HomeMy WebLinkAboutA029 - Council Action Form dated August 12, 2003 ITEM # �-
DATE: August 12, 2003
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Patio Homes West Park
BACKGROUND:
In the spring of 2002 residents in west Ames submitted a City of Ames'
Neighborhood Improvement Grant application stating that volunteers had
privately fund raised $2,245 from residents in the area and that they wanted to
see a parcel of City owned property at the end of Illinois Avenue be developed
into a more active (versus passive) park. This area of west Ames has seen
dramatic growth during the past 10 years with over 80 homes being built in the
Brookview Place subdivision. Their grant request was for matching funds from
the City that would enable them, as volunteers to purchase playground
equipment; construct a mini-shelter, install a concrete basketball pad, landscape
material, and a hard surface pathway.
A few property owners adjacent this parcel objected to the proposed
development and contacted my office last summer. City staff held a public
meeting at Sawyer Elementary School (September 2002) in an effort to open the
lines of communication among the various groups and to listen to everyone's
concerns. It was hoped that there would be constructive dialogue at this meeting
resulting in solutions that would meet with everyone's approval. Approximately 60
people attended this meeting.
The major issues of the adjacent property owners included:
1. The site was originally engineered and designed to accommodate storm
water run-off. Based on that assumption, some adjacent property owners
were concerned that any construction in this area would reduce the
effectiveness of the storm water basin and place their homes in jeopardy. In
addition, some of the adjacent homeowners worried that construction would
disturb the area where they believed their sump pumps discharge.
2. If "volunteers" from the neighborhood were allowed to construct the project
amenities, there was a concern they might lack the expertise to build the
features in accordance with the appropriate design documents.
3. With limited funding through the Neighborhood Improvement Program
(maximum of $5,000), it would take several years to complete the project.
The adjacent property owners were concerned that the volunteer's attention
to the engineer's design specifications could be forgotten and drainage issues
would not be taken into consideration.
In response to issue #1, the Public Works engineering staff visited the site to
determine where their sump pumps drains, and to review the proposed park
development plans to determine if development would have any impact on
drainage. After researching this issue, Public Works engineers have determined
that no abutting property owners' sump-pumps are tied into this open space
drainage system; every sump-pump drains directly to the street sewer.
Furthermore, it is our.engineering staff's opinion that the site can be developed
without degrading the effectiveness of the existing storm water protection
system.
Based on this information, and to address concerns #2 and #3, Parks and
Recreation staff developed the attached Conceptual Park Master Plan for this
site; taking into consideration the amenities that residents submitted through the
Neighborhood Improvement Program grant application process and the drainage
concerns of the abutting property owners. The estimated cost to complete the
development of Patio Homes West Park is $90,000.
To afford residents an opportunity to voice their opinion on this Master Plan, a
two-hour open house was held on Thursday, May 22, in the Council Chambers of
City Hall. Over 240 letters (with the Master Plan attached) were mailed to
residents of this area inviting them to attend this open house meeting. Three e-
mails were received from people not able to attend the open house. They wrote
to express support of the proposal, with no changes recommended. Three
people, representing two households (both of which border the park from the
southwest corner) attended the open house. They expressed the following
comments:
1. Utilize only "short" landscape plantings in both the southwest and
northwest corners of the site because - they don't want their view of
the trains obstructed.
2. Maintain a safe drain inlet in the middle of the park. - ___ ..
3. Access pathway from Indiana Avenue (west entry): Place-the-sidewalk
to the northern most edge of the City's land. The resident on the south
side thought it would be helpful to have the Homeowner's Association,
of which he is a member, be responsible for mowing as much of the
City's parcel as possible.
4. Access pathway from Indiana Avenue (west entry): Provide a
pedestrian barrier along this same sidewalk on the south side and
along the southwest corner of the park.
The staff is in agreement with the first two issues raised at the May 2003
meeting:
1. Tall trees/plant material will not be planted in either the southwest or
northeast corner of the site. This will allow the resident to continue to
view trains from their living room.
2. The drain inlet will be checked on a regular basis to assure that water
has not eroded ground around the inlet rendering it unsafe.
The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff do not support items 3 and 4
for the following reasons:
3. Install the concrete pathway, from the Indiana west access, on the
north side of the City property line. Even though the current two
property owners might support the placement of this concrete path at
the northern edge of the City's land, concern exists that future property
owners may not. Therefore, by placing the walkway in the middle of the
City's property, future disagreement, relocation issues, etc. should not
arise. The City has no concerns with mowing the entire access.
4. Install a permanent barrier to the south and southeast corner of
the west park entrance. Based on staff's experience with other park
entrances (Country Gables, Moore, Parkview) this request does not
warrant the expenditure of public funds. The above listed parks have
similar access points, with hundreds of homes bordering these parcels.
If homeowners are concerned with this issue they can obtain a building
permit and install a barrier on their own property, as they deem
appropriate.
At their June 19, 2003 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
commissioners unanimously approved the Conceptual Master Plan for Patio
Home West and recommended that the City Council adopt this Plan and identify
funding so that the development can be accomplished by June/July 2004.
