HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - March 21, 2023, Special Meeting of the Ames City Council
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
MARCH 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m.
WORKSHOP:
1. Presentation on Infill Development
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Please note that this agenda may be changed up to 24 hours before the meeting time as
provided by Section 21.4(2), Code of Iowa.
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ITEM: __1_
Staff Report
INFILL DESIGN WORKSHOP
March 21, 2023
BACKGROUND:
The City adopted Ames Plan 2040 in December 2021 as the new comprehensive plan to
guide the growth and change of the community. The Plan was formulated over three years
of public input, analysis, and Council workshops to derive a 20-year plan designed to
meet the needs of adding 15,000 people to the City along with expansion of commercial
and employment opportunities.
During the growth scenario analysis, the City Council evaluated options for growth to the
north, south, east and west to serve 15,000 people. However, the Plan also included
significant policy support for infill opportunities within the existing community.
Excerpts of Ames Plan 2040 infill policies are included as Attachment “A”.
Infill is commonly defined as development or redevelopment of underutilized land
within the built-up existing areas of a community. Adding subdivisions and
developing at the edge of community is not commonly classified as infill; it is more
commonly classified as greenfield development.
Due to the less predictable nature of redeveloping existing sites, infill developments were
considered to be part of the City’s overall growth plan as additional opportunities in Ames
Plan 2040, beyond the expansion of the City to serve the next 15,000 people. There was
no set target for redevelopment within the Plan, but it became a priority for
implementation of the Plan to define in greater detail: 1) what infill is, and 2) where
in fact these opportunities exist in the city. To this end, in January 2022, City
Council identified a Council Goal of “Valuing Diverse Housing Options” with a task
to hold a workshop on residential infill options to implement Plan 2040 policies.
With the Council’s Plan 2040 discussion of growth and land use, the City adopted land
use designations that describe neighborhood character in relation to housing patterns,
density, and common building types. The primary goals of these designations were to
describe neighborhood context to help guide future decisions about land use and
housing types and to not be tied to a defined density calculation for each site. The
Housing and Community Character element describes the City’s needs for housing
diversity throughout the community and reinforces that design and character are critical
components of ensuring community acceptance of change, specifically infill. A table
illustrating Ames’ Current Housing Mix and Projected Needs is included as Attachment
“B”.
WORKSHOP FORMAT:
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The workshop will address to primary topics for City Council discussion. The first topic
is to identify infill standards that would apply city-wide and consider the creation
of additional dwelling units without planning for large scale redevelopment.
Generally, infill design standards would address basic compatibility in terms of access,
height, size, setbacks, yard space, orientation, privacy, and parking. For the first topic,
the most common examples would be modifying zoning regulations to allow for Accessory
Dwelling Units (ADUs) and two-family units or duplexes in low density residential areas
The second topic is to review where the Plan 2040 identifies areas for infill that are
oriented towards intensification that would likely include medium to larger
redevelopment options. Examples of planned redevelopment areas and infill include
Redirection Areas, Urban Corridors, Near Campus University Areas, and specific plan
areas such as the South Lincoln Mixed Use area.
The workshop presentation will include examples and attributes of good infill
design, including examples from other cities, that would apply to general infill
interests and specific building types.
SECOND UNIT AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT ISSUES:
Accessory dwelling units (“ADUs,” also sometimes referred to as second units, granny
flats, or mother-in law units) are a unique building type due to their relationship to the
principal single-family dwelling on a site. ADUs are considered by some to be a good
small infill option as they are typically smaller and do not require larger redevelopment.
ADUs can be for current family or extended family members or be used as a rental unit.
Although ADUs are generally small in size and geared towards one-bedroom unit sizes,
they can be difficult to situate onto a property and they may incur substantial construction
costs.
Over time, the City has limited the options for second units on single family properties,
including single-family conversions and duplexes. This type of dwelling unit is not
currently permitted in Ames. ADUs were also not directly allowed under the City’s prior
zoning ordinance standards.
One of the key issues related to infill design will be to what degree infill housing is
promoted by relaxing zoning regulations versus emphasizing consistency and
compatibility of design for an area which would accommodate some infill opportunities.
ADUs are good test case for this issue do is siting constraints when placed on an existing
site compared to when they are built with a new home. A table illustrating a Comparison
Review of ADU Codes of standards from other Cities is included as Attachment “C”.
