HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - February 18, 2020, Special Meeting of the Ames City CouncilAGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m.
1. Ames Plan 2040 Update:
a. Housing Principles
b. Land Use Classifications Example
c. Other
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:
ADJOURNMENT:
Planning and Housing Department 515.239.5400 main 515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
515.239.5404 fax Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kelly Diekmann, Planning & Housing Director;
Marty Shukert and Cory Scott, RDG
DATE: February 14, 2020
SUBJECT: Ames Plan 2040 Housing Workshop
The first objective for the upcoming workshop is to discuss Housing Policy interests. The
goal for the meeting is for City Council to dive into a discussion about specific issues. A
few of the relevant topics that have come up over the past year include affordability,
mix of housing/building types, location of housing, flexible vs. intentional
implementation, and existing neighborhoods. RDG’s presentation for Tuesday is
intended to invite conversation on shaping of the principles for housing, they are
not yet fully developed. This will be a more fluid workshop with Council needing to
express their interests and ideas directly to the Ames Plan 2040 team more so than the
December 4th workshop on principles for growth, land use, and transportation where the
team drafted more specific principles based upon greater familiarity with those issues.
Some of the relevant background materials include the responses from the Community
Survey from April 2019, developer small group feedback, and the draft growth, land use,
and transportation principles. To give context to the breadth of the housing discussion,
there are an estimated 25,000+ households in the City with an average size of 2.21 person
per household. RDG previously calculated an estimate of approximately 6,400 housing
units needing to be produced with an average size of 2.3 persons per unit over 20 years to
match the 15,000 person growth estimate.
RDG’s second objective for the workshop is to explore an example of a land use
classification scheme they are considering for creating land use designations for the city.
RDG is working on classifying the intensity of use, whether residential, commercial, or
industrial, as one of the primary elements of defining the existing City and how that can
apply to growth and areas of change within the community. A full citywide land use
map will not be presented on Tuesday as it is a work in progress.
Caring People
Quality Programs
Exceptional Service
Ames Comprehensive Plan
Workshop #8
February 18, 2020
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Agenda
1.Selected Housing Policies: Recommendations and
Discussion
2.Future Land Use Categories
•Future Land Use Map Test Concept
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
BACKGROUND
1.Land Use Principles
2.Growth Principles
3.Summary Comments
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Ames is an evolving city that takes a balanced,
environmentally sustainable approach to growth and
development.
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Principles of the Growth Vision-December 4th Workshop
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Ames new growth will be both economically and environmentally sustainable.
CONCENTRIC DEVELOPMENT
Ames will accommodate its projected population growth on both infill sites and contiguous new greenfield growth areas that
coordinates existing infrastructure with incremental extensions of services.
INFILL DEVELOPMENT THAT ENHANCES THE URBAN FABRIC
Ames will take advantage of opportunities within the developed city to increase both the efficiency and quality of its urban
environment.
INCREMENTAL, CONTIGUOUS GREENFIELD DEVELOPMENT
New development areas will be incremental to existing urbanized land; create high quality, well-connected neighborhoods; and
use existing and future public investments efficiently.
URBAN EXPERIENCE
Land use policy will create a rewarding, healthy, safe, and comfortable environment for all of its residents and visitors.
PROCESS
Land use decisions will be made through a transparent, collaborative process that remains true to long-term community goals.
PLANNING FOR EQUITY
Future development in Ames and the public investments that support it, including housing, parks, and other community assets
and features, will redound equitably to the public.
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Principles of the Land Use Vision-December 4th Workshop
APPROPRIATE LOCATION
Land uses in Ames will be located on sites that provide transportation, infrastructure, and support services necessary to
support their intensity and operational requirements.
FLEXIBILITY WITH COMPATIBILITY
The land use plan will provide both reasonable flexibility to developers while protecting the integrity and quality of the
neighborhoods around them.
CONVENIENT SERVICES
All parts of Ames will have convenient access to neighborhood commercial services and other vital community facilities.
VITAL MIXED USES
Ames will encourage mixing of uses to create more active, interesting, and efficient city environments, while maintaining
compatibility where different uses adjoin.
PLACES FOR EMPLOYMENT
Ames will continue to provide appropriately located space for a wide range of enterprises that provide employment for existing
and prospective residents.
DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS
Land use policy will encourage integration of different residential densities into the fabric of neighborhoods.
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Population Projection
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Residential > Low Density Summary Projection-April 2019
Housing type assumptions:
Low-Density: Conventional SF detached
Medium-Density: Small lot SF detached, single-family attached, townhomes
High-Density: Multi-family, 3-story typicalDraft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Residential > Additional Projections
Placeholder-Additional information to come on housing types, income levels, opportunities within
growth areas and infill
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
April 2019-Survey Excerpt-3. Future Demand for Housing and Commercial Uses
Housing Options
Lots of multi-family available and
being built
Desire for single-family and
different types of housing
Affordability
Perceived thriving rental market
Few local builders
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
April 2019-Survey Excerpt-2. Opportunities for Infill Development
Infill Creates Vibrancy
Positive perception towards infill and redevelopment, but also heard tension with
redevelopment initiatives.
