HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Variance of Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping and Bufferyards, Variance to the amount of allowed compact parking stalls, Exception to the drive aisle width dimension located at 2125 Greeley Street CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
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APR G 2020 CITY OF AMES, IOWA
CITY OF AMES, tow ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF PI CHAPTER OF CASE NO. 20-20
ALPHA DELTA PI BUILDING CORP.,
FOR A VARIANCE, SECTION 29.1504 OF GEOCODE NO. 09-09-228-070
THE AMES MUNICIPAL CODE,TO
ALLOW FOR A REDUCTION IN WIDTH DECISION & ORDER
OF REQUIRED PERIMETER PARKING
LOT PLANTERS AND BUFFER YARDS,
REDUCTIONS IN PARKING
DIMENSIONS,AND AN INCREASE IN
COMPACT STALLS FOR A GROUP
LIVING USE IN THE RH AND O-UIE
DISTRICT LOCATED AT 2125 GREELEY
STREET
FACTS
The property located at 2125 Greeley Street is a sorority house originally built in 1925, which has an
addition completed in 1967 that created the structure as it currently exists. It is located within the RH
Zoning District (Residential High Density) and subject to the East University Impacted Overlay (O-
UIE). Parking area has been added over the years and has been in its current configuration since at
least the 1980s,predating the current municipal zoning standards. The owner plans to construct a 402
square foot addition to complete a remodeling project of the kitchen to comply with current
requirements in the State health code.
For reasons set forth in the Staff Report, Staff cannot approve the owner's Minor Site Development
Plan, which was attached as Exhibit `C' to the Staff Report, without the owner obtaining a variance
from both Ames Municipal Code section 29.403(2)(E) (Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping and
Ba fferyards)and section 29.406(9)(Parking Area Dimensions).The proposed layout lacks the required
landscaping, additional compact stalls, and reduced drive aisle and parking space dimensions required
by current zoning standards. Planner Julie Gould presented the Staff Report to the Board and indicated
that City Staff determined that the variance request met the necessary legal criteria to be granted by
the Board.
John Washington,with Fox Engineering,testified on behalf of Applicant and stated that he developed
the site development plan for Alpha Delta Pi. He indicated that the existing parking lot has 28 spaces
and the new lot will have 21. The new parking lot will have a handicap parking space. He felt that a
high screen could be added to the east side of the property, and he could work with the trees that are
already on the property.The high screen plan would likely include the addition of one tree and between
12 and 18 shrubs that are at least 4 feet high. The Board heard additional testimony from Angelina
Thomas on behalf of the Owner. Neither speaker indicated any disagreement with the findings in the
Staff Report.
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DECISION
The Board considered the facts and evidence as presented to the Board, made Endings consistent with ,
the Staff Report, and found that all the relevant standards in Section 29.1504 were met and established
by the Applicant.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED, pursuant to Ames Municipal
Code Section 29.1504 of the Ames Municipal Code, a variance based upon the proposed parking lot
layout and kitchen addition represented on Exhibit`C' of the Staff Report from Code§29.403(2)(E)to
allow for a reduction in landscaping along the north side of the parking lot, and a variance from Code
§29.406(9) for reductions in parking dimensions, and an increase in compact stalls for a Group Living
use in a Residential High Density District(RH)with the East University Impacted Overlay District(O-
UIE) located at 2125 Greeley 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 1ph day of March, 2020.
a ue H ins ( 0 Amelia Schoeneman
g,ejretary to the Board Chair