Common issues that have been raised in other communities regarding Accessary
Dwelling Units and two-family homes include:
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1. Location on a lot – Should ADUs be subject to the same side- and rear-yard
setbacks as other accessory buildings?
2. Height limitations – Should ADU height restrictions be the same as for accessory
buildings (no taller than a 1-story principal building or no more than the lesser of
80% of a multi-story principal building or 20 feet)?
3. Attached ADU, detached ADU, or conversion of existing garage space –
Some communities limit ADUs to only one of these three types.
4. ADU size – Should there be a maximum square footage, a maximum percentage
or the principal building size, or a maximum number of bedrooms?
5. Require owner occupancy of at least one unit – This would prevent an ADU
from being constructed for rental purposes on a property where the principal
structure is already a rental. Some states do not allow local governments to adopt
this type of restriction.
6. Require entrances to be oriented to appear as a single-family home – This
would limit the number of entrances on the front façade.
7. Minimum lot size – Should ADUs be restricted to only residential lots of 6,000
sq. ft. or greater? Smaller properties may not have available space for a detached
ADU but may have interior space that could be converted to an ADU. Having a
limitation on lot size would preclude many properties from participating.
8. Allowances or requirements to be on a corner lot – The setbacks on a corner
lot may make it less feasible to facilitate an ADU. If the Council wants to facilitate
ADU construction on corner lots, some allowances for reduced setbacks might be
appropriate.
9. Amount of additional parking to be required or parking configuration –
Eliminating the need for additional parking sometimes is justified by the availability
of on-street parking or the distance to a transit route.
10. Requirements for covered parking (garage) in single family areas – This
requirement might be adopted if the existing garage is being converted to an ADU,
and replacement parking is required for the primary residence.
11. Lot coverage limitations – The City’s Zoning Ordinance includes limitations on
maximum building coverage, maximum impervious coverage, and maximum rear
yard coverage. These limitations can preclude any additional buildings, including
ADUs.
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12. Rear alley access, if possible – Where alleys are available, the vehicular access
should be required from the alley, such as in the Single Family Conservation
Overlay Zone (O-SFC).
13. Different permissibility in different zones – Should ADU provisions apply City-
wide in all zones, be limited to specific areas, or be permitted only in a new zoning
district similar?
BROADER INFILL DESIGN ISSUES:
Design issues similar to those described above for ADUs also apply to planned
redevelopment and infill areas designated by Ames Plan 2040, but they would have a
different context due to size and intended change of character to an area. Focusing on
smaller building types and townhome units for many infill areas would be desirable
and the design standards can be written to focus on these types of housing as
complementary to a neighborhood and its surroundings.
The City has some limited experience with this type of an approach in the Single-Family
Conservation Overlay District (SF-COD) and the South Lincoln Mixed Use District which
prescribed certain design features to help make new building compatible with the existing
surroundings. City Council approved a six-unit apartment project on Delaware Avenue in
2022 as a “pilot” project effort for infill where the allowable density was maintained but the
types of units (townhomes) were accommodated where they would not have been
previously allowed.
City staff has developed a list of general infill issues that apply to broad areas of
the community. Many of these issues relate to a strong street orientation
predominant in older neighborhoods. The issues include:
1. Maintaining front doors and entries facing the street
2. Creating individual unit identity along street frontages with townhomes (rather than
a monolithic apartment building)
3. Eliminating lot size as a limitation for small, detached homes and courtyard home
configurations
4. Limiting curb cuts along a street
5. Avoiding large sidewall-oriented units or garage walls that create a blocked-off
street frontage (“slot homes”)
6. Parking and garage locations that replicate the pattern included within the block
(e.g., a vegetated frontage should be maintained when that is the pattern)
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7. Reducing the “extra” parking required for apartments within the University
Impacted Areas
8. Reducing parking requirements for townhomes with three bedrooms or less to two
parking spaces compared to apartment parking requirements of one space per
bedroom.
9. Maximizing density in transit corridors and near campus
10. Usable private amenity space (some codes mandate a private outdoor space for
every unit rather than a lot coverage limitation)
11. Setbacks and height limitations compared to existing smaller homes (The adjacent
properties should be considered as well as the greater context of the street or block
face.)
OTHER ISSUES:
Beyond City policies and standards, there are other influences on adding units to existing
sites. There are several subdivisions with covenants in place that would prohibit
ADUs and two-family units. The City will not be able to override those limitations,
which may result in a concentration of second units in older subdivisions (which
generally do not have covenants in place) if standards are changed city-wide. The
issue of rental concentration was a significant issue three years ago and based upon
state law, there are limited options for the City to manage rental concentration when
allowing for new units.
Another issue that could affect infill design is a bill pending in the Iowa Legislature that
limits City’s ability to require certain aesthetic features and building materials for single
family, two-family, accessory buildings, and apartments of 12 units or less except in
certain special zones. If this bill is approved, it may limit the City’s ability to craft standards
supporting neighborhood character through use of building orientation and design
elements.
In November 2022, the City Council received a request from Kurt Friedrich to consider an
infill option for a duplex related to a vacant property on Jewel Drive (Attached). The
unique circumstance of 320 Jewel Drive is that it once had a duplex on the property that
was demolished by the prior owner approximately 10 years ago. The property is zoned
RL and although duplexes are considered a pre-existing use for the zoning district, the
building was unable to be rebuilt due to flood plain encroachments at the time. The flood
plain mapping for this area has since been revised and a new structure could be built on
the site, but a duplex is no longer allowed to be rebuilt on this site under the RL zoning
because it has been gone for more than one year.
Staff has communicated that a change to RL zoning standards or a rezoning of the
broader area that includes other duplex properties from RL to RM would be necessary to
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develop a duplex at 320 Jewel. The broader discussion of the workshop could inform
Council policy in general for areas that may be suitable for new duplexes or potentially
for rezoning to allow for changes. City Council discussion of design features would also
help guide what type of housing is appropriate for an infill site such as 320 Jewel that is
the transition from older 1960s/1970s duplexes in the area to single family detached
homes.
NEXT STEPS:
Following the workshop discussions, staff will return to the City Council in April to
seek direction regarding how to proceed with specific zoning issues related to infill
housing. City Council will also need to direct staff regarding how to proceed with
community outreach efforts, depending on the types of zoning changes City
Council wants to pursue.
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Attachment A
What does Ames Plan 2040 say about Infill?
GROWTH ELEMENT
G3: Infill that Enhances Urban Fabric. Ames will take advantage of existing infill sites
within the existing urbanized area to increase both the efficiency and quality of its urban
environment. Infill development may change the types and intensities of land use and
introduce new building forms. Larger areas planned for change are described as redirection or
redevelopment areas. As such, it requires an assessment of community needs and character of
the surrounding area to guide planning and policy decisions on specific changes.
INFILL THAT ENHANCES URBAN FABRIC
G3-1. Identify infill properties and areas within the existing built-up area, focusing on sites that
are 1) vacant and buildable; 2) underutilized or sporadically developed; 3) occupied by
unnecessary parking, storage yards, or other paved areas; and 4) blighting influences in
neighborhoods.
G3-2. Coordinate infill development with the capacity of existing infrastructure.
G3-3. Make smooth transitions in scale and intensity of use from pre-existing context to higher
intensity development. Support high-density redevelopment only in planned or targeted land use
redirection areas. Use prevailing density as the guide for redevelopment but allow for building
variations to meet infill objectives.
G3-4. Establish design standards and guidelines for individual infill sites that are compatible with
the scale of surrounding neighborhoods or other urban design factors. In specific areas,
planned increases in intensity of use will determine increased height and an urban form, but still
include architectural design quality.
G3-5. Include within infill projects missing transportation and trail links necessary to complete
system continuity.
Scale. Infill development often introduces new and sometimes bigger buildings and different
architectural styles into an existing area. Good infill design minimizes the conflicts that these
changes can sometimes create with adjacent properties. For example, a three-story building
can step down when it is adjacent to a one or two- story building, or lower buildings would be
located along the adjacent edge. Densities or footprint of buildings might also “step down” at
these boundary conditions. The actual context helps determine the best way to minimize
conflicts at these transitions.
LAND USE ELEMENT
LU2: Compatibility with Flexibility. Ames land use pattern should minimize conflicts between
adjacent land uses. Some land uses are inherently incompatible and should be separated. In
other cases, a variety of design techniques where different uses and intensities meet can
reduce incompatibilities and more successfully integrate different uses into a cohesive city
environment. Homogeneous building form and uses are not necessarily the goal of the plan.
Guidelines should provide developers with reasonable flexibility and room for innovation.
Y CATEGORIES
RN-1 (Traditional Neighborhood)
» Identify architectural qualities and patterns that support character of an area and
support retention of these features with design guidelines.