Preservation is important, too.
Can connect to existing city services like CyRide and bikeways.
Area is already being serviced/maintained (water, sewer, snow removal, etc.)
Concentrate commercial redevelopment to North Grand Mall and Downtown Area
Housing Options
Lots of multi-family available and being built.
Desire for single-family and different types of housing.
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
April 2019-Survey Excerpt-4. Sustaining Neighborhoods
Some strong organizations that can
mobilize.
Quality of neighborhoods viewed as
good, want to continue and support.
Need for more balance
Mobility options
Students and permanent residents
Possible gentrification risks
Student vs. non-student housing
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Principles
1.Housing Principles
•Policy or implementation measure discussion
•Note that there are competing interests and goals
related to housing issues, more direction is needed
in these situations
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Policy
Principle-Expand housing choice and attainability for people of all
income ranges
Policy directions for discussion
•Increase the number of non-multi-family homes constructed per year
•Locations of expanded choices, i.e. growth areas, existing areas, redevelopment areas
•Expectations or allowances for changes within existing built up areas (conversions, ADU)
•Inclusive housing opportunities and requirements within new development
•Promote, encourage, support different housing types, smaller or “middle” housing types
•Incorporate a range of housing types, including urban family housing, into redirection
areas. Assist with redevelopment and land assembly.
•Support affordable housing initiates and groups, including use of federal housing funds
•Cost effective development policies
Other Discussion:
•Requirements versus incentives.
•“Minneapolis model”
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Policy
Principle-Maintain the quality of existing neighborhoods while also
encouraging reinvestment and enhancement of existing housing stock.
Policy directions and Issues
•Maintain character of single-family blocks.
•Make strategic value-added public realm enhancements and street
rehabilitation
•Limit higher density infill development to specific types of street frontages
•Encourage broader infill options that are not site specific
•Property and building upkeep and design
•Diversity of housing choices in a neighborhood compared to overall City,
Other Discussion:
•Requirements versus incentives.
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Policy
Use of Density and/or Building Types to define development areas
Policy directions for discussion
•Plan for an intentional mix of housing in growth areas
•Does density reflect actual character consistently?
•Focus on building types, design, transitions vs. broader options within
density ranges, requires more intentional planning and different zoning
tools
•Focus on the most desirable project attributes without micro-managing. These
attributes include walkability, placemaking and functional public space,
street/sidewalk/trail connectivity, and mix of uses and development densities.
•Additionally, link infrastructure or higher intensity zoning incentives to provision
of attainable housing. Establish thresholds for eligibility.
•Discuss how “LUPP-Village” was intended to meet housing goals, success and
failures of influencing housing (predictable, flexible, prescriptive)
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Policy
Advance identification and redevelopment of redirection areas
Policy directions for discussion
•Incorporate diverse housing types, including options for senior housing, in
redirection areas (urban corridors, East Lincoln Way, near downtown
sites), taking advantage of adjacent local services
•Identify underutilized sites and work directly with owners or potential
developers toward their reuse
•Prepare sub-area plans for specific needs or goals
Other Discussion:
How active a role should the city take in redevelopment?
