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March 29, 2016
Tracy Warner, P.E.
City Engineer
City of Ames-Public Works Department
515 Clark Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010
RE: Stormwater Management Plan for 926 S.16th Street
Request for Waiver to Ordinance 5B.
FOX Ref.No.5422-16a
Dear Ms.Warner:
On behalf of the Owners of the above-referenced property,we respectfully request that one
portion of Municipal Code Chapter 5B be waived. We are requesting a waiver from the stream
buffer requirement of 100 feet. The proposed development is infill and has pre-existing features
that did not anticipate the 100 foot stream buffer requirement. Forty(40) percent of the 1.0 acre
site is in the stream buffer area and severely limits both the developable area and uses of the
remaining areas for development.
The proposed site will have all structures outside of the 100 foot buffer. The existing drive access
off S. 16th is located in the buffer. The owner also wishes to have a portion of the buffer area
planted in lawn condition,for use of picnic table seating outside the restaurant. The remainder of
the buffer area will be planted in native plantings.
The site meets and exceeds all the ordinance requirements for water quality and water quantity
management with the exception of the stream buffer. We request the waiver of the 100 foot
standard for the following reasons:
• The existing site has an access point off of 16th street which gives approximately a 10 foot
buffer to the top of the stream channel. This drive access was the intended site access for
the site when the owner purchased the property.
• The proposed plan maintains the existing 10 foot buffer, and a curved drive entrance
maximizes the buffer distance.
• Removal or relocation of the access drive would be an additional expense to the owner,
and eliminate or greatly reduce the lawn picnic dining space.
• In order to have some useable outside space the owner would plant the space between the
drive isle and building in lawn. The owner will also apply soil quality restoration in the lawn
area to improve soil conditions and water quality. If this portion of the buffer is required to
be native plantings,there will be no useable green space on the site.
• The property was originally plated and zoned prior to the 5B storm water ordinance. When
the ordinance was passed and applied to this site,it became difficult to have any
development on the site. The site has been sitting vacant for many years with no
development because of its location and newly passed storm water restrictions.
• The owner has developed a plan which makes this site developable and minimizes the
impact to the intent of the stream buffer area,while complying with all other aspects of
the 5B ordinance.
As you consider this request, please contact me if you require further information.
Sincerely,
FOX Engineering Associates, Inc.
Eric L.Thompson, P.E.
Project Manager
ZFOX
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