HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Establishing a Single-Family Conservation Overlay District (SFCOD) ftT. No. 7 04838
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FILED FOR RECORD Z/-
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ORDINANCE NO. 3425 Fee$
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AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES,
IOWA, BY ENACTING A NEW SECTION 29.86 OR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING
ZONING REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH A SINGLE-FAMILY CONSERVATION
OVERLAY DISTRICT WITH COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS; REPEALING SECTION
29.84 PERTAINING TO A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON DEMOTION;
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;PROVIDING A PENALTY;AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by adding
a new Section 29.86 as follows:
"Sec. 29.86. SINGLE-FAMILY CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to add to the basic zoning regulations applicable
to a certain area(The Base Regulations)another layer of regulations to be called the Single-Family
Conservation Overlay District(SFCOD). The Single-Family Conservation Overlay District(SFCOD)
is intended to conserve the existing single-family residential character of areas identified as SFCOD
adjacent to the downtown. The SFCOD is intended to protect single-family neighborhoods while
guiding the transition to higher density and compatibility with the surrounding uses where
intensification is permitted. The SFCOD is meant to help maintain the general quality and appearance
of the neighborhoods,promote a more cohesive look to the neighborhoods,recognize the neighborhood
characteristics as a major part of the City's identity and positive image,promote local design qualities,
stabilize and improve property values,reduce conflicts between new construction and existing homes,
and allow a limited amount of increased housing densities.
(2) Definitions. With respect to Sections 29.86,the following definitions shall pertain:
(a) Bracket: a structural support attached to a wall and bolted to or bearing thereon.
Often used as decorative feature connecting an overhanging stoop to the structure.
(b) Dormer: a shed,single gable or single hipped roofed structure rising from a slope
of the roof;usually pierced by a window.
(c) Front Yard: The front yard shall always be the narrowest portion of a lot which
faces a street.
(d) Gable: the triangular upper portion of an end wall under a peaked roof.
(e) Gabled Roof. a roof which slopes from both sides of a ridge.
(f) Gambrel Roof: a double pitched roof.
(g) Hipped Roof. a roof with slopes on all four sides,continuous from peak to eaves.
(h) Mansard Roof. a steep, dual pitched hipped roof allowing a tall attic space;
frequently used to add an upper story.
(i) Mechanical Unit: a climate control device and/or a piece of hardware used for
the delivery or measurement of utilities,which is located above ground and is clearly visible.
6) Pitch: the amount of slope of the roof in terms of angle or other numerical
measure;for example one unit of rise to three units of shelter would be expressed as 1:3 rise to run.
(k) Porch: a roofed space outside the main walls of the building which serves as a
covered entrance for a building,having a projecting roof supported by columns or posts;which by
design creates a"room"or"space"suitable for two or more occupants.
(1) Parking Lot. Any portion of a lot whether paved or not,that is continually used
for the parking of vehicles,except that a driveway shall not be considered a parking lot.
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(m) Primary Facade: the front or face of a building which faces the front yard and
is located nearest the front property line.
(n) Recessed Facade: the front or face of a building which faces the front yard and
is set back from the front property line a distance greater than that of the primary facade.
(o) Secondary Facade: that portion of a building which is adjacent to the side yard
and faces the street. A secondary facade only occurs on a corner lot.
(p) Solid. The area calculated by multiplying the width of the front facing facade by
the height measured between the foundation and roof line,not including a gable area.
(q) Stoop: a roofed space outside the main walls of the building which serves as a
covered entrance for a building which is supported by columns,posts,or brackets. A stoop is not
enclosed,but does provide shelter.
(r) Void. The area calculated by adding the area of all window and door openings in
the primary facade of a building,measured around the perimeter of the frame. A front facing window
or door shall be included in the void area regardless of its location.
(3) Findings. The SFCOD is based in part on the findings that:
(a) Conservation of older residential areas continues to provide a broad range of
housing choices.
(b) Conservation of architecturally significant structures adds to the distinctiveness
of a neighborhood and encourages a sense of"place".
(c) The downtown is strengthened by the existence of healthy residential
neighborhoods nearby.
(d) The existing single-family residential character can be conserved while guiding
the transition and compatibility where intensification is permitted.
(e) Standards that encourage infill development, retain the values of surrounding
development and protect the City's unique character will promote stable neighborhoods.
