Altoona Plan Commission Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Altoona Plan Commission met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue, to hold a public hearing and to develop recommendations for the Common Council on the River Prairie Townhomes Phase II and a one-lot Certified Survey Map in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. All votes were voice votes with no opposition noted; Council consideration is scheduled for January 22, 2026.

Call to Order, Roll Call, and Routine Approvals

• Acting Chair Matthew Beeron presided in the absence of Mayor Brendan Pratt. Present: Members Sue Roll, Nicholas Hogg, Bill Hepner, Dean Roth. Absent: Ryan Looty. Staff present: Planning Director Taylor Greenwell and City Clerk Cindy Bauer. A quorum was established.
• The Commission approved the minutes of the December 9, 2025, Regular Plan Commission meeting by voice vote; motion carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens Participation Period: No one offered comments on non-agenda items.
• Public Hearing – River Prairie Townhomes Phase II Preliminary Plat: The hearing was opened as scheduled for 5:30 p.m. or soon thereafter; no members of the public testified, and the hearing was closed by voice vote.

Discussion Items

Certified Survey Map – River Prairie Townhomes Phase II (Tom Toy, 2269 Lake Road)

• Staff explained this is the first step in re-entitlement: the existing plat lot lines would be erased and the Phase II site consolidated into a single lot. A future condominium plat would then create 10 condominium units.
• The zoning is River Prairie, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s low-scale neighborhood designation.
• Staff recommended approval of the CSM subject to stated conditions. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the two-step process, then voted to recommend Council approval as conditioned.

Preliminary Plat – River Prairie Townhomes Phase II (Public Hearing and Recommendation)

• The preliminary plat shows 10 condominium lots with access off Lake Road and private internal access via an access and utility easement maintained by the HOA/condo association; Lake Road remains public.
• No environmentally sensitive areas were identified, and no park dedication was required because the proposal reduces the number of units from the original approval. A separate site plan approval will be required, including parking review.
• Staff recommended approval as conditioned.
• One commissioner thanked the applicant for patience and stated that the pivot in scope made sense.
• Another commissioner raised concern about declaration provision 7.4, which allows each condominium unit to be leased, saying it could become a de facto apartment building. Staff responded that the sales agreement still requires a good-faith effort to sell the units, rental is permitted only while units remain unsold, and state law generally allows owners to rent their property.
• The Commission voted to recommend Council approval of the preliminary plat as conditioned.

Certified Survey Map – Sandra Strobush One-Lot Land Division (ETJ)

• Applicant Sandra Strobush proposes a one-lot division of an unplatted 38.68-acre parcel, parcel #180242270828200001, located in Altoona’s extraterritorial jurisdiction about 1.5 miles from the city limits.
• The proposed five-acre lot would include the existing house, garage, and outbuildings; the property has well and septic and no city water/sewer services. The comprehensive plan land use designation is agricultural, and no change in use is proposed.
• The ETJ ordinance requires a 10-acre minimum lot size for new divisions. A separate ETJ agreement will be submitted to the Council to allow the exception; the applicant must comply with all ETJ requirements.
• Staff recommended approval, conditioned on Council approval of the ETJ agreement and compliance with ordinance requirements.
• The Commission voted to recommend Council approval of the CSM as conditioned.

Title 19 Zoning Code Amendment – Deferred

• Agenda Item 5, an amendment to Title 19 'Zoning' of the Altoona Municipal Code, was removed from the agenda until a later date. Staff reported that ZPAC members requested additional review time.
• The item is expected to return to the Plan Commission on February 10, 2026, with a public open house the same day (time to be confirmed), and is scheduled for Council review on February 26, 2026. No vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission voted to recommend that the Common Council approve the River Prairie Townhomes Phase II Certified Survey Map, subject to staff conditions.
• The Commission voted to recommend that the Common Council approve the River Prairie Townhomes Phase II Preliminary Plat, subject to staff conditions.
• The Commission voted to recommend that the Common Council approve the Strobush one-lot Certified Survey Map, subject to staff conditions and Council approval of the required ETJ agreement.
• The Title 19 zoning amendment was deferred; no recommendation was made.
• The Common Council’s January 22, 2026, meeting will include consideration of these recommendations; public hearings are on the agenda for the River Prairie CSM and the Strobush CSM.
• In miscellaneous business, the Planning Director said the final River Prairie Townhomes condominium plat and site plan/SIP applications are expected within the next couple of months. The meeting adjourned by voice vote.