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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a religious institution at 217 6th StreetCITY OF AMES, IOWA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME --- IN THE MATTER OF TIU1 APPLICATION OF AMES UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, §29.1503, AMES MUNICIPAL CODE,,rO ALLOW A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION AT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 217 6"rn STREET FACTS CASE NO. 16-01 J 1) N 2 3 2016 CITY OF AMES, IOWA GEOCODE NO. 09-02-332-060 DECISION & ORDER United Church of Christ located at 217 6th Street is seeking a Special Use Permit to operate as a religious institution in the Downtown Service Center zoning district. The Church has been in existence since the late I 9th century, The church operates at various times throughout the week including evenings and weekends. United Church of' Christ has a capacity of 200 people within the main sanctuary with a current membership of 140. 1-Ji-tited Church of Christ holds religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals and special events. Parking for the site is located along neat -by streets and at an off street location near the church. Earlier this spring the church was rezoned from the Neighborhood Commercial zoning district to the Downtown Service Center zoning district. United Church of Christ desires to construct a 11,038 square foot addition to their church in a Downtown Service Center zoning district (DSQ with an exemption from minimum height and floor area ratio requirements. The church is located on a 21,600 square foot lot situated amidst a mixture of commercial and some residentially zoned property on all sides. The subject parcel was created in the late 19th century upon construction of the church. Section 29.808(2) of' the Downtown Service Center zoning regulations state that a religious institution can exist in the Downtown Service Center zoning district subject to a Special Use Permit being issued by the Zoning Board of' Adjustment for use of' the parcel. Additionally the Special Use Permit can be approved with exemption from the f,AR and height requirements in the Downtown Service Center zoning district as an institutional use in Section 29.808(3). The proposed addition is for an enclosure of an existing open air walk way that leads to an entrance on the buildings east side. The project would enclose this area to make way for additional improvements and renovations elsewhere inside the church as part of a master plan the church is implementing for a reconstruction of internal space to accommodate growth and future events. The project will relocate an existing entrance further east along the east side of the church and would also create an additional entrance facing 5th Street to the south between the parsonage facility and the main church building. There is no parking area required in the Downtown Service Center zoning district and as such no additional parking has been proposed with this project. United Church of' Christ is working with Ames F'lectric Services to relocate some electrical equipment along the alley to the east side of the Church as a related item to this project. The Church building after the addition will achieve an FAR of .77 and the proposed addition is only for a single story. The proposal with this project does not cause the building to achieve minimum FAR. (1.0) or meet the rnininutin height requirement (2 stories) in the Downtown Service (,,enter zoning district and as such United Church of Christ is seeking exemption from those requirements as allowed to be requested in Section 29.808(3). DECISION The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Use Permits from the provisions of the zoning ordinance. 1--laving heard the evidence presented about this proposed facility, the Board finds that it meets the standards for a Special Use Permit in section 29.1 503(4)(a), (c) and (e) and the regulations at Section 29.808(2). In light of the evidence presented and the findings in the staff' report, the Board determines that granting the permit is appropriate, and that the proposed use and design is compatible in character with its Surroundings and is exempt frorn meeting minimum IAR and rninirnurn height requirements under the DSC lone Development Standards at Section 29.808(3). ORDER WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTFID a Special Use Permit in a DSC zoning district, Sections 29.1503(4)(a) and (c) and (e) and Sections 29.808(2) and (3) ofthe Ames Municipal Code, ode, to allow the operation of religious institution, with exemptions to the minimum Floor Area Ratio and minimum height requirements of the DSC Zone Development Standards, for the property located at 217 6"' Street. 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 I th day of May, 2016. U'Irin Cain Secretary to the Board el y Eb Chair '