HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to Operate a Religious Institution at 320 S. 17th StreetCCITY OF AMES IOWA
,
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF HARVEST
VINEYARD CHURCH FOR A SPECIAL
USE PERMIT, §29.1503(4), AMES
MUNICIPAL CODE, TO OPERATE A
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION ON THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 320 S. 17Tn
FACTS
CITY CREAK
CITY OF AMES, IOWA
CASE NO. 16-17
GEOCODE NO. 09-14-126-080
On August 26, 2015, the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a Special Use Permit (SUP) to
operate a religious institution (Harvest Vineyard Church) on the property located at 320 S. 17th
Street. The property is owned by Ames Racquet & Fitness Center, and is zoned Highway
Oriented Commercial (HOC). Since granting of the SUP, construction work has not begun, nor
has a building permit been issued for remodeling of the existing building for use by Harvest
Vineyard Church, Ames Racquet and Fitness Center continues to occupy the building until such
time that the building under construction at their new location, in the Iowa State University
Research Park, is completed and ready for occupancy. As a result of these circumstances, the
previous approval of the Special Use Permit for Harvest Vineyard Church has expired per
Section 19, 1503(5) of the Municipal Code. Harvest Vineyard Church is proceeding with plans to
move into the building at 320 S. 17th Street, once the space is available. Therefore, they are once
again seeking approval of a new Special Use Permit (SUP) to occupy the site, given the fact that
the previously approved SUP expired, as of August 26, 2016. There are a few minor changes in
the site plan since approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2015. Additional sidewalk,
mechanical units, and landscape screening for mechanical units has been added along the west
side of the building. These changes meet the minimum zoning code requirements. Pedestrian
ramps have been added to meet ADA requirements where the public sidewalk crosses the two
driveways.
The request is to convert the use of property at 320 S. 17th Street from a fitness center (Ames
Racquet and Fitness Center) to a religious institution (Harvest Vineyard Church). The site is
approximately 2.8 acres. Boundaries of the site are the west -bound U.S. Highway 30 ramp from
Duff Avenue on the south, South 17th Street to the north, Electric Wholesale Company (an
electrical supply business) on the east, and the Aspen Business Park Subdivision to the west. The
facility includes 63,340 square feet of floor area. The proposed project would have two single -
story sections, 15,833 square feet for the worship center, and 15,417 square feet for two tennis
courts retained from the racquet and fitness center use. A two-story section, consisting of 32,090
square feet, will serve general church functions. Vehicular access to the site is provided by two
driveways from S. 1th Street, one for ingress, and the other for egress. Pedestrian access will be
facilitated by the installation of a 5-foot wide sidewalk in the public right-of-way running
parallel to S. 17th Street, and connecting to a 5-foot wide sidewalk leading to the main entrance
to the building. The existing parking lot, consisting of 138 parking spaces, will be retained in its
present configuration. The new use as a place of worship requires a minimum of one (1) space
for every four (4) seats in the main auditorium. The 441 seats planned for the main auditorium
generates the need for 111 parking spaces. The tennis courts require a minimum of eight (8)
parking spaces. Parking is provided to meet the minimum number of required spaces plus an
additional nineteen (19). Five (5) handicap -accessible spaces will be located near the main
entrance of the facility to meet minimum standards. A new main entrance to the facility,
including a vestibule, will be established south of the current entrance location to provide direct
access from the parking lot into the worship center (main auditorium). This new entrance will be
identified with a canopy that extends out approximately eight (8) feet from the front building
fagade.
DECISION
The Board considers the facts as detailed above and the standards in Ames Municipal Code
Section 29.1503(4)(a) and (b) and determines that the application meets the standards and the
Special Use Permit shall be granted.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED, section 29.1503 of the
Ames Municipal Code, a Special Use Permit to operate a religious institution on the property
located at 320 S. 171h 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 14th day of December, 2016.
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Heidi Petersen
Secretary to the Board
Shelby bet
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