Lang
1/18/24
The Iowa City city council has approved a suggestion from the Northside Neighborhood Association to lower the maximum heights of new residential buildings in that area.
Association members asked the council last summer to limit the maximum height from 35 feet to 27 feet. They claimed the previous rules negatively affected affordable housing because it gave developers incentive to demolish existing single-family structures and replace them with larger structures with more occupants.
The Association also argued that the lower heights would preserve neighborhood character.
The Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the maximum height stay at 35 feet. The council voted 5-1 this week to lower it to 27.
Mayor Bruce Teague was the only “no” vote. He argued that the lower maximum height would discourage diverse housing types in the Northside Neighborhood. Councilor Josh Moe recused himself.