Iowa City’s Northside neighborhood might see a new, taller addition to the landscape if the Iowa City Council goes forward with a zoning change that would eliminate current parking requirements and other restrictions for the lot.
Last week, the council approved the first consideration of an ordinance to rezone the Central State Bank on the corner of Linn and Market streets. The change would open the door to new construction to replace the short, white building.
The proposal for the spot at 202 N Linn St would hew to the existing neighborhood aesthetic — a red brick building built close to the sidewalk with storefront windows. A concept drawing presented a mixed-use residential and commercial building with large, open ground floor windows. “It will open conversation,” said Ross Nusser, the applicant for the potential new development.
“We want to make this corner into one of the cornerstones of the Northside area,” he said. 
The zoning shift would allow greater density of residential units in the new building, permit a 75-foot-tall building, rather than one that is capped at 45 feet, and decrease the number of required parking spaces.
Although Nusser’s building plans do include six to seven residential parking spaces, concerns were raised about the potential strain on existing parking created by adding residential units without adding adequate parking for those residents.
“It’s a more dense zone, but it’s a more walkable zone,” John Yapp, the Iowa City Development Services Coordinator, said, adding that the location was “very walkable to and from downtown” where parking ramps are more readily available.
Hey, that dude’s going the wrong way on Market!
Two way is the future for this street and Jefferson. That guy’s just ahead of his time.
I think it would be more appropriate to provide at least 1 parking spot per unit. Whileit is a beautifhl building, is that type of housing we are gpinf to see built in Iowa City? I mean a family of six at a median income cannot afford to purchase a 4 bedroom house, let alone rent one. I dobt think adding additional “luxury”appartments is the answer to fixing our housing problems. Re-investing in the Northside should add additional family options, not just more convient things for downtown.
I agree, but we are really fighting a mindset here. I think they want young (well-off) singles who will walk most of the time and call Uber when necessary.
Hilarious to think of John Yapp discussing “walkability” considering he’s one person any aware pedestrian or cyclist should know is the primary enemy of transportation that doesn’t involve driving.
If you build parking, the drivers will come. Donald Shoup’s “The High Cost of Free Parking” should be mandatory reading for anyone serving on City Council. Iowa City doesn’t need more parking as we have an oversupply of parking that is priced too cheaply.