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Home My WebLink AboutA001 - Council Action Summary from October 8, 2003 meeting COUNCIL ACTION SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10108102 Agenda Item #: Comments SUBJECT: Letter from Homebuilders Association Requesting a Revision to the Zoning Ordinance Relating to Model Homes ACTION TAKEN: Referred to staff. MOTION BY: Hoffman SECOND BY: Goodhue VOTING AYE: Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Vegge, Wirth VOTING NAY: None ABSENT: None By: � !La Diane Voss, City Clerk Copy to: Brian O'Connell r t Ames Home Builders Association 623 South Dayton, Suite A P.O. Box 864 Ames, Iowa 50010 Phone: SI5-232-1840 Fax: 5I5-232-4811 September 18, 2002 The Honorable Mayor Ted Tedesco City of Ames 515 Clark Street Ames,Iowa 50010 Dear Mayor Tedesco: Re: Model Homes On behalf of the members of the Ames Home Builders Association, please consider allowing City Staff to revisit and revise the City Zoning Ordinance related to model homes. Model homes have become an important marketing tool in most cities for modern home builders, developers and realtors involved in the sale of residential homes because they allow home buyers to actually see and choose the type of home and customization that they would like in their new home. Residents are happier with their new homes because the home better meets their needs. The market and local economy will also benefit by the increased development. We believe that model homes can be used effectively and that their use can be regulated by the City in a way that minimizes disruption to the residents and buyers of the homes in the development. We request that you allow City Staff to work on the details of how the City could allow a developer or builder to maintain a model home in a development platted for residential use, while also maintaining safe and desirable neighborhoods. We are confident that we can work with City Staff in developing a plan that would benefit everyone involved. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Copies: Sharon Wirth Steve Goodhue Stephen Shuey, President Daryle Vegge Ames Home Builders Association Herman C. Quirmbach Judith Hoffman SS:Im Russ Cross SEP-13-2002 FRI U1 :26 PM FRIEDRICH FAX NO. 2324253 P. 02 TRIPLETT REAL ESTATE 61S2I23093 Sep 13 02 01 :4Gp Ames RERL.TORS 1 -51S-z96�4B8z P, 1 SelrL(-.mbcr 13,2002 The honorable Mayor Ted Tedesco City of Arncs 515 Clark Ames,to 50010 Rf:: Modell4omes Ocar Mayor Tedesco: i)tt bchalf'of the members of-the Central Iowa Roar l of REALTORS,please consider allowing City Staff to revisit and revise the City Zoning Ordinance related to t)todcl homes. Model homes have bewmc an important marketing tool in tttoct cities for mWern REAUIOR`Z,hone builders atad developers involved in the sale.orrcsidential homes because they allow home buyers to actually see and choose the Lyre of home and etstrnnization that they would like their new home. Residents are happier with thclr new hones lkcause-the home better meets ft-h-needs. The market and locnl economy benefit by the increased development. We believe that model homes can be used JIL,-clively;and that their Use Can he regulated by the City in a way that minirni7es disruption to the residcuts and buyers of the homes in the development. We request thnt you allow City Stuff to work on the det,6I,.of how the,City could allow a developer or builder to rnaintvn a model home with adcvelopmeat platted for rtsidenti�kl use,while also maintaining safe and desirable neighborhoods. We are.confident.that we clan work with City Stiff in developing a plan that would benefit everyone involve(,, Thanks you for your consideration. Itesl,cctfully, Ann i'aitcrson C(allral Iowa Board of REAI,TORSIV Ames Chapter President Cr: Sharon Wirth,Cotmcil Member Steve Goodhue,Council Member Daryle Vegge,Council Mernbel' Hvnraan C.Quirmhach,Council Member Judie Hoffman,Council Member Ross Cross,Council Member f MEMORANDUM—8/30/02 TO: Erb Hunziker, Dean Hunziker, Chuck Winkleblack, D" R A F T Bob Friedrich Sr., Reinhard Friedrich, Bob Friedrich, Jr., Kurt Friedrich FROM: Chuck Thomas, Thomas &Associates, P.C. SUBJECT: Revised Language for New Section to Ames Municipal Code allowing Model Homes Gentlemen; Thank you for your input at our meeting last Monday, August 26th, regarding the use of Model Homes as a sales tool in the City of Ames. Per our conversations on above subject, please find below the draft of the revised language we propose to amend the current ordinance in Ames on model homes. I agree that it is important that we meet once more,prior to our meeting with the City Manager and his staff, so that we make sure that we are all in agreement with the language. Sections 29.12 through 29.19 are the specific sections that restrict the use of each of the residential types of zoning, ranging from low density single-family up. Each of these sections should include an added use for model homes. My proposal is to add to the listed use in each section: Model Home Then add a completely new section to define Model Homes: "Model Homes. A developer or homebuilder is allowed to maintain one model home in any development platted for residential use of any density or type. A Model Home is a dwelling designed and constructed to meet all zoning and other city requirements for a dwelling in that location. The developer or homebuilder may hold open houses on a regular schedule at the home to demonstrate to potential buyers what can be constructed in the development. ue:°elcpor l:o�ailu�rz��u ergs�e-t��•sh� ele-tled�l-13 + t-moose-e�rtcees...to campl3rt tep aaxdiprivrceup�hec� The developer or homebuilder may place in the yard or on the home a sign or multiple signs with a maximum total square footage of 24 square feet. When all other lots in the development are sold to third parties, use of the home as a model shall cease and any modifications to the home and all signs shall be removed. No home shall be used as a model for more than 5 years. Exterior lighting shall be allowed until 9:00 p.m. and thereafter only in compliance with the Ames Zoning Code." Note: In addition, as we discussed, Huxley has an ordinance that specifically addresses model homes. We may want to consider adding their language that allows the use of the model home as a"job office." This would be more beneficial to builders. I will contact all of you on Tuesday, September 3 , to set up a meeting 1 '�,` (�,�a a-t��;.�'_ ��•`�'�..>�_�� 9� �c�; Thanks Kindly, •��f �k 1 •.tom-�v t--t �./.,i: r"` �-�1,..�.ca�sy `7 ( LvC,Xk, n i Ulf. AS A Chuck Thomas — �w}C` ;.7 I Office Phone: (515) 964-4029 Mobile Phone: (515) 202-3663 :-S 1 G,?-)S e 4 4!!, i s\w7 Q t'�..�-�,Ct• fir.a\�.:�;i::r.J��CXi 1�.:'� City Clerk's Office 515 Clark Avenue,P.O.Box 811 Caring People Ames, IA 50010 Quality Programs Phone: 515-239-5105 Exceptional Service Fax: S15-239-5142 October 10, 2002 Ames Home Builders Association P. O. Box 864 Ames, Iowa 50010 Attention Stephen Shuey, President Dear Mr. Shuey: At their meeting of October 8, 2002, the Ames City Council referred to staff your letter requesting a revision to the Zoning Ordinance specifically relating to model homes. A copy of your letter has been forwarded to the Planning and Housing Director Brian O'Connell for his response. You will be notified when this item will be heard by the City Council. If you have questions in the interim,please contact Mr. O'Connell at 515-239-5400. Sincerely, a Diane Voss City Clerk /dry