HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - excerpt from April 27, 2010 minutes REQUEST FROM IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY (ISU) FOR PLACEMENT OF WAY-
FINDING SIGNS ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY: City Manager Schainker recalled that on June
23,2009,the City received a letter from ISU regarding its project to establish way-finding signs
on and surrounding the main campus area. City staff has met on several occasions with ISU staff
to outline the purpose of the project and to detail what is being proposed. Cathy Brown, ISU
Facilities Manager, stated that the Southwest Gateway structure was Phase I of the University
Boulevard entryway beautification, and the placement of directional signage is Phase H.
Chris Strawhacker, ISU landscape designer, explained the components of a matrix that was
established to identify the best way to help people find their way around the area.
Council Member Wacha asked what is being done on creating way-finding signage for the
remainder of the community. Dan Culhane,Director of the Chamber of Commerce, explained
what work is currently being done by the Chamber and local groups to create a system of way-
finding signs. Mr. Wacha expressed his preference that the City's signage be similar in design
to the University's.
Ex officio Member Matt England specifically requested that signage indicating the location of
Greek housing be included in the plan.
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Orazem, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 10-182 approving the
Agreement.
Roll Call Vote:6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously,signed by the Mayor,and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Orazem, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 10-183 approving a
waiver of the Encroachment Permit fee.
Roll Call Vote:6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously,signed by the Mayor,and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON REZONING PROPERTY AT 530 AND 900 SOUTHEAST 16TH STREET:
The Mayor opened the public hearing. She closed same after no one asked to speak.
Planning and Housing Director Steve Osguthorpe explained the complexities associated with this
project. He advised that the applicant feels that the land can be utilized to the greatest extent if
the zoning is changed to HOC.
The history behind the creation of the Highway-Oriented Commercial land use designation was
given by Mr. Osguthorpe. He pointed out that the entire area is within the general floodplain of
the Squaw Creek and the Skunk River, and in addition to land use designations, the City has
floodplain zoning designations. Mr. Osguthorpe also stated that the existing Environmental
Sensitive Lands designation remains for all of the property in question.
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Council Member Larson pointed out that the floodway fringe and floodplain boundaries are
determined by FEMA Planner Jeff Benson advised that the boundaries were changed in 2008.
Mr. Osguthorpe noted that rezoning of the properties from Agricultural to Highway-Oriented
Commercial would not change the floodplain overlay zoning designations.
According to Director Osguthorpe,the LUPP Future Land Map shows two uses on the property
at Parcel D; however, the applicant is requesting to rezone the entire parcel to HOC. Mr.
Osguthorpe said that this requires an interpretation of the Future Land Use Map. One
interpretation asserts that uses on the Future Land Use Map are not necessarily intended to follow
existing property lines. Another interpretation, according to Mr. Osguthorpe, is that each of the
uses shown on the Future Land Use Map is placed there for good reasons, viewed from a long-
range prospective, and it is unrealistic to expect at the time the Plan is created that the existing
property lines and land ownership will align with the long-range future plans of the community.
In most cases, the LUPP designations do follow property lines, but when they do not, they
typically follow defined conditions or natural site characteristics(topography,riparian corridors).
Mr. Osguthorpe stated that staff believes the second interpretation applies to this case,
particularly because the area in question is a floodway.
Upon being questioned,Mr. Osguthorpe said that the LUPP designates three interchanges in the
southeast area of Ames as community entries: Interstate 35 and U. S. Highway 30; U. S.
Highway 30 and Dayton Road;and U.S.Highway 30 and Duff Avenue.He noted that the LUPP
states that any corridors associated with entries should be designed to reflect a continuation of
the distinctive design characteristics ofthe associated interchange.Mr.Osguthorpe explained the
options to incorporate policies for community entries with the requested rezoning.
Pertaining to Mr. Osguthorpe,public sidewalks are not yet installed along Southeast 16t1i Street.
The developer is normally required to install this sidewalk on its property frontage when the
property is subdivided. If the property was rezoned and required no subdivision, the property
could be developed with no sidewalk. To ensure that commercial development included
sidewalks, a rezoning agreement could be prepared requiring a sidewalk across the frontage of
each parcel be built before approval of an Occupancy Permit for that parcel.The property owner
would have to agree before the City Council takes action on the rezoning request.
Mr. Osguthorpe reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City
Council approve the rezoning, with stipulations. It recommended that Parcel C and the
southwest half of Parcel D be rezoned from Agricultural to Highway-Oriented Commercial,but
the existing zoning of the northeast half of Parcel D be left unchanged.He said that the majority
of the Commission's discussion concerned the potential impact of development on entryways
to Ames.
