HomeMy WebLinkAboutA006 - Letter from Justin Dodge dated May 20, 2016 58
Date: May 20, 2016
To: Honorable Mayor Campbell and Ames City Council
From: Justin Dodge, Hunziker Companies
Re: 3535 S. 530th Ave(Village Park)—2"d and 3`d readings for rezoning
Honorable Mayor and City Council,
Hunziker Development Company has been actively working on a new project South of the Wessex
apartment complex named Village Park—you have seen it on your agenda several times. The Planning
&Zoning Commission first considered this project (since our ownership)for annexation over a year ago
in May of 2015. This has been a long process when you factor in water rights, annexation, Land Use
Policy Plan amendment and rezoning. The next step is platting then to be followed by site plans.
It seems odd to be talking about winter and completing projects before it snows however the
construction season is shorter than you may realize. The 2016 calendar does not flow well between P&
Z meetings and city council meetings for the months of June and July. If the 2"d and 3`d readings of the
zoning are combined on May 241h it will help us work through the awkward June calendar. By combining
the readings we are able to save 6 weeks of time. In real terms it means we can start working on June
20th instead of Aug 3`d. That makes a huge difference in our work schedule. June,July and Aug are
usually the best months to do grading and underground utilities. If we have to wait until Aug to begin
work it is unlikely that we would be able to get the utilities and paving done in order to start
construction on some of the buildings this fall.
It is rare that we make a request such as this, but the way the meetings fall in June put us at a
disadvantage to make significant construction progress. We would greatly appreciate if you would
consider suspending the rules and pass the zoning on 2"d and 3`d readings for the rezoning of 3535 S.
530th Ave on May 24, 2016. At first reading there was little discussion and opposition to the project.
Thank you in advance for your consideration,
U
Justin Dodge, Hunziker Companies