HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - D&O SUP allow expansion of parking & vehicle storageF(ED jUN 13 2024
CITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF ERIC MATHRE ON BEHALF OF
CASE NO. 24-05
CAMPUS GARAGE FOR SPECIAL USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW AN EXPANSION OF
PARKING AND VEHICLE STORAGE
PARCEL IDS: 09-04-353-120
AREA AND A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL
09-04-353-130
OF AN ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE
PLAN FOR A NON -CONFORMING
DECISION & ORDER
VEHICLE SERVICE FACILILTY IN A NC
(NEIGHBORGOOD COMMERICAL)
ZONING DISTRICT AT 102 & 116
HYLAND AVENUE
FACTS
This application came before the Board for a Special Use Permit to allow the expansion of a
parking and vehicle storage area for a nonconforming vehicle service facility, Campus Garage, in
the Neighborhood Commercial (NC.) Zoning District.
Planner Amelia Schoeneman presented the Staff Report to the Board. The Special Use Permit is
being requested to expand a non -conforming use. Campus Garage is a vehicle service facility.
The original building was constructed in 1968 with three vehicle repair bays and a paved parking
and vehicle storage area in front of the building. In 2011, the property owner purchased the
adjacent property to the north, 116 Hyland. The 116 Hyland property previously contained a
house that was used as a rental property. The house was demolished in 2008 and that property
has been vacant since. The expansion of the non -conforming use is to extend the parking area to
the parcel to the north. A rock parking area was added to the 116 Hyland parcel without zoning
review. The Special Use Permit will be the final step towards compliance for the parking area.
The site was recently rezoned as part of the Mater Plan and approved by City Council. The
Master Plan generally lays out where landscaping, parking and site accesses are allowed. As part
of the Special Use Permit, a Minor Site Development Plan is required. Both the Minor Site
Development Plan and the Special Use Permit must be in compliance with the Master Plan. With
the rezoning approval, the existing site is required to come into conformance with standards for
landscaping, parking, access, and screening as is practicable. As a new improvement, the new
parking area at the 116 Hyland site must fully comply with all zoning standards.
In addition to the Special Use Permit, the Applicant has also requested approval of an alternative
landscape plan for 11.6 Hyland that would allow reduced front yard landscaping at a width of 7
feet. The reduced width would match the reduced, nonconforming front yard landscaping that
exists on the 102 Hyland site. The Applicant has proposed a landscaping plan that is higher
quality than is required for compliance with zoning standards.
FINDINGS AND DECISION
The Hoard considered the facts as detailed above and provided in the Staff Report, the testimony
presented at the hearing, and adopted the Factual Findin�ys and Conclusions in the Staff Report
and found that the project met the criteria consistent with zoning standards as established by the
Applicant under Section 29.1503(5) of the Ames City Municipal Code.
ORDER
'THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Special Use Fermat be GRANTED to allow the
expansion of a parking and vehicle storage area at 116 Hyland for a nonconforming vehicle
service facility, Campus Garage, at 102 Hyland, in the NC (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning
District with the alternative landscape plan by determining that the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions in the Addendum, meet the criteria of Section 29.1.503(5) and with the following
stipulations and conditions:
1. A 7-foot front yard landscaping buffer at 116 Hyland is permitted per the alternative
landscaping plan.
2. The proposed shrubs in the high screen buffer must be high shrubs (over 6 feet in height
at maturity). A living ground cover is also required in the high screen buffer. The front
yard trees and shrubs must be diversity standards (no more than 50% of one species). The
landscape plan quantities shall be updated to match the provided landscaping.
3. The improvements for the new parking area and abutting landscape planters at 116
Hyland shall co►nmence by duly 1, 2024, and the improvements shall be completed by
November 1, 2024. The improvements including to close and modify the accesses and
install landscaping at the existing parking area at 102 Hyland shall be completed by duly
1, 2025.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within thirty (30) days
after the filing of this decision.
Dated this 20"' day of March 2024.
Nat lie Rekemeyer
Recording Secretary
IN
Chad Schneider
Chair