HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Council Action Form, September 25, 1984 > l
ITEM #
DATE: 5 84
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment to Integrate Manufactured Housing Into
Residential Neighborhood
BACKGROUND:
In mid-May of 1984 , the Governor signed a new legislative provision that
requires local units of government to permit manufactured housing in all zoning
districts that. permit single family dwellings. The legislative intent appears
to minimize the distinction between manufactured housing ( i .e. , mobile homes)
and conventional traditional site built housing. Currently the Zoning Ordinance
for the City of Ames allows mobile homes only in the R-5 district.
The Department and the Planning and Zoning Commission have reviewed the current
zoning law and considered alternative amendment provisions that would allow
manufactured housing as single family dwellings, yet maintain the traditional
integrity of residential neighborhoods in the city. These provisions centered
primarily on design features of manufactured housing that would require
compatibility with site built housing. These design features included:
1 . Requiring a minimum width, length, or depth of 20 feet so as to create
a minimum design feature for all single family structures. This would
prohibit all single family structures less than 20 feet in width,
length, or depth.
2. Requiring all single family dwellings to have:
( a) A roof pitch of 2 inches per foot , and that all roofs have
asphalt, wood or similar type shingles;
(b) Only siding of wood, simulated wood, lapped steel or aluminum,
brick , stone, stucco, or concrete would be permitted. Further,
the siding must be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood
(200' ) if the area is more than 80% built up.
(c ) A roof overhang or eave of at least one foot on at least two
opposite sides of the structure.
In essence, these design features would be added to the definition of a single
family dwelling so as to accomplish uniform application of the law.
The Department staff recommended the design features contained in items 1 and 2b
above. Items 2a and 2c were not recommended because these items could eliminate
building creativity and produce an excessive demand for variances to the law.
In addition to these suggested changes, the Department also recommended the
inclusion of national construction standards for mobile homes so as to be
consistent with federal law. Other editorial changes to the zoning ordinance
are also included so as to maintain compliance with the new Iowa law. A copy of
the proposed ordinance amendment as recommended is attached. Please review and
understand this amendment.
2
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . Adopt the ordinance as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and
the Department of Planning after due notice and public hearing.
2. Refer the matter back to the Planning and Zoning Commission to further study
with regard to selected design standards and intent.
3. Table the issue and do nothing.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the .City Council adopt Alterna-
tive #1 and set a date of public hearing and first reading of the attached ordi -
nance on September 25, 1984.
COUNCIL ACTION: