At Greater Iowa City, Inc., we believe that advancing commercial development and addressing housing affordability requires collective effort. It’s about partnerships, persistence, and a shared vision for a thriving community. That’s why we’re pleased to see the City of Iowa City release its new Form-Based Code Users Guide—a resource designed to make navigating development standards more accessible for everyone.
This guide is a direct response to feedback from the development community and advocates, like Greater IC, who have long emphasized the need for clear, practical tools to streamline the development process. It walks users through key requirements for areas planned for form-based zones, ensuring that landowners, developers, and community members alike can better understand and apply these standards. While this guide is intended to be helpful, it is not meant to replace the use of the Iowa City Zoning or Subdivision Codes as staff is in the process of considering multiple amendments.
The release of this guide is a significant step forward, and it’s also a reminder that no single organization or entity moves the needle on development alone. Progress like this comes from sustained collaboration between municipalities, advocacy organizations, and stakeholders across the community. Together, we can tackle complex challenges like housing affordability and commercial development, creating solutions that benefit everyone. This guide complements ongoing efforts to support Strategic Investment Districts, which prioritize targeted revitalization and align public and private sector goals to drive economic growth.
We encourage the development community to explore this guide and participate in the upcoming workshop planned for later this spring. It’s through active engagement that we can continue to refine processes and remove barriers to thoughtful, sustainable growth.
Access the Form-Based Code Users Guide here, and join us in building a more vibrant, accessible community.
Progress takes all of us working together—and every step forward counts.
