HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Departmental report CITY OF AMES
IPARTMENT. OF PLANNING & HOUSING •
REPORT TO THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
DATE PREPARED: October 29, 1982
MEETING DATE: November 3, 1982
CASE NO. : Z-82-4
OWNER: Scott Randall
ARCHITECT: David L. Anderson
REQUEST: To rezone from R-4 (High-Density Residential) to P=C (Planned Commercial)
LOCATION: 303 Welch Avenue (Southerner of Welch Avenue and Hunt Street)
SIZE: 16,357 square feet/.38 acres
EXISTING LAND USE: The structure is currently used as a multiple-family residential
structure.
ADJACENT ZONING & LAND USE:
North : R-4; Residential
South: R-4; Residential
East : R-4; Residential
West: R-4: Residential
FINDINGS :
Land Use Policy Plan
The Land Use Policy Plan designates the area for high density residential.
Zoning History
This area has been zoned R-4 (High-Density Residential) since the current zoning
district classifications were adopted in 1965. In the process of reviewing the
zoning map, the Commission has proposed that the subject property be rezoned P-C.
Utilities
Water -- 6" line in Welch Avenue; 4" line in Hunt Street
Sanitary Sewer -- 8 " line in Welch Avenue
Storm Sewer -- 15" line in Welch Avenue
Vehicular Access
Vehicular access is provided from Welch Avenue and Hunt Street.
Natural Features
Vegetation -- No natural vegetation other than plants normally found in
urbanized areas.
Terrain -- Flat site
Drainage -- Drainage is into the streets.
Soils -- N/A
Flooding -- N/A
Completeness of Submission
Because of the nature of the site, the Department has suggested that the
requirement for a certified topographic survey be waived, although a copy of the
City's topographic survey is included. A site plan has been submitted which
includes some information concerning the landscaping plan. The following materials
will have to be submitted for approval at a later date.
1. Landscape plan material schedule (which should be available prior to the
Commission meeting) .
2. Lighting plan (this item is normally submitted later) .
3. Signage (this item is normally submitted later) .
ANALYSIS:
There are two basic issues that the Commission must address: 1) Should the
subject property be rezoned to P-C? and 2) Are the proposed uses appropriate for
this site?
1. Rezoning Request:
The Commission has previously discussed this issue and determined that the
subject parcel should be zoned P-C. That will be the recommendation which
will go to City Council when the proposed changes in the Zoning Ordinance
are approved.
2. Proposed Uses:
The applicant is proposing the following uses:
1st Floor - Commercial (business or professional office, barber shop,
retail store)
2nd & 3rd Floors - 24 efficiency apartments
The proposed use is unique and the combination of mixing residential and
commercial uses in one structure is a resurrected development concept. It
is not a new concept, and in most older commercial areas such as the CBD
and Campustown Business District, mixed use is an accepted practice. New
mixed-use developments have not occurred, although public nolicv would indicate
support for the concept.
IMPERMISSIBLE USES :
It is necessary for the Commission to identify impermissible uses. The
Department is recommending that the following impermissible uses be identified for the
subject parcel.
1. Gasoline service station
2. Hotel/Motel
3. Bar/Tavern
4. Restaurant
PARKING:
Because of the nature of the P-C district, there is flexibility
regarding the number of parking spaces provided. The developer is proposing to
provide a dinimum of one parking space per unit (24) and there may be as many as 30.
Those spaces will be located underneath the building.
Surface parking for the commercial establishments is limited to 10 spaces on the
north side of the building. Those spaces are head-in parking directly off the street.
The Public Works Department has expressed concerns regarding the parking configuration,
and a memo regarding that concern will be sent to you prior to the meeting.
It will be up to the Commission to determine whether the proposed parking
arrangements are adequate and whether there is a need for modifications. The
Department relies on the expertise of the staff of the Public Works Department
and would generally support their recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Department recommends this request be approved with the stipulation that
any parking problems identified by the Public Works Department can be resolved.