HomeMy WebLinkAboutA011 - Letter dated January 28, 1997 from Ames Neighborhood Coalistion r+
AMES NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION-AN�
28 January 1997
Neighborhoods United to Make a Better City
To the Mayor and Ames City Council:
The Ames Neighborhood Coalition would like to express our shock and dismay at
the recent decision concerning the conservation overlay district for the downtown
neighborhood area.
A critical part of the conservation strategy is the maximum of 25% multiple family
units in those mixed density, older neighborhoods. A percentage close to this figure is
important because it provides for a neighborhood that is attractive to single family home
owners, while still providing a diversity of housing options. This percentage of multiple
family units cannot just be chosen based on political expediency to allow some additional
apartment house development. It must be based on a percentage that will encourage the
conservation of the existing housing structures and provide a desirable living environment.
Neighborhoods with a much larger percentage of multiple family apartments will
be much less attractive to owner occupying families. In the downtown neighborhoods,
which currently have a higher percentage of multiple housing units, we would hope to
gradually, over several years, see a conversion of multiple units back to low density units
in many of the structures originally built as single family homes,until this more ideal
multiple unit percentage is reached. We will then see truly vital downtown neighborhoods.
Your recent vote to change the method of calculating the percentage of multiple
units, after many months of discussing the 25% calculation by unit, completely changes
what we have been working toward. It will drastically change the character and livability of
our older neighborhoods. Please reconsider your actions on this matter.
Sincerely, 1�\
Rebecca A. Shivvers
Secretary
Ames Neighborhood Coalition
pc: Brian O'Connell
Steve Shainker
Ames Neighborhood Coalition, P. O. Box 4, Ames, Iowa 50010-0004