HomeMy WebLinkAboutA013 - Commission Action Form dated September 7, 2016 ITEM #: 6
DATE: 09-07-16
COMMISSION ACTION FORM
REQUEST: MAJOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT FOR 3505 AND
3515 LINCOLN WAY (WALNUT RIDGE)
BACKGROUND:
In September 2015, the City Council approved a Major Site Development Plan for two
parcels at 3505 and 3515 Lincoln Way to allow for the development of a commercial
and residential mixed-use development. The subject site totals 2.23 acres and is
located just west of the Franklin Avenue intersection. (See Attachment A Location and
Existing Zoning Map) The property owners, Turn Key Investments, LLC and Chuck
Winkleblack, are requesting approval of an amendment to the plan to revise the
overall Landscape Plan for the property to request removal of the west property
line parking lot screening due to the installed retaining wall, revision to the north
property line parking lot screening, and revision to the east parking lot screening
due to the constructed slopes of the detention areas. (See Attachment B).
The overall project includes two separate three-story buildings containing 10,912 square
feet of commercial space and 18 dwelling units. The project has a single point of
access from Lincoln Way and a second access point from a rear alley. The design
incorporated commercial space at the front of the site perpendicular to Lincoln Way with
outdoor seating and plaza areas. Parking is located in between buildings and to the
rear of the site.
With the approval of a Major Site Development Plan, the City Council has the authority
to approve a Landscape Plan which does not meet the strict landscape requirements of
the zoning code, if the Council determines that the plan meets the purposes described
in Section 29.403(4)(a), "... to protect and promote the public health, safety and general
welfare by requiring the landscaping of surface parking lots in such a manner as will
serve to reduce the effects of wind and air turbulence, heat and noise, and the glare of
automobile lights; to preserve ground water strata; to act as a natural drainage system
and ameliorate stormwater drainage problems, to reduce the level of carbon dioxide and
return oxygen to the atmosphere; to prevent soil erosion; to conserve and stabilize
property values and to otherwise facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and
harmonious community, to relieve the blight of the appearance of surface parking lots;
and to generally preserve a healthful and pleasant environment." The applicant is
requesting approval of a revision to the Landscape Plan to allow for the intent of
the code to be achieved for screening by using an alternative planting plan
compared to strict conformance to the L2 and L3 standards
Under base zoning standards the project must meet a minimum L3 parking lot screen
(6-foot high fence with interspersed shrubs and trees) along the north and east property
line abutting the residential properties and L2 parking lot screening (3-foot high shrubs
planted 4-foot on center and trees) along all other lot lines abutting commercially zoned
properties. The L3 screen is a high screen consisting of either a fence or high shrubs
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spaced at a maximum distance of 6 feet on center to form a screen 6 feet high. In
addition, one landscape tree is required per 50 lineal feet of landscaped area or as
appropriate to provide a tree canopy over the landscaped area. The L2 screen is a low
screen consisting of low shrubs spaced at a maximum distance of 4 feet on center to
form a continuous screen 3 feet high. In addition, one landscape tree is required per 50
lineal feet of landscaped area or as appropriate to provide a tree canopy over the
landscaped area. Use of a wood fence is an allowed substitution to the planting
requirement that reduces the overall number of shrubs to be planted.
The developer desires to changes the L2 screen along the west property line due to the
style of the retaining wall that was constructed that then limited the depth of soil for
plantings and the limited physical space along the property line for plants to grow. The
parking lot is located on the low side of the 5-6 foot wall so all visibility of parked
vehicles from the neighboring property is obstructed in this area due to the wall. The
developer proposes only ground cover in this area and to plant only one of two required
trees due to the retaining wall location.
The proposed plan includes a revision to the other landscape areas of the site along the
north and east property lines to screen the parking lot with the existing 6-foot wood
fence and using a mix of grasses and shrubs to meet the intent of the parking lot screen
requirements and the use of understory trees. Grasses typically are not counted to meet
the minimum screen requirement of an L2 or L3 screen. The east lot line is the most
difficult area to address landscaping as the slopes of the detention area limits planting
space for such screen requirements. Lower height crabapple trees have been proposed
along the north and east property lines to stay below the overhead power lines, but still
meet tree requirement of the ordinance for trees within the screen areas.
