HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Minutes of Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of December 7, 1977 - MINUTES
-
CITY OF AMES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
December 7, 1977 PLAN COMMISSION: APRIL
Harold ro Zd R. (Bud) Nichol, Jr.,
Chairman 1979
Norman Riis, Vice-Chairman 1980
7.30 p.m. *Georgene Shank 1978
CaZZ to Order Patrick Shaughnessy 1978
Valerie Cholvin 1979
*Louis Lex, Jr. 1980
Council Chambers Donald T. Bledsoe 1982
Place
*ABSENT
-----------------------------------
Adj ournment
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The agenda was approved on a motion by Cholvin, seconded
by Riis.
MINUTES:
Minutes of November 2, 1977, Regular Meeting were unanimously approved as written on
a motion by Riis, seconded by Cholvin.
Minutes of November 16, 1977, Administrative Meeting were unanimously approved as
written on a motion by Shaughnessy, seconded by Riis.
REZONING REQUEST:
Kenneth Larwick, et. al . , to rezone property located at 3309, 3315, 3329, and 3337
Southdale Drive from R-1 to R-2.
Mr. Brennan presented the staff review of the request noting that this request
involves four lots on the west side of Southdale Drive, each of which is the site
of a single-family dwelling. He pointed out that there are similar R-2 zoned
properties across the street. Also included in the staff recommendation was that
the property located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Southdale Drive
and Jewel Drive be rezoned along with the said four properties to R-2 since it
presently is the site of a legal nonconforming duplex. Mr. Brennan explained that
when this structure was built, it was outside the City limits and when annexed to
the City, the zoning of the property automatically became R-1 even though the structure
was a duplex.
Mr. Brennan pointed out that physical barriers such as the drainageway and the proposed
paving of Prairie Drive will separate this area zoned R-2 from the R-1 zone.
Mr. Larwick responded to questions from the Commission and indicated that his basement
Page Two
has never been flooded and only once since he has lived there has the sump pump even
kicked on. He indicated that his request is based on the desire to put an apartment
into his basement and that the owners of all properties requested to be rezoned had
joined in the petition for rezoning. Mr. Larwick suggested that the drainageway
should possibly be looked at for enlargement since the more development there is to
the north, the worse the situation of drainage is going to get.
In response to a question by Mr. Riis , Mr. Wooldridge noted that studies of the
drainageway were made at the time of the processing of the Southdale Subdivision
(2 years ago) .
One person, Mr. Donald Love, 3332 Opal Drive, spoke in opposition of the rezoning
request. His major reason for opposing the rezoning was that he thought the area 's
intended use was single-family residential .
Mr. Wooldridge noted that one telephone call had been received by the Community
Development Department in opposition to the rezoning request.
MOTION (Shaughnessy, Riis) To approve the rezoning request as stated in
the staff recommendation.
(Staff recommendation read as follows :
It is recommended that this request be approved.
It is further recommended that the property on
the southwest corner of Jewel Drive and Southdale
Drive be included in this request since that
structure is presently being used as a duplex. )
Some discussion took place regarding this request. It seemed to be the consensus of
the Commission that because of the fact that Prairie Drive will not go all the way
through and because of the existence of the natural drainageway as a physical barrier,
there is no reason to oppose this request.
VOTING AYE: Nichol , Riis, Shaughnessy, Cholvin, Bledsoe
VOTING NAY: None (Lex and Shank absent)
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE:
Mr. Wooldridge presented a comprehensive report of the status of the Subdivision
Ordinance noting that on October 19, the Commission reviewed the September draft
of the Ordinance and made changes. He noted also that every item had been decided
upon except two, those being the question of storm water management regulations ,
and wording of the City Council 's resolution on paving streets in industrial areas .
With regard to storm water management, Mr. Wooldridge suggested that the Subdivision
Ordinance not be comprehensive, but that a separate type regulation be drafted. He
recommended that a reference be made under 'Article III. IMPROVEMENTS, Section 32-3002,
Storm sewers; duty of owner to construct" , by adding another sentence as follows :
"In the storm water system design phase, consideration shall be given to storm water
management. "
Some discussion took place regarding guidelines for storm sewer systems as set out by
the Engineering Department of the City.
The sentence to be added to Section 32-3002 of Article III was decided to be as
follows: "In the storm water system design phase, consideration shall be given to
Page Three
alternatives and principles of storm water management. "
Mr. Riis asked what form future consideration of the storm water management issue
would take. Mr. Wooldridge answered that he was not sure what form it would take
but that it would probably follow the framework that the Soil Conservation Service
was now developing with regard to point/non-point pollution.
MOTION (Riis, Bledsoe) That the recommended change on storm water
drainage be approved.
VOTING AYE: Shaughnessy, Cholvin, Bledsoe, Riis, and Nichol
VOTING NAY: None (Lex and Shank absent)
Mr. Riis suggested that under 'Section 32-2004, 3. Walkways" , the word "parks" be
added so it would read as follows :
"Pedestrian walkways , not less than 10 feet in width, may be required where
deemed essential to provide access to schools, parks and playgrounds ,
commercial areas, transportation, or community facilities . "
With regard to the second item mentioned (City Council 's resolution of not requiring
paving in industrial and commercial subdivisions until a certain amount of development
had taken place in the area) , Mr. Wooldridge suggested adding the following:
"Such paving shall be done in a contiguous manner so as to avoid gaps. "
The need for this provision within the Subdivision Ordinance was questioned and Mr.
Wooldridge explained that the purpose of this is to bring that ordinance up to date
with Council policy.
Considerable discussion was held regarding the required paving of industrial and
commercial subdivision streets.
After discussion, it was decided to incorporate the following into the Subdivision
Ordinance at the end of "Section 32-3009, b. " :
"Such paving shall be done continuously from the entrance into the
subdivision."
MOTION (Cholvin, Riis) To approve the recommended change regarding
paving in industrial and commercial subdivisions
VOTING AYE: Shaughnessy, Cholvin, Bledsoe, Riis and Nichol
VOTING NAY: None (Lex and Shank absent)
MOTION (Shaughnessy, Cholvin) To approve the revised Subdivision Ordinance
including changes made tonight and to transmit
same to the City Council for their approval
at an early meeting in January.
Mr. Riis suggested that the flow chart be included as part of the Subdivision Ordinance.
VOTING AYE: Shaughnessy, Cholvin, Bledsoe, Riis, and Nichol
VOTING NAY: None (Lex and Shank absent)
v
Page Four
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION:
Discussion regarding the outcome of the joint meeting with the Parks & Recreation
Commission on November 30 was held.
Mr. Riis made the comment that he felt it was unfortunate that remarks were made
about the City refusing to buy certain property that was offered to them for park
land. He noted that all property is not suitable for park land and that the Parks
Commission is making a concerted effort to judge each offer on its own merits .
Mr. Bledsoe suggested that possibly an open discussion should be held between
developers, Parks & Recreation Commission and Planning & Zoning Commission so
that park land could be agreed upon. He felt the best way of obtaining park land
within subdivisions is to negotiate, with nothing being mandatory.
Mr. Riis reiterated the three alternatives (PUD, lot reduction method, and mandatory
dedication of land/fees in lieu thereof) that were discussed at the joint meeting
and he noted his desire that the negotiation method of obtaining park land be
continued.
MOTION (Bledsoe, Riis) To adjourn.
VOTING AYE: Shaughnessy, Riis , Nichol , Bledsoe, and Cholvin
VOTING NAY: None (Lex and Shank absent)
Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Ronald R. Wooldridge, Chief Planner Harold R. Nichol , Jr. , Chairman
pr