HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated June 24, 2008 22
ITEM
DATE 06/24/08
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: FINAL PLAT FOR NORTHRIDGE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION 12TH
ADDITION
BACKGROUND:
Case File: SUB-08-09
This is a request by Uthe Development Co., LLC to approve the Final Plat for Northridge
Heights Subdivision 12th Addition. The proposed subdivision includes approximately
69.131 acres, and is generally located north of Bloomington Road at the intersection with
Stange Road. Please refer to the attached Final Plat drawing.
The proposed Final Plat involves the creation of lots for development, described as follows:
• Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4: For commercial development.
In the process of being rezoned from "FS-RM" (Suburban Residential Medium
Density) to "CVCN"(Convenience Commercial Node). The first two readings of the
rezoning have been approved. Third reading will occur at the June 24 City Council
meeting.
• Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9: For multiple-family residential development.
Zoned as "FS-RM"(Suburban Residential Medium Density)
• Outlot `AA': For use as a stormwater flowage easement, storm
sewer easement, and a shared use path easement
over the entire outlot.
Zoned as "FS-RM"(Suburban Residential Medium Density)
• Outlot `XX': For future single-family detached residential
• development.
Zoned as "FS-RL"(Suburban Residential Low Density)
• Outlot `YY': For future single-family attached residential
and multiple-family residential development
Zoned as "FS-RM"(Suburban Residential Medium Density)
Condition of Approval of the Revised Preliminary Plat. The resolution approving the
Revised Preliminary Plat for Northridge Heights Subdivision included a stipulation that the
street, bike path, and any other off-site improvements of the Development Agreement for
Northridge Heights Subdivision, dated November 14, 2000, and approved by the City
Council shall be required at the time of approval of the final plat for any or all of Lots
400, 401, 402, or 403. The Final Plat proposed at this time includes all of Lots 400,
401, 402 and 403.
Timing for the Installation of Off-Site Public Improvements. Timing for the installation
of off-site public improvements is addressed in Section V of the Development Agreement
for Northridge Heights Subdivision as follows:
Section V(B)(3) addresses construction of the City specified improvements for two street
lanes on the north side of the now existing segment of Bloomington Road from the east
line of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to George Washington Carver Avenue, said
construction to be completed to the satisfaction of the City not later than one year after the
construction of 375 dwelling units on the Site.
Section V(B)(5) addresses the left turn improvements at the intersection of Stange Road
and Bloomington Road for the east-bound, south-bound, and west-bound portions of that
intersection. This shall be done simultaneous with construction of the widening
improvements on Bloomington Road.
Section V(B)(6) addresses construction of the improvements specified for a left turn
storage lane at the intersection with George Washington Carver Avenue for all streets
proposed for the site. Construction of those left turn storage lanes shall be done.and
completed in accordance with the schedule set by the City at the time of approval of the
final plat of the phase of development for the land abutting on those left turn storage lanes.
Section V(B)(7) addresses the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of
Bloomington Road and Stange Road. The installation of traffic control signals shall occur
at the time that the widening of Bloomington road occurs, or when the warrants specified
by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are met, whichever occurs first, but not
later than the approval of the final plat for the final phase of development for the site. The
City may require the installation of the said traffic control signals as a condition for the
approval of any final plat of subdivision submitted for approval after the said warrants have
been met.
Section V(B)(8) addresses the construction of improvements specified for a left turn lane
at the intersection with Stange [and] for all streets proposed for the site between
Bloomington Road and Harrison Road. Construction of those left turn lanes shall be done
in accordance with the schedule set by the City at the time of approval by the City of the
final plat of the phase of development for the land abutting those left turn storage lanes
Section V(B)(9) addresses the construction of Cy-Ride bus stop pads as specified by the
City on Stange Road. Those bus stop pads shall be done and completed to the
satisfaction of the City in accordance with the schedule and construction specifications set
by the City at the time of approval by the City of the final plat of the land abutting a bike
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path.
Section V(B)(10) addresses the construction of bike path improvements. Bike path
improvements shall be constructed in accordance with the schedule set by the City at the
time of approval of the final plat of the land abutting a bike path.
The City of Ames has budgeted for the completion of street widening for Bloomington Road
east to Hyde Avenue. This will add two additional lanes for a total of four lanes and is
included in the 2007/08 CIP.
Final Plat Documents. The following documents have been submitted and are associated
with this Final Plat application:
• Resolution Accepting the Final Plat of Northridge Heights Subdivision 12t'Addition;
• Consent to Plat by the Property Owner;
• Attorney's Title Opinion;
• Certificate of the Treasurer of Story County, Iowa, certifying that the subject
property is free from certified taxes and certified special assessments;
• Easement Document to the City of Ames for public utilities, storm sewer and
surface water flowage, sanitary sewer and water main, and electric utilities.
• Agreement for On-Site Public Improvements; and,
• Agreement for Sidewalk and Street Trees.
Staff finds that the Preliminary Plat conditions for approval have been satisfied with
the exception of Stipulation #3 in the resolution approving the Preliminary Plat,
which specifies that the street, bike path, and any other improvements of the
Development Agreement for Northridge Heights Subdivision be required at the time
of approval of the final plat. While this condition cannot be met,the City Council can
nonetheless approve the Final Plat, subject to approval of a resolution approving the
Developer's Agreement for off-site improvements relating to Bloomington Road
expansion to allow a Letter of Credit to be filed as security for completion of said off-
site improvements.
