HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated October 26, 2004 ITEM # A5
DATE 10/26/04
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDING REGULATIONS
FOR MINI-STORAGE WAREHOUSE FACILITIES.
BACKGROUND:
Applicant: Kevin J. McRoberts
5024 Willow Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50327
Purpose: Modifications to the mini-storage warehouse regulations to accommodate
indoor mini-storage facilities and address compatibility with adjacent
industrial land uses.
History: On August 10, 2004, Ames City Council adopted zoning regulations to
accommodate mini-storage facilities in the Highway-Oriented Commercial
zone under strict design and development guidelines. The guidelines do
not allow for interior climate controlled facilities, nor address length
standards when facilities are located adjacent to industrial uses.
Applicant's Suggested Changes:
1. Mini-Storage structures within a site, where the site is adjacent to an
industrial land use or zone and/or Airport Clear zone areas, may
exceed the 60-foot maximum building length.
2. Climate controlled mini-storage buildings within a site, where the site
is adjacent to an industrial land use or zone and/or Airport Clear zone
areas, may exceed the 60-foot maximum building length. An interior
climate controlled mini-storage facility is a warehouse building where
storage is primarily accessed from the interior of the structure.
Exterior garages or bays may be located on the structure when
adjacent to non-residential uses.
The bolded portions of the subsequent section are the recommended additions to the
Zoning Ordinance, followed by staff's explanation of why the ordinance amendment is
necessary. Please note that the changes are slightly different than the applicant's
recommended changes. The last sentence of Section 29.1308(1)(b)(vi) is most different
than the applicant's original request.
Section 29.1308. (1)(b): General Architectural Requirements
(1) Buildings shall include design elements such as columns, ribs or pilasters, piers,
quoins, and fenestration patterns to prevent a utilitarian, industrial, warehouse-like appearance.
(ii) Unit doors shall be screened or sited so they are not visible from the street. Unit
doors must not face the street.
(iii) Unit doors shall be integrated into the overall design theme of the site through
color and texture.
(iv) Buildings greater than forty feet(40') long must include a change in wall plane,
recess, or reveal every twenty feet (20').
(v) Maximum building length on the site perimeter is sixty feet(60'), except where
the buildings are adjacent to an industrial land use or zone and/or Airport Clear Zone.
(vi) Interior climate controlled mini-storage facilities are mini-warehouse
buildings where storage is primarily accessed from the interior of the building.Interior climate
controlled mini-storage facilities may exceed the sixty feet(60') maximum building length at
the perimeter. Exterior garages and/or bays may be located on interior climate controlled
mini-storage facilities,but shall not be located on the exterior of the building that is adjacent to
and/or facing the site perimeter.
The 60-foot building length aesthetic component is intended to balance industrial
characteristics of mini-storage facilities with adjacent commercial land uses. When storage
facilities are adjacent to industrial areas, this is not necessary. However, articulation,
fencing, roof-pitch, elevated landscaping standards, and other aesthetic regulations of the
code still apply.
Interior climate controlled mini-storage facilities contain the industrial warehouse use
primarily from within the structure. With the architectural standards that are now required
and the recommended changes identified in this staff report, the building should represent
the types of buildings permitted in the Highway-Oriented Commercial districts today.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
With a vote of 6-0, the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the
proposed text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance amending regulations for mini-storage
warehouse facilities at its meeting of October 20, 2004.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the applicant's recommended changes to the Zoning
Ordinance pertaining to mini-storage warehouse facilities.
2. The City Council can approve staff's recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
pertaining to mini-storage warehouse facilities.
3. The City Council can deny the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining
to mini-storage warehouse facilities.
4. The City Council can elect to provide a modification to the above alternatives, or offer
a different recommendation to the City Council.
5. Action on this request can be postponed and referred back to City staff and/or the
applicant for additional information, or allow more time for the Planning and Zoning
Commission to review the text changes.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that Alternative #2 be adopted. Alternative#2 is a recommendation
that the City Council approve staff's recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
pertaining to mini-storage warehouse facilities.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Attachment
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