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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - letters in support and against i Q , ® �N I j is LL � I t I i i i I 1 I I I I i f � i n FF UIRLO a � e David and Susan Siev 231 East Ninth St. Ames, IA 50010 November 5, 1991 NOV - 01991 Ames City Council -°CL O515 Clark Avenue CITY OF AWES, IWA Ames, Iowa 50010 To the City Council : We urge you to rezone 722 Crawford Avenue and the adjacent area to R2. Increasing the density in this neighborhood will escalate the traffic burden, among other things. The Maxwell /Ninth/Crawford intersection is particularly dangerous already. Many small children and senior citizens live in this moderate-income family neighborhood. Support the safety of our children and elderly. Vote to rezone to R2. Thank you. (�ems, ur' David Siev Susan Siev NOV - CiT't C!TY OF November 8 , 1991 Planning and Zoning Boa d Ames City Hall Dear Board Members : Ne support the rezoning of the Carroll Street neighborhood to R-2. WE would like to see the houses that are there remain as single family low cost dwelling. Tha k you for considering our input . Sincerely, Jeff and Marilyn Thompson 320 East Sixth R �5VD NOV n 1.991 CITY OF AMES,IOWA DEPT. OF PLANNING&HCXJSING r NOV - i CITY CLERK cln of AMES,lows November 8 , 1991 Honorable Mayor and Council Members: I 'm writing to you because your vote on the proposed downzoning of the bandshell pa k area at next Tuesday's coun- cil meeting is very important to my family and me. Back in 1983 my wife and I decided to invest in a rental property. We looked at 324 East Seventh, a 4-plex apartment, just to the West of H&F' s Eastwood apartments. However, be- fore buying, one of our primary concerns was whether we would be able to build on or expand in the future. Therefore, we went to the city planning and zoning department and talked with John Luchan and Hal Briley. We checked on the zoning which was R-3 and also the lot size . The lot was large enough to have a total of six units. We felt assured by the city that building on would never be a problem, so we went ahead and bought the 4-plex. A few years later we were approached by Mancel Lee, who owns the property just to t e West of our 4-plex, about buying his property. Once again, we went to the city to check out the possibilities. We found that if we had both lots we could have a total o 13 units. We didn't buy his lot at that time because we weren't financially able. Since then, Mr. Lee has decided to live out his life there. He would still like us to someday have his property and has granted us in his will the fir t opportunity to buy it. My wife and I have been very excited about this op- portunity for a long time. Our future plans for this lot have become a dream of ours. is this dream that I 'm asking you to keep alive. Now this dream might sound unimportant or even "corny" to you but it means a great deal to us. Finding lots in Ames large enough to accommodate a 12-plex is rare. And trying to complete with H&F, Friedrich, etc. , is im- possible for a small family operation like ours. That is why a special opportunity like this is extremely important to us. One other thing that I would like to mention is that we take a great deal of pride in our property. Any structure that we would ever build would certainly be an attribute to the neighborhood. Our current 4-plex is clean and attractive inside and out, which is more than can be said for some of the owner-occupied single-family homes in the bandshell area. My father, wife and I do all bur own upkeep and I feel run a very reputable rental business. We have two sons ages 5 and 6 who we hope to work into our rental business in the years ahead. r I have several more reason that I feel are valid that I will save for the meeting Tue-sday night. This will be the fifth meeting regarding this issue that I have attended and spoke at since it began last year. My family and I are very concerned about keeping our dream alive. We very much ap- preciate your time in reading this letter and consideration Tuesday night. We ask for your vote to leave this area zoned R-3 . Thank you. Sincerely, ` JIM SORENSON OVER 100 YEARS OF PROVIDING HOMES FOR AMES' FAMILIES 223 East 6th Street Ames , Iowa 50010 November 7 , 1991 To: Ames City Council Members Pat Brown Ann Campbell Joyce Hertz Judie Hoffman John Parks Sharon Wirth As you are aware , the public hearing for rezoning a portion of Bandshell Neighborhood is scheduled for November 12 . Enclosed you will find information from our neighborhood explaining why we strongly support the Planning and Zoning Commission' s unanimous recommendation on this rezoning Froposal . If we can provide you with any additional information or answer any questions, please feel free to contact us at 232-5685 . We hope you will be able to vote for this rezoning request . Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Harvey and Mary Terpstra cc: Mayor Larry Curtis Steve SShainker OVER 100 YEARS OF PROVIDING NOMES FOR AMES' FAMILIES Rezoning Position Statement Introduction A proposal to rezone a portion of the Bandshell Neighborhood area is before you again. It has been nearly a year since your earlier decision to rezone a large portion of our neighborhood to R2 . The results of that decision can already be seen in the attitude of the residents and in the improvement projects they have undertaken. These improvements include foundation repair , a complete new basement installation, garage construction, chimney reconstruction, siding installation, repainting, and landscaping. We would attribute a good portion of this investment to a new attitude brought about by the low density zoning. Bandshell Neighborhood is alive and well . We thank you for what you have done for us . The matter before you at this time involves the eastern portion of our neighborhood, east of Crawford Avenue. As you are aware , the neighborhood residents have