HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Request from owner to reduct parking requirement 401,
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March 29. 1-002 401,ONINNbId�0 V0 A1101d�-
Eric C. Jensen. Planner
Departmenl oI Planlling K I lousing. CJtN ol't\mes ,
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 81 1
Ames. Iowa 50010
Dear Mr. Jensen.
I am writing to you concerning the parking situation at the future location of Minsky's Pizza Restaurant
& Lounge, '605 Lincoln Way. Our office is involved with helping the owner, Ben DuBois, meet the site
planning requirements set by the current zoning regulations.
Because the existing building will be going through a change of use, the existing parking available is
being reviewed. The current parking requirement set forth by the ordinance states that 14 spaces shall be
provided for every 1,000 square feet of the restaurant, including kitchen, storage space, employee only
areas, etc.. This requirement states that 86 spaces are required, which we are unable to provide on the
current area of land available for this project.
The new restaurant will be a remodel of the existing facility (formerly the Ames Toyota Dealership) with
a significant amount of parking readily available. However, the site still leaves the owner short a
number of spaces. In talking with you and the department about the current parking requirements, I've
sensed that there is some interest in modifying the current Zoning Ordinance requirements. Apparently,
the current standard has been very difficult to maintain in other locations, and requesting a text
amendment to the Ordinance is an option that would be considered by the staff.
In the Development Review- Committee Meeting on March 29th we discussed this option of amending
the Ordinance to state 9 spaces/1,000 sf. The amendment, if made would reduce the parking requirement
at Minsky's by 30 spaces. This would resolve the current parking problem leaving approximately 10
extra spaces that would not be required by the Ordinance. On behalf of the owner I would like to
formally request that the current requirement of 14 spaces/1.000 sf. be amended to read 9 spaces/1,000
sf. as soon as possible.
If there are any questions regarding this request or the current project please contact me anytime. Thank
you Im your consideration in this matter.
sincerely.
James Arentson, Assoc. A.I.A.
Benjamin Design Collaborative
James@benjamin-design.com
Ben'amin Design Collaborative
401 Chrk Awnur, 1uitc 200 • Anwr,, Iowa 50010 • 515-232-1888 • Fax 5Ii.232-0882