(4) Permitted Uses. Subject to the permit requirements of Section 29.52,land,buildings and
structures may be used for the following purposes without City Council Plan Approval,in accordance
with the standards and regulations of The Base Regulations:
(a) Dwelling-Single-Family
(b) Dwelling-Two-Family
All uses and structures conforming to the Base Regulations,and all lawfully vested non-conforming
uses and structures,that exist in the SFCOD on the effective date of the amendment of the official
zoning map to show the SFCOD,are hereby deemed to be conforming with the terms of this Section.
The SFCOD shall not be deemed to create a non-conforming use or structure within the scope of
Section 29.11.
(5) Plan Review. In the SFCOD there shall be no construction of a new multi-family
building,or any addition to an existing multi-family building,or to a non-conforming building whether
vested or not,until after Plan Approval is granted pursuant to the provisions contained in this Section
and Section 29.49,unless exempted by Subsection(4)above. Plan Approval decisions for sites located
in a Historic Preservation District shall be made by the Historic Preservation Commission established
by Section 31.3. For sites located in the SFCOD but not in a Historic Preservation District, Plan
Approval decisions shall be made by the City Council.
(6) Intensilication Limited. In the SFCOD the maximum number of dwelling units,of any
kind defined in Section 29.2,shall not at any time be permitted to exceed six hundred and forty eight.
Additionally,in the SFCOD,multi-family dwellings shall not be permitted unless the plans for the
project meet the following standards:
(a) The existing infrastructure must be sufficient to support the proposed project at
the time of application,or sufficient infrastructure shall be provided as a part of the proposed project.
"Sufficient infrastructure"includes water distribution,sanitary sewer,storm drainage,fire protection,
streets and transportation,refuse collection,greenway connectors and/or sidewalks;
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(b) The development has convenient access to public services,public transportation,
or major thoroughfares;
(c) Housing developments shall be in character with the surrounding neighborhood(s)
in terms of scale and character of the architectural elements;and
(d) Any yard that abuts another residential zoning district, dwelling unit type or
density,shall be not less than the corresponding front,side,or rear yard requirements of the adjacent
district,dwelling unit type,or density.
(7) Bulk Regulations. Land,buildings and structures used in the SFCOD shall comply with
the lot area,lot width,and yard requirements as provided for in the Base Regulations.
(8) Landscaping,Screening and Buffer Areas. Landscaping,screening and buffer areas
shall be provided in accordance with Section 29.50.
(9) Compatibility Standards. New construction of any building
or other structure, or any change in the use of land, shall comply with the following compatibility
standards:
(a) Driveways. All new driveways that are located in the front yard shall be of a width
no greater than twelve(12)feet. This width limitation shall apply to only that area between the street
and the primary facade of the structure. The front yard shall always be the narrowest portion of a lot
that fronts a street. For lots accessible from an alley,any new driveway shall be constructed in the rear
yard with access only from the alley. Existing front yard driveways may be maintained or replaced,
but shall not be widened to more than twelve(12) feet in width. Driveways leading from an alley
which provide access to a parking lot may be constructed at a width of sixteen(16)feet.
(b) Garages. The purpose of this subsection is to establish the setback requirement
for: i)garage setback from an alley,ii)garage setback from the front of a principal building. Detached
garages that open to an alley shall be located either eight(8)feet from the property line abutting the
alley;or,a minimum of twenty(20)feet from the property line abutting the alley. No setback distance
that is more than eight feet but less than twenty feet shall be allowed. All garages,attached or detached,
shall be set back a minimum distance of eighteen(18)feet behind the primary facade of the principal
building on the lot.
(c) Parking. No parking lot shall be located in the front yard or side yard of any lot.
Only rear yard parking lots are allowed.
(d) Trees. Any tree that is removed from the street right-of-way shall be replaced in
the street right-of-way as close to the original location as is possible.
(e) Solids and Voids. A solid to void ratio shall be required for the primary facade,
including any recessed facades which face the front yard, and the secondary facade. The void
requirements for the primary facade of new buildings shall be a minimum of 15%and a maximum of
80%.
(f) Roofs. A minimum roof pitch of 6:12 rise to run shall be required. However,
mansard and mansard style roofs will be permitted. Buildings additions,with the exception of porches
and stoops shall be required to have similar roof pitches as the existing structure to which they are being
added. The roof pitch requirement shall not apply to porches or stoops.