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Priority is to maintain existing residential character …Appropriate infill options should be limited
to second units or small attached townhome type units that maintain the character and
scale of traditional homes. Maintain single-family character on single-family residential blocks.
» Develop standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that allow them without degrading
neighborhood character.
» Use design and character priorities in place of density for planned developments and small-
site infill options.
» Review zoning standards to address design compatibility and allowances for setback and
coverage exceptions in support of reinvestment in single-family homes.
RN-2 (Established Neighborhood)
» Infill limited to attached units and small townhome developments adjacent or near existing
attached units and public space.
» On infill sites, use scale and design to respect context.
» Consider exception processes related to additions, garage placement, and accessory dwelling
units to support reinvestment in existing homes.
» Use overlays and neighborhood plans to address specific areas with conservation and design
guidelines to reflect the broad geographic diversity, lot sizes, and architectural styles.
RN-3 (Expansion Neighborhood)
» Permit accessory dwelling units with lot size and design standards.
HOUSING ELEMENT:
H1-3. Work with neighborhoods to explore modification of selected single-family zoning districts
to permit accessory dwelling units and duplexes on lots that meet specific criteria
focused on design compatibility.
H2-1. Maintain the character of existing single-family blocks in established
neighborhoods…
H2-5. Use zoning and building standards to address neighborhood design and architectural
compatibility…
Citywide assessment of potentially allowing for Accessory Dwelling Units, including
review of issues related to lot sizes, occupancy limitations, covenant restrictions, design
standards, size limitations, and parking requirements.
H4: Redirection Areas. Ames will identify land use redirection and infill areas and encourage
their eventual redevelopment. Infill development can provide a variety of urban housing
environments in areas that are underused or inefficiently used and can take advantage of
Ames’s existing resources.
COMMUNITY CHARACTER ELEMENT
3 - Create infill and development standards for compatibility in residential areas and
transition areas focused on design over density.
C4: Recognize and reinforce a sense of place for existing and new areas.
Community character enhancements that bolster the image of the community and promote a
defined area with a sense of place and compatibility with its surroundings.
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Attachment B
Current Housing Mix and Projected Needs
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Attachment C
Residential Infill Design Workshop
▪March 21, 2023
Workshop Agenda
Review Infill Policy of Ames Plan 2040
Discuss Building Types and Attributes of Good
Infill Design
Next Steps for Council Tasks related to ADUs,
Duplexes, & Residential Zoning Updates
Guidance from Ames Plan 2040
❖Policies emphasize infill compatibility and the protection of
neighborhood character
-These two goals can be at odds, especially when zoning is often focused on
density and new development requirements as compared to infill
-Implementation requires discussion of balancing priorities
❖Planned intensification areas are addressed with Plan 2040
Land Use Map designations and Redirection Areas
City Council Goal & Ames Plan 2040
❖Council Goal –We Value Diverse Housing Options
❖Plan 2040 Implementation -Support Infill Housing Options:
❖-Accessory living units –Citywide issue or policy
-Two-Family Homes/Duplexes Citywide issue or policy
-Planned Infill Sites-Designated small, low to medium density sites, small
lot homes, townhomes, two-family, potentially small apts.
❖Focus on context and neighborhood compatibility to guide infill
of all types
Current Housing Mix & Projected Needs
Plan 2040 Housing projections
assumes mix of housing types
Plan 2040 Infill Areas
❖Lincoln Way Corridor Plan Focus Areas
❖Downtown Gateway, Indoor Aquatics Site (Oak/Elm), West of Campus (Franklin to Campus
Ave), West Hy-Vee and Beedle Drive
❖Need zoning updates to implement redevelopment options
❖Neighborhood, Housing, Sub-Area Element
❖Redirection Areas designated for further study or neighborhood sub-area plans
❖Council downzoned area along Gove Avenue in 2022, no other areas have been studied
❖University Areas include Redirection (Hunt/Hayward) and “Village” designation as RN-4
(West Street/Campus Ave)
Subareas & Infill Candidate Areas
Lincoln Way Corridor–Focus Areas
Redirection Areas –So Campus
Redirection Areas –West Campus
RN-4
Near-Campus
Overlay
Lincoln Way Corridor
Redirection Areas –Northwestern Ave
Redirection Areas –South Lincoln and
E Lincoln Way
Ames Plan 2040 -Designations
RN-1 (Traditional Neighborhood)
❖Priority is to maintain existing residential character…
❖Appropriate infill options -second units or small attached
townhome units...
