HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Waiver of density standards for Urban Residential designation for 3618 Cedar Lane RESOLUTION NO. 12-559
RESOLUTION APPROVING WAIVER OF DENSITY STANDARDS URBAN
RESIDENTIAL LAND USE DESIGNATION AT 3618 CEDAR LANE
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2012,the City Council referred to staff a letter requesting a
waiver of density standards of the Ames Urban Fringe Plan in order to divide land located at 3618
Cedar Lane; and,
WHEREAS, the division of land would not actually create a new lot, but would enlarge an
existing lot by adjusting its boundary; and,
WHEREAS, the property is located outside the City limits, but within the two-mile Ames
Urban Fringe, and the request of the waiver is to allow the owners to modify the boundary of the
southernmost one-acre parcel into a larger four-acre parcel; and,
WHEREAS,the property is located within the Urban Service Area of the Ames Urban Fringe
and has an Urban Residential land use designation,which is planned for a minimum density of 3.75
dwelling units per acre,and the proposal to enlarge the developed parcel further reduces the density
under the minimum requirement; and,
WHEREAS, the Urban Service Area of the Ames Urban Fringe contains lands which are
adjacent to city limits and identified for urban development once annexed into corporate boundaries,
and these areas were established to allow for unified growth for efficient extension of public
facilities and services once developed; and,
WHEREAS, the owners have expressed that the need for the proposed boundary line
adjustment is a) due to a pending sale of the property where the buyers desire to own the full four-
acre parcel; b) the additional three-acre parcel proposed for addition contains a barn, utility line,
driveway encroachment, and septic system lateral field, which serves the one-acre site, and c) if
maintenance or replacement was ever needed on the septic system,the one-acre parcel would not be
able to accommodate such replacement area due to the soils and the location of the existing
residence; and,
WHEREAS,the LUPP recognizes that maintaining certain minimum densities is important
to achieve a number of goals, and creating a dense urban environment promotes cost-effective and
efficient provisions of services, creates a greater sense of place, strengthening the connectivity of
neighborhoods and building community identity and spirit, and allows for a more efficient use of
private transportation; and,
WHEREAS,the Council has routinely granted waivers for residential development in those
areas of the Urban Fringe where annexation by the City is not anticipated in the foreseeable future,
and these waivers, however, have been recommended only when the proposed development is
consistent with the use and density standards of the Plan; and,
WHEREAS,this waiver request is not within the density standards for the Urban Residential
land use designation and would not be consistent with City Council policy; and,
WHEREAS, the owners clarify in the request that the need for the waiver for the boundary
line adjustment is to allow for the sale of the property in which the services are located off of the
existing parcel; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council can approve the request to waive the City's density standard
for the Urban Residential designation for the proposed Plat of Survey on Cedar Lane if it finds that
approval of this waiver is consistent with the policies and intent of the Ames Urban Fringe Plan or
with past practices of the City Council since the Urban Fringe Plan was adopted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the waiver of minimum density standards for the Urban Residential land use designation at 3618
Cedar Lane is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 23rd day of October, 2012.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Goodman
Seconded by: Orazem
Voting aye: Davis, Goodman, Larson, Orazem, Szopinski, Wacha
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23' day of October, 2012.