As proposed the amendment to the Landscape Plan does not materially impact the
aesthetic of the project or function of the site and still meets the screen intent of the
Zoning Ordinance.
Public Notice. Notice was mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the subject site
and a sign was posted on the subject property. As of this writing, no comments have
been received.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Planning and Zoning Commission can recommend that the City Council
approve the Major Site Development Plan Amendment for 3505 and 3515 Lincoln
Way to allow for the proposed revision to the Landscape Plan with the following
condition:
A. The developer is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the 6-
foot along all residential property lines.
2. The Planning and Zoning Commission can recommend that the City Council deny
the request for the Major Site Development Plan Amendment for 3505 and 3515
Lincoln Way.
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3. The Planning and Zoning Commission can defer action on this request and refer it
back to City staff and/or the applicant for additional information.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
When City Council approved the Major Site Development Plan for development of the
properties addressed as 3505 and 3515 Lincoln Way, it determined that the Plan meets
the minimum criteria and standards for approval listed in Ames Municipal Code Section
29.1502(4)(d). The requested Major Site Development Plan amendment meets the
applicable design standards and criteria of the Zoning Ordinance and is still in line with
the original Major Site Development Plan and criteria. The original approval also
included a condition that the developer was responsible for the construction of or
maintenance of any existing fence along the residential property line to meet the zoning
requirements for landscape buffering.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Department of Planning and Housing
that the Planning and Zoning Commission act in accordance with Alternative #1,
which is to recommend that the City Council approve the request for the Major
Site Development Plan Amendment for 3505 and 3515 Lincoln Way.
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Attachment A
Location and Existing Zoning Map
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Plant Schedule
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Attachment C
Design Standards for Major Site Development Plans
(from Ames Municipal Code Section 29.1502(4)(d))
When acting upon an application for a Major Site Development Plan approval, the
Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council shall rely upon generally
accepted site planning criteria and design standards. These criteria and standards are
necessary to fulfill the intent of the Zoning Ordinance, the Land Use Policy Plan, and
are the minimum necessary to safeguard the public health, safety, aesthetics, and
general welfare.
1. The design of the proposed development shall make adequate provisions for
surface and subsurface drainage to limit the rate of increased runoff of surface
water to adjacent and downstream property.
2. The design of the proposed development shall make adequate provision for
connection to water, sanitary sewer, electrical, and other utility lines within the
capacity limits of those utility lines.
3. The design of the proposed development shall make adequate provision for fire
protection through building placement, acceptable location of flammable materials,
and other measures to ensure fire safety.
4. The design of the proposed development shall not increase the danger of erosion,
flooding, landslide, or other endangerment to adjoining and surrounding property.
5. Natural topographic and landscape features of the site shall be incorporated into the
development design.
6. The design of the interior vehicle and pedestrian circulation shall provide for
convenient flow of vehicles and movement of pedestrians and shall prevent hazards
to adjacent streets or property.
7. The design of outdoor parking areas, storage yards, trash and dumpster areas, and
other exterior features shall be adequately landscaped or screened to minimize
potential nuisance and impairment to the use of adjoining property.
8. The proposed development shall limit entrances and exits upon adjacent streets in
order to prevent congestion on adjacent and surrounding streets and in order to
provide for safe and orderly vehicle movement.
9. Exterior lighting shall relate to the scale and location of the development in order to
maintain adequate security, while preventing a nuisance or hardship to adjacent
property or streets.
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10. The proposed development shall ensure that dust and other forms of air pollution,
noise disturbances, odor, glare, and other nuisances will be limited to acceptable
levels as prescribed in other applicable State and City regulations.
11. Site coverage, building scale, setbacks, and open spaces shall be in proportion with
the development property and with existing and planned development and
structures, in adjacent and surrounding property.
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