❖Develop standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that
allow them without degrading neighborhood character.
❖…allowances for setback and coverage exceptions…
Ames Plan 2040 -Designations
RN-2 (Established Neighborhood)
❖…use scale and design to respect context.
❖Consider exception processes related to additions, garage
placement, and accessory dwelling units to support reinvestment in
existing homes.
RN-3 (Expansion Neighborhood)
❖Permit ADUs with lot size and design standards.
RN-4 (Village Residential)
❖Mix of housing, retail, higher density (West of Campus, Somerset)
Zoning Background
❖Historically, the City had multiple zoning districts that permitted
duplexes; these standards evolved through the 1980s and
1990s to limit new duplex development
❖City went through a substantial enforcement of building code
and zoning compliance issues for single-family conversion
properties (retroactive conversation permits)
❖New zoning adopted in 2000 does not allow for new duplexes
in any lower density zoning district
❖No single-family lot may have more than one dwelling unit
Zoning Ordinance Use Restrictions
❖Two-Family units are currently only permitted in medium and high -density zoning
districts.
❖Current economies of scale (and lack of available RM and RH land) result in larger apartment
buildings being constructed with only a handful of two-family and some SF attached units
constructed.
❖No new two-family units are currently permitted in single-family low density
zoning districts (RL, FS-RL, and UCRM).
❖Duplexes are considered “Pre-Existing” as of the year 2000
❖FS-RL allows single-family attached dwellings that require individual lots
Many Existing Examples of Duplexes/Small
Multi-Family
Ames has a wide variety of examples
New Construction Duplexes
Zoning: FS-RM
Zoning: RH
Zoning: RM, O-SFC, O-H
Zoning: FS-RM
Examples of Three -Plexes
Infill Design
❖Current zoning designed to limit or restrict infill based upon feedback
from 1997 LUPP, and Zoning Ordinance update in 2000
❖Thus, current zoning needs modifications to allow additional units and to
address compatibility
❖Specific sub-areas and overlays may need changes to address infill
priorities
❖Some design issues apply in all areas, while some may be specific to a
neighborhood or building type
❖Plan 2040 policy is to Focus on adding 1 to 2 units on existing lots
citywide, and planning for small redevelopment options like the
“Delaware Townhomes” project where opportunities arise
Types & Examples of Infill Housing
❖Focus on small housing projects, density of 5-10 du acre, 2-8 unit projects
❖Development that does not need a Plan Amendment compared to
designated areas for increasing density
Types of Infill Housing
❖Multiple city’s have addressed issues of infill compatibility and
design for various housing types
South Bend, IN
Types of Infill Housing
❖Example of a mix of unit types within a residential block that
appear as “single family”
❖Parking is from an alley. Shared parking can also work well to
provide access and parking without overwhelming a block
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Duplexes
❖Described as Two-Family Dwelling in Zoning Ordinance
❖Means two living units on one lot, each individual unit is not able to be sold separately
❖Requires 2 parking spaces for each unit
❖Most duplex units are rented, a handful are partially owner occupied for 1 unit, rent 2 nd unit.
Townhomes
❖Townhome is not a term in zoning ordinance, either apartments or single-family attached on
individual lots. Parking different if apartment (1 space per bdrm) or on separate lot (2 spaces).
❖Townhome evokes a style that is not defined in our standards, commonly means externally
accessed unit
❖Commonly considered compatible with most residential building types because it should include a
look of individual units, but not always!
Infill -Delaware Townhomes “Pilot Project”
❖Council Approved Rezoning to RM from RL,
limited density to high end of RL but allows for townhome
apts. within RM
❖Other options could have been small lot homes,
courtyard homes, rowhouse to street
❖Issues: Fire access lane length, parking,
massing/privacy along side lot line, architecture/front
address the street
Pocket or Cottage Neighborhoods
A community with 9-12
small homes facing a
shared garden or
common area.
Unit footprints in this
example are only 650
sq ft. plus a 200 ft loft
above
No examples in Ames
Pocket or Cottage Neighborhoods
3 & 4-Plex Housing Examples
Infill Design Issues
Infill development often introduces new and sometimes bigger
buildings and different architectural styles into an existing
area…
Good infill design minimizes the conflicts that these changes can
sometimes create with adjacent properties… The actual context
helps determine the best way to minimize conflicts at these
transitions.
