A retirement community and mixed-use development proposition are a few of the significant developments that were proposed before the North Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission May 7.
Several preliminary plat requests were presented to the commission that will both add to existing development areas and create space for growth.
Locally-owned Lion Development Group sought approval for a preliminary plat of a 49 lot subdivision, slated to be an age-restricted community located on 11 acres on the west side of north Jones Boulevard and rounding out the broader Solomon’s Landing development.
North Bend Villas, geared for ages 55 up, is a community that is designed for residents to “age in place.”
“No major modifications have to be done to any of the homes,” said Heather Ropp, Lion’s director of sales.
Each home will be a zero-entry, slab on grades unit with floor plans ranging from 1,400 square feet to 1,800 square feet, and snow removal and lawn care will be provided for all the residents with the option of upgrading to a package that includes extra indoor/outdoor maintenance.
“Ultimately, we came up with the single family model as the preferred model that people are looking for…we listen to our consumers and this is what they requested,” said Brandon Pratt, Lion Development Group owner.
The community will feature a clubhouse, indoor pickleball court, fitness room, a nine acre pond and trails that will connect to the biking trail along Jones Boulevard, as well as the other areas of Solomon’s Landing.
“I think this is a good option to keep more people here,” said commissioner Josey Bathke, at the May 7 meeting. “You’ve heard me repeatedly from the Johnson County Livable Community Commission that we’re looking for more builders to build the zero entry, accessible for aging in at place and at home, so that’s wonderful, and we commend you for that.”
The city council unanimously approved the preliminary plat at the May 14 meeting. Lion Develop Group estimates it will break ground for North Bend Villas late this summer or fall, and says there is already a waiting list for units.
“The consumer in today’s world is looking to still be independent. They’re not looking for an assisted living (place), but they want it simple, they want it easy, and they want a place where they can still socialize,” said Mr. Pratt.
Chicago company seeking approval for development off Forevergreen Road
Primestone Residential, a real estate investment and development services company based out of Chicago, is requesting that the city amend a Future Land Map with the purpose of rezoning approximately 43 acres located on the north side of west Forevergreen Road and 150 feet west of Covered Bridge Boulevard.
The development will accommodate a mixture of zones that will be subdivided into commercial, multi-unit and single-unit districts. Currently, the land is zoned as ID Interim Development District.
According to its website, the company specializes “in land acquisition for the development of institutional-quality, built-for-rent multi-family, and mixed-use communities.”
A good neighbor meeting was held April 5 for residents of the Fox Valley Subdivision, which is across from the proposed development area, but it was not well attended, a commissioner noted. The city has so far received one objection letter regarding the development.
In the letter, North Liberty resident Dean Wheatley said the proposition is “totally inconsistent with the recently-adopted Comprehensive Plan” and in some cases, “not consistent with good planning principles.”
“I don’t think anyone can reasonably characterize this proposal as anything other than a plan to maximize profit without consideration for the good of the city, especially since, again, it totally ignores the City’s recently-adopted Land Use Plan,” he wrote.
The commission voted to forward the Future Land Use Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment to the city council with a recommendation for approval.
