HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Letter of Intent by Iowa Realty Company ' A ,
anderson consultants , inc.
1440 INGERSOLL AVENUE, DES MOINES, IA. 50309
engineers - architects - planners - surveyors phone: (5153 288-4823
Donald A. Anderson P.E. & L.S.
R. Richard Fleener Assoc. AIR
Howard C. Hargis RE.
Duane McClelland RE & L.S.
William R. Meehan AIA January 26 , 1979 F/�
Richard D. Odenbach L.S.
Honorable Mayor and City Council 1-111-r 041�' 79 j9
City of Ames
Ames , Iowa 50010
Re : Letter of Intent
Request for C-5 Zoning by
Iowa Realty Co . , Inc .
Our File No . P-501 , 2840
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen :
The site plan for the existing Lincoln Manor Apartments and
proposed Lincoln Building addresses the objectives of the C-5
zoning district as follows :
1 . Reduces Adverse Effects on Subject Property and
Nearby Property.
The existing site consists of principally a large
asphalt parking lot and some unlandscaped green
area with 96 existing apartment in 12 buildings .
Approximately 50 percent of the existing parking
lot is not used by residents of the apartments
because of an over abundance of parking area.
The proposed site plan reduces the total parking
area by making it more efficient through the
utilization of traffic islands and defined driveways .
This reduction in total site area devoted to parking
allows for the construction of a new office building
along with the addition of a sizeable amount of new
landscaping.
The overall effect of these changes will be to
drastically improve the aesthetics of the entire
area as well as the economic efficiency of the site .
The new building, landscaping of the street side of
the property, and the landscaping of the existing
apartment site will substantially improve the overall
living conditions of this property as well as the
nearby properties as described below.
Branch Office: 137 Lynn Ave., Chamber-Lynn Prof.Bldg,Ames,is 50010 15151292-3008
Honorable Mayor and City Council
January 26 , 1979
Page Two .
2 . Storm Water
Existing storm sewer facilities will be retained.
These facilities are presently adequate for the
existing development . The additions to the site
will actually reduce water runoff conditions . Over
12 ,000 square feet of asphalt parking lto is being
replaced by landscaping. In areas of existing
ground cover sizeable additions of trees and other
plant materials will also be added further assisting
in the grounds ability to absorb runoff.
3 . Soil Erosion
Erosion of soil will not be a problem on this site
for the reasons mentioned in 2 above .
4 . Screen unsightly situations
Current views onto the site consist of a large open
asphalt parking lot . This will be greatly altered
under the proposed site plan. The view from Lincoln
Way will be over a 3 ` high earth berm covered with
creeping juniper.
This natural screening of the parking lot will be
broken only for the proposed office building.
The expanse of parking lot will be broken with
numerous landscaped traffic islands . The existing
apartment buildings will be landscaped to further
reduce the scale of the overall site . These efforts
will not only screen the site from view of surrounding
property owners , but will also provide a much more
private , natural and aesthetic environment for residents
of Lincoln Manor Apartments .
5 . Noise Buffer
The earth berm, landscaping and new office building
will significantly reduce traffic noise from Lincoln
Way for existing residents of the site . Such land-
scaping will also have a buffering effect on noises
generated on site which currently might be disturbing
to surrounding residents .
Honorable Mayor and City Council
January 25 , 1979
Page Three .
6 . Promotes Public Safety and Circulation
Channelization of traffic on the site as well as
improved lighting in parking areas will provide
improved pedestrian safety.
7 . Adequate Utility Service
Utility service to the existing apartment is quite
adequate and the proposed office building will not
create a significant addition to any of the systems .
8 . Fire Protection
Existing fire protection facilities are adequate for
Lincoln Manor Apartments . These facilities will not
be changed or altered. The proposed Lincoln Building
will provide its own additional fire protection
facilities in compliance with all applicable City
and State Codes .
Respectfully submitted,
ANDERSON CONSULTANTS , INC .
R. Richard Flt er
Vice President
Planning Director
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