Acceptance of a Developer's Agreement, including a Letter of Credit to guarantee
completion of required public improvements is the typical way in which the City
Council has allowed the approval of final plats for new subdivisions where the
installation of streets and other infrastructure has not been completed prior to
approval of the final plat. Therefore, City Council action to approve this final plat and
allow the completion of off-site public improvements,which are guaranteed through
a Developer's Agreement, is consistent with past practice.
The applicant has been notified by staff of the City Council's option in this regard so that he
might prepare an agreement and provide the associated financial security to cover the
estimated cost of off-site improvements should the City Council choose to allow deferral of
improvements. These items must be submitted in time for staff to review prior to the City
Council meeting on Tuesday evening, June 24. Should the City Council choose to
allow deferral, the staff will be recommending that the off-site improvements be
completed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any structure
within the plat.
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Staff also"finds that the proposed Final Plat fully complies with relevant and applicable
design standards of Ames Municipal Code Chapter 23, Subdivisions, to other City
ordinances and standards, to the City's Land Use Policy Plan, and to the City's other duly
adopted plans.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the Final Plat for Northridge Heights Subdivision 12th
Addition, based upon staff's findings and conclusions, subject to the following
conditions:
A. Approval of the resolution approving the Developer's Agreement for Off-Site
Improvements relating to Bloomington Road expansion to allow a Letter of Credit to
be filed as security for completion of said off-site improvements.
B. All off-site improvements shall be completed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy for any structure on a lot in Northridge Heights Subdivision 12th Addition,
as included in the Developer's Agreement for Off-Site Improvements.
2. The City Council can deny approval of the Final Plat for Northridge Heights Subdivision
12th Addition based on the finding that the Final Plat submittal does not comply with the
conditions of approval of the Revised Preliminary Plat for Northridge Heights
Subdivision.
3. The City Council can refer this back to staff and/or the developer for additional
information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed Final Plat of Northridge Heights Subdivision 12th Addition is consistent with
the Preliminary Plat, provided the City Council accepts the Developer's Agreement and
includes financial security to guarantee the installation of all required off-site public
improvements. Assuming that prior to the City Council meeting the Developer
submits a Developer's Agreement for the off-site public improvements, including a
Letter of Credit for the estimated cost of such improvements, and such agreement
and financial security are determined to be acceptable by staff, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve Alternative #1.
This will approve the Final Plat for Northridge Heights Subdivision 12th Addition, subject to
the following conditions:
A. Approval of the resolution approving the Developer's Agreement for Off-Site
Improvements relating to Bloomington Road expansion to allow a Letter of Credit to
be filed as security for completion of said off-site improvements.
B. All off-site improvements shall be completed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy for any structure on a lot in Northridge Heights Subdivision 12th Addition,
as included in the Developer's Agreement for Off-Site Improvements.
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Applicable Laws and Policies Pertaining to Final Plat Approval
Adopted laws and policies applicable to this case file include, but are not limited to, the
following: (verbatim language is shown in italics, other references are paraphrased):
Code of Iowa, Section 354.6
Ames Municipal Code Section 23.302(10)
(10) City Council Action on Final plat for Major Subdivision:
a. All proposed subdivision plats shall be submitted to the City Council for
review and approval. Upon receipt of any Final Plat forwarded to it for
review and approval, the City Council shall examine the Application Form,
the Final Plat, any comments, recommendations or reports examined or
made by the Department of Planning and Housing, and such other
information as it deems necessary or reasonable to consider.
b. Based upon such examination, the City Council shall ascertain whether
the Final Plat conforms to relevant and applicable design and improvement
standards in these Regulations, to other City ordinances, and standards,
to the City's Land use policy Plan and to the City's other duly adopted
plans.
c. The City Council may:
i. Deny any subdivision where the reasonably anticipated impact of
such subdivision will create such a burden on existing public
improvements orsuch a need fornew public improvements that the
area of the City affected by such impact will be unable to conform to
level of service standards set forth in the land use Policy Plan or
other capital project or growth management plan of the City until
such time that the City upgrades such public improvements in
accordance with schedules set forth in such plans, or,
ii. Approve any subdivision subject to the condition that the Applicant
contribute to so much of such upgrade of public improvements as
the need for such upgrade is directly and proportionately
attributable to such impact as determined at the sole discretion of
the City. The terms, conditions and amortization schedule forsuch
contribution may be incorporated within an Improvement
Agreement as set forth in Section 23.304 of the Regulations.
d. Prior to granting approval of a major subdivision Final Plat, the City
Council may permit the plat to be divided into two or more sections and
may impose such conditions upon approval of each section as it deems
necessary to assure orderly development of the subdivision.
Following such examination, and within 60 days of the Applicant's filing of the complete Application
for Final Plat Approval of a Major Subdivision with the Department of Planning and Housing, the
City Council shall approve, approve subject to conditions, or disapprove the Application for Final
Plat Approval of a Major Subdivision. The City Council shall set forth its reasons for disapproving
any Application or for conditioning its approval of any Application in its official records and shall
provide a written copy of such reasons to the developer. The City Council shall pass a resolution
accepting the Final Plat for any Application that it approves.
CAF APPROVAL
SS BK SL
DM JP
To be sent to:
Nate Easter
HWS Consulting Group
223 South Walnut, Suite D
Ames, Iowa 50010