HomeMy WebLinkAboutA032 - Hearing on Text Amendment creating Criteria and Associated Permit for Special Temporary Events in Chapter 29 Article 13 and Article 15ITEM #:34
DATE:01-14-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:TEXT AMENDMENT PERMIT PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR SPECIAL
TEMPORARY EVENTS IN CHAPTER 29 ARTICLES 13 AND 15
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
At the November 26 City Council meeting, the Council responded to a request from a property
owner to allow for temporary events by directing staff to prepare a text amendment that allows
for obtaining an administrative permit for Temporary Special Events on private property in
Ames that would not otherwise meeting zoning use standards. This direction came after a local
property owner who owns property at 1400 South 4th Street was interested in allowing for a
Renaissance Fair in an agricultural zoning district, which does not permit events. The impetus of the
request is the need for decision to allow for the use in time for a spring 2025 Renaissance Fair event.
City Council's direction was to establish an administrative review permit that would allow special
events similar to some of the outdoor type events listed as a Major Event Entertainment, but on a
much more limited basis with a temporary nature and only being allowed on any given private
property no more than twice in a year. The permit is to include some criteria on which the Planning
Director can rely to determine if an unimproved site is appropriate for such as request. In addition,
these types of events cannot contain any permanent structures or buildings as result of the event being
held. These events will involve all items, temporary structures and any equipment being moved onto the
site temporarily and then promptly removed when the event is over. (See Addendum-Proposed Text
Amendment)
Although the City reviews special event applications for events occurring on City property, approval of
such events by the City is completed through a combination of permits (e.g., Temporary Obstruction
Permits, Vending Licenses, Noise Permits, etc.). There is no existing permit for activities on City
property called a "Special Event Permit." The permit contemplated by this text amendment
would be a zoning permit that applies only to events being held on private property not owned by
the City, School District or Iowa State University.
The proposed text amendment allows Special Temporary Events in non-residential zones such as
Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial zones, but prohibits them within Residential zones to
avoid intense congestion, noise, light or other activity that might be intrusive to residential
character. The maximum duration is four days, inclusive of set up and removal.
The new permit will require information from all applicants that include what type of event is
being held and what activities are involved. Also, a site layout of where events will take place and
where temporary parking will be provided for will also be required. All affected City
departments will review for these events. Sign off from Police, Fire, Inspections and other
affected departments will be required. Also, any other permitting such as Floodplain permits will
be required where applicable.
The text amendment will add a new Section in Article 13 that lists the criteria for Special
Temporary Events. Additional language will be added into Section 29.1501(1)(d) adding the
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permit for Special temporary Events to the list of Permits Required. Staff will be the approval
authority of the permit for one event at a time and not for ongoing activities.
Staff contacted Ankeny, Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Story County regarding how they govern the types
of events covered in this text amendment. The responses ranged from requiring a temporary permit in
the case of Ankeny and Iowa City through the City Manager's Office in Ankeny and the Building
Inspections Department in Iowa City, to no specific standards but rather a case-by-case review as these
types of events are proposed in Cedar Falls. Story County also has standards that govern gatherings for
events such as these with a time limit, minimum thresholds for size and a requirement for a site layout
and nature of the event.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISION:
At the December 18 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, the Commission reviewed the proposed
ordinance language. Commission members asked staff about the number of consecutive days and
whether set up and tear down time would count toward that time. Staff does intend for set-up and tear
down time to count toward that time. Additionally, the Commission also asked whether the consecutive
days could be put together over two separate weekends for one event. Staff responded that each single
consecutive event must be considered consecutive days and cannot be separated over two weekends to
extend the duration of the a permit.
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend the City Council approve the proposed
text amendment creating standards and application for a Special Temporary Events permit.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a zoning text amendment creating a Permit for Special Temporary Events within Section
29.1501(1)(d) and creating criteria for permit review in a newly created Section 29.1318. (Mr.
Ballard on behalf of the Renaissance Faire has requested waving of the rules and to approve
the ordinance on second and third readings)
2. Approve the zoning text amendment with different limits of applicability to specific zoning
districts or modifying the proposed requirements.
