HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated October 13, 2015 ITEM # 48
DATE 10-13-15
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
(R-1) ZONING DISTRICT HUB AREA MINIMUM HEIGHT
BACKGROUND:
The City recently created the Research and Innovation Zoning District (R-1) in July
2015. The R-1 district included standards for industrial uses as well as an option to
create a commercial center known as the Hub Activity Area. The zoning standards are
distinct in the Hub Area from the typical industrial standards. The intent was to create an
opportunity for a more intense node of activities through the allowance of commercial
uses, building requirements, and reduced parking requirements.
Staff recently identified an error in the final language of the Zoning District where
a standard for a minimum 2-story height was omitted from the ordinance. Staff
had indicated in the Council and Commission Action forms that there was a 2-story
height requirement in the Hub Area, but due to the final changes to the language as it
was being written it did not get incorporated in the ordinance.
Staff is proposing to add the following standard to Table 29.903 (3):
Minimum Height Hub Activity Area 2 Stories
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council adopt the proposed amendment to the Research Park and
Innovation Zoning District for minimum height within the Hub Activity Area.
If this alternative is supported, the staff would urge the Council to pass this
amendment on second and third reading so that the requirement is in place
prior to the passage of the RI zoning of the Research Park which is also on
this meeting agenda.
2. The City Council decline to adopt the minimum height standard in the RI Zoning
District and continue to utilize the PI zoning district for the ISU Research Park.
3. The City can provide alternative language for the minimum height standard.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed minimum height fits the intent of the RI zoning district for a more intense
commercial Hub Activity Area. The proposed 2-story height requirement was originally
contemplated as part of the creation of the RI zoning district, but was unintentionally
omitted in the final ordinance. The Research Park Inc. had previously agreed to the
go
concept and believed it met their interests for the Hub Activity Area as well. In addition,
the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend adoption of the change.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the Council act in
accordance with Alternative #1, which is to adopt the proposed amendment to the
Research Park and Innovation Zoning District for minimum height within the Hub Activity
Area.
It is also requested that Council approve the second and third reading and
adoption of the ordinance prior to third reading and adoption of the RI zoning of
the Research Park that is also on tonight's Council agenda. Since the parties had
agreed to this two-story requirement and believed it was, in fact, included in the RI
zoning district ordinance language that was passed previously, it appears that waiving
the rules and approving this amendment on all three readings is justified.
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