HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a religious institution on the second floor of an existing building at 300 Main StreetCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
I L IE
JA N - 9 2019
CITY CLERK
CITY OF AMES. IOWA
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF BRANDON SMITH, ON BEHALF OF CASE NO. 18-12
GRACEWAY CHURCH OF GOD, FOR A
SPECIAL USE PERMIT, SECTION 29.1503 GEOCODE NO.09-02-356-010
OF THE AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
ALLOW A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION ON DECISION & ORDER
THE SECOND FLOOR OF AN EXISTING
BUILDING AT 300 MAIN STREET
FACTS
Bradford Williams, LLC, owns a two-story property in the downtown area located at 300 Main
Street. The primary zoning designation of the property is Downtown Service Center (DSC).
DSC zoning uses are regulated as set forth in the Ames Muncipal Code, Table 29.808(2).
Brandon Smith, on behalf of GraceWay Church of God, is the tenant of the second floor of the
building and submits this application to gain permission to use the second floor of the building as
a church. In the DSC Zone, a proposed "religious institution" use requires approval by the
Zoning Board of Adjustment through the issuance of a Special Use Permit. See Table 29.805(2).
The applicable standards for approval of a Special Use Permit are set forth in Ames Municipal
Code section 29.1503(4)(c) and (e).
Planner Julie Gould presented the Staff Report before the Board, which is incorporated herein by
reference. The report provided to the Board contained an analysis of both the general standards
and commercial standards by which to evaluate the Applicant's request for a special use permit.
Staff concluded that the Applicant's request met both all of the general standards under Section
29.1504(4)(a), and all of the commercial standards under Section 29.1504(4)(c).
Further evidence was provided by the Applicant indicating that the Graceway Church of God
operates in a small group setting, rather than a large traditional Sunday service. The Applicant
explained that the Church has no plans to change the interior or exterior of the building. The
church has three office staff that would utilize the space during the week. The operation of the
church is described as groups meeting for 12 weeks, with a four week break before a new session
begins. Meetings would occur throughout the year. Small group sessions are provided for 5-20
people at a time throughout the week in 12 week sessions. The small group sessions will be held
mostly in the evenings, but no specific limits on times are proposed.
Parking is not required in the DSC district for religious institutions. Parking would be available
on street or in the public parking lot to the south of the building, as is typical for most downtown
uses. Most church activities will be held during non -peak commercial hours and would not
impact existing uses in the area. The applicant indicated that any church activities occurring
during the primary weekday commercial business hours would be of a limited nature.
Stall' indicated that ifthe Board approwd the Special t,,Jsc Permit re(JUeSled, the Applicant v"ould.
still need to obtain any necessary inspections or permits from the Inspection Division, 'J"'he
rcvicw would be fi:)r both Building and Fire Cocle Compliance deterniinitions.
DECISION The Board considered the laws as detailed above and provided in the staff report
and lound tlaaat all ol*the relevant suindards in Section 29,1503 were met and established by the
Applicant,
NVIIIERETORE, IT IS ORDEIRED that the
29.1503 of'the Ames Municipal Code, as Special
of the existing bUilding at 300 N/fain Street as
subJect to the following conditiotv:
applicant is Cif tANTI-J). pumlatlt tca Section
Use Permit to allow the use of the second floor
as religious instiftlti0n, Graceway C.hurch ol"God,
Prior to operating the use, applicant must receive confirmation of compliance f'rom
the hlspcctionr Division Im building occupancy requirements,
Any puson desu-nig to appeal this decision to as court ofrecord may do area within 10 days afier
the filing ofthis decision.
Dow this 14'r' day of' November, 2018.
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1 achel KnUtsen
Secretary to the Bmard
/11
Nlatthew Kochler
C" hair