HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 05/26/2021
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AMES, IOWA MAY 26, 2021
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment met, pursuant to law, in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m. on
May 26, 2021, with the following members participating: Amelia Schoeneman, Chad Schneider,
Ronald Schappaugh, Rob Bowers and Leila Ammar. Also present were Assistant City Attorney
Victoria Feilmeyer and City Planner Ray Anderson. Board Chair Schoeneman stated that it was
impractical to hold an in-person meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this meeting
was being held as an electronic meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Schneider, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Minutes
of the meeting of April 28, 2021.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CASE NO. 21-06
Exception for Minor Area Modification at 135 N Russell Ave, Ames, Iowa
City Planner Ray Anderson stated the property owner proposes to construct an egress window on
the south side of the single-family dwelling at 135 N. Russell Avenue.
Mr. Anderson stated an opening (six feet wide) would be cut in the wall of a basement bedroom
leading to the window well. The window well would be covered with three windows (two fixed
and one that opens for egress). The windows would angle upward from grade to the south wall of
the house directly below a first-floor window. The center window would open on hinges to the
side to serve as egress from the basement. The property owner wants to maximize the sunlight
coming into the basement creating a mini-greenhouse effect in that area of the basement. The intent
is also to bring the basement bedroom into conformance with building regulations by adding the
egress window.
Staff has concluded that they meet all requirements and recommend approval.
Randy Mayer, 135 N Russell Avenue, was sworn in. Mr. Mayer stated they wanted to add a legal
egress window to be able to count a room in the basement as a bedroom. He mentioned the
contractor was available to answer any questions. Board Chair Schoeneman asked if there were
any questions for the applicant or contractor. There were no questions.
Board Chair Schoeneman opened the public hearing. No one requested to speak, and the public
hearing was closed.
Ms. Schoeneman asked if there were any further questions. There was some discussion around the
egress window being angled and it being an extension of the house, which is why this Exception
is required. City Planner Anderson stated it is an added feature and a structure; when a structure
violates the minimum set back, the applicant needs to apply for an Exception for Minor Area
Modification.
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Moved by Bowers, seconded by Ammar, to approve Alternative 1: approve an Exception for a
Minor Area Modification to allow a reduced setback for the construction of an egress window
well for the property located at 135 N. Russell Avenue by adopting the findings of fact and
conclusions stated herein with the following conditions:
• The egress window and window well must be built in substantial conformance with the
proposed plans attached to this report; and
• The egress window well must maintain a minimum six-foot setback from the side
property line.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared approved unanimously.
Letter from ZBA to City Council requesting consideration of Code Amendment to Define
Temporary Uses and their Site Planning Requirements.
There was discussion around the letter drafted by Board Member Schneider to the City Council
requesting consideration of a Code Amendment to define temporary uses and the Site Plan
requirements. City Attorney Feilmeyer instructed that Board Chair Schoeneman sign the letter and
then it will be submitted to City Council for further study.
Moved by Schappaugh, seconded by Schoeneman to sign the letter on behalf of the Zoning Board
of Adjustment.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared approved unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Ammar, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Renee Hall, Recording Secretary Amelia Schoeneman, Chair