HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 25, 2023 ITEM #: 37
DATE: 04-25-23
DEPT: P&H
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
REQUEST: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO SECTION 29.1114(5) TO REDUCE
REQUIRED PARKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING USES WITHIN A
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) OVERLAY FROM 2 SPACES
PER UNIT TO 1.5 SPACES PER UNIT
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BACKGROUND:
In March, the City Council directed staff to prepare a zoning text amendment to allow for
a reduction in required parking for Affordable Housing uses in the Planned Unit
Development (PUD) Overlay. Currently, PUD Overlays allow for City Council to reduce
parking for affordable housing to a maximum of 2 spaces per residential unit regardless
i of bedroom count for an apartment building. Typically, the City requires 1 parking space
per bedroom in an apartment building. The direction came after discussion regarding
recent affordable housing proposals in Baker Subdivision and if parking could be further
reduced to increase green space on a site.
The proposed change is to allow for City Council to approve a maximum parking
rate of 1.5 spaces per residential unit for affordable housing uses in a PUD Overlay.
This rate matches the minimum expectations of the Iowa Finance Authority qualification
requirements for a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project. A PUD Overlay can
only be applied to sites of two acres of more. The proposed change is not a "by right"
standard; the reduction is subject to case-by-case review of a Major Site
Development Plan and an affordable housing plan to determine the appropriate
parking rate.
Reducing the parking requirement may assist in helping development of sites that have
limited space to work with to be able to maximize the number of affordable housing units
and could potentially help keeps costs lower on affordable housing projects in some
cases. When working with low-income households it is not common for there to be
ownership of two cars. Another consideration at the time of project review is the total
number of spaces or size of a project, income levels, and availability of street parking.
The proposed text amendment would only apply to Affordable Housing uses in
PUDs. All other standard residential uses or Affordable Housing projects outside
of PUDs must comply with the standard residential parking requirements in the
general parking table found in Section 29.406(2).
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
The Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed text amendment at its April
5 meeting. The Commission discussed the proposal. Staff clarified that minimum parking
requirements still apply, and the proposed standard is a cap on the maximum number of
spaces required. One member preferred reducing the required parking for Affordable
Housing uses to 1.7 spaces per unit instead of the proposed 1.5 to ensure there would
be less impacts to on-street parking availability. The Planning & Zoning Commission
voted to approve a reduction to a maximum of 1.5 spaces per unit by a 5-1 vote.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a reduction to the minimum required parking for Affordable Housing uses
in PUDs from 2 spaces per residential unit to a maximum 1.5 spaces per residential
unit.
2. Approve a reduction to the minimum required parking for Affordable Housing uses
in PUDs from 2 spaces per residential unit to some other number.
3. Take no action to modify parking standards for Affordable Housing uses in PUDs.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff finds that a reduction in required parking for affordable housing projects from 2
parking spaces per residential unit to 1.5 spaces per residential unit is acceptable for
maintaining minimum levels of onsite parking for Affordable Housing Uses in PUDs,
Reducing required parking in Affordable Housing projects can be justified not only to
i reduce the amount of impervious area, but also acknowledging there should be a more
affordable and economical way of living, as opposed to the traditional means of owning a
vehicle or multiple vehicles, in unique environments that allow special designs such as a
PUDs. Additionally, the final decision on appropriate parking will be based upon project
specific circumstances through the Major Site Development Plan review of a project.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative #1, as noted above.
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Attachment A- Proposed Text Amendment Section 29.1114(5)
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINAWE TO AMENDTur MUNICIPAL CODE OF
TnE CITY OF AMES, 10%VA, BY AMENDING SE(717110N
29.111415)THEREOF, FOR THY PURPOSE OF AMENDING
PLANNED UNIT I)E%IEI.A)PMFN*I' OVERLAY DISTRICT
(PUD) AFFORDABLE 110USING PARKING SPACES
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO 'THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFL10%AND ESTABLISH ING AN EFFEC11VE DATE.
BE ITLNA(7I*El),by the City Council lbr the City of Ames,Sown.that:
�cctiojjQnK. Tito Municipal Code orthc City arArnes,Imm shall tv and the same is lxmby
wmndcd by amending,Section 29.1114(5)as rollows:
'['able 29.1114(5)
Plaruted Unit Development Overlay District JPI ID)
Supplemental Development Statidardi
SUPPLEMENTAL
DURLOPMrNT PUD ZONE
STANDARDS
Parting spaces shall be provided as prescribed by this chapter;however,required parking
locations may be approved by the City Council in cornmort areas or on a street within lite
Parking Requircinents boundaries of the PUD.Aflordable housing for low-and inciderate-ineonic households
may hvepulcing reduced so that an apanniem dwelling unit only requinn;it orwixinium of
4we 1&puikirig spaces regardless ofbcdroom count}ter unit.
Section Ttvcs. All.ordiviawm arparts ofordinanecs,in conflict hcrmiflt tire licteby repeated to
the extent of such conflict,if any,
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in fitill force and effect froin and viler its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this day of
....................................................................................................................... ........... ........
hence Hall,City Clerk John A.Haila,Mayor
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I
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF
THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION
29.1114(5)THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT
(PUD) AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARKING SPACES
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFLICT; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
f BE 1T ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
j
k Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shal I be and the same is hereby
j amended by amending Section 29.1114(5)as follows:
i
"Table 29.11.14(5)
Planned Unit Development Overlay District(PUD)
Supplemental Development Standards
j SUPPLEMENTAL
DEVELOPMENT PUD ZONE
STANDARDS
Parking spaces shall be provided as prescribed by this chapter;however,required parking
locations may be approved by the City Council in common areas or on a street within the
Parking Requirements boundaries of the PUD. Afrordable housing for low-and moderate-income households
may have parking reduced so that an apartment dwelling unit only requires a maximum of
Hve 1_5 parking spaces regardless of bedroom count per unit.
Section Two. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such confl ict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this day of
Renee Hall,City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor