HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit - 2807 Duff Avenue - Prairie Flower Children's Centerri -IF
L�
CITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME NOV 10 2011
CITY CLERK
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION:
CITY OF AMES,1,0
OF PRAIRIE FLOWER CHILDREN'S CASE NO. 11-19
CENTER FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT, GEOCODE NO. 05-26-375-020
SECTION 29.1503, AMES MUNICIPAL
CODE, OPERATE A PRESCHOOL
CENTER ON THE PROPERTY DECISION & ORDER
LOCATED AT 2807 DUFF AVENUE
FACTS
Prairie Flower Children's Center is a Waldorf Preschool program that has operated for a number of
years in this community. It most recently had been located in a church on Hyland Avenue, but
remodeling inside that location has created the need for the program to search for a new site. The
driving philosophy of their programming is to provide young children abundant exploratory time in
nature for healthy childhood development as well as to develop a lifelong appreciation for the
outdoor environment. Their previous site was located on a large wooded lot which gave ample
opportunity for the children to experience natural surroundings. In looking for anew site, the Center
was hoping to find a location with similar features, and approached Camp Fire USA about the
possibility of sharing space with them at their site in Ames. Camp Fire operates its local programs
on a 13.4 acre site on North Duff Avenue called Camp Canwita. This camp is immediately north of
the City of Ames' Inis Grove Park. The land on which the camp operates is also owned by the City
of Ames, and through a deed restriction created by the original owner of the land at the time he
donated it to the City, this part of the property is reserved exclusively for use by Camp Fire. In
considering whether to work with the preschool, Camp Fire acknowledged that it operates similar
programs in other locations, but did not have such a program in Ames. The two entities core program
features of the provision of services for youth, especially in nature led to the decision of the two
agencies to partner. The preschool is required to have a Special Use permit for the proposed new
location of its operation, and is before the Board with that request. The preschool will be for children
ages 3 to 5 and enrollment will be for up 17 children. This small group of children will only be
present for a part of each weekday, so they should be much less intrusive on the neighbors than the
summer camp activities are. Both Camp Fire and Prairie Flower believe that having people present
on the site throughout the year will allow better monitoring of the grounds and allow them to more
timely address concerns that have arisen in the past which are of a temporary nature, like trash pick
up and snow removal. The site will not require any additional city services or infrastructure to
operate. Camp Fire has invested significant funds to update and maintain this facility and wants to
be a good neighbor, so is also willing to work with the neighbors, this preschool and the City to
maintain that relationship.
Page 1 of 2
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Use permits for operation of preschool and
day cares. The testimony and exhibits establish that the use of this land for a preschool is harmonious
with the Land Use plan's designated use of this area. The public facilities and services for this area
are adequate to serve a preschool, and the proposed use will not change the existing or intended
character of the area. This proposed use will not be so intense as to create disturbing conditions, like
excessively higher volumes of traffic, noise, or disruptive hours of operation. The Board agrees with
and adopts the findings of the staff and determines that it can grant this permit, with conditions to
address and minimize any potential impacts.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is granted a Special Use Permit, Section
29.1503, Ames Municipal Code, to allow operation of a preschool for not more than 17 children
between the ages of three and five years during weekdays of the school year between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 12:15 p.m., with the following conditions:
1. That the applicant submit to the City Clerk's office proof of certification with the State of Iowa as
a registered day care (preschool) provider, prior to beginning operations at 2807 Duff Avenue;
2. That the use continues to be sponsored by, under the oversight of and consistent with the overall
purposes and mission of Camp Fire USA; and
3. Signage for the preschool is limited to that signage which otherwise identifies and is allowable to
Camp Canwita, consistent with the conditions of the deed restriction that conveyed the property of
Camp Canwita to the City, as determined by the City Attorney, and per adopted City sign regulations,
all for the property located at 2807 Duff Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after the
filing of this decision.
Done this I Oth day of August, 2011.
Mthe Board
Bruce Ca�l Toun
Chair
Page 2 of 2