By Amanda Huisman, City of Cedar Falls communications specialist
A formal review draft of the College Hill zoning code update, along with a new zoning map for College Hill, will be presented and considered at the May 27 and June 10, 2026, Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (220 Clay Street).
These updates are based on community feedback and input received over the past several months.
The Commission may schedule additional hearings as needed, after which they will send their recommended draft of the code and map to the City Council for consideration. City Council will hold additional public hearings anticipated in July and August, with possible adoption by the end of August or early September.
All are invited to attend and provide comments at the upcoming public hearings at the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. Written comments are also welcome and may be submitted to Planning@cedarfalls.com.
About the Project
In March 2025, the City Council directed City staff to move forward with updates to zoning regulations for the College Hill Neighborhood based on the recommendations of the adopted Imagine College Hill Vision Plan.
The new code under consideration will:
- Establish standards to clearly define the desired building form and uses desired for the College Hill Business District, reinforcing the storefront character, promoting walking and biking, and encouraging upper-floor residential to support a variety of businesses.
- Update zoning to encourage more student housing opportunities adjacent to the UNI campus, so students can easily walk to class and to area businesses.
- Establish new standards that will provide the flexibility necessary for redevelopment of deteriorated housing near campus.
- Establish new standards for the lower-scale residential neighborhoods in the College Hill District that will help stabilize and ensure that any new development fits into the scale and character of the neighborhood.
- Streamline the development review process and create clear direction through the use of illustrations, diagrams, and tables that make the code easier to use.
- Revise the parking requirements to support new development and redevelopment on the Hill and provide alternatives to on-site parking where appropriate to meet the parking needs of the district.
- Establish new zoning districts in the College Hill area, where the new standards will apply.
Community Input
Leslie Oberholtzer from Codametrics, the consultant team hired to prepare updated zoning standards for the College Hill District, presented an overview of the proposed zoning rules and new zoning districts at the January 28 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, followed by an open house in the City Hall Foyer. The public viewed illustrations explaining the new code and districts, asked questions, and provided comments. Three additional public open house sessions were held in February and March. Staff and the code consultant also met with the College Hill Partnership, area businesses, developers, residents, and other area stakeholders to get their feedback.
To view the proposed code and new zoning map, visit the project webpage at www.cedarfalls.com/1615/Imagine-College-Hill. If you have questions or comments, please email Planning@cedarfalls.com.