HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Minutes of Mayor's meeting on downzoning, November 18, 1981 MINUTES OF MAYOR'S MEETING ON DOWNZONING
AMES, IOWA NOVEMBER 18, 1981
F. Paul Goodland, Mayor of Ames, had set the meeting to provide an opportunity
for neighborhood representatives, developers, realtors and students to dis-
cuss neighborhood issues and downzoning. The basic purpose of the meeting
was to share concerns , to provide a forum for hearing and listening , to help
communicate to the Council possibilities for a policy statement and decision,
and to have the listening done informally and not within the context of either
the Planning and Zoning Commission or the City Council .
The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 p.m. in the Community Room of the
First National Bank with Mayor Goodland presiding.
Mayor Goodland had prepared a "white paper" on the downzoning issue which he
summarized. One concern is the need for self-enforcement of rental housing .
The enforcement should come both from those who own the property and from
those who rent the property. Another is the conern for an exception for prop-
erties that were purchased under the R-2 zoning classification in areas that
are to be downzoned to R1-6. Also, the life style must be protected for those
who have moved to an area for a family atmosphere. A fourth concern is the
protection of low rent housing for students and others . Court cases on the
issues of downzoning have varied decisions from case to case, but it generally
appears that those who have purchased property are to have just compensation
for the intended use. Two values are involved - human value and property
value. Neighborhood compaints include noise, garbage and refuse, occupancy
violations , front-yard parking, speeding and animals.
The Mayor then opened the floor for comments from the audience.
Scott Clark, Off-Campus Student Association, spoke of the Association which
is in the process of being established to offer services and information to
students , particularly those off campus . The position of the Association is
that downzoning does affect students . Some of their concerns and ideas are:
1) since students are a major part of the community they deserve to be heard;
2) there needs to be communication between the students and the City; 3) de-
signing a community is a challenge to form something that is desirable for
everyone; 4) the main purpose of zoning is to ensure that the land is used
to its best use for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens ; 5) down-
zoning defeats the health, safety, and welfare issue; 6) downzoning will
not solve the problems of the neighborhoods; 7) downzoning lately has been
focused on existing problems; 8) downzoning is not the only solution to the
problems or the problems of the future; 9) there is a need for cooperation
within the community; 10) more rental housing will be needed in the future;
11) people need to become more involved; 12) the first step is to get stu-
dents and residents working together and then have realtors and landowners
become involved; 13) there needs to be more strict enforcement of owners
the Rental Housing and Zoning Codes; 14) when a problem does come up, deal
with the rentors involved first before involving the realtor or owner; 15)
the "Hammer Amendment " (the Zoning Ordinance requirement, that in areas zoned
R-2 no two-family dwelling may be constructed or a structure converted to a
two-family dwelling until the Zoning Board of Adjustment issues a permit for
the same) is very viable and will provide for communication between people.
Mr. Clark offered the assistance of the Off-Campus Student Association to
help work towards a solution of the problems.
NOVEMBER 18, 1981 10INUTES - DOWNZONING .
PAGE 2 of 4
Linda Bunton, 126 S. Franklin, wanted to make the point that neighborhood
associations are not anti -student, what they are against are irresponsible
people whether they be students or landlords. Mrs . Bunton disagreed with
Mr. Clark ' s statement that there will be a continuing need for more housing.
She spoke of houses in her neighborhood that have not been rented for some
time and did not feel that conversions are needed in neighborhoods that are
trying to be status-quo. What is needed is more lower priced single-family
housing. Mrs. Bunton filed a listing of properties for rent which she had
compiled from local newspapers. She encouraged a focus on the long range
needs of the community.
Bob Friedrich, Friedrich Realty and Construction, expressed his opposition
to downzoning when it would affect people who have purchased property under
a particular zone (like R-2) with the intent of developing the property with
a use allowed by the zone. Mr. Friedrich shared the concerns of the resi-
dents . He believed that landlords need to be in better control of their
rental housing units and that better laws are needed with more strict enforce-
ment. Fie then gave a slide presentation which showed that Ames does have
some beautiful rental properties that are compatible with single-family
housing and what can be done to accomplish this . The slides also had examples
of undesirable dwellings. Mr. Friedrich pointed towards the Noise Ordinance
as an area that could be changed. Rather than giving a ticket to the person
making the noise violation, perhaps cite the owner of the property involved
or at least send the owner a copy of the ticket so that he/she is aware that
there is a problem with a tenant.
Karol Crosbie, Old Town Neighborhood Association, reported that about 1/3 of
the buildings in Ames that are architecturally significant are located in
the Old Town Neighborhood Association area which contains quite a lot of R-3
(medium-density residential ) and R-4 (high-density residential ) . The Associa-
tion is reviewing the possibility of downzoning to R-2 (low-density residen-
tial ) which they believe would benefit the entire community. The Association
is opposed to any more growth in their neighborhood.
Jay Miller, 1212 Iowa Avenue, spoke in opposition to downzoning in the Hyland
Avenue area. Fie explained that he had purchased a piece of property there
with the intention of developing it as income property in the future.
Sue Weiss, Director of Tenant/Landlord Service, went back to the comment that
there is no need for more rental property. Ms . Weiss noted that there is
adequate housing available now, but the availability of housing is based very
closely on what ISU does with their student housing. It is important for
students to be able to have the choice to live off campus. She pointed out
that there have been very few complaints from neighborhood associations in
connection with Rental Housing Code violations. Before new laws are drafted ,
Ms. Weiss encouraged utilization of what already exists. A recent survey
indicated that neighborhood association leaders are not aware of what City
laws already exists. With the way that Iowa law is written, mutiple-
family units are taxed 33% higher than single-family units which means that
students pay for a larger percentage of City services than do single-family
property owners. She was very pleased to hear that neighborhood associations
are welcoming students .
