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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA10 3 1. 23 April, 2012 To: Zoning Board of Adjustment and Ames City Council 515 Clark Ave. U Ames, IA 50010 APR 2 3 2012 Re: Opposition to Special Home Occupation Permit CITY C.EERK CITY OF AMES,1MAIA A resident of Spring Valley has applied to the City for a Special Home Occupation Permit, with the purpose of running a firearms business out of his home. Many Ames residents feel it is not appropriate to have this type of business within a residentiallv-zoned neighborhood, and in close proximity to an Elementary school. An on-line petition was circulated to parents of Sawyer Elementary School students outlining this issue, and giving them the opportunity to add their support objecting this Special Home Occupation Permit. The petition statement read: I am opposed to the City of Ames granting the Special Home Occupation Permit for the purposes of establishing a home firearms business within the Spring Valley neighborhood (Add name in box below): OR: I wish to remain anonymous, but add my support to this petition opposing the Special Home Occupancy Permit Over 65 parents added their opposition to the Permit (attached) -All names of parents were verified by hand (49 names, 17 anonymous) -All mock names submitted to the petition were NOT included in this tally We thank you for hearing our voices on this issue. We reiterate that we object to granting a Special Home Occupation Permit for this type of business in a residentially-zoned area. Sincerely and on behalf of 66 Sawyer Parents, Dean Adams,Nicole Valenzuela, Brian and Marcia Church, Howard and Mary McMinn Date submitted Name Anonymous 1 4/12/2012 21:00 Dean Adams 2 4/12/2012 21:00 Nicole Valenzuela 3 4/12/2012 21:00 Brian Church 4 4/12/2012 21:00 Marcia Church 5 4/12/2012 21:00 Howard McMinn 6 4/12/2012 21:00 Mary McMinn 7 4/12/2012 21:23 Jodi Brockman 8 4/12/2012 21:41 Alex Travesset 9 4/12/2012 21:49 JENNIFER CASTILLO 10 4/12/2012 21:50 ALFREDO CASTILLO GALLEGOS 11 4/12/2012 21:52 Melissa Smith 12 4/12/2012 22:41 John M. Roberts 13 4/12/2012 22:53 Eric Davis 14 4/12/2012 22:53 Connie Davis 15 4/12/2012 22:54 Akuei Chiman 16 4/12/2012 23:05 Crystal Bolton 17 4/13/2012 5:17 Daniel Gorman 18 4/13/2012 7:14 noveen dotani 19 4/13/2012 7:27 Kristine Tyler 20 4/13/2012 7:31 Natalia Rogovska 21 4/13/2012 7:37 Thomas Lubberstedt 22 4/13/2012 7:53 Lisa Clayberg 23 4/13/2012 7:56 Megan Fairall 24 4/13/2012 8:09 Jennifer R. Alcott 25 4/13/2012 8:15 Lubos Hanulik 26 4/13/2012 8:18 Japannah and Sara Kellogg 27 2 parents above 28 4/13/2012 8:50 Curtis Struck 29 4/13/2012 8:56 Helen Fretwell 30 4/13/2012 9:01 Adam Kaminski 31 4/13/2012 9:29 Vanessa Rivera 32 4/13/2012 9:29 James Newman 33 4/13/2012 9:33 Christine and Andrew Denison 34 2 parents above 35 4/13/2012 9:43 Ali Hunziker 36 4/13/2012 10:46 Peter Kyveryga 37 4/13/2012 15:35 Kayce Shelton 38 4/13/2012 17:02 Vanessa J. Detrick 39 4/13/2012 18:01 Krisha Heuss-Blackburn 40 4/13/2012 18:02 Christian Blackburn 41 4/13/2012 22:14 Latifah Faisal 42 4/13/2012 22:23 Tammy Twiselton 43 4/13/2012 22:23 Rob Twiselton 44 4/14/2012 4:42 Tasha Hefel 45 4/14/2012 6:01 Jacob Alexander 46 4/14/2012 17:11 Qingfeng Xing 47 4/15/2012 18:26 Paul Skrade Date submitted Name Anonymous 48 4/12/2012 21:36 Kirstin Sullivan 49 4/12/2012 21:36 Patrick Sullivan 50 4/13/201211:01 X 51 4/12/2012 21:14 X 52 4/12/2012 21:33 X 53 4/12/2012 21:53 X 54 4/12/2012 23:00 X 55 4/13/2012 7:52 X 56 4/13/2012 7:56 X 57 4/13/2012 8:46 X 58 4/13/2012 9:28 X 59 4/13/2012 10:32 X 60 4/13/201211:04 X 61 4/13/2012 12:48 X 62 4/13/2012 13:20 X 63 4/13/2012 13:31 X 64 4/13/2012 17:46 X 65 4/15/201218:25 X 66 4/16/2012 8:21 X Page 1 of 3 J Fwd: Formal Request To Ames City Council To Add "Residential Gun Sales" To The Prohibited List Of Businesses For Special Home Occupation Permits bobanncamp to: DVoss 05/03/2012 11:58 AM Show Details FYI I assume this will get referred. Ann ----Original Message----- From: John Lamont<johnwlamont@hotmail.com> To: bobanncamp <bobanncamp@aol.com>; tom <tom@tomwacha.org>;jlarson101 <jlarson101 @aol.com>; jeremyndavis <jeremyndavis@gmail.com>;vszopinski <vszopinski@gmail.com>; matthew <matthew@eatfightingburrito.com>; torfinseth <torfinseth@gmail.com>; Peter Forazem <pforazem@gmail.com> Cc: 4kemps <4kemps@gmail.com>; amy.schindel <amy.schindel@gmail.com>; ann.novey <ann.novey@mchsi.com>; bates <bates@mgmc.com>; blgano<blgano@dmacc.edu>; brickchurch <brickchurch@mediacombb.net>; brietta.voss <brietta.voss@ames.k12.ia.us>; davidvak<davidvak@aol.com>; dblaedel <dblaedel@msn.com>; dcadams<dcadams@iastate.edu>; debra <debra@voiceforfitness.com>; dianasmchenry<dianasmchenry@g mail.com>; dianemartin27 <dianemartin27@gmail.com>; dje49 <dje49@opencom.net>; dknewlon <dknewlon@mchsi.com>; dml88jd <dml88jd@mchsi.com>; dobynsfamily <dobynsfamily@hotmail.com>; dogs4bird1 <dogs4bird1@mchsi.com>;fanous <fanous@iastate.edu>; geoffrey.erickson <geoffrey.erickson@fmglobal.com>; globotoo <globotoo@msn.com>; ingridplace <ingridplace@aol.com>; iowashannon <iowashan non @yahoo.com>;jam_mms <jam_mms@q.com>;jamiedon <jamiedon@netins.net>;jan <jan@isunet.net>;jbbentley5 <jbbentley5@hotmail.com>;jenilivingston <jenilivingston@hotmail.com>;jessica.d.payton <jessica.d.payton@gmail.com>;jimc<jimc@iastate.edu>; johnsons <johnsons@mgmc.com>;jp1fran <jp1fran@aol.com>;jrieck63 <jrieck63@yahoo.com>;jronred <jronred@mchsi.com>;jwhitmer<jwhitmer@iastate.edu>; karls <karls@iastate.edu>; kbentley <kbentley@mchsi.com>; kevinlmchenry <kevinlmchenry@gmail.com>; kimberlysue1 <kimberlysue1 @hotmail.com>; kittylamont<kittylamont@hotmail.com>; klmian <klmian@yahoo.com>; klynn <klynn@tomrandall.com>; ligouri <ligouri@mchsi.com>; lisa48127 <lisa48127@aol.com>; lisaldavis <lisaldavis@gmail.com>; Inaeve <Inaeve@iastate.edu>; lograsso<lograsso@ameslab.gov>; mbbowman <mbbowman@q.com>; mblaede105 <mblaede105@msn.com>; michelle.vogel <michelle.vogel@sigler.com>; michelle<michelle@michelleclarkphd.com>; missjudyw<missjudyw@msn.com>; mlence <mlence@iastate.edu>; nbalaji <nbalaji@iastate.edu>; nurselinda809 <nurselinda809@yahoo.com>; pat_kunz<pat_kunz@hotmail.com>; pcotter<pcotter@iastate.edu>; peterson <pete rson @reach beyond.org>; r_clippard <r_clippard@q.com>; ranabiswas2 <ranabiswas2@mchsi.com>; rbalsley<rbalsley@msn.com>; rhondabonett <rhondabonett@hotmail.com>; rjvoss <rjvoss@ames.k12.ia.us>; rkimgross <rkimgross@yahoo.com>; rlundstrom <rlundstrom@storycon.com>; rmckay174 <rmckay174@gmail.com>; sagire <sagire@aol.com>; sailer <sailer@mchsi.com>; scallons <scalIons@iastate.edu>; secri <secri@yahoo.com>; shellylynch <shellylynch@yahoo.com>; shinnduane <shinnduane@msn.com>; skolner<skolner@msn.com>; smjjsyed <smjjsyed@yahoo.com>; soukoulis<soukoulis@ameslab.gov>; suryakm <suryakm@iastate.edu>; sxu <sxu@iastate.edu>; Bill Holt<thewgholt@yahoo.com>; tlowry <tlowry@mcfarlandclinic.com>; tollefson <tollefson@mchsi.com>; ufrei <ufrei@iastate.edu>; vogeljf<vogeljf@hotmail.com>; welchiowa <welchiowa@aol.com>; wmorz<wmorz@hotmail.com>; Steve Herrnstadt<zoe@iastate.edu>; dmckay <dmckay@iastate.edu>; huisman1 <huisman1@q.com>;jmalin <jmalin@fccoop.com>; John Lamont <johnwlamont@hotmail.com>; kathydrevs <kathydrevs@yahoo.com>; mherrn <mherrn@mchsi.com>; moormantb <moormantb@msn.com>; pwengert<pwengert@boone.k12.ia.us>; patjshields <patjshields@gmail.com>; tcjensen52 <tcjensen52@g mail.com> Sent: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 5:36 pm Subject: Formal Request To Ames City Council To Add "Residential Gun Sales" To The Prohibited List Of Businesses For Special Home Occupation Permits This email is a formal request to the Ames City Council that"residential gun sales" be added to the prohibited list of businesses for Special Home Occupation Permits. file://C:\Documents and Settings\diane.voss\Local Settings\Temp\notesElEF34\—web9320.... 