It was noted by Mr. Osguthorpe that there is currently no legal description for the southwest half
of Parcel D. If the City Council decides to rezone only the southwest half of Parcel D,that action
would need to be deferred until a legal description is prepared.
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Chuck Winkleblack, 105 SE 16'Street,Ames,representing the applicant,addressed the creation
of another overlay. He asked why the guidelines for the HOC District were not enough and if
it were necessary to have multiple zones for every piece of property. Addressing a requirement
for sidewalks, Mr. Winkleblack said he did not see the logic of installing a sidewalk now as it
would not go anywhere on either side and it would be impossible to determine at this point what
level it should be installed. According to Mr. Winkleblack, the sidewalk would end up being
torn up when the rest of the area develops.
Mr. Winkleblack also said the main issue he has is that if the LUPP is intended to be a zoning
map instead of a guide, a Zoning Map is not necessary. Pertaining to the Council's desire to
increase the City's tax base,he asked why the City would give up land that can be zoned HOC.
Council Member Goodman said that he does not feel that the Environmentally Sensitive
designation is the best fit for a portion of the land in question. It makes sense to him to rezone
the entire parcel.
Moved by Goodman, seconded by Larson, to approve the rezoning of Parcels C and D from
Agricultural to Highway-Oriented Commercial as requested by the applicant.
Moved by Wacha, seconded by Mahayni,to amend the motion to request staff to work with the
developer on an agreement that requires the installation of a sidewalk across the frontage of each
parcel before approval of an Occupancy Permit for either parcel.
Motion withdrawn by Goodman.
Motion to amend withdrawn by Wacha.
Moved by Wacha, seconded by Mahayni, to request staff to work with the developer on an
agreement to install a sidewalk across the frontage of each parcel before approval of an
Occupancy Permit for either parcel.
Council Member Orazem asked why the Council would require a "sidewalk to nowhere."
Council Member Goodman explained that he is very committed to equal access to all members
of the Ames community.Mr.Orazem said that if the City is that committed,it should be willing
to put the sidewalks in,not wait for the development to occur. Council Member Wacha said that
the opportunity has presented itself at this time. Mr. Orazem shared that it did not seem fair to
him to require this developer to foot the entire bill for installation of a sidewalk that might get
torn up in the future.
Chuck Winkleblack noted that if the adjacent properties are developed, but there was no
subdivision of land, sidewalks would not be required. He pointed out that there is an existing
shared-use path on the opposite side of the road that is already providing an excellent source for
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transportation. Also, when the adjacent properties are developed, sidewalks might not be
appropriate based on the type of development that goes in there. He noted that sidewalks had
never been discussed at the time of a rezoning request. To make a judgment on the installation
of sidewalks at this level would harness the applicant with a$60,000 - $80,000 expense to put
in a section of sidewalk that ends at this property.
Vote on Motion: 3-3. Voting aye: Goodman, Mahayni, Wacha. Voting nay: Davis, Larson,
Orazem. Mayor Campbell voted aye to break the tie. Motion declared carried.
The meeting recessed at 9:25 p.m. and reconvened at 9:35.
HEARING ON REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION
OF STANGE ROAD AND BLOOMINGTON ROAD: The public hearing was opened by the
Mayor and closed after no one came forward to speak.
Director Steve Osguthorpe brought the Council's attention to the findings of fact that were
included with the staff report.
Moved by Goodman, seconded by Larson, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning
property located north of the intersection of Stange Road and Bloomington Road from
Convenience Commercial Node(CVCN) to Convenience General Service (CGS).
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting aye: Davis, Goodman, Larson, Orazem, Wacha. Voting nay:
Mahayni. Motion declared carried.
HEARING ON 2009/10 CYRIDE ROUTE PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS (KNAPP
STREET AND ASH AVENUE): Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing and closed same
when no one requested to speak.
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Wacha,to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 10-184 approving final
plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Manatt's,Inc.,of Ames,Iowa,in the amount
of$431,778.10.
Council Member Larson noted that the Greek system had expressed some concerns over the work
being finished prior to the first part of August.Municipal Engineer Tracy Warner said that staff
had not heard back from Manatt's;however,the Contract contains a provision that work be done
by August or would have to be finished next year. She said that staff will apprise the Greek
community as soon as word is received from Manatt's. Ms.Warner advised that a neighborhood
meeting had been held where representatives of the Greek community had stated that it was
important that pedestrian access be available. City Manager Schainker pointed out that
construction completion is controlled by the weather.
Roll Call Vote:6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously,signed by the Mayor,and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
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