Financial Viability and timing of infill goals
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Housing Principles
1.Land Use Mapping Concepts
•Test Application to Northeast Quadrant of the City
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Mapping Concept
1.Minor additions to Complete Streets Plan (CSP)
-Multimodal/bicycle boulevard streets not included in CSP
-Major circulation in new 2040 growth tiers
2.Complete Streets Plan reference in land use policies
-Thoroughfares/boulevards and mixed use avenues as locations for higher
intensity uses in neighborhoods
3.Future Land Use Plan
-Combination of character and use designators
-Incorporates CSP
-Policy pairings to character neighborhoods
4.Intensity Plan
-Overlays intensity designators on Future Land Use Map
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Future Land Use Map Categories
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Traditional Neighborhoods
•Established Neighborhoods
•Emerging Neighborhoods
•Middle Neighborhoods
•Village Neighborhoods
•University Neighborhoods
CENTERS
•Major Mixed Use
•Community Mixed Use
•Neighborhood Mixed Use
•Downtown
•Village Center
•Campustown
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT
•Urban Corridor
•Redirection Areas
•Major Civic
EMPLOYMENT
•Major Industrial Employment
•Office/Research
•Gritty Urban
RURAL
•Development Reserve
•Agricultural
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Intensity Map Categories
Intensity Classification Residential (gross)Commercial/Office Industrial
Low 5 du/A or less in built-up
areas; 5 du/A minimum, up
to 8 du/A maximum in
emerging or redirection
areas
Under 0.3 FAR (1 level,
3:1maximum parking ratio,
75% IPC), 10,000 SF
maximum building footprint;
traffic generation under 100
vpd
No external environmental
impact, no external
storage, same FAR
limitation, less than 75%
IPC
Moderate 8 du/A or less in built-up
areas; 6 du/A minimum, 12
du/A typical maximum in
emerging or redirection
areas
0.3-0.6 FAR (2 level, 4:1
maximum parking ratio,
75% IPC), 20,000 SF
maximum building footprint,
traffic generation under 400
vpd
Middle 12 du/A or less in built-up
areas;
10 du/A minimum, 24 du/A
typical maximum in
emerging or redirection
areas
0.6-1.0 FAR, (80,000 SF,
maximum building
footprint,5:1 maximum
parking ratio, traffic
generation under 1,000 vpd
Moderate potential external
environmental impact,
limited external storage
with screening, same FAR
limitation, less than 75%
IPC
High 32 du/A or less in built-up
areas;
24 du/A minimum in
emerging or redirection
Over 1.0 FAR, over 80,000
SF maximum building
footprint, 5:1 maximum
parking ratio, traffic
High potential
environmental impact,
external storage with
screening, same FAR Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Modified Complete Streets Plan Concept (NE Quadrant)
190th St
Bloomington
GW
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24th St
20th St
Riverside
13th St
Lincoln Way
Du
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6th St
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Plan Trial (NE Quadrant)
190th St
Bloomingto
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GW
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24th St
20th St
Riverside
13th St
Lincoln Way
Du
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Gr
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6th St
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Use Intensity Plan Trial (NE Quadrant)
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Neighborhoods
Category Characteristics Policies
TRADITIONAL
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Residential core, including historic district
•Typically early 20th Century development
•Largely but not exclusively residential.
•Mixed housing densities and configurations,
including SF, attached, individual multifamily
buildings.
•Generally small site, fine-scale
•Connected traditional grid, street/sidewalk
continuity.
•Proximity to Downtown.
•Transit access
•Residential conservation with incentives
•Permitted density < 8-10 du/A
•Maintenance of SF character on residential blocks,
ADU’s permitted with adequate site area
•Selected infill, including attached units and small
townhome developments
•Small-scale office and commercial uses with limited
traffic generation that preserve residential scale.
Locations limited to thoroughfare/boulevards and
mixed use avenues
•Infrastructure rehabilitation where necessary
ESTABLISHED
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Fully built-out
•Largely but not exclusively single-family, with
some attached and small-scale multi-family
•Relatively large single-use blocks
•Variety of lot sizes
•Larger scale grid and curvilinear streets, cul-
de-sacs and loops
•Typically mid-to late-century development
•In some cases, internal pathways and cluster
development
•Transit access
•Maintenance of SF character on residential blocks,
ADU’s permitted with adequate site area
•Selected infill, including attached units and small
townhome developments adjacent to existing
attached units and adjacent to public uses
•Neighborhood identification and strategic
enhancements
•Small-scale office and commercial uses with limited
traffic generation as a special use on
thoroughfares/boulevards and mixed use avenues
•Infrastructure rehabilitation where necessary
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Neighborhoods
Category Characteristics Policies
EMERGING
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Contemporary development
•Primarily residential and largely single-family,
but also including some diversity
•Conventional suburban lot sizes
•Access to green space and internal paths in
same cases
•Curvilinear street networks, somewhat limited
inter-neighborhood connectivity
•Neighborhood commercial uses relatied to
arterials
•CyRide access where densities or travel
patterns warrant, future build-out designed to
accommodate alternative transportation
•Standards and incentives for attainable housing and
mixed densities
•Incentives tied to public participation in
infrastructure finance
•Higher residential densities encouraged on
multimodal streets and potential transit routes
•ADU’s permitted on new lots with adequate site
area
•Minimum gross density of 5 du/A in new
development
•Low-impact office/commercial development as part
of original plats
•Street, sidewalk, and trail connectivity
•Provision for neighborhood parks and trail
connections
MIDDLE RESIDENTIAL
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Large groupings or concentrations of attached,
townhomes, low-story multifamily
•May include some commercial or community
services
•Single-family is secondary
•Often but not always in unified developments
•Parking and circulation are sometimes
internalized
•Standards and incentives for attainable housing
•Incentives tied to public participation in
infrastructure and project financing
•Higher residential densities encouraged on
multimodal streets and potential transit routes
•ADU’s permitted on new lots with adequate site
area
•Typical gross density < 16-20 du/A
•Low-impact office/commercial development
integrated into original project designDraft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Neighborhoods
Category Characteristics Policies
VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOODS •Based on master development plan
•Strongly connected mixed uses
•High street and path connectivity
•Individual development areas may have
separate dominant uses but relate to each
other
•Interior planned “village center”
•Common open space and community streets
as elements of urban structure
•Thematic street character
•Standards and incentives for attainable housing and
mixed densities
•Public participation in infrastructure finance for
approved village project designs
•Flexible infrastructure standards suited to village
concept
•Recognition of multiple ways to accomplish to
village design with an emphasize walkability,
functional public space, appropriate street design,
and green infrastructure; provide flexibility in how
these goals are accomplished
•Overall minimum gross density > 5 du/A
UNIVERSITY
NEIGHBORHOODS
•Sphere of influence of ISU campus
•Largely multi-family, high-density, plus other
campus related residential
•Land use controversy at interface with
surrounding neighborhoods or single-family
enclaves
•Street grid with some interruptions
•High density of CyRide service
•Include some secondary commercial,
sometimes within building.
