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Home My WebLink AboutA016 - Council Action Form dated February 22, 2000 ITEM # / DATE 02/22/2000 COUNCIL ACTION FORM SUBJECT: REQUEST TO WAIVE SECTIONS 23.401(2) AND 23.403(9)(c) OF THE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS REGARDING THE 1320 FOOT BLOCK LENGTH REQUIREMENT. ACTION FORM SUMMARY: The applicant, Terra Firma, L.P., is requesting that the City Council waive the 1320 foot maximum block length requirement found in Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c)of the Subdivision Regulations. The applicant is in the process of seeking approval of a Preliminary Plat for the subdivision of property to provide for a lot to be sold and developed near the westerly end of Mortenson Road. Staff recommends that the requirements in Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) regarding the maximum block of 1320 feet not be waived. BACKGROUND: Terra Firma, L.P. (Ev Cochrane and Associates) is requesting that the requirement of subdividing property, where the block length not exceed 1320 feet, be waived. The applicant is in the process of preparing a Preliminary Plat for the remaining portion of Dauntless Subdivision. The proposed Preliminary Plat indicates an extension of Mortenson Road, west from an intersection with South Dakota, a distance of approximately 2550 feet. The Preliminary Plat also proposes to extend Dickinson Avenue north of Mortenson Road a distance of 700 feet to create a link with the segment of Dickinson Avenue that already exists. The critical issue that exists with the proposed street design is that Mortenson Road is proposed to extend a distance of 1860 west of the intersection of Dickinson Avenue which, at this time, exceeds the block length of 1320 feet as specified in the Subdivision Regulations. The applicant is requesting that the block length standard of 1320 feet be waived by the City Council. Attached is a copy of the applicant's request and a copy of a portion of the previously approved Preliminary Plat (CDP), to assist you with understanding the proposed street layout. ANALYSIS: The property in question is currently zoned a combination of commercial and medium density residential. As a result, the potential for a significant amount of traffic using Mortenson Road clearly exists. In fact, a multiple family apartment project is proposed for the property that is zoned medium density residential. The result of building this project would be the potential for as many as 1000 vehicle trips per day along this segment of Mortenson Road, where there is no other intersecting street, at this time, for 1400 to 1800 feet. The problem rationale for the block length standard is: • To make certain that motorists can circulate on a logical street network where large numbers of motorists are not forced to enter another intersecting street (usually a collector or arterial street) at a single intersection which results in undo congestion at the intersection, since no alternative travel corridors exist. • To limit the potential safety hazard that exists when a single long street has only one means of access, thus preventing emergency vehicle access, in the event of a blockage of the long street. It is staffs belief that the proposed Subdivision creates the potential problems listed above. In addition, the proposed Preliminary Plat illustrates the construction of two intersecting streets that would accomplish the objective of the block length standard. In fact, the construction of a segment of a proposed street named Poe Avenue (which is not proposed to be constructed at this time), that would connect with the segment of Steinbeck Street that already exists, would eliminate the problem altogether. This would result in a Subdivision street design that would be in compliance with the City requirements for block length standard. Staff believes that the availability of a viable alternative, along with the potential for large numbers of vehicles using this single length of Mortenson Road, creates a situation where the block length standard should not be waived. Therefore staff is recommending that the request to waive the standard be denied. ALTERNATIVES: 1. The City Council can deny the request by Terra Firma, L.P. to waive the Subdivision standard found in Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) regarding the 1320 foot block length standard. 2. The City Council can approve the request from Terra Firma, L.P. to waive the Subdivision requirement found in Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) regarding the 1320 foot block length standard. 2 MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1. This action will deny the request by Terra Firma, L.P. to waive the Subdivision requirement found in sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) regarding the 1320 foot block length standard. The number of potential motorists likely to result from the proposed multiple family development near the end of Mortenson Road could create a potential safety hazard for these residents in the event this length of Mortenson Road became blocked or impassable. COUNCIL ACTION: 3 EV COCHRANE AND ASSOCIATES 207 Stanton P.O. Box 1099 Ames, Iowa 50014-1099 Bus. (515)292-4562 Mortensen Manor Apts. FAX(515) 292-2603 Stanton Manor Apts. Home (515)292-2444 Celtic Manor Apts. (515)292-6565 Bird Manor Apts. Gateway Real Estate February 10, 2000 RECEIVED FEB 11 2000 Honorable Frank"Ted"Tedesco, Mayor, and GITY OFpT OF PLANNING AMES,I HOUSING Honorable Members of the Ames City Council City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 Re: Extension of Mortensen Road Dear Mayor and Council Members: On behalf of Terra Firma, L.P., the