
I would hope you would also consider these well qualified people and this reasonable ballot measure.
Showing posts with label Zoning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zoning. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
March Council Meeting Summary
Fellow U-Heights
residents,
City Council held
their regular March meeting Tuesday night, below are some highlights. For more
information please look at the full agenda and attachments.
One University
Place Ordinance First Approval
Following a
recommendation from the Zoning Commission last week, city council held a public
hearing on a zoning amendment for One University Place and heard
community comment. Council also heard from the developers regarding their
request to increase the residential unit number from 80 to 104 and
surface parking from 55 to 108. Their plans show a reduction in commercial
space and the footprint of the front building. The back building would
remain 5 stories. Due to a petition filed by 20% of residents within 300 feet
of the property, council approval would require a super majority of 4 yes
votes. Council approved the first reading tonight 5-0. A second reading of the
amendment will be held at the April meeting.
FY16 Budget
Approved.
Following a
public hearing council approved the FY16 budget. City budget years begin on
July 1. The carryover projected at the end of FY16 is $779. The re-estimated
carryover for the end of FY15 (June 30, 2015) is $13,665.
Parking Passes
Created
Police Chief Ken
Stanley announced a policy where any resident hosting a gathering can contact
the police department and request parking passes for guests who may be leaving
their car on a city street overnight. He also passed out several passes to each
council member for them to distribute to any neighbors if needed.
Upcoming Events
- City Council Work Session on Tax Increment Financing MONDAY MARCH 23, 6:30 pm (tentative)
- City Council Meeting TUESDAY APRIL 14 7:00 PM
- Annual Spring Clean Up Day is SATURDAY APRIL 25th 9-noon
- Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony will be SUNDAY APRIL 26th
- Farmer's Market starts TUESDAY JUNE 2nd
- City-Wide Garage Sale will be SATURDAY JUNE 6th throughout town
- RAGBRAI comes through U-Heights! SATURDAY July 25th
- Follow University Heights on Twitter
Consider contributing to the University Heights Community Fund
I also write a blog covering U-H and other timely topics, with my opinions expressed UHForward.blogspot.com
Join the community at Nextdoor University Heights!
As always it is a pleasure to serve as your city councilor.-Mike
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Housing Costs, Density and You
I don't think its an overstatement to say that the One University Place development project has always been on my mind for 6 years. It is the single issue that has occupied a majority of time in my 3 terms on city council.
This past week council voted to refer to the Zoning Commission the developer's latest request to increase the
number of residential units and parking spaces allowed for the project. The size of the buildings remains the same however so that there will be smaller units created. This has understandably raised concern among our citizens some of whom have voiced that at our meeting, others who have contacted me directly. I wrote last month about some of my thoughts regarding this latest proposal.
It is impossible to also consider our project without looking at housing costs. On January 19th City Council held an affordable housing work session. I asked about "workforce housing" options at that meeting. Median household income in U-Heights has declined from $67,430 in 2000 to $59,018 in 2012, similar declines are found throughout Johnson County. Our median household income is the highest in the county. The county-wide median in 2012 was $53,993. I always benchmark these against what a first year teacher with a BA degree makes in the Iowa City Community School District. In 2014-15 that is $39,200.
While median income was dropping median household value was increasing from $216,100 to $246,800 in the same time period. By definition a person is considered "cost burdened" if they pay more than 30% of their income in housing costs. After adjusting for inflation housing costs in U-Heights have increased 14.2% from 2000 to 2012. At the same time, again adjusted for inflation, incomes have decreased 12.5%. More home owners are now considered cost burdened than in 2000. So the most important figures to me are these:
Given these concerns about affordable housing, I proposed at at our work session and later in a private meeting with the developer that if the City should consider an increase in the number of proposed residential units only IF 5% (6 units) were specifically marked for workforce housing.
I also continue to read and hear national stories that become filtered through my "local lens" to consider their impact here in U-Heights. Here are three that I've run across this week, that I found interesting:
Small Homes Make Better Cities
This article looks at several projects around the country (I'd already heard of the "apodments" but the others were new to me.) At 350 sq. ft. these units are half the size of the smaller units proposed for the front building.
Walking: The Secret Ingredient for Health, Wealth, and More Exciting Neighborhoods
It's no secret one reason I've pushed for a mixed use development with commercial property is we need somewhere for people to walk to!