5/4/2012 Page 2 of 3 As you may or may not know, one of the residents of the Spring Valley neighborhood (Idaho Avenue/Circle/Court, Oklahoma Drive, and Utah Drive) recently applied for and was granted a one-year Special Home Occupation Permit by the Zoning Board of Adjustment to sell and repair/modify guns in his home. The objection of the neighborhood was strictly about operating a neighborhood gun sales business and NOT about the second amendment to the United States Constitution or about owning guns. In fact, we not only requested the Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the application, but we also urged the Zoning Board to encourage the applicant to start his business in an Ames commercial location. The following are the PERCEIVED neighborhood concerns if the permit were granted (which it was on April 25): (1) Reduced safety of residents (including children) and visitors (2) Increased likelihood of crimes including the fact that nearby homes might be targeted by mistake (3) Reduced property values (4) Reduced number of potential property buyers and likely longer times until sales completed (5) Increased neighborhood traffic These five concerns are believed to be true (which is more important than whether they are true or not) by both residents of Spring Valley and many others. Many residents feel that our neighborhood lost its sense of security, safety, and peace when the application was approved. Three quick examples supporting these concerns are: (1) In three separate cases, I was personally asked by ladies, from adjoining neighborhoods walking in Spring Valley, what the City's sign announcing the applicant's request for a Special Home Occupation Permit meant. After a brief explanation on my part, their individual responses were: (a) "I wouldn't want him in my neighborhood", (b) "I wouldn't buy a home in this neighborhood", and (c) "If I lived in Spring Valley, I would move somewhere else". (2)At least one local realtor told a Spring Valley resident that, if she had a client who was interested in buying a home in Spring Valley, she would be professionally obligated to tell the client that one of the residents operates a gun sales and repair/modification business in his home. (3) Many current Spring Valley residents have stated that they would NOT have bought/built homes in our neighborhood if they had known a gun sales business were going to be located in the neighborhood. There are 102 homes in Spring Valley (not counting the applicant's). We successfully contacted 75 of these homes to collect signatures on a petition against granting the permit. We obtained 119 signatures from residents of 71 homes (94.7% of home successfully contacted) plus 8 signatures from visitors present when the home was contacted. Of the four homes that did NOT want to sign the petition, the following reasons were given: (a) a person has the right to start a business (1 person), (b)this type of activity (trying to prevent a gun sales business in a residential neighborhood) is not needed (1 person) , (c)we prefer NOT to sign because of a nearby home day care business and we don't want to risk losing their friendship (2 persons). Approximately 70 Spring Valley residents against the granting of the permit also were present at the April 25 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. In preparing a PowerPoint presentation for the Zoning Board of Adjustment, I discovered that Ames City Planning and Housing Department does NOT track the gun businesses for which the Zoning Board of Adjustment has previously approved Special Home Occupation Permits. In order to check crime levels in neighborhoods where the 4 permits were previously approved, the Planning and Housing Department checked with the Ames Police Department while processing the most recent application. However, I found: (a)2 people have moved away from Ames and no longer have Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL) (b) 1 person has moved outside the city limits and still has his FFL (c) 1 remains at his original address inside