HomeMy WebLinkAboutA6 January 9, 2018
Ames City Clerk
515 Clark Ave.
Ames City Hall
Attn:Zoning Board of Adjustment
Re: Variance to allow front yard parking on 233 Washington Ave
My husband and I own property on Third Street, adjacent to 233 Washington Ave. We write to oppose a
variance to allow front-yard parking on 233 Washington Ave,for all the well established reasons most
cities and towns do not allow front-yard parking.We see no reason to establish such a precedent with a
favorable response to this application.
Karen Bolluyt
Jim Bolluyt
Zoning Board of Adjustment, Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave. January 7,2018
Subject:Application for Variance to allow Front Yard parking at 233 Washington Avenue
Our Martin Family has lived at 304 Washington Avenue (diagonally across the street)since at least
1930 and we care greatly about maintaining the quality of life in Ames.That is why our grandparents
fought so hard for the improvement of Iowa State University and the city of Ames,and now their home
on Lincoln Way has been given Historical status, a pier was built down town to honor them,and a state
of the art Residence Hall at ISU was named Martin Hall to honor them. We care greatly about Ames,so
please do NOT allow further deterioration of our neighborhood with the requested variance.
We are STRONGLY OPPOSED to this application for Front Yard parking at 233 Washington Avenue
and at any property on Washington Avenue for the following reasons:
1.There is already room to park four(4)cars in the driveway in the rear and possibly six cars if the
decrepit garage was removed.
2. Free parking is allowed on Washington Avenue a few steps from this house.
3.This house has been there for 80 to 100 years and none of the families there ever needed Front Yard
parking, and there is NO need now.
4.This property is at the corner of S. 3Id St.and Washington Avenue and is already a dangerous
intersection due to the high traffic and speeds from: Iowa St. Univ., the Iowa Dept.of Transportation,
Hy-Vee and Lincoln Center mall,all of which are nearby, as well as Ken's Appliance Store and its
trucks directly across from 233 Washington Avenue.
5.The Front Yard is so small that the parked cars would encroach upon pedestrians and bicyclists on
the sidewalk on Washington Avenue and would add to the danger for bicyclists on the newly
constructed bicycle path on S. 3`d St.
6. Last,but still very important,the City of Ames has good reasons for its regulations forbidding Front
Yard parking, namely maintaining the appearance and safety of our neighborhoods.
CONCLUSION: There are MANY reasons to DENY this application and no "compelling" reason to grant
the variance.
Marie Martin Mancuso Joseph P. Mancuso
304 Washington Avenue Ames Iowa 50010
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