(g) Dormers. Where the primary facade does not have a gable facing the street,a
minimum of one dormer shall be required for every fifteen(15)feet of street facing roof width,after
the first twenty(20)feet.
(h) Windows. Windows shall have a minimum width to height ratio of 2:3. Allowed
windows will have a width no greater than two thirds their height. This requirement shall only apply
to the primary facade, front facing recessed facades, and the secondary facade. In addition, an
exception will be made for decorative windows,gable windows,or a single large window where the
interior floor plan contains a space where such a window type would be expected.
(i) Entrances. There shall be an entrance with a porch or stoop on the primary facade
of any new structure. This entrance shall face the street and be accessible by means of a paved
walkway. No more than one entrance shall be placed on any primary or recessed facade.
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(j) Porches. Where a porch is constructed,the porch shall have a depth of not less
than six(6)feet,and shall extend a minimum of fifty(50%)percent of the width of the facade to which
it is attached. Porches shall not be enclosed by walls,windows,or solid doors,and shall not exceed
ten(10)feet in height measured from the floor of the first story to the roof line.
(k) Stoops. A stoop shall be of a width not greater than thirty percent(30%)of the
width of the facade to which it is attached and shall be of a depth not less than four(4)feet. Stoops
shall not be enclosed by walls,windows,or solid doors and shall not exceed ten(10)feet in height,
measured from the floor of the first story to the roof line. The roof of a stoop which is supported by
brackets shall project from the building a minimum depth of four(4)feet.
(1) Foundations. Substantial foundation plantings shall be required to screen the base
of the primary and secondary facade of any new building. The first floor elevation shall be constructed
a minimum of one and one half(1.5)feet above grade. Grade shall be determined at the high point of
the sidewalk that is located in the public right-of-way parallel to and abutting the front of the lot. In
addition,ground mounted mechanical units shall be screened with plantings.
(m) Orientation. Structures shall be situated at right angles with the street. Primary
facades shall be parallel with the street to which they front. Buildings shall be oriented perpendicular
to the front facing facade.
(n) Width-Building. No building shall be constructed or remodeled to have a width
greater than 76 feet.
(o) Width-Facade. The primary facade of a building shall have a width between the
range of twenty-four(24)feet and thirty-eight(38)feet. Any portion of the building which is wider
than the primary facade shall be recessed from the primary facade a distance of not less than eight(8)
feet. A second primary facade will be permitted,provided that it is separated by a recessed facade
which conforms to the minimum facade width of twenty-four feet.
(p) Height. No structure shall be constructed or remodeled to a height greater than
three stories and/or forty feet.
(q) Lot Configurations. Lots in the SFCOD shall remain configured as they are on
the date that the SFCOD regulations go into effect. In the SFCOD a building and/or zoning permit shall
not be issued with respect to one or more dwelling units to be established on a lot formed by the
combination of two or more platted lots,or the combination of the parts of two or more platted lots,or
the combination of a platted lot and a part or parts from one or more platted lots.
(r) Compliance. New buildings and buildingadditions shall be constructed in full
compliance with subsections 29.86(9)(a)through(q). In building additions or remodeling it is not
required that the entire building be brought into full compliance with subsections 29.86(9)(a)through
(q). It is only required that the addition or remodeling comply. It is required that the addition or
remodeling does not have the effect of increasing the level or degree of non-conformance of the
building as a whole.
(10) Parking Requirements. Off-street parking shall be provided and maintained in
accordance with the Base Regulations.
(11) Historic Preservation. In those parts of the SFCOD that have been designated as a
Historic Preservation District,the historic preservation regulations of Chapter 31 shall also apply in
addition to the Base Regulations and the SFCOD regulations. In the event of conflict between the
historic preservation regulations and the SFCOD regulations,the historic preservation regulations shall
control. Any Plan Approval decision required by this section shall be made by the Historic
Preservation Commission, and not by the City Council, when the site is in a Historic Preservation
District. When the site is not in a Historic Preservation District,the SFCOD Plan Approval decision
shall be made by the City Council. "
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable as
set out in Section 1.9 of the Municipal Code.
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Section Three. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such
conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as required
by law.
Passed this 2 y of April , 1997.
Sandra L.Ryan,City ClerkI Larry R.Ci tis,Mayoir, ' e • '
0434
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