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Home My WebLink AboutA005 - Planning and Zoning Commission administrative meeting minutes - MINUTES - ' CITY OF AMES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING PLAN COMMISSION: APRIL October 24, 1979 Esther Whetstone, Chairperson 1983 Date Donald Bledsoe, Vice-Chair person 1982 * Norman Riis 1980 * Louis Lex 1980 7:35 p.m. Alan KahZer 1983 Call to Order Jackie Manatt 1984 Roy Zingg 1984 Council Chambers *ABSENT Place - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9.25 p.m. Adjournment CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Whetstone. Persons in attendance at this meeting included: Ron Harkin, Tom Jensen, & Steve Beach--Hallett's Construction Co. Larry Antosch & Merwin Dougal--Iowa State University Harris Seidel & Tom Neuman--City Water Plant George Koerber, Bill Whitman, Marilyn Haynes, Ken Jones & Larry Niegowski--Story County Planning & Zoning Patrick Switz, Ron Wooldridge & Eden Schmitt--Community Development Dept. Pat Kinney--Ames Daily Tribune FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY/FLOODPLAIN ZONING ORDINANCE: Mr. Wooldridge addressed the Commission and gave a brief background of the events leading up to this request for final adoption of the Flood Insurance Study and the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Wooldridge discussed the newspaper article which outlined the main point of a meeting held on Septem- ber 11, 1979, at which Mr. Gary McClure, Federal Emergency Management Agency, was present. It was pointed out by Mr. McClure at that meeting that the City of Ames must participate and adopt the floodplain guidelines in order to continue to be eligible to receive disaster assistance in the event of a flood or tornado. Mr. Wooldridge informed the Commission that the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance conforms to the guidelines as set out by the Iowa Natural Resources Council . Regarding the Flood Insurance Study, the Federal Insurance Administration's minimum standard of 1.0' increase in flood height is being recommended to be more restrictive to increase the flood heights to a 0. 1 ' increase. This recom- mendation has the backing and concurrence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Iowa Natural Resources Council . Mr. Wooldridge referred to illustrative maps in explaining the Floodway and Floodway Fringe designations to be used in conjunction with the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance. He noted that the maps prepared by the Corps of Engineers are basically the ones we have been using since 1966. The Floodplain Ordinance incorporates three general districts: Floodway District (FW) , Floodway Fringe P & Z COMMISSION -2- OCTOBER 24, 1979 District (FF) , and General Floodplain District (FP) , with the Floodway District being the most restrictive. Merwin Dougal , Director of Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute, addressed the Commission and offered his support of the proposed Floodplain Management Ordinance as well as the proposed 0.1 ' increase in flood height. Dr. Dougal explained the concept of the 100-year flood and noted that the government is now considering changing that designation to one of a 500-year flood. Mr. Wooldridge noted that there are a few proposed changes (to be requested when further information becomes available) in the Corps of Engineers ' maps, particularly with regard to an extension of Elwood from Lincoln Way to 6th Street and a redesignation in the area near the 13th Street extension. FEMA has indicated, however, that the maps should be adopted as they exist, with the understanding that when further information becomes available, they can be amended. Mr. . Wooldridge distributed copies of a recommended motion to be introduced that would approve the maps, the Flood Insurance Study, and the Floodplain Ordinance. He noted that this paragraph should be substituted for Section II .B. (page 2) of the Floodplain Ordinance. MOTION (Bledsoe, Manatt) That we adopt the recommended motion to establish the Flood Insurance Study, the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and the Flood- plain Zoning Ordinance, (that motion reading as follows: ) The official floodplain zoning map, together with all explanatory material thereon and attached thereto, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance. The official zoning map bears the signature of the Mayor attested by the City Clerk, and shall be on file in the office of the City Manager. The flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps for the City of Ames, dated are attached to and made a part of the official floodplain zoning map. Motion carried 5 to 0, with Lex and Riis absent. HALLETT'S PIT RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Mr. Zingg asked if any action was to be taken by the Commission on this item. Dr. Dougal indicated that he would like to have the endorsement of the Commission regarding this proposal so that the Council could review and act on it. Harris Seidel addressed the Commission and indicated that the City of Ames is very fortunate to have the available services of the University in doing studies such as these because they are done at a very reduced cost from what it would cost to have a consulting firm accomplish the same thing. Dr. Dougal P & Z COMMISSION -3- OCTOBER 24, 1979 indicated that the Commission's favorable action on this item will assure Council that such a study is not in conflict with what the staff is doing in the same area, but is in conjunction with it. Mr. Wooldridge indicated that the staff is in favor of the proposal and that there is no problem with the budget amount requested. Mr. Steve Beach, Hallett's Construction Company, presented the Commission with a summary statement which indicated Hallett's intentions regarding future development of their property. The statement included background information on the Hallett's Quarry property and proposed plans as far as public and private development. Hallett's Construction is proposing to make available the land on the east side of U. S. 69 to the City for public use and to develop the land on the west side of the highway for single-family private use. Mr. Beach noted that their development of the land to the west of 69 would result in millions of dollars of tax revenue to the City of Ames. (However, it was pointed out by George Koerber that 70% of those taxes would go to the County and to the Gilbert School District. ) 'Mr. Switz asked the timing on the proposed development and Mr. Beach indicated that they intend to begin development on the south side of the pit within a year or so. Dr. Dougal noted that we could acquire the Hallett's area under condemnation but he felt that we could not afford to do that, so we must work along with the developers in what they are proposing to do. Mr. Ron Harkin of Hallett's Construction noted that their company does not intend to be inflexible regarding the issue of the development of their property and noted that they are eager to work with the City and County to protect everyone's interests. George Koerber felt this area should be recommended for annexation so the City can deal with it rather than the County, and he was informed that this was attempted earlier this year, but was not approved by Council . Merwin Dougal indicated that they will work closely with City and County staff and with Hallett's Construction people in carrying out the work outlined in the research proposal . The Chairperson asked for comments from members of the Story County Planning & Zoning Commission. Mr. Bill Whitman indicated that the Hallett development plans pose somewhat of an interesting problem in that most of this property is on prime ag land, and the Story County P & Z' s policy is not to allow development on prime ag land. He noted, then, that they would probably have to be annexed to the City in order to carry out their development plans. Mr. Whitman supported the research proposal as submitted by Dr. Dougal . Mr. Ken Jones, Story County Planning & Zoning, agreed that the proposal should be accepted in order to get the job done for the lowest cost. P & Z COMMISSION -4- OCTOBER 24, 1979 MOTION (Zingg, Bledsoe) That we endorse the Dougal proposal and recommend that Council fund it. Motion carried 5 to 0, with Lex and Riis absent. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on a motion by Bledsoe, seconded by Zingg. Ronald R. 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