Iowa City’s 'Kinnick house' folly

Karin Southard | Letter to the editor

There once was a beautiful lot

With family, home and Spot

A cool evening breeze

Would whisper through trees

With shade when summers got hot



With time the house grew old

Put on the market and sold

Planned quietly

No neighbors to see

Intentions: we’re not to be told



Staff knew the plans were hot

All drawings went straight to the top

Zoning need not apply

200 guests, they don’t deny

Staff called it a house but it’s not



Old sewer is not compliant

Public records don’t deny it

Through neighbors’ yards

Keep us in the dark

Let “Kinnick” hook up and hide it



We learned of the plans in spite of

All attempts to hide ’em

With Council we’d speak

They promised we’d meet

With a formal Agenda item



Unbeknownst to us, the next day

Staff took Council’s promise away

Records clearly show

This stunt so low

Transparency, a joke we say

Staff chose to control and dictate

Decisions not up for debate

Council was gagged

Due process not had

We were forced to litigate

Some say the City was bought

7400 square feet and cover the lot

Favored treatment for one

City Codes undone

Special interests clearly won



In summary, please let me say

We hope for a much better day

When citizens are heard

Not ignored, without word

City Council, you must find a way

For additional information: https://nilesaysno.wordpress.com/

— Karin Southard, Iowa City