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Home My WebLink AboutA5 July 10, 2016 Zoning Board of Adjustment 515 Clark Avenue Ames, Iowa 50010 Dear Board, We are writing this letter in opposition to the Prairie Flower Children's Center(PFCC) modification of their Special Use Permit. Our concerns are based on firsthand experiences of living across from Prairie Flower Children's Center(PFCC) Pre School at Camp Canwita at 2807 Duff Ave for the last 5 years. Further we have some thoughts on their request to have modifications made to their current Special Use Permit for Proposed Use in a Residential Zone. Currently they have a Special Use Permit for 17 children, 3-5 yrs. in age, between the hours of 9:00 am- 12:15 pm. Having looked over their application and their definition of their program and their partnership with Camp Canwita we find the details of their plan vague and confusing to understand. How many children do they plan on having in a day?They only define 20 children at a time. They mention 3 age groups, 3,4 and 5, 6, 7 yr. olds. Does that mean 3 sessions a day with a maximum of 60 children?They define it only as morning and afternoon activities The definition of their modification says they want to increase it to 20 children "At a Time", 3-7 yrs. in age from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.This appears they want to increase the hours from 3 %2 currently to 9 hours a day. In their application they do not mention how many sessions they plan or if they plan on having more than 1 session at a time period. We can only assume that means a morning and afternoon session and after school session for children 5-7 yrs. old for a total of 60 children for 3 sessions a day. Increasing the number of students and adding more sessions will increase car traffic by 235%for 40 children and 350%for 60 children. Currently there are an average of 20 cars 2 times a day @ 40 trips. Now add 3 sessions at 20 cars you will see 120 trips in and out of a parking area ill equipped for that traffic. Duff Ave is heavily traveled and adding more activities or sessions into the 8:OOam-5pm time slots will impede traffic flow and become a greater risk to everyone in an area that already has limited visibility. PFCC claims in their request that they have complied with all conditions set forth by the City of Ames and Camp Fire USA of Iowa and have been a responsible, constructive and valuable member of the neighborhood and community at large.They also go on to state that with their partnership with Camp Canwita has led to better building and access maintenance as well as more timely attention to concerns such as trash and snow removal, lawn care and so on. What is so on? We have seen as neighbors many uses of the facility that we do not believe was stated in their Special Use Permit granted to PFCC back in the August 2011 permit. We also want to comment on their building, snow removal, and lawn care. 1. They conduct Pre-school business, activities and special events beyond the 9:00 am- 12:15pm on the weekdays. (a) Their days usually begin closer to 8:00 am with staff coming in and parents and/or staff staying well beyond 1:00 pm on most days. (b)The teachers are usually there most of the day. (c) PFCC conducts Activities and Special Events on many Evenings and on Saturdays and a Sunday. (d) On their Facebook Page you will find a list of Events. For the 2015/2016 school year they had 12 extra events listed beyond regular school hours. (e) We also observed on their website and posts on their Facebook page three other events,so a total of 15 extra events that we know of but there could be more. For example, they have a Cabin Craft Night every month that starts 6:30-7:00 pm. (f)They plan Festivals and Parties that start at 10 am or several that start at 6 pm on Saturdays. Children come to all these events. (g)They have several events with the children at night for Halloween, November Lantern Lighting, and Candle Lighting event in December and some Evening Dinners. All of these extra events include the children. (h) In the year 2014/2015 they sponsored several events at night. Presentations on Homeopathy, Douglas/Birth/Midwifes,Temperaments and the Adult Child Relationships to name a few.This is on top of Open House, Parent Conferences and any extra meetings for their Board, Spring Cleaning Days, Extra Planning Meetings and you name it that is involved in running a Pre-School. The original Special Use Permit did not mention or include all these extra hours, Evening Events and Saturdays. Concerning all the extra hours and events, See: City of Ames Municipal Code, Chapter 29,Section 29 1503 (4) (b)(ii)(iv) and (e), as stated in the first Special Use Permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.We can only assume that doubling or tripling the sessions and students will increase the after hour events. PFCC is advertising for a Teaching Assistant Position for the 2016/2017 school year and in the description of duties they state, "the assistant position helps provide care and guidance for the children during our operating hours, assists with daily setup and cleanup for the program, as well as helping with supplementary events and festivals we provide our close-knit community of families and alumni". So they plan on continuing to have events with children beyond the regular school hours in the evening and weekends. 