A rendering of a single-family unit at the proposed Monument Hills development. CREDIT CITY OF IOWA CITY
It was smooth sailing for city staff and developers presenting a slightly modified plan for Monument Hills, a senior housing cooperative community, at an Iowa City Planning & Zoning Commission meeting July 6.
The altered plan removed six smaller-sized lots on Rochester Avenue originally intended to provide a diversity of housing stock in the development, but residents were concerned their property values and views would be negatively affected.
“We regrouped after that meeting and looked at that feedback and given that opposition…we eliminated that from the development,” said Mike Welch, owner of Welch Design and Development.
The developer’s plan, titled Monument Hills, would stretch 64.7 acres and be situated off Rochester Avenue and North Scott Boulevard. Following the commission’s unanimous approval for the development Wednesday, the developer’s attention will turn toward the Iowa City Council.
If passed by Iowa City Council in the upcoming months, 64 single-family detached residences, 12 senior single-family units, 3 duplexes and 29 senior multi-family units will be constructed.
The easternmost section of the project would be called The Borough and run by Vintage Cooperatives by Ewing Properties. They are proposing an independent living community for people aged 55 and older with three main benefits: a community-living atmosphere with like-minded people, a member-owned community and free maintenance for residents, said Ray Bisbee, CEO and president of Ewing Properties, at the Good Neighbor meeting.
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