3. Do not approve a zoning text amendment creating a Permit for Special Temporary Events within
Section 29.1501(1)(d) and creating criteria for permit review in a newly created Section 29.1318,
on the basis that the criteria and associated permit are not appropriate or necessary for temporary
use of property.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff believes that the criteria for a Temporary Special Event Permit fit the goal of City Council
to create a permit for Special Temporary Events in Ames. The permit will be reviewed and
approved administratively under the listed criteria. The permit review will be part of a multi-
department review among various City departments for these types of events.
Allowing these events only in certain non-residential neighborhoods is believed to be the most
appropriate way to ensure that these events are able to be held while minimizing any temporary
noise or lighting that could be intrusive to traditional residential settings. The temporary nature
of these events contained on a given site is not seen to otherwise cause adverse effects and can
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enable property owners to host outdoor community events of a temporary nature on private
property. In the event that a site is not adequate for the type or size of the event, activities may be
incompatible with the surroundings, or previous events were problems, the Planning Director
may deny the permit. Denial of the permit would be able to be appealed to the ZBA. Approval
of a permit for a site and event does not require or guarantee future approvals. Each permit is a
case-by-case review of the timing, event details, and conditions of a site.
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1, as described
above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Draft Ordinance for Temporary Special Events.pdf
Request From Applicant To Waive Second & Third Reading.pdf
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ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY ENACTING A NEW SECTION
29.1318 AND AMENDING SECTION 29.1501(1)(d) THEREOF,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR
TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS; REPEALING ANY AND ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO
THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by enacting a new Section 29.1318 and amending Section 29.1501(1)(d) as follows:
CHAPTER 29
ARTICLE 13
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES
…
Sec. 29.1318. TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS.
A Temporary Special Event is a temporary activity occurring for more than a six-hour period, which
may occur on one or more consecutive days not to exceed four (4) days total and is planned to involve more
than 100 persons, including event staff, volunteers, vendors, attendees, participants, spectators and any
other individuals at the event.
(1) Temporary Special Event Standards. A Temporary Special Event must meet all of the following
criteria to obtain a Zoning Permit:
(a) The event must last less than four calendar days, including time needed to set up the site
for the event and to restore the site to pre-event condition;
(b) A maximum of two (2) events per calendar year, per property are allowed;
(c) The site must be restored to pre-event condition at the end of the event, including but not
limited to removal of temporary structures;
(d) The event and/or equipment cannot extend into public rights-of-way;
(e) Parking for the event must be fully contained on-site or outside of the public right-of-way;
and
(f) The zoning designation of the property must be base zone Agricultural, Commercial or
Industrial in nature.
The application for a Temporary Special Event Zoning Permit must include a Site Layout Plan
indicating event activities, parking, and locations of temporary structures and equipment that
complies with the above requirements. The Planning Director has authority to determine whether
an event is exempt from zoning improvement requirements or to otherwise add conditions for site
conditions and compatibility with the surroundings
The Planning Director may deny a Temporary Special Event Zoning Permit application by finding
any of the following:
(a) the proposed use has inadequate facilities to support the intended intensity of use,
(b) the proposed use will be incompatible with the surroundings, or
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(c) the site or event itself has previously had substantial complaints related to noise, conduct,
parking and other detrimental or nuisance conditions.
(2) Exemptions. The following are exempted from obtaining a Temporary Special Event Zoning
Permit:
(a) Special events or assemblies related to family events.
(b) Events involving less than a total of 100 people.
(c) Events/uses allowed under a valid Special Use Permit.
. . .
CHAPTER 29
ARTICLE 15
PROCEDURES
…
Sec. 29.1501. BUILDING/ZONING PERMIT.
(1) Permit Required.
…
(d) Zoning Permits for Driveways, Landscape Plans, and Parking Lot Striping,
Outdoor Storage/Display Areas, Temporary Special Events and other miscellaneous improvements and uses
require approval by the Planning and Housing Department prior to their construction or establishment of
use. A Site Development Plan may be required per 29.1502. When a Site Development Plan has been
approved that addresses the above-described activities, no zoning permit shall be required unless necessary
for new activities or changes to approved activities. A Building/ Zoning permit would still be required.
…”
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of , 2025.
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
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