HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action Form dated July 13, 2004 ITEM # ZL2"
DATE 7/13/04
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A NEW OVERLAY
ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE SOUTHEAST ENTRYWAY GATEWAY OVERLAY DISTRICT
(O-GSE)
BACKGROUND:
The City's Land Use Policy Plan calls for enhancing the entries to Ames so that they are
well identified, distinctive, and accentuate access to the major areas of Ames. Section
29.1104 of the City's Zoning Ordinance (Gateway Overlay) incorporates such policies into
the ordinance. To enhance the appearance of an entry interchange, the policy mandates
distinctive design characteristics such as specialized signage, guided placement of
buildings, limited property access, and limited parking in front of uses. This section of the
ordinance requires the creation of ordinances with standards for each specific gateway.
On March 25, 2003, the Ames City Council approved the Design Concept for the Ames
Southeast Entryway, which encompasses the 1-35/U.S. Highway 30 interchange as a major
entry to all of Ames, and the U.S. Highway 30/Dayton Avenue interchange as the entry to
the Ames industrial area. At that time, the Council directed staff to work with area property
owners to prepare minimum standards for zoning revisions and/or development
agreements to guide future development to be consistent with the Design Concept. The
South Ames Business Neighborhood, along with architect Mike Stott, has worked with area
property owners and City staff to develop standards for land use, architecture, and site
development that are specific to this southeast entryway area.
On May 11 , 2004, the City Council approved proceeding with plantings in the Southeast
Entryway area, the first physical improvements of the implementation of the entryway
Design Concept. At that time, the City Council reviewed and made no changes to the
proposed minimum development standards. These standards combine those submitted by
the South Ames Business Neighborhood with staff recommendation. The attached
ordinance for the Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District creates a text amendment
to the Zoning Ordinance incorporating these standards.
ANALYSIS:
The provisions of the proposed district ordinance are consistent with the City's land use
policies for gateways and with the approved Design Concept for the Southeast Entryway.
It includes modifications to permitted uses in the base zone to "promote the appearance of
an entryway" (LUPP), and to promote an attractive visual environment to help create a
welcoming first impression (Goals for the Design Concept).
The Design Concept for the Southeast Entryway proposes four basic elements applied to
various physical improvements throughout the entryway area, including prairie savannah
plants. The City is using these same plant materials in the plantings to be installed in the
public rights-of-way this year. The landscape standards of the proposed ordinance require
these plant materials to be used consistently throughout the developed properties, for
landscape buffers already required by the underlying base zone and in some additional
areas.
The proposed architectural appearance standards provide for quality materials, emphasize
attractive building fronts and other views, and encourage the consistent use of stone,
another of the four basic elements of the Design Concept. The proposed architectural
appearance standards leave a great deal of latitude for creativity and do not dictate an
architectural style or consistent look throughout the district.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
By a vote of 4-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the
amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new overlay zoning district for the
Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District with modifications at its meeting of June 16,
2004.
Following this action, consistent with the Planning and Zoning Commission comments, the
Ames Business Neighborhood and staff have agreed to some further modifications to the
proposed ordinance. The South Ames Business Neighborhood now supports the
ordinance as proposed.
ALTERNATIVES-
1. The City Council can approve the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to
establish the Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District (O-GSE).
2. The City Council can deny the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to
establish the Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District (O-GSE).
3. The City Council can approve the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to
establish the Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District (O-GSE) with
modifications.
4. Action on this request can be postponed and referred back to City staff for additional
information.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION.-
It is recommended that Alternative # 1 be adopted. This would approve the proposed
Southeast Entryway Gateway Overlay District(O-GSE), amending the Zoning Ordinance to
create standards for private development in this gateway area to be integrated with the
other improvements now being designed and carried out by a partnership between the
City, property and business owners, and the State of Iowa.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Attachment
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