HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Letter dated march 23, 1992 from Midland Homes - objection to change in standards MIDLAND HONE S INC
FILED
March 23, 1992 �
The Honorable Larry Curtis and L:
MAR 2 41992
Members of the City Council
CITY G'LERK
City of Ames CITY OF AMES, IOwA
515 Clark
Ames, IA 50010
re: Proposed changes in street design standards
Dear Mayor Curtis and Council Members:
Thank you for this opportunity to voice my opinion about the proposed changes in
street construction standards for new developments in Ames. I apologize for not
being able to attend the Council meeting; other commitments prohibited me from
doing so.
I was able to discuss the proposed increases in street paving thicknesses with Mr,
Paul Wiegand, the Public Works Director and Mr. Jerry Byg, the City Engineer, Mr.
Wiegand told me he estimated the cost of the proposal would be approximately $500
per lot to the developer and would result in a long-term maintenance savings of
approximately $2000 per lot for the City.
Mr. Wiegand is to be commended for finding ways to save the City $2000 per lot.
However, asking the private sector to pay for those savings is very unfair. lie is
also to be commended for justifying this cost increase by basing it on other
communities standards. Unfortunately, that means of rationalization is not allowed
when builders and developers offer it as equally logical reasoning for NOT charging
for some of the excessive development and construction costs that Ames mandates,
While Mr. Wiegand's suggestion is well thought out and well researched, it is still
just another cost to be added to the backs of housing in Ames, a city that has shown
real concern for being too expensive to build in already. If Ames is indeed serious
about addressing its housing affordability problem, you have in front of you a
classic example of what NOT to do.
I would respectfully request, it you determine a $2000 savings is indeed attainable
for the City, that the City pay for that savings by reimbursing developers who
install the increased thicknesses; or, in the alternative, simply leave the
standards as they are now.
Sincerely,
/I)Ae—"
Ted A. Grob
President
TAG:lm
cc: Jerry Oliver
200' Sixth Avenue-Suite 900•Lies Moines,Iowa 50309.515-2�81-2808