strong feelings that the lot at 722 Crawford Avenue and the entire area at the east end of East 6th Street should be zoned R2 . Since the Planning and Zoning Commission requested the reevaluation of this area, we welcome the opportunity to have the zoning reconsidered. As you have had explained to you, the Planning and Zoning Commission did not give you a recommendation last year on the area east of Crawford Avenue. Instead, they asked that a traffic impact study be done before a recommendation was made . The traffic study was presented to the Commission last summer. Finally, this fall the Commission evaluated the traffic information as well as other new information and made a unanimous recommendation to rezone the area R2 . We were very pleased with this Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and very strongly support it . The Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation is supported by: Current Land Use of the Area > 80% of the land area east of Crawford Avenue , excluding Eastwood Apartments , is single family and duplex. > 87% of the land area along the eastern portion of East 6th Street is low density. The area contains 18 single family homes , 1 duplex, and 3 multiple unit apartment buildings . > a zoning change from R3 to R2 will not create any additional non-conforming structures since the bulk regulations for R3 and R2 are nearly the same . " (Staff report , 10/2/91 ) > The eastern portion of East 6th Street is contiguous with the R2 area to the west , not with the Eastwood Apartment complex to the north. The street and sidewalk pattern does not even provide access between East 6th Street and Eastwood Apartments without going out to Crawford. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation is supported by: Current Land Use of our Community > Since the City Council evaluated this area last year , new information on R3 usage in the community has been gathered and perspectives have changed. "The total number of R3 acres available for development is more than adequate to meet projections for R3 ,land based on the current mix of housing types . Removal of this area from the inventory would not reduce the inventory of R3 land below the minimum needed for medium density development. " (Staff report , 10/2/91 ) The Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation is supported by: Housing Stock in the Area > All homes , except the one at 722 Crawford, are in good condition. > Ames has identified a need for the affordable housing provided in this area. "Clearly, since affordable housing is considered to be a variable in deciding whether to downzone this area to R2 . . . , it must be concluded that the homes in this area constitute affordable housing based on their assessed value . " (Staff report , 10/2/91 ) > Since our original rezoning proposal last year , the City has taken steps to alleviate the shortage of affordable homes. To date , the City initiatives have produced 5 or 6 new housing units at a significant administrative and directly subsidized cost to the City. The City is also working on a grant proposal that would return rental housing stock to affordable owner-occupied housing . In fact , at least one of the properties in this neighborhood has been targeted as a home that could be included in the grant proposal . AN R2 ZONING FOR THIS AREA WOULD IMMEDIATELY WORK TO CONSERVE 18 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND 1 DUPLEX WITH AN AVERAGE ASSESSED VALUE OF ABOUT $48 ,000 . Preserving these types of neighborhoods will certainly not completely solve Ames ' affordable housing crisis , but we believe without doubt that the problem will also never be solved without preserving these neighborhoods . > Two of the homes in the area have been identified as "noteworthy" due to their construction history (See attachment) . The majority of the homes have been recognized as good examples of post World War II construction. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation is supported by: The Policies of our Community' s Land Use Policy Plan > .722 Crawford should be rezoned R2 to reflect the LUPP' s guidelines for zoning district boundaries . "To the greatest extent possible zoning district boundaries will be created so as to be parallel to or along rear lot lines. " (LUPP) The lot size is unique with a narrow width that does not make it well suited for multiple unit development . A court decision this past summer upheld the Zoning Board of Adjustment ' s decision that a large apartment building is not suitable at this location. 722 Crawford is currently the only lot fronting on Crawford Avenue that is not zoned R2 . > "The integrity of residential neighborhoods will be protected by eliminating, where possible , major streets through neighborhoods . . . " (LUPP) The traffic impact study considered the impact of medium density development at the eastern end of East 6th Street . The study reported that a significant increase in traffic on East 6th Street would result . The report goes on to say the traffic could be managed by designating East 6th Street as a collector street , removing parking from one side , and installing stop signs at intersections . We have little doubt that the traffic could be managed in this way, but the real issue is the impact on the low density neighborhood it passes through on the way to Duff Avenue . The busy street would isolate the neighborhood park from the rest of the neighborhood, making it more dangerous for children to visit the park. Front yards along East 6th Street would become more dangerous places for children to play. The inability to park in front of one ' s home would become a constant irritation. When neighborhood impact is considered, we feel the traffic impact study supports our contention of future problems . A busy street should not be created through our neighborhood. "A community priority is to maintain and enhance the integrity and character of existing residential neighborhoods. " (LUPP) Transitional Zoning We feel that the Planning and Zoning Commission' s recommendation clearly reflects our community' s commitment to affordable housing , to conservation of the diversity of housing stock, and to preserving moderate income neighborhoods . We feel that transitional zoning is not a useful concept in this East 6th Street situation. We realize that city utilities border our neighborhood on the south. It should be noted that this usage also borders the section of our neighborhood already zoned R2 . Three factors should be considered: 1 . There has been no change in the area for about 30 years , even with the R3 zoning designation. We must recognize that there is a strong force at work to keep the housing stock intact as single family homes . 