HomeMy WebLinkAboutA007 - Letter from Holly Fuchs, coments on Master Plan and Approval process Holly Fuchs
806 Brookridge Ave.
Ames, IA 50010-5835
515/233-2140
515/231-8996 cell
fuchs@ iastate.edu
Nov. 9, 2004
;/Ames Mayor and City Council Members
Ted Tedesco tedjoanie@aol.com
Russ Cross russcross@financial.wellsfargo.com
Steve Goodhue st.goodhue@fabg.net
Matthew Goodman matthew@smilesandgyros.com
Riad G. Mahayni rmahayni@isunet.net
Daryle Vegge dvegge@sauer-danfoss.com
Sharon Wirth sharonwirth@yahoo.com
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Ames City Hall
515 Clark Ave.
Ames, IA 50010 Re: Section 29.1108 (3) of Proposed O-GNE 11-03-04.doc
Dear Mayor and Members of the Ames City Council:
Of the 3 options suggested by City Staff for Section 29.1108 (3) Master Plan and
Approval Process of the proposed regulations for the Northeast Gateway Overlay
District [O-GNE Guidelines & Standards 11-03-04.doc], I prefer Option 3 for it gives caUwcc
more control over the development than the other options.
The control comes from requiring the Rezoning Agreement and Master Plan to be
agreed to before rezoning is approved.
Why is more control good?
It is an opportunity to conserve Ames' resources. The land under discussion is
valuable land, good for agriculture, well suited for industry. If we let it be zoned for, to
me, a less valuable purpose such as Planned Regional Commercial, we need to keep
as much control over what happens there as possible in order to ensure we get what
we want.
For example, a Zoning Agreement can specify where entrances to and from the mall
are allowed onto East 13th Street . This is important in order to avoid disruption of
traffic to industrial land to the east. If we don't control the number of entrances and
exits to the mall, the congestion on East 13th Street can make the industrial land to the
east less desirable so it is harder to attract industries to Ames.
A Zoning Agreement can require proof of viability of the developer so we don't have a
second "Visionnaire" experience. For example, he could be required to prove he still
041109 P.
has solid commitments from 4 anchor stores that he claimed he had in 2003.
A Zoning Agreement can address all the issues that the Focus Groups brought up
which City Planning and Housing Staff told the Steering Committee at their 5th and
last meeting were not appropriate for Design Guidelines and Standards. I spoke to
you in Public Forum about them last month. Only one is currently listed under the
issues to be covered by the Zoning Agreement. The others that I would like you to
consider including in the Zoning Agreement areithat local retailers not be required to
lease space in other malls; Public Space be made available; a Free Speech area be
designated through public right of way or easement; and a bond to mitigate damage to
Ketelsen Marsh be required of the developer.
In addition a Zoning Agreement can include proof of financing to prevent two half dead
malls in our town.
It could also require the developer to put up an 80% performance bond for the expect-
ed local tax and school tax that he has projected. Mr. Wolford used old data in his
sales projections and I am really skeptical that Ames will reap all the tax benefits he
projects. If he really believes his projections let him put his money where his mouth is.
The Zoning Agreement can also requyire the developer pays for all public
infrastructure cost for the entire project.
Agreeing on a Master Plan before agreeing to rezone the land is also important.
For example, It allows City Council to judge before agreeing to rezone, how...
1. convenient and safe the circulation pattern for all modes of transportation on the
site is,
2. reasonable is access to the site for �klh those traveling east to the site from Ames
and whether the location of those access points impedes those traveling to and
from industrial land farther east of the mall,
3. storm water management will impact wildlife routes and Ketelsen Marsh,
4. outdoor lighting will affect the night sky and the biology of Ketelsen Marsh,
5. the buildings, their location and the green space reflect Ames, etc.
Finally, would you consider rezoning in two steps...first the mall on the north side of
East 13th Street, then the power center on the south? This would allow the south side
to be returned to Agriculture and eventually industrial use if the mall fails.
Sincerely,
4ci,
Holly Fuchs