HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Email dated January 24, 2021 from Robert Long (citizen) Voss, Diane
From: Robert Long <lazlo@mediacombb.net>
Sent: Sunday,January 24, 2021 3:06 PM
To: City Council and Mayor
Cc: bob long
Subject: Grove Ave zoning
[External Email]
24 JAN 2021
RE: Re-Zoning the west side of Grove Ave
Honorable Mayor and Council members,
Please accept this as a request to bring to discussion the re-zoning of the
West side of Grove Ave.
from High Density Residential to Medium Density Residential.
While I bring this request to you as a homeowner alone, I believe that I would have the backing of the
Northwood/Overland Heights Neighborhood Association.This is based on a near unanimous decision not to be in favor
of the Sherwin Williams zoning Node request that came before you many months back. We were pleased with the
outcome of that issue.Staff testimony during that Council meeting described the west side of Grove Ave.as more fitting
of a Medium Density designation due to its location across from Low Density single family homes.When asked about
this mis-zoning, staffs reply was that it was probably a matter of existing development to the north on Grand (east side)
and convenience at the time the map was drawn up.Staff also implied the desire to keep commercial development to
the west side of Grand Ave. and not to the east.
I bring this to you at this time out of concern. Due to Covid19, Mary Kay's shop and cafe is gone.The property has been
sold to a developer who has stated that it will be developed as a mixed-use site.The High Density designation allows for
that.
Leaving the West side of Grove Ave. zoned High Density leaves it open to mixed-use development.This, I believe,would
have a negative impact on my own home as well as the neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and for looking onto this matter.
Robert(Bob) Long (H) 233-2801 (C)451-5315
3124 Grove Ave.
50010
lazlo@mediacombb.net
1
A change in zoning to RM would likely require an amendment to the LUPP (See
Attachment B—LUPP Excerpt). City Council would need to determine if the
amendment would warrant a Minor or Major amendment process. The change from
high-density to medium density could likely be done as a Minor Amendment to the
LUPP given the size of the area and conformity of existing uses and densities.
The subject block has a"Redirection"area designation within the most recent Draft
Land Use Map for Ames Plan 2040. Redirection is intended to signify that some
change is expected in this area and warrants further study. The intent was to review
residential options and configurations for the properties along this block at some point
in the future. RM zoning may fit the intent of the Redirection designation.
Options.•
The applicant requests the City of Ames take a proactive approach to rezone these
properties along Grove Avenue to Residential Medium Density (RM)to prevent
commercial development. The author of the letter, Mr. Long, lives across Grove
Avenue to the east from the properties in question. It is unknown if he has spoken
with any of the property owners that would be directly affected by a rezoning.
Option 1: The City Council can choose to retain the existing zoning of Residential
High Density. City Council would have the opportunity to approve a Site Plan if over
5,000 square feet of office or commercial are proposed or if an application for
Rezoning to commercial were to be submitted. If a mixed-use development plan is
submitted with less than 5,000 square feet of office or commercial the Zoning
Ordinance allows staff approval and it would not come before the City Council for
review. Retaining the current zoning designation corresponds to the current land use
patterns, but it allows for potentially more intense uses if properties are redeveloped.
Option 2: The City Council can initiate an amendment process and rezoning of these
properties to Residential Medium Density. It is rare for the City to initiate a rezoning
without an application from a property owner, however, in this instance the City
Council may deem it appropriate in order to prevent potential encroachment of
commercial development into a single-family neighborhood. Prior to rezoning the
LUPP would need to be amended to change the area designation from RH to RM. This
step could also be seen as preservation of opportunity per the"Redirection"
designation of the draft Ames Plan 2040 Land Use Map.
Staff Comment:
Staff has not had any contact with property owners within the subject area and has not
reached out to them regarding this request. If Council were to proceed with Option 2 it
would be appropriate to first contact owners in the area to understand their interests.
2
Attachment A— Location Map
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Attachment C — Rezoning Request Letter
24 JAN 2021
RE: Re-Zoning the west side of Grove Ave
Honorable Mayor and Council members,
Please accept this as a request to bring to discussion the re-zoning of the
West side of Grove Ave.
from High Density Residential to Medium Density Residential.
While I bring this request to you as a homeowner alone,I believe that I would have the backing of the
Northwood/Overland Heights Neighborhood Association.This is based on a near unanimous decision not to be in favor
of the Sherwin Williams zoning Node request that came before you many months back.We were pleased with the
outcome of that issue.Staff testimony during that Council meeting described the west side of Grove Ave.as more fitting
of a Medium Density designation due to its location across from Low Density single family homes.When asked about
this mis-zoning,staffs reply was that it was probably a matter of existing development to the north on Grand(east side)
and convenience at the time the map was drawn up Staff also implied the desire to keep commercial development to
the west side of Grand Ave.and not to the east.
I bring this to you at this time out of concern.Due to Covid19,Mary Kay's shop and cafe is gone.The property has been
sold to a developer who has stated that it will be developed as a mixed-use site.The High Density designation allows for
that.
Leaving the West side of Grove Ave.zoned High Density leaves it open to mixed-use development.This,I believe,would
have a negative impact on my own home as well as the neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and for looking onto this matter.
Robert(Bob)Long (H)233-2801 (C)451-5315
3124 Grove Ave.
50010
lazlo@mediacombb.net
5