the city limits and still has his FFL In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms data base indicates there are currently 14 FFL active for the Ames area including 1 wholesale, 5 commercial, and 8 residential holders. Of the 8 residential FFL holders, 2 are the people listed in (b) and (c) of the previous list, and 6 do NOT have a Special Home Occupation Permit as required. Finally, according to a city administrator in a nearby community, Ames is the only municipality in the region that allows residential gun sales. This email mail is being sent as a request from all of those Spring Valley residents who opposed the application and our many supporters city-wide. file://C:ADocuments and SettingsUane.voss\Local Settings\Temp\notesElEF34\—web9320.... 5/4/2012 Page 3 of 3 For the sake of all Ames residents, we request that the Ames City Council immediately undertake the required actions so that "residential gun sales" is added to the prohibited list of businesses for Special Home Occupation Permits. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. John & Kitty Lamont 1005 Idaho Ave. Ames, IA 50014 515-292-5541 file://C:ADocuments and Settings\diane.voss\Local Sett1ngs\Temp\notesEIEF34\—web9320.... 5/4/2012 Original Email Sent with Petition Fellow Sawyer parents, An issue of potential concern has arisen that we wish to bring to your attention. A resident of the Spring Valley neighborhood (near Sawyer) has applied to the City of Ames for a Special Home Occupation Permit, with the purpose of running a firearms business out of his home. Though described as a primarily-internet business, the business includes in-home transfers of rifles, shotguns, and other firearms to clients. Thus, if approved, gun sales will take place in Spring Valley, as will the exchange of firearms (firearms will be delivered to the home and retrieved by clients). As Sawyer parents, many of us are concerned that approval of this business within a residential neighborhood generates a safety concern. Further, because this residence is 0.6 miles from Sawyer Elementary, the safety concern encompasses all Sawyer children, not just those residing in Spring Valley. For this reason we have circulated this information to you, so that you are aware of the situation. Because of safety concerns, we are opposed to the City approving this Permit for a firearms business within a residential area, and one in close proximity to an Elementary school. To express our opinions, we have begun a petition that Sawyer parents are invited to support. The Ames Zoning Board will discuss this issue at their April 25 meeting, and without serious objections, it is likely that the permit for this business will be granted. If you wish to add your name to the petition in opposition of this permit(or add your support anonymously to it), simply click on the link provided below. Additionally, anyone who wishes to voice their opinion directly is encouraged to attend the Zoning Board Adjustment Meeting on April 25 at 7:00 pm, which is the current date when this issue is scheduled to be discussed and approved. We will inform you if this date changes. You can also contact your City Council representative directly: phones and emails at: http://www.cityofames.org/index.asox?page=174 Most Sincerely, Dean Adams and Nicole Valenzuela Brian and Marcia Church Howard and Mary McMinn I've invited you to fill out the form Information for Sawyer Parents. To fill it out, visit: https://does.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fon-nkey=dEJfWil EdXg5UW 1 fYOY 1 amw5ZTh T 1� E6MQ Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code � �rk- CA CIred \,ur�ne`�c �r�s -- Z1 3� Sort set �-me5 S OCD - r e Ldeo� ( 3 ,/-j0(mK Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Si na re Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code a � � r / e-rrrn s 9o� Z. a hotA ��.cJ�fc� .���l.