HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Memo to Ames City Council, July 5, 1960 Jody 5. 1960
To INK alb CITY C(OC1L t
Alpha Chi f a. a National rority. recently porthaseed prnperty
at ' i'1 Lynn Ave., ett os. I ows. This :raperty i nvo l veal two old rot ideHweeees
and Included what used to be known as the rA aards residence. It has a front-
age of 10i foot and a depth of 248 feet. The property is In an area toned
as if District, Multir10 Resident*. ` The Sorority is making -7lems to have
the old houses removed and a now sorority house constructed on the pro-
erty.. They are anxious that the now bovoe ha3 of an attractive design,
one that they son be „rood of and one that will be a tine addition t
the city.
V;tlli.Ebs :section #2-2.% of the Zoning ardinan" etassifled a fraternity
or sorority house as a club. As such. under Section No. 42-24.6 this
would require a side yard clearance of 25 feet.
Soction 2-214.1 to referring to a► stele yard in a 8 district provide$
that buildings three or sure staries in holelet may have a side yard of
ten feet. This Iectioat genorally applies to the 011eration of large roost-
tog houses and other buildings that Right Involve three or more stories.
The 2:3 foot re qu i reement ;,laces a serious burden In the 4e8 i gat of an at-
tractive building and almost limits the proposed bu{ldini to that -'f they
sha= a Of a One box. 50 feet In width and as d4wp as required to provide
the neeesaary space. Fraternity and sorority design ets well as residence
design now indicates a bU i ld i nU that will protest an attractive front to
the street and utilize a plan that is bctb sound and attractive. This
is particularly true where a large portion of the butt yard will &*ad
to be roserved for torkIng facilities.
�VvWKO.s It is 'believed that 1f see:tionr 42-2.35 and 42-24.6 were asa-
meadaad to exclude fraternity or sorority houses from a dosignatl n as a ela ,
the other sections of the oardieas"o* would then a„= }ear to raresent no nrer-
blow.
it is especially called to your attention that the lot inVOITseil
is a large one ?:.k3resenting adequate area to suprort the width and site
structure "pre)posed by the sorority, if the side yard problem can be
changed or modified.
This matter has recoive saw study by the City "'laming Camisoles
mad In a letter to the Council July 26, 19159 they roeaemmondW that a
fraternity and sorority be classified as a place of r4si,dence rather thus
a club, so that the side yard requirements could be more equitably op-
plied to the ecoustruetion of a sent sonrity or fraternity house.