HomeMy WebLinkAboutA006 - Council Action Form dated August 28, 2001 ITEM # 334_G
DATE 08/28/01
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE URBAN REVITALIZATION CRITERIA
MATRIX FOR THE CAMPUSTOWN SERVICE CENTER, A MOTION DIRECTING STAFF
TO PREPARE AN URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE CAMPUSTOWN SERVICE
CENTER AND A RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR
OCTOBER 9, 2001 FOR FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE
CAMPUSTOWN URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA, AND APPROVING THE URBAN
REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THAT NEW AREA.
BACKGROUND:
On July 10, 2001 the City Council directed staff to develop a Criteria Matrix for the
Campustown Service Center based, in part, on the High-Density Residential Matrix. Shared
parking or structured parking was to be moved to the "required" column, and to consider
design standards with regard to building height, landscaping requirements, and signage
requirements. City staff has prepared a Criteria Matrix for the Campustown Service Center
based on these requests and an analysis of the area (see attached).
Staff analysis of the DCSC zoned area of Campustown found that the height and scale of
the large buildings allowed in this zoning area are not significantly out of scale with the
surrounding area. The Residential High Density zoning district bordering the area to the
south, east, and west offers a buffer for larger developments (see attached graphics).
There are three Required Standards in the Campustown Service Center Criteria Matrix, of
which only one needs to be met to become eligible for URA funding possibilities:
• Slum and Blighted
• Underutilized
• Parking and Mixed Use
The first two Required Standards are the same as in the Commercial and Multiple Family
Residential Matrices for the Urban Revitalization Program. The Slum and Blighted
standards will assist staff in determining the conditions of the building in question.
Underutilized is when the property is vacant with no structure, nonconforming with the base
zone, or nonconforming with respect to the floodway fringe.
The Parking and Mixed Use Required Standard reflects the 70% parking requirement for
structured parking which the Multiple Family Residential Matrix has. The requirement to
have commercial and retail uses on the first, and possibly second, floor of any mixed use
building is the same as the Zoning Ordinance requirements in the DCSC Zoning District.
Once one of the Required Standards are met there are two Options, of which one must be
met to be eligible for URA program inclusion. In the Underrepresented Option, if a use for
the property is identified in the sales leakage category as indicated by the Ken Stone study
or supported by a retail leakage study provided by the property owner, then the property
qualifies. Under the second Option the property must meet three requirements: Design
Standards, Signage, and Brick or Similar Masonry Material.
Under the Design Standards, retail and office uses on the first floor adjacent to a public
sidewalk must have direct access to the public sidewalk. This accomplishes the storefront
entry relationship with the public walkway, which is already common in the Campustown
area. Under Signage the attempt is to match the sign with the architectural style of the
building and directly relate to the business identity. Wall signs must be scaled to the
architectural proportions of the building. In Brick or Similar Masonry Material, 100% of the
front and 80% of the three remaining sides of the structure shall be faced with brick or
similar masonry material. These proportions are a reflection of what is currently a
preponderance of building materials and building coverage in the Campustown Area. In
the event that an historically significant building is remodeled then historically appropriate
siding material is permitted and must be maintained for the term of the selected tax
abatement schedule.
An informational meeting was held on August 22, 2001 with interested property owners and
the Chamber of Commerce on the proposed Campustown Service Center Criteria Matrix.
Property owners attending the meeting expressed concerns over the optional requirement
of Brick or Similar Masonry Material. In the context of a large building 6-7 stories in height
the added cost of brick is very expensive. Another idea from the property owners was that
the definition of Underrepresented could be adjusted for the Campustown Service Center
to reflect the need for a more varied retail store selection in the area. A suggestion was
made to allow a larger portion of compact parking in the area, which would allow for more
parking without making parking lots and parking structures larger. It was also a concern
of the property owners that the public understands that the City of Ames is not losing any
tax base by allowing URA districts, the added property taxes are just being partially
delayed on the added improvements.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the Urban Revitalization Criteria Matrix for the
Campustown Service Center, direct staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization Area Plan
for the Campustown Service Center, and set a date of public hearing of October 9,
2001.
2. The City Council can deny the Urban Revitalization Criteria Matrix for the Campustown
Service Center.
3. The City Council can direct that staff revise the Urban Revitalization Criteria Matrix for
the Campustown Service Center.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1.
This action will approve the Urban Revitalization Criteria Matrix for the Campustown
Service Center, direct staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization Area Plan for the
Campustown Service Center Area, and to set a date of Public Hearing for October 9, 2001.
COUNCIL ACTION:
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