•Largely (but not exclusively) university
community occupancy.
•Standards and incentives for attainable housing
•Incentives tied to public participation in
infrastructure and project financing
•Higher residential densities encouraged on
multimodal streets and potential transit routes
•ADU’s permitted on new lots with adequate site
area
•Typical gross density < 16-20 du/A
•Low-impact office/commercial development
integrated into original project design
•Street, sidewalk, and trail connectivity
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Centers
Category Characteristics Examples
MAJOR MIXED USE •Regional commercial destinations
•Includes both Mall and large-format free-
standing commercial
•Usually auto-oriented with large parking lots,
often too big for demand
•Typically separated from street by parking
•Arterial or interstate visibility and access
•In built-up areas, proposed retrofits for better
alternative transportation access, new uses
North Grand Mall, 13th and I-35 commercial, South Duff
from 3rd to 5th
COMMUNITY MIXED USE •Serves local consumer needs for a district of
the city or group of neighborhoods
•Typical range of uses are grocery, pharmacy
and other “small boxes,” supporting retail
•Older projects are auto-oriented, need retrofits
for better pedestrian/bicycle access
•Typically auto-oriented, although design is
evolving
•Usually at arterial or arterial/collector
intersections
•Includes or adjacent to multifamily for service
convenience, new projects should have a
residential component
•Important CyRide destinations
Lincoln Way, Franklin to Beedle
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Centers
Category Characteristics Examples
NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED
USE
•Small scale neighborhood service center
•May include convenience commercial,
specialty or small-boxxgrocery, small
multitenant building, child care, local services
•Typical location at arterial or collector
intersections.
•Usually now auto-oriented, should evolve or
retrofit for pedestrian/bicycle access.
•New projects should explore different site
designs –360 degree design, neighborhood
connectivity.
Bloomington and Stange
VILLAGE CENTER •Specific design as walkable, mixed use districts
•Vertical mixed use
•Significant theming or public space
•Center that is internal and key element of a
surrounding neighborhood environment
•High degree of multi-modal access; for
Campustown, a CyRide nucleus
Somerset
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Land Use Categories: Special Development
Category Characteristics Examples
URBAN CORRIDOR •Major strategic arterial corridors, with primary commercial
use
•May connect regional, community, and neighborhood mixed
use nodes
•Auto-dominated now, require greatly improved connectivity
for other modes
•Potential for denser redevelopment with more efficient site
design, use of unnecessary parking, infilling of left-over sites
•Potential for increased residential presence
•Different community roles and commercial mixes
•Often are image centers, for better or worse
•May require specific development plans and zoning overlays
or special districts.
•May be important transit corridors, but only with adequate
supporting residential density
Lincoln Way, South Duff, 16th (I-35 to
Duff), 13th (I-35 to Skunk River)
REDIRECTION AREAS •Opportunities for major redevelopment
•Market demand for upgraded land use
•Currently low-density/low yield areas
•Require concept plans to guide future development
•Require housing type and income diversity
•Potential city incentives: TIF, land assembly
East Lincoln Way, Duff to Sondrol; 6th and
Grand “triangle,” West Lincoln Way sites,
Others
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Monthly Topics
January: > Selection of preferred growth scenario
Today: > Introduce land use and mapping concept
> Discuss housing policy directions, identify neighborhood
subareas
March: > Review completed land use and intensity plans
> Discuss absorption of growth and implication on timing
April: Refine Culture, Community Character, Health, and Equity
May:Refine Environment and Parks
June: Review completed draft plan
All sections are important and interrelated.
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Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th
Ames Comprehensive Plan
Workshop #6
December 4, 2019
Draft Presentation Prepared February 14th