2. The last two years PFCC/Camp Canwita have not mowed the lawn until the middle of May. We had a lot of rain in the months of April so the area became overgrown with weeds and grass and quite deep. Since the City owns this property and Inis Grove Park one would think they would be required the same standard as the park. Neighbors surrounding this property kindly mow their lawns or would receive a fine by the City. But PFCC families enjoy the idea of driving their children up to a nice well-kept neighborhood. 3. PFCC hardly ever snowplow the driveway. It usually has to have at least a foot of snow before they have the snow plowed and removed.They usually just call school off if there is too much snow.This makes for a messy sloppy parking lot and we watch the parent's cars slip and slide in the snow, ice and mud and sometimes almost get stuck. We define this as not adding to the neighborhood as they treat their driveway and the grounds much differently than the surrounding residential neighborhood and Inis Grove Park, as we watch the run off of water, mud and rock onto Duff Ave.This is on a major thoroughfare in Ames not out in the country or in an area that other Camp Fire USA of Iowa facilities are located with paved parking and the proper access for the number of cars in and out dropping and picking up children. 4. Due to the increase in car traffic on the parking area with PFCC open for 9 months, the City of Ames has had to bring in special road graders and dump trucks on several occasions and have regraded, added rock and smooth out the parking area.This is being done as soon as the snow is gone and the frost out of the ground. Stated in the City's first granting of a Special Use Permit to PFCC was, Chapter 29,Section 29.1503(4) (a) (v), Not create additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services. In the past Camp Canwita, United Way volunteers and other volunteers repaired and fixed the parking lot on their own without the help of the City. 5. The traffic flow has increased considerably since they have been given permission to have a Preschool at Camp Canwita.They started with a reasonable number of children but they have increased their numbers year after year and increased their events so that their presence is felt to the point it is disruptive.Whereas Camp Canwita has a uniform program with less in and out traffic and a more predictable schedule. Many of Camp Fire USA of Iowa camps and programs do not sit in the middle of a Residential Zone. Some are in rural areas, in Des Moines or locations that have adequate parking that is paved and in Commercial Zones. We feel as neighbors this has been a disruption of our neighborhood and change in daily traffic flow and a constant in and out of a parking area that is overflowing and sometimes overflows to the street. One night we waited for 3 hours to get into our driveway because they had cars parked in front of our entrance due to snow, we finally called the police and they were ticketed. We have also had parents turn around in our driveway or use our circular driveway. Cars, semi-trucks and service vehicles speed through this area and there is limited visibility with a curve, a hill, and residential driveways coming onto Duff and into the path of people coming in & out of PFCC/Camp Canwita parking area.There are no sidewalks connecting PFCC/Camp Canwita so families walking or on bikes have to cross Duff right at their driveway. Now add more traffic in and out,4-6 times a day instead of 2 times plus all their extra events with an increase in children, you have now changed the character of the area and what Mr. Walter Grove envisioned for the Camp when he deeded it to the City and Camp Fire Girls of Ames. Melba went to this Camp as a Camp Fire Girl and the way it is being used today is a far cry from what Mr. Grove must have envisioned. We understand times change and needs change but so has the neighborhood and the use of Duff Ave. We have a great fondness for children and families but think the increase of children in and out 5-6 days a week, plus Camp Canwita's 5 days a week all summer, is an overuse of this facility. PFCC has extra activities in the evenings and weekends that include all the families, including parents and siblings, not just 17 children and 2 teachers. Camp Canwita does not have families included in extra events. Most Pre-schools are in commercial areas or churches with paved parking lots and are not disruptive to a neighborhood. PFCC stated in their application that this Camp has been used by children year around for 95 years,this is a bit of an over statement. Melba has