HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Amendment to the Special Use Permit to allow parking in the front yard of the property located 3300 George Washington Carver AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF CCRC OF AMES,
LLC, FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE
SPECIAL USE PERMIT, § 29.1503(4)(a),
(b), and (e), AMES MUNICIPAL CODE,
TO ALLOW PARKING IN THE FRONT
YARD OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 3300 GEORGE WASHINGTON
CARVER AVENUE
CASE NO. 15-01
GEOCODE NO. 05-28-400-120
DECISION & ORDER
The property at this address is a tract of undeveloped land to the south of Bloomington Road and
bordered on the east by Stange Road and on the west by George Washington Carver Avenue. It
is zoned "FS-RM" (Suburban Residential Medium Density). The site is a 12.35 acre parcel
approved as part of a preliminary plat on November 26, 2013. The proposed use of this parcel is
for a senior living facility comprised of independent senior living apartments, assisted living, and
a skilled care unit (commonly known as a nursing home). The proposal includes a connected
complex of thirty-nine (39) independent senior living apartments, thirty-four (34) assisted living
units, and thirty-four (34) skilled nursing beds. Access to the site is from a single driveway off
of George Washington Carver Avenue across from Bayberry Road. The property to the north is
currently owned by Heartland Baptist Church of Ames, Iowa.
This Applicant was previously granted a Special Use Permit (SUP) to construct the senior living
facility as described. At the time of initial approval, the Ames Zoning Ordinance did not allow
parking in the front yard, so the Applicant's plans were updated to show only a drop off area,
with parking to the north, south, and east of the building. Since the previously approved SUP,
the Ames City Council has approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow parking in
the front yard for Group Living uses, provided the parking is behind the primary fagade and
subject to meeting a fifty (50) foot setback. The uses included as part of the senior living facility
are Group Living uses. The Applicant is requesting to amend the previously approved SUP to
allow for the construction of a front yard parking area with thirteen (13) spaces, two (2) of which
are handicapped accessible. The driveway and drop off area will remain to the west of the main
entrances. The amended site plan also includes required perimeter landscaping for the new
parking area. Staff presented evidence that the general standards for a Special Use Permit are
outlined in section 29.1503(4)(a) and found that the proposed changes are minor and are
consistent with the previous approval. Staff requested that conditions imposed as part of the
previously approved site plan remain in place. The Applicant did not present any evidence to the
contrary.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Use Permits from the provisions of the
zoning ordinance. Having heard the evidence presented about this proposed facility, the Board
finds that it meets the general standards for a Special Use Permit in section 29.1503(4)(a) and the
applicable residential zone standards in section 29.1503(4)(b). In light of the evidence presented
and the findings in the staff report, the Board determines that granting the permit is appropriate.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted an Amendment to the
February 12, 2014, Special Use Permit in an FS-RM zoning district, sections 29.1503(4)(a), (b),
and (e) of the Ames Municipal Code, to allow the construction of a senior living facility,
comprised of senior apartments, assisted living, and a skilled care facility in the FS-RM zoning
district for the property located at 3300 George Washington Carver Avenue, in conformance
with the following conditions:
1. Provide to the City all easements for the public utilities on site prior to the City issuance
of a certificate of occupancy.
2. Present to the City an easement between the owners of the north and south lots regarding
the shared storm water pond for review prior to the City issuance of a certificate of
occupancy.
Done this I Ith day of February, 2015.
Erin Cain elby el
Secretary to the Board Vice air