HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Letter dated May 8, 2000 from Norm Rudi Architect The Honorable Mayor Ted Tedesco d
Members of the Ames City Council
Members of the Planning and Housing Staff MAY - 8 2000
May 8, 2000
— CITY CLLRK
CITY OF A U,IOWA
On Monday May 1, 2000 while visiting the Planning Department, my attention was
called to the new Zoning Ordinance Section 29.2502 (2) (d) (i) stating, and I paraphrase,
that " site plans shall be prepared by a Civil Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape
Architect and certified as `substantially correct' by a Professional Engineer or Land
Surveyor, licensed by the state of Iowa...."
Since 1917, Architects have been licensed by the State of Iowa and since Ames adopted a
planning and zoning ordinance circa 1950, have successfully submitted site plans for
review by the Planning Department. This sudden change in policy is perplexing and in
variance with every planning department in the United States.
When I enquired why the change in policy, I received an answer that, "Architects make
too many errors on property dimensions."
Since Architects do not do land surveying on lots (but may gather topographic
information on small properties), a survey is obtained from a proper source which
includes utility information, right-of-way information, easements etc., and that
information incorporated into their site plan for submission.
The training of architects necessitates a degree from an accredited five year or masters
academic program. They then must work for a licensed architect for three years before
permission to sit for the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE). The ARE
includes nine examinations, one of which is a five-hour examination on site planning and
design.
This examination does not include the two or three additional requirements that are a part
of Ames submission, unique to Ames. If some firms cannot furnish that information in
house, then they retain a consultant to provide that service. I believe this to be the source
of concern of the planning department, and indicates a lack of flexibility and adaptability
in performing their staff responsibilities.
Reviewing the ordinance, several other items appeared.
Landscape Architecture is a four-year course and after a brief internship, take an
examination. Their act is a TITLE ACT. Any one can perform design services, but they
cannot CALL themselves a landscape architect. Architecture, on the other hand is a
TITLE and PRACTICE ACT. With certain exceptions of size of project, Architects (and
Engineers) must be registered in their respective state to do buildings and use the title of
Architect. Work performed by non-registered individuals must be done under"direct
Norman Rudi Architect - 2012 Pinehurst Dr. • Ames, Iowa 50014
515-292-9033 FAX 515-292-9033
supervision and responsible charge"to receive a stamp by a professional architect or
engineer (i.e. a non-registrant working in an engineer or architect's office).
Consequently, if a landscape architect prepares a site plan, then takes it to an engineer to
be sealed, the engineer can be reprimanded and penalized for"plan stamping," a violation
of state law.
In addition, under SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW Section 29.1502 (3)
Procedures For Approval for a Minor Site Development Plan (f)Design Standards (iii)
`shall make adequate provision for fire protection through building placement, acceptable
location for flammable materials and other measures to ensure safety," and (xi) "Site
coverages, building scale, setbacks, and open spaces shall be in proportion with the
development property and with existing and planned development and structures, in
adjacent and surrounding property"may be practicing architecture without a license.
This of course would depend upon information furnished and degree of design
completion. An engineer who would stamp the plan must accept full accountability for it,
and may be violating the"plan stamping"law.
The same observations can be made with Major Site Development, and Special Use
Permits. All sections refer back to Section 29.1502.
This calls attention that our new 130 page ordinance may not have received the proper
review prior to its adoption.
I do feel strongly that to change a fifty-year precedent of a trained, licensed prpfessional
not being permitted to submit site plans to the City of Ames is arbitrary and capricious.
I trust thikiA
a will be addresse the council and their advisors as soon as
possible.
Sincerely
Norman