-��t1 � ICI aK��fN�►v�A �R 5���`{ L �G 7ZM WrQa-7 a LA-14-OkZ4 0,C 50oi L Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. nature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code "-Y) t4 90nc2 2)r/ve_ 50o/C,c 1�i ar►\o, O/<(c1 of .� r SZ5a / J ° Y c2h _ Arm RobaKn5 Lmahumap � tiIU-u �l4- ►�L( /� I�l2C�m�� ��J�U �uM�� _ 5�(Jl �.!/ S j J/�; ► :flL)J E.Q- i b 6 t' 11, 1004"7 (i,h(I (\t2 \c , r`,\ S G L;t`� �r�� � o,)v� �13� Tlc�a/6 kv.. 5 00 Sa u is W 5��, f Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code JE VA vF1A /2o2 Ehhoo C7 _ SUvi ffQ m /v e' MI&I��a-40 Ct J�Do D� -ass ► 12��(! ID)0 co re, NLJfCJA IeS5 L151�, l 2 l C� a-�rJ �f G (�- C� IZI0 J:J � . SDtJry �G�gcI praher Il`[ 8 C)kJQ40m, n Sbn �y G 1Nc�n a 01 er L415K Le,, c- d Sooty \IvAwi r S0uZ4tA ov, 113Lj okL,. If V Fo 1c u.f {ice v.o IQ'( 06C(� L.-., J � Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code W26 0k1A4Di+^ a br. sCG� toln �r Sool �-1 N �2Z\ �off?u� ��.��v,a �-1 N �,' Q � NcN \��� Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code �7_1d_J -1-i �_,/ ��"- 1 5 , �, - a (/ q I a(,/ 0 + k p .e_ S-/,- r:. v A EQ1AJMC n 49�i Utah Dr S L, M►►nor qZ f�A�� �rz ,50�1� mil , `iZCr (Ac(L L elqf Y_� Q-(:Q t/-\ 5cc(4 U o sib y 30- TetA -0 A- c o /Z-/ t, U© tf�,� �(9 o 1 mh A-v� � n a 317 4-, .t& L.(CL U0 f Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Si nature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code el J casJ. M0r7- Ido+ho .AVG. Jr®04 t\1ae\4r_ ][�g1no Nam. Soo)' C)f �L �'��.= She✓� �,`n� ��2/ Gc�.. �it _s��� �c G,\�c Ago 1 \&A (lQ),tez Re4vW,X--P 470 7 �I td h 5�• s ar/ (�. bc�xa- Awolsm :!AI4- VTAtf DR, 60 . h,nd�l �-I gti0 ��ah �� �� Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code r) ( 11 b I1 o ��� 4 �6� s �c r Sure ,S Spa/y u`/A 41 4ve 5-01.1-w /z ,r�� Taso a Fee�e.. -*,�r 10 c L c /0-?y %e hU L zz ti V 00 , =I�Wb Id &M ILV)lc ► � �� :� u6 Aye aa ,y Il y 3 7,1.4a 4vc oa/�z 450LI Wah Ave 5-C6/4- �� r rc, 2 o'L-► 7- 4 2 3/ 5 IPb 1-%rl s 'oe i Petition to the Zoning Board of Adjustment We, the undersigned, as residents of the City of Ames, Iowa formally request the Ames City Zoning Board of Adjustment to reject Mr. Greg Seaton's application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for Internet firearms sales. We believe that the approval of this application will negatively impact the Spring Valley neighborhood, for some or all of the following perceived reasons: (1) decreasing the safety and endangering the lives of the residents of and visitors to the neighborhood, (2) increasing the crime level in the neighborhood, (3) decreasing the property values within the neighborhood, and/or (4) reducing the number of potential homebuyers in the neighborhood. We also request the Zoning board of Adjustment encourage Mr. Seaton to establish his business in a non-residential area. Signature Printed Name Ames Address Zip Code B/C L ( 6I- T -4 UTA H DR, Soul moN 1 L) S rpA{ 4G AVL /a Xc 11 lip �� ` -fir� �: �' �► �'�� ��,,,f��,��Y r ,,...�J> U•.Z'1 SSA ( �G715 ����� lr�ye S L�o/ o�c v II ge � ✓ r asso 1 Op � .Soo/�{ l,( yt. . AJp- Dv 4 yl''12 Cam- C o3n ', I (:i(. 1 c ic-4--a 4-\o-- 7(-' i Y sty DliqAIE STPvE,y�), 6k)ELAAl/ 1611 0KL,�q1_ 0J24 LPul, A" 6reL'1)!,2A m /1 Uk4Z, s �I Petition/Letters Received Emily Burton to; calhounbc,eerbes,skmcjimsey,gtaylor, 04/24/2012 02;59 PM brooker50158 Cc: Judy K Parks,Steve Osguthorpe,Charles Kuester Board Members- We received a petition(attached) as well as a few more emails (below) regarding the Special Home Occupation at 4809 Utah Drive.Any additional comments we receive beyond these will be copied and put around the dais tomorrow night for you to review before the meeting. I'll make coffee! Thanks! Emily Petition.pdf Lunning Ltr.pdf From: r.laczniak@mchsi.com To: ckuester@city.ames.ia.us Date: 04/23/2012 09:22 PM Subject: Opposition to Special Home Occupation Permit to conduct Internet firearm sales. Dear Mr. Kuester, We are writing to express our opposition to Mr. Greg Seaton' s request for a Special Home Occupation Permit to conduct Internet firearm