Public Invited to Review Draft College Hill Zoning Changes in Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls residents, business owners, and UNI students are invited to take part in shaping the future of College Hill later this month.

The City of Cedar Falls will host a public presentation of the draft zoning rules for College Hill on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, during the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at 220 Clay Street.

What is Being Proposed for College Hill

The proposed zoning updates are a key step in the Imagine College Hill Vision Plan, which was adopted by the Cedar Falls City Council in 2021.

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The plan outlines long-term goals for growth in the College Hill Business District and nearby neighborhoods surrounding the University of Northern Iowa campus, while also focusing on preserving the character of existing residential areas.

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Consulting firm Codametrics, hired by the City to help guide the effort, developed the draft zoning regulations.

Leslie Oberholtzer, principal at Codametrics, will present the public review draft during the meeting.

Following the presentation, attendees are encouraged to take part in an open house in the Council Foyer outside the chambers.

The open house will feature graphics and informational displays explaining the proposed zoning code, and members of the project team will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Goals of the Proposed Zoning Updates

City leaders say the proposed changes are designed to:

• Reinforce the storefront character of the College Hill Business District

• Encourage walking and biking while supporting upper-floor residential uses

• Expand student housing options within walking distance of UNI

• Provide flexibility for the redevelopment of aging housing near campus

• Ensure new development fits the scale and character of surrounding neighborhoods

• Streamline the development review process using clearer visuals and standards

• Update parking requirements to better support development and redevelopment on the Hill

Residents will have multiple opportunities to share feedback. The draft zoning code will be available for public review by the end of the day on January 30 on the City’s Imagine College Hill project webpage.

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Questions and comments may also be submitted via email to planning@cedarfalls.com.

The initial public comment period will remain open through February 27, after which an updated draft will be prepared for formal public hearings before both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Cedar Falls City Council.

A recording or link to the January 28 presentation will also be posted online for those unable to attend in person.

While we chew on what the future for College Hill could be, since it's cold, I thought we could actually avoid chewing, and talk soup!