owner of certain property in the Dauntless Subdivision, Ames, Iowa, we request that the Ames City Council grant a waiver of the requirements as found in Ames Municipal Code Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) concerning the 1,320 foot requirement. As part of the development process, we are currently extending Mortensen Road to the west and will complete that extension in the near future. The development of an apartment project by the Dinerstein organization upon a westerly lot located on the extended Mortensen Road results in the development taking place approximately 1,470 feet from the center line of Dickinson Avenue, resulting in the creation of a distance greater than the 1,320 feet as provided for in the previously mentioned Sections of the Ames City Code. As the Ames City Council has done in the past, we are requesting a waiver of those requirements to allow the development of the Dinerstein project prior to the completion of the additional street pattern in the Dauntless Subdivision. Ultimately, when the Dauntless Subdivision is fully developed, the requirements of Ames City Code Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c)will be satisfied. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, David A. Keller, Vice President/Treasurer Ev Cochrane &Associates, Inc. General Partner of Terra Firma, L.P. Cc: Brian O'Connell Paul Wiegand Ames City Clerk HIUMN SUBMWON ILL I m v I v V E I � m n nW R I B I I d s I I m b� 01 N n m N I m � I I r � I w� I m �ro B I v I I L a n z m $ PROJECT PHASING W D DAUNTLESS ADDITION AMES, IOWA q Orman:Everett&Mw"Codww Amn,lows ENGINEERING PLUS, INC. an.. a. arwraau Fm awaww CAF APPROVAL SS BK SL Xg JP SR To be sent to: David A. Keller Ev Cochrane &Associates, Inc. PO Box 1099 Ames, IA 50014-1099 COUNCIL ACTION SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2115100 Agenda Item #: Comments SUBJECT: Letter from Ev Cochrane &Associates, et al, Requesting a Waiver of the 1,320-foot Requirement for Certain Property in the Dauntless Subdivision ACTION TAKEN: Referred to staff. MOTION BY: Quirmbach SECOND BY: Goodhue VOTING AYE: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman, Quimbach, Wirth VOTING NAY: None ABSENT: None By:"6A/0'L�J1_j__, Diane Voss, City Cleric Copy to: Brian O'Connell EV COCHRANE AND ASSOCIATES 9_/5�G 207 Stanton P.O. Box 1099 Ames, Iowa 50014-1099 Mortensen Manor Apts. Bus. (515)292-4562 Stanton Manor Apts. FAX (515) 292-2603 Celtic Manor Apts. Home (515)292-2444 Bird Manor Apts. (515)292-6565 Gateway Real Estate (� February 10, 2000 FEB I IMIUTJ1 CITY CLERK k Honorable Frank"Ted" Tedesco, Mayor, and CITY OF AMES,IOWAA Honorable Members of the Ames City Council City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 Re: Extension of Mortensen Road Dear Mayor and Council Members: On behalf of Terra Firma, L.P., the owner of certain property in the Dauntless Subdivision, Ames, Iowa, we request that the Ames City Council grant a waiver of the requirements as found in Ames Municipal Code Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) concerning the 1,320 foot requirement. As part of the development process, we are currently extending Mortensen Road to the west and will complete that extension in the near future. The development of an apartment project by the Dinerstein organization upon a westerly lot located on the extended Mortensen Road results in the development taking place approximately 1,470 feet from the center line of Dickinson Avenue, resulting in the creation of a distance greater than the 1,320 feet as provided for in the previously mentioned Sections of the Ames City Code. As the Ames City Council has done in the past, we are requesting a waiver of those requirements to allow the development of the Dinerstein project prior to the completion of the additional street pattern in the Dauntless Subdivision. Ultimately, when the Dauntless Subdivision is fully developed, the requirements of Ames City Code Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c)will be satisfied. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, David A. Keller, Vice President/Treasurer Ev Cochrane &Associates, Inc. General Partner of Terra Firma, L.P. Cc: Brian O'Connell Paul Wiegand Ames City Clerk 515 Clark Avenue,P. 0.Box 811 (:ariug Propk Ames,IA 50010 Quality Programs Phone: 515-239-5105 Extrpli0?W1 Service Fax: 515-239-5142 February 23, 2000 Mr. David A. Keller Ev Cochrane& Associates, Inc. 207 Stanton Ames, Iowa 50014 Dear Mr. Keller: At their meeting of February 22, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 00-044 approving the request of Terra Firma, L.P., for a waiver of Sections 23.401(2) and 23.403(9)(c) of the subdivision regulations regarding the 1320' block length requirement. This request had been made specifically to address the issue with the proposed street design for Mortensen Road as contained in the Preliminary Plat for the remaining portion of Dauntless Subdivision. If you have any questions, please contact Brian O'Connell, Director of Planning and Housing, at 239-5400. Sincerely, Diane Voss City Clerk /dry HILLSIDE SUBDIVISION t OWNER-MUIZINER—ELOPWW W.L.O. Z01t16 Pi-E . P Fr O fD OD V Ut ? N I N O 0 � (n I 0 m K N ca A a � m i m -u I E Q { � m m I I m > � Iqq r m m = A m V m � � ° o co °4 m 1 N ri N . w m I t N 1 ' � mC. 9y A C 7i J -0 O 0 I � ° — —� m o) OD / \ NaD 11 / I Mo�T FNSeN q p �. cNn qp \ • N ; d � r W O •� I m > �� I � I w I I �._ m D Cu ° III 41 _� I m � I o m hw$y3 o �,mmu illilljlllll 65. 00 n, m m Z T zD n Z� m 5 W s # PROJECT PHASING wLoro.vr,an a a < o DAUNTLESS ADDITION AMES, IOWA Law AroNbab Owners: Everett & Marjorie Cochrane Ames,Iowa ENGINEERING PLUS, INC. Amr, 1-- 515-232-5653 FAX 515-233-6978