2 . We must realize that these "less than ideal" conditions are exactly what may make the housing affordable . Although the location may not be for everyone, houses located here have and, if supported, will continue to provide shelter for Ames families. 3 . The majority of the property owners want the area to remain low density as it was developed. We understand transitional zoning to be a kind of "buffer" from one zoning district to another. We know that the west end of East 6th Street does not want to be "buffered" by higher levels of development . In fact, we believe an R3 transition zone would only cause more problems with traffic and parking for our neighborhood. The final and most important reason for our opposition to the transitional zoning concept is that leaving the area R3 says that we believe homes there should be destroyed and redevelopment should occur , and we do not believe that. Rather , we believe that adopting the Planning and Zoning Commission ' s recommendation .is in the best interest of our neighborhood and our community. We hope you will carefully consider these thoughts in your deliberations. Thank you. Bandshell Neighborhood Association 7 November 1991 Ames City Council Ames City Hall 515 Clark Avenue Subject: Rezoning of 722 Crawford Avenue and East 6th Street Thank you for sending the public notice concerning the rezoning that includes to be on the record the property of these area to R2 anWetconsiderr this a positive that step for support that we own. We ou the rezoning neighborhood. Sincerely, Robert and Jolene Yoder bcc: Harvey and Mary Terpstra Thanks for your note and the work you have done. 1.RDV@ISUMVS 325 E Sth Sheet,Ames, IA 50010, USA Ph: 515-232-7183 CGNET: R.YODER CG1267) BITNET: 5 �? C� U l ✓ � � � C `� � p� � �� �� � ��� � -�-� y � 7 -- �� �/z ! - �'- G � � v ���iG.� � �{ i � �- �P- z - �� I 7 November 1991 rr LLC;Uy OFOF AhScS, IOWq Ames City Council Ames City Hall 515 Clark Avenue Subject: Rezoning of 722 Crawford Avenue and East 6th Street Thank you for sending the public notice concerning the rezoning that includes the property that we own. We want it to be on the record that we support the rezoning of these area to R2. We consider this a positive step for our neighborhood. 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TiSI _�vO e7/� ,�/.�/E_/¢,c �a/11-- a T �j 7`A 4,L a N�- T/ i— •4 ST—,C i is✓E -� ._ S /D �C o T / Ta -- - _14 t-cJ C'ar4 dE fit U C---d -- _ - — ,r —ZJ�l,E/yGZ_13 A. �Q ice. ,— co /Y N 7-d A3 J- �y D 774 Il G 1Z EA S 7- 4 L o N-e- ---T/ r/4 EA S 7 /2 _7_1 E2 a C i So u 7/-J ,4 L a N c 71.4 4 --)-EA s 7` 5 A i i) T- .C.o �,i G T - Env Tt L �v a .4 s T - // /O 4-P �i� P ,4 L� , L Ta 57 Po i,v ��-ST --_ __TU_-- T_ �'�----G—��'-w__Ti`,�._Licl� --__a:�.-.__G� •4��.y_fd12 Z- o�ivy r Support For Rezoning We, the undersigned, are property owners in the eastern portion of Bandshell Neighborhood. We support an R2 zoning for 722 Crawford ' Avenue and for the East 6th Street area. Name Address Date —LIle, -17 YL �r/y r I Affordable Housing Supplemental Statement 11/02/90 "I think there are several families that cannot afford a house here . " "Since Ames does not want a large blue collar population, it offers very little in the way of nicer mid-to-lower cost housing. Anything in that category is usually purchased by someone as rental property. " Affordable Housing Project City of Ames, Iowa As a supplement to previously written material , Bandshell Neighborhood Association presents the following information relating to the City of Ames ' report on affordable housing. The report identified a real need for affordable housing in Ames for low and moderate income individuals and families. By surveying the neighborhood, we have calculated an average assessed value for single family homes in Bandshell Neighborhood. The area contains 91 single family homes with an average value of $47 ,790 . The following table shows the number of homes in the various assessed value catagories . Assessed value Number of houses < $30 , 000 1 $30 , 000-39 ,999 11 $40 , 000-49 ,999 46 $50 , 000-59 , 999 20 $60 , 000-69 ,999 9 $70 , 000-79 ,999 3 > $80 , 000 0 As most people would readily agree, new homes of reasonable size and quality cannot be constructed in today' s economic market for $48 ,000 . A look at building permits issued in Ames for single family homes in the last 9 months (January to September , 1990) shows an average building cost of $86 ,505 . 59 . Land costs are NOT included in building permit costs and would add at least an additional $10 ,000 to the cost of the home . Building permits_ Number of permits < $30 , 000 0 $30 , 000-39 ,999 0 $40 , 000-49 ,999 1 $50, 000-59 ,999 3 $60 , 000-69 ,999 9 $70 , 000-79 , 999 12 $80 , 000-165 , 000 23 Since Ames has a significant housing affordability problem and since new homes are not being constructed in the lower price range, we suggest that Ames would be better served by encouraging the preservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement of its older, moderately priced neighborhoods. Low density zoning would be a big step towards that goal .