sales in our neighborhood. We are not comfortable with the sale of firearms in our neighborgood. We feel it is a threat to the safety of our neighborhood' s residents, especially younger children. We chose to purchase a home in this neighborhood because of its reputation as being safe and family-friendly, and are appalled that someone would want to sell firearms out of their home. We plan to attend the meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment to demonstrate our opposition to his request. Sincerely, Russ & Kathy Laczniak 818 Idaho Avenue From: Terrence Jensen<tcjensen52@gmail.com> To: ckuester@city.ames.ia.us Date: 04/20/2012 04:16 PM Subject: 4809 Utah special permit Dear Mr. Kuester, It has come to my attention that Mr. Greg Seaton of 4809 Utah Drive has applied for a Special Home Occupation Permit in order to conduct internet sales of firearms from his home. I find it greatly distressing that this activity may be allowed in a residential neighborhood. Studies have shown that theft is a major source of guns for criminals (Pierce, Glenn, et al, The Characteristics and Dynamics of Crime Gun Markets: Implications for Supply-Side Focused Enforcement Strategies, Final Report to the National Institute of Justice , September 11, 2003 ). In a 1994 survey, private gun owners in the US reported 593,000 gun thefts. In fact, this is probably an underestimate because few states have laws requiring the reporting of gun thefts (Iowa does not require reporting). Why would we invite criminals into our neighborhood by allowing such a business to be established? I expect that Mr. Seaton will be very careful about whom he sells firearms to, but I am more worried about those he refuses to sell to. They now know where to find guns, and undoubtedly will seek out other opportunities as they prowl our neighborhood. We can expect our insurance rates to increase and our home values to decrease. I may have an arsenal of guns, or a hoard of gold, or a collection of Picasso paintings in my home, but I am not going to advertise that. The nature of a business requires that you advertise. You may choose whom to sell to, but you have little control over who you advertise to. A business such as firearm sales that has high risk of theft should not be located in a residential neighborhood. My fiancee was looking forward to moving to the Spring Valley neighborhood where children run freely up and down the streets. She was dumbfounded when I told her of Mr. Seaton's proposition. She currently lives in Rockford, IL in a new development that is plagued with burglaries. All homes there now have security alarms and leave lights on at random times and have their mail delivered to a PO Box. Is this the future for Spring Valley? Respectfully, Terrence Jensen 1121 Oklahoma Dr. Page 1 of 1 Special Home Occupation Permit for 4809 Utah Drive camliowa to: ckuester,jbenson 04/03/2012 10:06 AM Show Details History: This message has been replied to. I am sending this email on behalf of my Mother, Wanda Maier of 4818 Idaho Circle, Ames, and my concerns for her safety and the safety of the people who visit her, especially her young grandsons. We do NOT want Mr. Greg Seaton of 4809 Utah Drive to receive a permit to sell firearms on the internet from his home! Deliveries of boxes (long boxes) have already arrived at that address. I am worried about a break-in at this home and burglars or kids becoming armed with these weapons. This is a residential area - not a business zone. Mr. Seaton can rent a storefront/warehouse in a business zone if he wants to pursue this business. To whom is he selling these firearms? I thought it was illegal to sell firearms to people without registration of those weapons? Sales of firearms do NOT belong in this beautiful residential area! Please do NOT support this application. Cindy Lunning 204 E. O'Neil Drive Ames, Iowa 515-232-9402 file://C:\Documents and Settings\Charles.Kuester\Local Settings\Temp\notesElEF34\—we... 4/20/2012