With Porches And Parks, A Texas Community Aims For Urban Utopia
Our older portions of town already have this and we have continued to build community among our citizens, our location near the UIHC will always make us attractive, but we do need continue to think about what else can we do to enhance our community. See also the next day's follow up regarding racial tensions in this community.
So those are a few more of my thoughts, I'm always interested in hearing other people's feedback.
This past week council voted to refer to the Zoning Commission the developer's latest request to increase the
number of residential units and parking spaces allowed for the project. The size of the buildings remains the same however so that there will be smaller units created. This has understandably raised concern among our citizens some of whom have voiced that at our meeting, others who have contacted me directly. I wrote last month about some of my thoughts regarding this latest proposal. It is impossible to also consider our project without looking at housing costs. On January 19th City Council held an affordable housing work session. I asked about "workforce housing" options at that meeting. Median household income in U-Heights has declined from $67,430 in 2000 to $59,018 in 2012, similar declines are found throughout Johnson County. Our median household income is the highest in the county. The county-wide median in 2012 was $53,993. I always benchmark these against what a first year teacher with a BA degree makes in the Iowa City Community School District. In 2014-15 that is $39,200.
While median income was dropping median household value was increasing from $216,100 to $246,800 in the same time period. By definition a person is considered "cost burdened" if they pay more than 30% of their income in housing costs. After adjusting for inflation housing costs in U-Heights have increased 14.2% from 2000 to 2012. At the same time, again adjusted for inflation, incomes have decreased 12.5%. More home owners are now considered cost burdened than in 2000. So the most important figures to me are these:
- 20% of U-H home owners pay more than 30% of their income in housing in 2012
Up from 16% in 2000 - 50% of U-H renters pay more than 30% of their income in housing in 2012
Up from 29.3% in 2000
Given these concerns about affordable housing, I proposed at at our work session and later in a private meeting with the developer that if the City should consider an increase in the number of proposed residential units only IF 5% (6 units) were specifically marked for workforce housing.
I also continue to read and hear national stories that become filtered through my "local lens" to consider their impact here in U-Heights. Here are three that I've run across this week, that I found interesting:
Small Homes Make Better Cities
This article looks at several projects around the country (I'd already heard of the "apodments" but the others were new to me.) At 350 sq. ft. these units are half the size of the smaller units proposed for the front building.
Walking: The Secret Ingredient for Health, Wealth, and More Exciting Neighborhoods
It's no secret one reason I've pushed for a mixed use development with commercial property is we need somewhere for people to walk to!
With Porches And Parks, A Texas Community Aims For Urban Utopia
Our older portions of town already have this and we have continued to build community among our citizens, our location near the UIHC will always make us attractive, but we do need continue to think about what else can we do to enhance our community. See also the next day's follow up regarding racial tensions in this community.
So those are a few more of my thoughts, I'm always interested in hearing other people's feedback.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
February Council Meeting Summary
Fellow U-Heights residents,
City Council held their regular February meeting Tuesday night, below are some highlights. For more information please look at the full agenda and attachments.
Upcoming Events
Follow University Heights on TwitterCity Council held their regular February meeting Tuesday night, below are some highlights. For more information please look at the full agenda and attachments.
Curbside Composting Announced
Look for more information soon about a curbside composting program being added to regular Tuesday garbage and recycling collection. Red composting bins will be available for a refundable $25 deposit. Paper compost bag liners will be available at Fareway grocery. More information will be posted on the city website and put in recycling bins. Progress is also being made for a recycling program at Grandview.Building/Zoning Ordinance Updates
Citizens commented at a public hearing concerning proposed Ordinance 187. Sketches illustrating terms and a diagram of measuring building height were presented. Further revisions will be undertaken.Request sent to Zoning Commission
A request to change zoning ordinance 181 submitted for the One University Place project was received. Council asked the Zoning Commission to consider this and report back to council.Upcoming Events
- City Council Meeting TUESDAY MARCH 10 7:00 PM
- Annual Spring Clean Up Day is SATURDAY APRIL 25th 9-noon
- Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony will be SUNDAY APRIL 26th
- City-Wide Garage Sale will be SATURDAY JUNE 6th throughout town
- Farmer's Market starts TUESDAY JUNE 2nd
- RAGBRAI comes through U-Heights! SATURDAY July 25th
Consider contributing to the University Heights Community Fund
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