HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Text Amendment for Reduced Affordable Housing Parking Requirements ORDINANCE NO. 4513
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF AMES,IOWA,BY AMENDING SECTION 29.406 OFF-
STREET PARKING THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
REDUCING THE MINIMUM OFF-STREET PARKING
REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS;REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES
OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT
OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE,
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One, The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,[own shall be and the same is hereby
amended by amending Section 29.406 as follows:
"Sec,29.406,OFF-STREET PARKING.
(19)Reductions of Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements for Affordable Housing
Developments.
(a) The minimum off-street parking requirement may be reduced as set forth in this section for
aproposed affordable housing development upon approval of an agreement by the Planning
and Housing Director or City Council,as appropriate.
(i) The units for which the reduction is approved shall be restricted to households with a
median family income less than or equal to 60%of the Area Median Income(AM.I)of
Ames,as adiusted for family size and determined annua&by HUD.
(ii) At a minimum to qualify for the reduction 40%of the units shall be income-restricted
to the 60%AMI level or less.
{iii}The Planning and Housing Director mgy anprove the red ion when the proposal
includes a satisfactory:
(1) configuration of units and bedrooms as family housing units;
(2) affordable housing compliance agreement with a state or federal agency.If there
is no agreement it requires City Council approval;
(3) financial and operations plan demonstrating feasibility for the project addressing
at a minimum: affordability levels, household income verification, and rent
restrictions:and
(4) affordability period of 30 years or more.
The Director may forward to the City Council for approval any proposed reduction
that they do not find satisfactory,
(b) The affordable housing agreement shall:
(i) Be executed by the property owner or owners and the City prior to issuance of any
building permit.
(ii) Be recorded and be binding on all successors and assigns of the provirly or properties
involved.
(c) Affordable housing developments with an approved agreement may have parking reduced
as follows:
(i) 1.0 parking space per unit for units with two or fewer bedrooms.
(ii) 1.5 parking spaces per unit for units with three to four bedrooms
(iii) If the affordable housing units are located in a development with other units, such as
market-rate units r with other land use components, the reduced p4rking
requirements shall only apply to the affordable housing units, The total rgguired
parking shall be determined as the sum of Rarking requirements of the individual use
components.
(iv) At the end of the affordability period, the development may be converted to market-
rate units without providing additional parking.
(d) The City Council may approve additional reductions in parking for affordable housing
developments in the following circumstances:
(i) Developments that are permanently committed to serving households with incomes
below 30% of AML Permanently committed includes projects that require City
Council approval for a change of use.
(ii) When a development is within approximately a quarter-mile walking distance of a
public transit stop, Council may approve a reduction to 1.0 parking space per unit,
regardless of bedroom count.The measurement shall begin at the intersection of the
development's property line with the sidewalk,access,or other public pedestrian path
on the property nearest to the transit stop.
The requirements of Section 29.406(19)(a-b) still apply to Council approvals,except for
the harking rate."
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction
punishable as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this day of 2023.
110a-
en Hall,City Clerk John A.Yigila, Mayor