HomeMy WebLinkAboutA040 - Third reading and adoption of ORDINANCE NO. 4552 relating to a Zoning Text Amendment to Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code to Create Townhome Building Type StandardsTo:Mayor & City Council
From:Planning & Housing
Date:April 4, 2025
Subject:Third Reading and Adoption of ORDINANCE NO. 4552
Item No. 45
MEMO
The ordinance relating to Zoning Text Amendment to Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code
to Create Townhome Building Type Standards is attached for your review and
consideration of third reading and adoption.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance Townhome Design.docx
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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ORDINANCE NO. ______
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF
THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING TABLE 29.406(2)
AND ENACTING A NEW SECTION 29.410(3) THEREOF, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING TOWNHOME DESIGN
REQUIRMENTS AND CRITERIA 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 amending Table 29.406(2) and enacting a new Section 29.410(3) as follows:
Table 29.406(2)
Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements
PRINCIPAL LAND USE ALL ZONES EXCEPT
DOWNTOWN AND CAMPUS TOWN
SERVICE CENTER ZONES
DOWNTOWN AND CAMPUS
TOWN SERVICE CENTER ZONES
RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS
***
Apartment Dwellings 1.5 space/RU; for one-bedroom units
1 space/bedroom for units of 2 bedrooms or
more
1.25 space/bedroom for units of 2 bedrooms or
more in University Impacted (O-UIE and
OUIW)
1 space/residential unit for an Independent
Senior Living Facility
Townhome 5 Units or less (See §29.410(3))
DSC
Developments with up to 18 units:
0-2 bedrooms units: NONE
3+ bedroom units: 1 space/RU
Developments with more than 18 units:
1 space/RU
CSC – All Developments
1 space/RU
*********
***
Sec. 29.410. SIZE AND APPEARANCE OF DWELLINGS.
***
(3) Townhome Design. Townhome building types are three or more attached dwelling units with no
units above, below or rear of the dwelling and does not require an individual lot for each dwelling. This
building type is a version of an Apartment Dwelling as defined within this Ordinance but commonly
constructed under the Residential Building Code rather than Commercial Building Code referenced in
Chapter 5 of the Ames Municipal Code. Dwellings built as Single-Family Attached units are a separate
classification within this Ordinance. To benefit from the Townhome building type, the building and site
must comply with the following requirements. Buildings and units that do not comply with these
requirements are subject to apartment dwelling requirements.
(a) Zones Allowed. Townhome building type is an allowed apartment building configuration
for the FS-RL, FS-RM, RM, RH and S-MD zoning districts, unless an overlay also applies to the base
zone. Townhome dwellings may also be approved within the PUD Overlay and the University Impacted
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Overlays subject to conformance to the standards of the Overlay unless otherwise stated. The density
standards of units per acre related to apartments or overall units per acre in FS zones will apply.
(b)Multi Building Exception When the total front facing units is four or more, the units
may be split into sets of two or three units and be constructed on a single lot within the other limitations of
the more than one apartment building. Setbacks between buildings served by a common drive do not
apply.
(c) Design requirements.
(i)Townhome dwellings are only permitted as a five unit or less building configuration
with no more than eight units total on the site, unless included as part of a PUD Overlay.
(ii)All Townhome dwellings shall be designed in a manner that creates individual unit
identity utilizing the following combination of features:
(a)All units shall have a primary residential entrance to living area.Facades facing
a public street shall be oriented to the public street.
(b)Street facing facades shall have proportionally sized porches complimentary in
style to the architectural character of the townhomes. Narrow street facing façade widths less than 24 feet
may be approved to use a stoop; and
(c)Street facing facades shall typically emphasize vertical building proportions with
use of material differentiation, roof forms, and architectural projections for relief to break up wide facades
and blank areas.
(d)Street facing facades shall incorporate window patterns reflective of residential
dwellings front facades and not allow for large blank areas.
(e)For projects within or adjacent to one-and two-family areas may be required to
utilize the two-family home design guidelines for project compatibility.
If the standards of this section and other design standards conflict or do compliment the
intent of compatible design emphasizing unit individuality, the Planning and Housing Director shall
determine the appropriate application of standards and guidelines to meet the intent of the zoning district
and for compatible infill development.
(iii) Townhome sites with front facing units may have setback reductions of 10 feet.
(iv) All dwellings shall have a sidewalk connection to the front door of each dwelling
along a street.
(d)Parking Reduction.Townhomes dwellings with covered parking may have a reduced
parking for units with three or less bedrooms. Only two parking spaces are required per unit for two and
three bedrooms, one space for one bedroom unit. Additional guest parking may be required on site by the
Planning Director at a rate of one ADA space plus one regular parking space per four units.
Within the University Impact Overlays, these parking requirements for Townhomes shall apply.
Front facing,
setback reductionSide facing, no setback reduction
entrance and articulation required
Multi-Building
Exception
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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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