You will recall that the Capital Improvement Plan includes $355,000 in "Park
Acquisition and Development". This fund was established to acquire and develop
neighborhood and community parks in residential growth areas. The growth that
has occurred in this overall area has been tremendous. As noted above,
Planning and Housing staff reports that over 80 homes have been constructed in
this area in the last 10 years.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt the Conceptual Park Master Plan for Patio Homes West and allocate
$90,000 in funding from the Park Land Acquisition and Development.,fund so
that development of this site can be accomplished by June/July 2004.
2. Amend the Conceptual Master Plan for Patio Homes West Park and allocate'
$90,000 in funding from the Park Land Acquisition and Development fund so
that development of this site can be accomplished by June/July 2004.
3. Do not approve the Conceptual Master Plan for Patio Homes West Park.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It appears that the majority of resident's in this area support converting this site
into a more active, versus a passive park. Furthermore, a review of City
documents regarding the platting of this area indicate that from the inception of
this subdivision this open space was intended to be utilized as both a storm
water retention area and a public park (see attachments). Our engineers have
indicated that this dual function is possible if the area is properly designed and
constructed.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council
approve Alternate #1. This action will approve the attached master plan for the
park and assure that the project is completed all at once under the supervision of
the City staff.
The $90,000 cost to complete this project will be funded from the Park
Acquisition and Development Fund that currently totals $355,000 from Local
Option Sales Tax monies.
Page -2-
January 12, 1979
City Council
i
The rear 50 feet of lots 53 thru 58 and lots 75 thru 90 will be
privately owned by each of these lots but will be deed restricted
to allow no structures or .plantings because it will occasionally
serve as .a water retention area. This central area will be grassed
and will serve as an open space and play area most of the time.
The owners of the above mentioned lots will still have 110 ft. of
lot depth to fence or otherwise use as permitted.
We propose to establish a Homeowner's Association which will be
responsible for exterior building and landscape maintenance. Our
experience indicates that this helps provide uniform maintenance
and lasting values for the homeowners.
We propose to offer the neighborhood park area of 1 .85 acres to
e i mes This offer has been discussed with City staff
an we understand that it is desirable to provide' additional neigh-
borhood~oxen spac -ala-Y area. The, Rark ^area is a so intended"
to occasionally serve as a water retention area.—Parkim roveme-"'�ts,
o her than radi g, are to be the responsibility of the City.
Also offered for dedication to the City is the walkway from Indiana
Ave. to the park, and the walkway. from Idaho Ave. to the park area.
This provides public access to the park and open space areas. These
walkways have also been discussed with City staff and are considered
to be desirable.-
It is also intended by the developer to provide a 20 foot walkway
easement to the park from the cul-de-sac on Illinois Ave. in the
Ontario West Addition.
The following drawings are submitted at this time:
1 ) Conceptual Development Plan - showing preliminary
engineering layout and utilities information.
2) Conceptual Development Plan - showing proposed general
layout of patio homes and landscaped areas.
3) Typical floor plans and elevations of proposed patio .
homes .
4) Typical landscape improvements for proposed patio
homes.
We respectfully request your review and approval of our planned
unit development zoning request and our Conceptual Development
Plans for Patio Homes/West.
rtp
H ABui ers
DEDICATION
That Erben A. Hunziker and Margaret H. Hunziker,
husband and wife, and Donald M. Furman and Ruth W. Furman,
husband and wife, of Story County, Iowa, do hereby acknowledge
and declare that the platting of the following described real
estate, situated in Ames, Iowa, to-wit:
Beginning at a point on the East line of the SW-',, of the
SE; of Section 31 T84N R24W of the 5th P.M. , Ames,
Story County; Iowa, which is 862 . 75 feet North of the
SE Corner of said SW,, SE,.; thence continuing North
along said East line a distance 196.24 feet to the
South R.O.W. line of the C .& NW' R.R. • thence
N81006' 10"W along said R.O.W. line a�distance of 324. 19
feet; thence N9009 '39"E, 25 feet; thence N81°04' 57"W,
281 .0 feet; thence S0006123"E, 313 . 97 feet; thence
S81006' 08"E, 317 .45 feet.; thence East 110.0 feet;
thence North 48.43 feet; thence East 170.0 feet to the
point of beginning, containing 3. 76 acres , .
into lots and streets , as shown by the attached plat, to be known
as Patio Homes West Second Addition to Ames, Iowa, is with our
free consent and in accordance with our desires and wishes. We
further dedicate to the public all streets, as shown on said
plat. We also dedicate to the public Outlot A to be used for
surface drainage and for park purposes .
Dated at Ames,' Iowa, this _ day of
a
E en A. Hunziker' Donald M.. Furman
Patio Homes West
Proposed Park Development Features
_- ---:-Railroad Tracks
;'• ,- - _ •- _ Fence
• 1 (6' in height/North end only)
Imo' Shelter
t AM A /
i., •-
1 ' Play Structure
,(34' x 32')
-'- a
................
-•- -
Swing Set
(4 seats)
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IIOIIA �' Cd I I I _ ♦,
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U CC I f ♦♦
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10A07AVE. 1
1 1 �
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1524 I i Water Intake Grate
IN01ANA AVE.
Concrete Walkway -
} Water.Fountain (4' i��vvidth) ,
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ICE
tste I *•0-.-.-... - .-. .-. . .-.
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1 ♦ 131T
LLINOIS AVE.
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