HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated February 14, 2006 ITEM #
DATE 02/14/06
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: URBAN REVITALIZATION CRITERIA AND URBAN REVITALIZATION
PLAN FOR THE WEST UNIVERSITY IMPACTED AREA
BACKGROUND:
One of the goals for sub-area planning for the University Impacted Area is to conserve
architecturally and historically significant residential buildings where they occur within a
block. Generally, buildings with historic significance are more than 50 years old, but
they also must relate to themes, events, or people that are significant to the history of
this community. Previous historic preservation work in Ames identified the time period
for such historic significance to be 1864-1941 (See A Home for Science and
Technology, Ames, Iowa 1864-1941, by William C. Page, 2003). The attached map
shows all buildings built before this date. Furthermore, the Sub-Area Plan for the
University Impacted Area identified "Areas of Special Emphasis" that are based on two
historic themes important to this area around the University: development of housing for
students and faculty and the route of the historic Lincoln Highway. Because Sheldon
Avenue, from Lincoln Way north to Hyland Avenue was one location of early off-campus
housing and was part of the original Lincoln Highway, the Plan identifies it as one likely
location of buildings of historic significance.
City Council initiated research to identify and document such historical and architectural
resources, as well as a process to establish appropriate preservation policy. This
research and policy development, along with the needed public participation, is likely to
take several years. In the meantime, the City could encourage the adaptive reuse of
buildings in the Sheldon Avenue corridor with the potential for historic significance. This
could be accomplished by establishing a West University Impacted Urban Revitalization
Area (see map, Attachment A), which would provide partial property tax abatement
under the following criteria:
• The building on the site was originally built before 1941; and also
• This existing building will remain substantially intact; and also
• Original or historic materials and designs are preserved and/or restored.
The Historic Preservation Commission could advise the City Council on whether
proposed improvements meet these criteria.
Recommendation of the Planning and Housing Commission. At its meeting of May
18, 2005, with a vote of 5-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that
the City Council initiate this new Urban Revitalization Area and criteria for eligibility.
Recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission. At its meeting of May
23, 2005, with a vote of 6-0, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended that
the City Council initiate this new Urban Revitalization Area and criteria for eligibility.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the Urban Revitalization Criteria for the West
University Impacted Area, direct staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization Plan for
the West University Impacted Area, and set a date of public hearing of March 28,
2006.
2. The City Council can direct staff to revise the Urban Revitalization Criteria for the
West University Impacted Area, direct staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization
Plan for the West University Impacted Area, and set a date of public hearing of
March 28, 2006.
3. The City Council can deny the Urban Revitalization Criteria for a West University
Impacted Area.
4. The City Council can refer this item back to City staff for additional information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative #1, which is a recommendation that the City Council approve the Urban
Revitalization Criteria for the West University Impacted Area, direct staff to prepare an
Urban Revitalization Plan for the West University Impacted Area, and set a date of
public hearing of March 28, 2006. This new Urban Revitalization Area would support
investments that preserve and reuse the buildings in these areas that are most likely to
be architecturally and historically significant. Conservation of such resources is one of
the City's policies for the University Impacted Area.
These actions will serve as an interim measure to help protect potential resources, while
the community researches the resources and considers establishing local historic
districts, National Register Historic Districts, and other conservation policies for west
Ames. After several years, when that work is completed, these Urban Revitalization
Areas and Plans can be changed to reflect the findings and decisions of that process.
Attachments
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