Infill Design Basic Neighborhood Patterns
Design Issues
Cost efficiency drives design
❖Front Setback Pattern
❖Building Orientation
❖“Green” Street Frontage
❖Rhythm of Development
❖Roof Massing
❖Height
❖Parking/Access
Many existing neighborhoods
do not have lots that
“maximize” building sites
Adding more structures can
seem out of character if
exceptions are made to
building patterns in the area
Building Setbacks &Orientation
Not this
This
❖Match entry and garage
orientations
❖Do not allow for protruding
garages when it is not present
Green Street Frontage
❖Vegetated frontage
❖Minimal curb cuts
❖Parking to side or rear
❖City driveway limitations
apply
Rhythm of Development
Avoid monolithic massing
which disrupts
neighborhood pattern
Height
❖Roof configuration can
greatly impact the perceived
height of a structure
❖New construction is often
taller than older homes
Roof Massing
Many existing
neighborhoods
have smaller roof
profiles or divided
roof lines
Limited success in
South Lincoln
Mixed Use Zoning
with large
buildings
Parking
Minimize curb
cuts; Maximize
shared parking
Parking
Parking
Replicate existing driveway
location typical to the block
What is Compatible?
❖The next six slides will provide you with an
opportunity to evaluate what is or is not “compatible.”
❖Consider the building’s Scale and Massing within the
neighborhood context.
Is the building on the corner
“compatible” with this block?
Why or Why Not?
Note-Current
University Overlays
have covered entry
requirement, but no
other relationship to
character of the area
Is the building on the right
“compatible” with this block?
Why or Why Not?
Is the building on the right more
“compatible” with this block?
Why or Why Not?
Contemporary design
compatability?
Are either duplex compatible to the house in the middle?
1 2Why or Why Not?
Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory Dwelling Units
come in many shapes and
styles, attached or
detached
The difference between an
Attached ADU and a
Duplex may be
insignificant depending
upon the size of the ADU
Ames Plan 2040 -Considerations
❖RN-1, RN-2, RN-3 Designations: Address design compatibility
and allowances for setback and coverage exceptions in
support of reinvestment in single-family homes and for ADUs.
❖Implementation Strategy:
Assess the potential of allowing Accessory Dwelling Units city-
wide, including review of issues related to lot sizes, occupancy
limitations, covenant restrictions, design standards, size limitations,
and parking requirements.
Detached ADUs
House Addition ADU (or Duplex)
❖Size?
❖Entrance Location?
Garage Conversions
❖Size?
❖Entrance
Location?
Size? One or Two Bedrooms?
Maximum Size 600 -1100 sq. ft.; 800 sq. ft. most typical
Height?
Prefab ADUs
Typical Residential Lot Configuration
❖Maximum Building
Coverage 35%
❖Maximum Site
Coverage 60%
❖Maximum Rear Yard
Coverage with
Accessory Buildings
25%
This site maximizes Ames Lot Coverage allowances
Same Setbacks as Accessory Buildings?
Note: This graphic was prepared
before the Zoning Text Amendment in
2022.
Accessory structures are now allowed
3 feet from the side property line
within the rear yard.
Siting on a Lot
❖Examples to the right
shows 800 sq. ft.
footprint of ADU with
existing houses
❖Gives context to lot
coverage, does not
address access or
parking
Historical Precedent in Ames
Common ADU Standards
❖One ADU/lot
❖Max. 800 sq ft (2 bedrooms) [Detached] or 50% of house size [Attached]
❖Must meet Zoning Development Standards, such as Setbacks
❖One additional parking space required
❖Owner Occupancy of either primary unit or ADU
❖An initial impetus for developing ADUs is as multi-generational housing
❖Note-Although these standards are “typical,” they might result in lower
than expected results.
Lessons from Other Cities –How to Encourage ADUs?
❖Permit ADUs citywide
❖Allow Non-conforming Lots to participate
❖Increase Maximum Lot Coverage allowed
❖Provide Pre-approved ADU Designs
❖No separate utility connection, if possible
❖No additional Parking required
❖No Owner Occupancy required
Next Steps?
❖Will return in April for City Council Direction
❖Allow for ADUs and/or Duplexes citywide?
❖New construction or conversions?
❖What types of zoning standards to change, if any?
❖Type of community outreach for any proposed standards
❖Create design guidelines for infill housing and
redevelopment sites
❖Any priorities for sub-area planning at this time?