HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated June 24, 2003 Y
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ITEM # 0?
DATE 06/24/03
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE REVISING OCCUPANCY LIMITS OF THE RENTAL HOUSING
REGULATIONS FOR HOUSES IN THE RL AND UCRM DISTRICTS
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council meeting of February 25, 2003, the City Council directed that an
ordinance be prepared that would allow the same number of occupants to reside in
single-family homes that was allowed prior to the Zoning Ordinance change in May of
2000. City Council directed that this change be applicable only to single-family homes that
had been previously zoned R-3 or R-4 under the prior zoning scheme. (A copy of an
excerpt of the City Council minutes is attached.)
Staff researched all of the properties in the city where the use is a single-family home and
the property was previously zoned R-3 or R-4, which are now zoned RL or UCRM. Based
on this research, and research of the Rental Housing records, staff has been able to
identify a total of nine properties where the proposed change to the Rental Housing Code
would be applicable.
The direction given by City Council was to create an ordinance that would, in effect,
"grandfather"the prior occupancy allowance with a series of conditions. The conditions as
directed by the Council include:
♦ The occupancy allowance that existed prior to May of 2000 will be allowed to
remain for a period of 36 months.
♦ There is no change to the "use" of the property.
♦ The property is not sold.
Attached is a copy of the proposed amendment to Section 13.36 of the Rental Housing
Code that contains the provisions that accomplishes the direction given by City Council.
The Council is being asked to take action on this proposed change to the Rental Housing
Code.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the proposed amendment to Section 13.36 of the
Rental Housing Code that allows for greater occupancy for single and two family
dwellings where the zoning has changed from R-3 and R-4 to RL and UCRM.
2. The City Council can decide not to approve the proposed amendment to Section
13.36 of the Rental Housing Code that will allow for greater occupancy.
3. The City Council can table action on this proposed amendment and refer this issue
back to staff for additional information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City Council has been exploring a variety of alternative techniques to address
concerns that have been expressed to the Council as a result of the change to the zoning
regulations that have limited occupancy in single-family homes. The proposed amendment
to the Rental Housing Code will grant a greater occupancy for a limited number of
properties for a relatively short period of time. Within three (3) years, these properties will
also have to comply with the occupancy limitations like properties that are now adhering to
the new regulations that went into effect in 2000. It is the recommendation of the City
Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1. This will result in a change to the
Rental Housing Code that will grant a higher occupancy allowance to a small number of
properties that have been affected by the zoning change that occurred in May of 2000.
Attachment
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Equity Partners
133 Beedle Drive
Ames, Iowa 50014
JC&D Properties
P.O. Box 2377
Ames, Iowa 50010
Jim &Desiree Gunning
119 Hickory Drive
Ames, Iowa 50014
Harold & Julie Pike
2715 Valley View Road
Ames, Iowa 50014
Cory Paysen
3319 Polaris
Ames, Iowa 50010
Jane Lobesnstein
3502 South Duff Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010
Angelene Gilchrist
507 Northwestern
Ames, Iowa 50010