HomeMy WebLinkAboutA020 - Council Action Form dated March 28, 2006 ITEM # 30
DATE 3/28/06
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: REVISION OF THE URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE
CAMPUSTOWN URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA
BACKGROUND:
The Campustown Urban Revitalization Area and Plan (CURP) have been established
because the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, and economic development of
this area are in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of
Ames. The Criteria Matrix of the Plan is used to guide the City Council decisions
regarding tax abatement in the Campustown Urban Revitalization Area. In order to
make this matrix consistent with the recently adopted Sub-Area Plan for the University
Impacted Area, the following changes are proposed:
Delete from the eligibility criteria the use of stone, pre-cast concrete, and
concrete block with relief. Stone, pre-cast concrete, and concrete block as exterior
building materials are not compatible with the prevailing characteristics in Campustown.
The tax abatement incentive would apply only to using clay brick as the facing material
on 100% of the front and 80% of the sides of new construction.
Add criteria so that a project is eligible if:
The building on the site was originally built before 1941; and
• 70% of the area of existing exterior walls of the structure will remain; and,
• Original or historic materials and designs are preserved and/or restored.
This change to the CURP would use this financial incentive to more effectively support
the preservation and adaptive reuse of buildings with potential historic value. The
Historic Preservation Commission will advise the City Council on whether proposed
improvements meet these criteria.
On February 14, 2006, the City Council also approved elimination of the required
criterion making property eligible if "Underutilized." Attachment B shows the
Campustown Criteria Matrix with these changes, as well as revised wording to clarify
the criteria under "signage."
Recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission. At its meeting of May 18,
2005, with a vote of 5-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the
City Council initiate all of the proposed changes to the Campustown Urban
Revitalization Plan.
Recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission. At its meeting of May
23, 2005, with a vote of 6-0, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended that
the City Council initiate all of the proposed changes to the Campustown Urban
Revitalization Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the proposed changes to the Campustown Urban
Revitalization Plan.
2. The City Council can deny the proposed changes to the Campustown Urban
Revitalization Plan.
3. The City Council can refer this item back to City staff for additional information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative #1, which approves all of the proposed changes to the Campustown Urban
Revitalization Plan. These changes will help implement the Sub-Area Plan for the
University Impacted Area and make the Campustown Criteria Matrix consistent with it.
The changes regarding buildings constructed before 1941 will serve as an interim
measure to help protect potential resources, while the community researches the
resources and considers establishing local historic districts, National Register Historic
Districts, and other conservation policies for west Ames. After several years, when that
work is completed, these Urban Revitalization Areas and Plans can be changed to
reflect the findings and decisions of that process.
Attachments
2
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