Altoona Plan Commission Meeting Summary - July 14, 2026

The City of Altoona Plan Commission met on July 14, 2026. The official agenda listed the meeting time as 4:30 PM CT. (The user-provided metadata specifies 2026-07-14 11:30:00+00:00). Chair Mayor Brendan Pratt presided. Commissioners Ryan Looty, Sue Roll, Nicholas Haug, and Bill Hepner were present. Dean Roth and Matthew Bureen were absent. Planning Director Taylor Greenwell and City Clerk Cindy Bauer were present. The meeting covered a condominium plat and a zoning code restructuring ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 12, 2026 meeting were approved. Commissioner Sue Roll abstained.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The citizen participation period was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking to non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

1. Condominium Plat for 1485 Front Porch Place

• Project Description: Planning Director Taylor Greenwell presented a request for a two-lot condominium plat for an existing building at 1485 Front Porch Place. The building currently houses commercial and multifamily residential uses. The plat allows the commercial unit to be sold separately. No change of use is proposed. The parcel is 0.4 acres. Staff recommended approval as conditioned.
• Applicant Representation: Derek Trainer, President of Property Mines, represented the owner. He stated that three previous bar and grill businesses failed in the space. The buyer is Juvilee, a med spa.
• Commission Discussion: A commissioner expressed concern that a med spa would not provide the same street-level activation as a restaurant, noting a prior decision to deny an office use. The commissioner acknowledged the business turnover. Director Greenwell clarified the decision was strictly on the plat, not the use.
• Outcome: Motion by Hepner, second by Looty. Carried. To be discussed at the July 23 Council meeting.

2. Ordinance 7B-26 - Environmental and Natural Resources Code

• Project Description: Director Greenwell presented Ordinance 7B-26, relocating shoreline and wetland zoning from Title 19 (Zoning) to a new Title 18 (Environmental and Natural Resources) to streamline DNR approval processes. The shoreline section was updated to state standards. Other sections were relocated without substantive changes.
• Commission Discussion: A commissioner asked about the entirely redlined text. Director Greenwell confirmed it is technically new code but largely relocated text.
• Outcome: Motion to recommend approval to Council. Carried.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: The May 12, 2026 minutes were approved. Commissioner Roll abstained.
• Condo Plat Recommended: The Commission recommended approval of the condominium plat for 1485 Front Porch Place. (Motion by Hepner, Second by Looty. No opposition.)
• Ordinance Recommended: The Commission recommended approval of Ordinance 7B-26. (No opposition.)
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.