City Council Agenda & Packet Summary – Grimes City Council – July 7, 2026

Packet Summary

Meeting Information

• Meeting Title: Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda
• Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
• Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission

Summary

The packet is for a City of Grimes Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for July 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the Grimes Community Complex. The public agenda includes a James Place PUD Amendment and amendments to Title 12 zoning regulations related to the Board of Adjustment, accessory dwelling units, architectural requirements, and rezoning consent and petitions.

The James Place PUD Amendment requests changes to existing zoning requirements for property generally located at the southwest corner of SW 19th Street and west of S James Street. The request would change existing high-density residential areas to allow high-density residential and commercial uses, and change existing medium-density residential areas to allow mixed medium- and high-density residential uses.

The packet also includes proposed zoning code amendments intended to align the City Code with Iowa state code requirements adopted in 2024, 2025, and 2026. These amendments address rezoning petition procedures, Board of Adjustment variance review, residential architectural design requirements, and accessory dwelling units.

Staff recommend approval of the James Place PUD amendment subject to remaining staff comments. Staff also recommend approval of the Title 12 zoning regulation amendments associated with Board of Adjustment, accessory dwelling units, architecture, and rezoning consent and petitions.

Topics

• James Place PUD Amendment
• Zoning regulation amendments
• Board of Adjustment procedures
• Accessory dwelling units
• Residential architectural design requirements

Key Packet Items

• The James Place PUD Amendment concerns land generally located southwest of SW 19th Street and west of S James Street.
• The current James Place PUD includes medium-density residential, high-density residential, and commercial/mixed-use areas.
• The proposed James Place amendment would add flexibility for townhomes, multi-family housing, senior living, commercial uses, vertical mixed use, and public parkland.
• The packet states that 5.9 acres of parkland has been dedicated to the City as part of a regional detention basin project.
• The proposed zoning code amendments would update City Code provisions related to rezoning petitions, Board of Adjustment procedures, architectural design requirements, and accessory dwelling units.

Decisions or Recommendations

• Staff recommend approval of the James Place PUD amendment subject to remaining staff comments.
• Staff recommend approval of the amendment to Code of Ordinances Title 12 Zoning Regulations associated with Board of Adjustment, Accessory Dwelling Units, Architecture and Rezoning Consent and Petitions.

Community Impact

The James Place PUD Amendment may affect future land use patterns near SW 19th Street and S James Street by allowing more flexible combinations of residential, commercial, mixed-use, senior living, and parkland uses. The packet states that the proposed land use change is generally consistent with the future land use plan and includes standards intended to support compatible transitions between uses.

The Title 12 zoning amendments could affect how rezoning petitions, variance reviews, residential design rules, and accessory dwelling units are handled in Grimes. The packet indicates these amendments are intended to bring City Code into compliance with state code requirements and clarify local zoning procedures.

Keywords

Planning and Zoning Commission, James Place PUD, zoning amendments, Board of Adjustment, accessory dwelling units, architectural design