Senate adopts urban design standards bill to house board at Iowa State and limit mid-project local changes; HF2667 passes

Senator Webster (Scott) described House File 2667 (substituted for Senate File 23-94) as a measure creating a state-level urban design and specification board, to be housed at Iowa State University, and revising membership on the board by reducing certain organizational appointments and adding seats appointed by the American Council of Engineering Companies and the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council.

Webster said the amendment reduces some appointing bodies to one seat, adds several seats, specifies that certain appointing authorities must appoint licensed professional engineers, and removes county provisions from the bill. The amendment also requires that before a city council approves a project that is more restrictive or not in compliance with Iowa DOT standards, the project manager submit a report describing project costs; it prohibits a city from modifying project standards and specifications in the middle of a project.

Senator Webster moved the amendment and final passage of HF2667 as amended. After roll call the secretary announced 28 ayes and 18 nays; the bill was declared to have passed the Senate and the title agreed to. Webster asked unanimous consent to withdraw the underlying Senate file; the request was granted.