HomeMy WebLinkAboutA1 RECEIVED
JAN 3 0 2018 Application Form Last Updated:August 8, 2017
CITY OF AMES,IOWA I
OEPT.OF PLANNING&HOUSING variance !!
Application Form
(This form must be completely filled out before the application will be accepted)
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1. Property Address for this Variance Applica`.;on: 233 5`Washington, Ames Iowa 50010
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2. Legal Description(attach if lengthy): The East 88 feet of Lot 16 in Block 8 in Black's
Second Addition to Ames, IDW2------------------__—____—__�_--___ I
3. 1 (We) the undersigned, do hereby respectfully appeal to the Ames Zoning Board of !
Adjustment to grant a "Variance"to the Zoning Ordinance to allow the issuance of a Zoning
Permit to nermit: Decreased parking requirement to allow business use of said property.
consistant with neighborhood and allowable per current zoning.
4. The Zoning Permit was refused because:
5. Property Owner: Dana Thomann
Business: n/a
Address: 208 Fairchild Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245
Street (City)(Street) ( y, (State) (zip)
p)
Telephone: 319-330-3001
(Home) (Business) (Fax)
6. Applicant:
Business:
Address:
(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)
Telephone:
(Home) (Business) (Fax)
7. Contact Person:
Business:
Address:
(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)
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Telephone:
(Home) (Business) (Fax)
E-mail address: !
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Application Form Last Updated.August 8,2017 j
The Zoning Board of Adjustment may grant a Variance, provided the Board members can
make a finding that the Variance will not result In unnecessary hardship, will not be
contrary to the public interest,will observe the Spirit of the Ordinance, and shall result In
substantial justice.
This appeal will not be granted unless sufficient facts are presented in this application to
justify the variance in light of the standards and to show that the granting of the variance relates
to the intent and purposes of the Zoning Ordinance and the Land Use Policy Plan,
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Approval of the Variance by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in no way absolves the applicant
from subsequently obtaining the necessary building permits or other permits from the City of
Ames or from other applicable agencies.
I(We)certify that I(we)have been denied a Bulldingrloning Permit,that I(wee) have submitted all the
required Information peal for a Variance,and that said information Is factual.
DSigned by: JTDate: .2-b JOLAJ� e-
Pr arty Owners
(Note: No other signature nifty be substituted,for the Property Owner's Signature)
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Application Form Last Updated: August 8 2017
Variance
Supporting Information
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will be accepted)
The Zoning Board of Adjustment can grant a Variance, only if all of the following
standards are satisfied. In order to facilitate review of this application for a Variance, the
applicant must address each of the "Variance Standards" set forth in Section 29.1504(4) of the
Zoning Ordinance, which are listed below.
(Note: The applicant's explanation of how the request meets each standard may be attached on
a separate sheet if sufficient space is not provided.)
1. Variance Standards. The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall review each application for the
purpose of determining that the `Variance Standards" are satisfied. Pursuant to Iowa law, a
variance shall be granted only if all of the following standards are satisfied:
(a) The granting of the variance shall not be contrary to the public interest.
Please present information to indicate that the Variance will not result in injury or
endangerment to other property or persons, nor will it devalue nearby property.
Explain how the request meets this standard.
The business wishing to purchase and use this property is a property management
company. The large majority of their business is conducted o -si e (showing properties).
and via the Internet (for applications lease signings and rent payments) Traffic
consists primarily of vendors visiting to pick up and/or drp off keys, which typically takes
fewer Man 2 minutes to accomplish.
There are 2-3 parking spaces on the west side of the poperty to accomdate office
per
hardship on either the business or the vendors. Neighboring properties would not be
be affected at all.
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Application Form Last Updated: August 8, 2017
(b) That without granting of the variance, and due to special conditions, a literal
enforcement of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship.
Unnecessary hardship exists when:
(i) The land in question cannot yield a reasonable return if used only for a
purpose allowed in the zone;
To meet this standard, please show that all beneficial use and/or enjoyment
of the property will be lost if the Variance is not granted. Supporting evidence
from a professional appraiser. realtor, or other professional, may be
necessary to support your appeal. The Zoning Board of Adjustment may
require documentation of loss of value in order to grant this variance.
Explain how the request meets this standard.
The r1LQpe3y is zoned S-SMD - S Lincoln Mixed-Use District. A large
portion of the surrounding properties are commercial and/or apartment
residential. We have
family home with no sur-cess Pntential hnme hinters site the Incation traffic.
and the home's footprint as the largest deterrants of purchase. The
location and traffic are certainly better suited or business use. And the
than a single-family home. The main floor bedroom is office-sized and
the area upstairs requires travel through the "bedroom" to reach the
It is. however, perfect for a meeting or board room with additional office
space. The owner has been unable to sell and is facing backruptcy
decreased parking requirements.
(ii) The plight of the owners is due to unique circumstances and not to the
general conditions of the neighborhood;
Please show that the physical circumstances on the subject property are
unique and unlike other properties in the vicinity.
Explain how the request meets this standard.
The owner purchased the property to live in while attenting an ISU
graduate program. During her ownership much change has occurre
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is surrounded by other businesses and parking (with the exception of one
remaining single family home directly to the West). Additional of parking
of the build i iy I ias already been denied. We be' eve
that understanding the nature of the business wishing to purchase and
revitalize this building will help alleviate concerns about traditional
Commercial parking needs. Cuirerit cuinineicial [equimmunts of 5 dud cat d
.parkinq spots are excessive for the needs of today's property management
company.
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Application Form Last Updated. August 8. 2017
(iii)The use to be authorized by the variance will not alter the essential
character of the locality.
Please show that the proposed use is compatible with the character of the
surrounding area.
Explain how the request meets this standard.
The property has access off South 4th right where traffic is transitioning
between commercial and residential. The neighborhood is comprised of
not seem to negatively impact the area. Directly to the East is a strip mall
styled commercial space. To the north is an apartment building with
a single family home (an island in a sea of commercial space), And.
finally. to across South 4th the area is intersperesed with homes and
commercial space.
(c) The spirit of the ordinance shall be observed even when the variance is
granted.
Please show that the Variance is consistent with the intent of the Sign Ordinance,
Zoning Ordinance, and the Land Use Policy Plan. A Variance would not be
consistent with the intent if alternatives for development exist that do not require a
Variance.
Explain how the request meets this standard.
The nature of the business proposed at this site will not have any noticeable affect
on the above ordinances or plans. Most work is completed via electronic means
.per day at most There is no additional space or ability to land that
would improve parking in this area. The only way to accommodate the business
(wnich truly is the best use of Ine property) is to secure a parking variance g
Less require i pai:k ng
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Application Form Last Updated: August 8, 2017
(d) Substantial justice shall be done as a result of granting the variance.
Explain how the request meets this stardard.
Due to the rapidly changing culture and increased building, there are many
changes/alterations being made throughout Ames. This is a small lot with
will suffer greatly (to the point of bankruptcy for the seller) if a resolution cannot
be reached. The buyer proposes to improve the property both visually and
the neighborhood by way of looks, feel and value. This win-win for the seller and
buyer would also be a win-win for the neighborhood.
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Application Form Last Updated: August 8. 2017
Variance
Site Plan Checklist
(For Properties Occupied by a Single-Family or a Two-Family Dwelling)
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will be accepted)
The applicant shall submit a Site Plan, drawn to scale, that clearly shows the Variance
being sought. The Site Plan shall be a reproducible, black line drawing on a sheet of
paper no larger than 11"x17". If the project for which the Variance is sought is a single-
family or a two-family dwelling, or other use exempt from the requirement for a "Site
Development Plan", then the Site Plan shall include, at a minimum, the following
information:
(NOTE: If the proposed project requires approval of a "Major or Minor Site Development Plan",
it should be included with this application for a "Variance'. not the Site Plan described on this
checklist.)
❑ Dimensioned property lines
Abutting streets and alleys
❑ Location and size of all existing and proposed buildings and structures (include distances to
all property lines and distances between buildings and structures.)
❑ Required setbacks
❑ Driveways and parking areas. fully-dimensioned
❑ Other pertinent information necessary to fully understand the need for a Variance (e.g.:
significant change in topography, location and size of mature trees, etc.)
No change would be made to topography, trees. etc. This is simply a request for variance
in the number of parking spaces required for a commercial/business to utilitze the space which
would CONCURRENTLY facilitate a sale (alleviating devestating finacial durress of the seller) and
improvement of the property/neighborhood.
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Application Form Last Updated:August 8,2017 t,
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Variance
Permission to Place a "Zoning Action Pending"
Sign on Private Property
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will-be accepted)
Section 29.1500(2)(0)(iii) of the Zoning Ordinance, requires that notice shall be posted by lire
City on the subject property. One notice sign shall he posted for each property. Required signs
shall be posted along the perimeter of the subject property in locations that are highly visible
from adjacent public streets prior to the public hearing.
The owner of property at by grants the City of Ames
permission to place "Zoning Action Pendi igns on the property for the purpose of informing
interested persons of the request for action b the City of Ames.
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I understand that the signs tivill be placed on the property several days prior to action on the '
request by the Planning and Zoning Commission, 'Zoning Board of Adjustment, or the City
Council, and may remain on tine property until the request has been approved or denied by the
City.
Signed by: Date:rIb J"1)Clt�i2
operty er
ht2na. L. 7 om ant,
Print Name
(.Note.' No other signature may be substituted(or the Property Oicner's Signature.)
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