Don Biggs, 531 Hayward, did not feel that anyone fails to understand that ISU
is not a negative aspect of the community. He made a plea that everyone slow
down references to classes by occupations - what is being discussed is irresponsi-
ble vs. responsible people. Mr. Biggs did not believe that downzoning will
• NOVEMBEP#, 1981 - MINUTES - DOWNZONING
PAGE 3of4
answer the problems, but that a considerable amount of working together is
needed from the standpoint of getting students involved and in getting renters
interested in upkeep of properties .
Erb Hunziker, H & F Realty and Construction, believed that at the present
there is adequate rental housing available but that the situation will change -
progress is very important. Mr. Hunziker requested that neighborhood associa-
tions be managed differently so that the requests and desires of the associa-
tions are those of all members , notjust of a select few. The issue of down-
zoning is upward vs. outward growth with neither side wanting theirs to grow.
Some cities are proposing rezoning all R-1 property to R-2 so that people in
single-family homes can afford to live in their homes by renting part of the
dwelling. Mr. Hunziker also encouraged better enforcement of the existing
laws before new legislation is written.
Betty Ibrahim, Manning Avenue Neighborhood Association, read from a letter
she had written when the Planning and Zoning Commission was holding land use
meetings. The letter spoke of the Association ' s desire for more responsible
landlords to help improve the problems that currently exist like snow removal ,
parking, garbage, etc. The Association did not object to students , but to
the irresponsibility of landlords. Mrs. Ibrahim encouraged other associations
to hold liaisons meetings with residents , renters , and landlords .
Tom Jackson, Government of the Student Body, reported that the Government of
the Student Body had passed on November 17 a resolution codemning downzoning
on the basis of discrimination of students . They do not condone misuse of
property rights and encouraged collectively working together to solve the
problems. The community atmosphere must be preserved and must include every-
one.
Shawn Jacobson, Friley Hall - ISU, explained that dorm people want to keep
the feeling of neighborhoods. On the question of declining population, Mr.
Jacobson did not feel that the need for rental housing would be reduced.
Currently the residence halls at ISU have very crowded conditions and some
of the student housing is temporary. If the university would again assign
housing at the level that the dorms were designed to handle, there would be
a large increase in the need for rental properties . Mr. Jacobson also encourage
cooperation.
Ralph Bicknese, 419 Walnut, stated that he did not favor downzoning and ex-
pressed the need for more affordable single-family housing. The problems of
the neighborhoods are not of density but of irresponsibility. Upzoning may
help bring people together if it is done properly through architectural integrity
and taking into consideration surrounding buildings. Such planning could also
reduce the number of vehicles which would alleviate the parking problems that
have been mentioned. There must be an attempt to work together towards solu-
tions.
Jim Hamre, 3426 Coy, agreed that single-family housing will become less viable
in the future because of cost. Automobiles can be a negative factor. Mr.
Hamre reminded everyone that many of the young people coming to Ames have
never been on their own before which can be a difficult experience and a learn-
ing process. There needs to be an education process which must be continuing
since Ames is a transient community to a large degree. It is very important
that people become involved, especially at the personal level .
NOVEMBER 18, 1981 OINUTES - DOWNZONING
PAGE 4 of 4 •
Max Porter, 3224 Kingman, expressed his opinion that the downzoning in the
West Campus Area has not really helped. He suggested that City ordinances
be reviewed as well as the procedures followed for enforcement of those
ordinances . Mr. Porter believed that the existing laws are good and strong
laws and that new requirements at this time are not warranted.
Mayor Goodland thanked everyone for their comments and interest. He spoke
of housing in England which is single-family but very close together. The
Possibility of neighborliness depends on everyone reaching out. Enforce-
ment must begin in the neighborhoods with a cooperative spirit. Mayor Good-
land believed that the types of problems that have been mentioned and down-
zoning are two separate issues. The problems can be solved by everyone
working together.
The Mayor then read a proposal for neighborhood unity as prepared by Mayor
Goodland and John Klaus, the City Attorney. The proposal referred to the
Mayflower Compact which our forefathers signed before leaving the ship that
brought them to the new world. It set out how they ought to live with each
other as free people. This type of "social contract" for the neighborhoods
could be useful . It would be a written document whereby all of us could more
clearly establish that the necessary governance comes with the consent of
the governed and not imposed by "government". Mayor Goodland proposed that
the arduous but hopeful process be initiated of drafting a document for
each neighborhood wishing to participate. For each it would be a statement
of quidelines for responsible behavior and community life for all . It would
become a document to which every member of the neighborhood community, home
owners , tenants and rental property owners and developers could subscribe as
a member of the community.
However, such a document would be the last act of the process . The first
act is to designate a forum for discussion and deliberation. Mayor Goodland
requested that the University/Student/City Committee serve as the forum and
that they develop and set in motion a process of hearings and deliberations
that will result in a body of written guidelines for community life and a
process for mediating any disputes that might arise within the scope of the
"neighborhood compact" which every citizen of the community will be able to
sign and live by.
Mayor Goodland again thanked everyone for their participation and adjourned
the meeting at 9:11 p.m.
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