HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated January 11, 2005 ITEM #
DATE 01/11/05
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AS PERMITTED USES IN THE GI (GENERAL
INDUSTRIAL) ZONING DISTRICT.
BACKGROUND:
On November 9, 2004, the City Council referred to staff a letter from Michael J. Sloter, an
architect with Stott and Associates, who represents Des Moines Area Community College
(DMACC), requesting that a text amendment be initiated to allow Colleges and Universities
as permitted uses in the GI (General Industrial) Zoning District (see attached letter).
DMACC is proposing to locate a Career Academy—Story County Facility, at the northwest
corner of the Interstate-35 and U.S. Highway 30 interchange (see attached Location Map).
Colleges and Universities are permitted in the DCSC (Downtown/Campustown Service
Center) and HOC (Highway Oriented Commercial)Zoning Districts subject to approval of a
Special Use Permit. Special Use Permits are required for these facilities due to the traffic
generation, parking demands, and potential for on-site student housing.
The following is the recommended text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Colleges and Universities within the GI (General Industrial)Zoning District (changes are in
bold italics and stficken thfo g ):
Table 29.901(2)
General Industrial (GI Zone Use
USE CATEGORY STATUS APPROVAL APPROVAL
REQUIRED AUTHORITY
INDUSTRIAL USES
Limited-to Child Day Care Facilities and
Vocational/Technical High Schools 1' SDP Minor Staff
Colleges and Universities Y SP ZBA
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
With a vote of 4-0-1 (abstention), the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allows colleges and universities in
the GI (General Industrial) zoning district at its meeting of December 1, 2004.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Colleges and Universities in the GI (General Industrial) Zoning District.
2. The City Council can deny the text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Colleges and Universities in the GI (General Industrial) Zoning District.
3. The City Council can approve the text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Colleges and Universities in the GI (General Industrial) Zoning District, with
modifications.
4. The City Council can refer the recommended text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
regarding Colleges and Universities in the GI (General Industrial)Zoning District back to
staff for further review and comment.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff concurs with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to include
Colleges and Universities within the GI Zoning District — subject to approval of a Special
Use Permit by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. There are two basic reasons why staff
supports the use of the Special Use Permit. First, these types of uses typically generate a
high volume of traffic and require a large amount of parking. Secondly, these uses often
times include housing for students. The requirement for a Special Use Permit will help to
ensure compatibility of these uses with the other industrial uses permitted in the GI Zoning
District.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative #1 , which approve the text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Colleges and Universities in the GI (General Industrial)Zoning District. This action would
allow the DMACC project to proceed in the City of Ames.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Attachment
2
xk6 9�
SE 5TWST
S FI ST
of
3
h W
KING'S•WA�Y,, #
Subject
Z � Area
n
a
5
�a
US HIGHWAY"30" 1.35 RAMP US HIGAY 30
HW
US HIGHWAY 30 RAMP 1-35 RAMP
US HIGHWAY 30
Q
,3
S
�5
Location Map N
Proposed DMACC Site w E
s
0 250 500 1,000 1,500
Feet
11/09/2004
To: City of Ames
Mayor and City Council
PO Box 811
515 Clark Avenue
Ames,IA 50010
RE: Text Amendment to Zoning Ordinance
Project: DMACC Career Academy—Story County
Dear Mayor and City Council:
Stott&Associates Architects,P.C.,acting as the Owner's design professional in
responsible charge,respectfully requests that a text amendment be considered for the
above referenced Project.
The parcel under consideration is located in the"GI"zoning district near the northeast
corner of Interstate 35 and U.S.Highway 30.At present,the"GI"district does not
permit the Institutional Use Category of"Colleges and Universities".
The DMACC Career Academy—Story County facility is similar in nature to the
permitted use of "Vocational/Technical High Schools"and as such will not create a
nuisance in terms of diminished air quality,smoke,noise,toxic matter,odor,vibration,
glare,sewage waste,water quality,street system capacity,heat or other condition
detrimental to the public health and safety or reasonable use,enjoyment and value of
other properties;or diminish the quality or quantity of any utility service presently
provided by the City.
Please consider modifying the permitted uses listed in Table 29.901(2)General
Industrial(GI)Zone Uses under the"Institutional Uses"section to include"Colleges
and Universities".
Regards,
STOTT&ASSOCIATES Architects,P.C.
Michael J.Sloter,AIA
Senior Project Manager