resided in Ames for 40 years and is familiar with the facility and the area and went to Camp Fire Camp at this location when it was on the edge of town and Duff Ave did not go beyond the camp parking area which was a Dead End. It may have been used some years all 12 months, but not 5-6 days a week all 12 months.They have made many improvements but it is a 1950's building and we have personally observed a Ground Hog entering an obvious hole in the side of the building close to the front door on a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. Maybe it is their Mascot? Our conclusion is we do not think that Prairie Flower Children Center Preschool should be granted a Special Use Permit for expansion.They did not follow the days and hours stated in the Special Use Permit granted in August 2011, instead using the facility more hours, evenings and weekends.The traffic on this busy street with little visibility with the terrain at the entrance/exit of the parking area for pick up and drop off of children is also hazardous. The care of the grounds in the parking area and the parking lot itself has been minimal.The signs have had to be changed due to PFCC first signage was an over step of City signage regulations and had to be brought to the attention of the City by the neighbors. The current sign stands at an awkward angle with a pot of dead flowers. People talk about "Fly Over States" not thinking about the people that live there. We feel like we are the "Drive by Houses". Please remember people live in these houses you drive by on your way to work or to drop the kids off at their activities. We take care of our yards, maintain our homes and pay taxes to live here just like you do. Sincerely, Kurt and Melba Olson 2810 Duff Avenue Ammeess, 7Iowa V d� //111/2ulb (b)Prairie t-lower Unlidren's Uenter A w i e4� ��*�`.Tr�":�• '6' it � ,?�, a . vv�i,� • .•�s • •.Y$4fMf,1R�MA/fiM•:.N�'.Y. 3,'d+':n.!uNwY��i�.. d•' Like Message More Events 2 Subscribers Subscribe UPCOMING EVENTS Prairie Flower Children's Center does not have any upcoming events. PAST EVENTS MAY Farewell Party! Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 21 gg Sat 6 PM•20 quests Ames.IA MAR Prairie Flower Open Mouse Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 10 Thu.4:30 PM•5 guests Ames,IA F�� q• )pA MAY Prairie Flower's Dance Party Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 23 Sat 6 PM-20 guests Ames,IA 9p Nov Worldly Goods Fundraiser Event worldly Goods 12 Wed 4 PM•Hosted by Prairie Flower Children's Center Ames,IA Y Grade School(cooperative)Community Meeting Prairie Flower Children's Ce...19 Mon 6:30 PM-0 guests Ames,IA L �• ° `- MAY May Festival Prairie Flower Children's Ce...10 p� - Sat 10 AM-1 guest Ames,IA APR April Cabin Craft Night Prairie Flower Children's Ce... yp ��___ 24 Thu 6:30 PM•3 guests Ames,IA yr" C > 27 March Cabin Craft Night Prairie Flower Children's Ce... "1 i t. • "" y Thu 6:30 PM•2 guests Ames,IA 1 ITS4 l FEB February Cabin Craft Night Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 0z" !2 PV\ 27 Thu 12 AM in PST•3 guests Ames,IA JAN January Cabin Craft Night Prairie Flower Children's Ce... �- 23 Thu 6:30 PM•3 guests Ames,IA ( 417—'e7 �1 DEC December Cabin Craft Night Prairie Flower Children's Ce... s 12 Thu 7 PM•5 guests A(nos.IA Prairie Flower Children's Center 1111 rjr.' https://www.facebook.com/PrairieFlowerCC/events 1/2 rr iur�u io (b)rraine Hower Children's Center DEC gal 10 AM-7 guests Ames,IA y o f 7 +, + 7 NOV Cabin Craft Nights Prairie Flower Children's Ce.,. 21 Thu 7 PM•2 guests Ames.IA ,-!L f NOV tRl Shop Worldly Goods Worldly Goods Wed A PM•7 guests Ames,IA Presentation:Homeopathic Women and Children's Health Prairie Flower Children's Ce... . 1 0 � 7 ,sun 10 PM in PDT Ames,IA �, ,,c FEB Temperaments and the Adult-Child Relationship Prairie Flower Children's Ce... s*_ Mon 6:30 PM•3 guestn Ames,IA JAN Presentation,De-,Junk Your Mind and Body,an All-Natur.., Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 23 Wed 7 PM•3 guests Ames,IA ,>b JAN Doulas,birth,and midwives-oh myl Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 14 Mon 7 PM•2 guests Ames,IA Mori DEC Homeopathy Presentation Prairie Flower Children's Ce... - 3 Mon 6:30 PM•2 guests Ames,IA o DEC Handmade Holiday Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 1 Sat 9 AM-tt guests Ames,IA OCT RESCHEDULE FOR RAIN screening of Play Again Film Prairie Flower Children's Ce... 20 Sat 8 PM•3 guesTg Ames,IA w} ► -A 0 us n y @ the Cabin '1 Prairie Flower Children's Ce... r� Ames,IA ,reening of the film Play Again, Ames Public Library 3 guests Ames,IA s Prairie Flower Children's Ce... � a O Sat 10 AM•6 guests Ames,IA Prairie Flower t Chlldre Mayfest Prairie Flower Children's Ce... Center Thu 10AM Arnes, A @PrairieFlo e;CC AUG A G Fall Open House/Check Out Our New Location Home Wed 5:30 PM in PDT•9 guests `✓J 1� �� About Photos Reviews Likes Videos IEvents Notes Posts Ghat Prairie Flower Children's Center https://www.facebook.com/PrairieFlowerCC/events 212