Lang
3/20/21
A proposed housing project near Hickory Hill Park has again been nixed by the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission.
Hickory Trail Estates would have included 40 detached single-family homes and ten detached single-family condominiums. A 135 bed senior living facility was also planned for the 50 acre development, which would have been built just off North Scott Boulevard on land currently owned by ACT.
Joseph Clark of Iowa City, Nelson Development of Des Moines and Axiom Consultants of Iowa City were all behind the project. The developers initially proposed the project to Planning and Zoning last month, but it was denied. The group made several amendments that were presented at Thursday’s meeting, but the commission again denied the request on a 6-1 vote.
Commissioner Billie Townsend told the Press-Citizen that the project was not just opposed by neighbors, but from people all over Iowa City. Among the groups opposing the development was Friends of Hickory Hill Park, which helped raise opposition through posts on its Facebook page.
ACT CEO Janet Godwin wrote to the commission that if the project wasn’t approved, ACT would have to reconsider its options for the land. She noted that many Hickory Hill Park visitors already treat the 50 acre plot as part of the park, and if no development is allowed the company would “take steps to ensure…trespassing activity stops.” Godwin said the land may be converted back to cropland.