HomeMy WebLinkAboutA024 - Discussion of Ames Homebuilders Association's request for review of driveway regulationsTo:Mayor & City Council
From:Kelly Diekmann, Planning & Housing Director
Date:April 18, 2025
Subject:Discussion on Driveway Standards
Item No. 31
MEMO
On March 11, City Council referred to staff a request from the Ames Homebuilders
Association (AHBA) to consider changes related to driveway dimensions. Staff provided
a memo to Council at the April 11 meeting in response to the referral (See attached).
At the April 11 meeting, Council determined it was appropriate to put the request on an
upcoming agenda to allow for the AHBA to address the Council with details about their
request. Attached to this memo is additional information provided by AHBA to support
discussion on Tuesday.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Planning Memo AHBA Driveways.pdf
AHBA Driveway Code Presentation.pptx
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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Memo
Department of Planning & Housing
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kelly Diekmann, Planning & Housing Director
DATE: March 19, 2025
SUBJECT: Referral To Discuss Driveway Standards
BACKGROUND:
City Council received a letter from the Ames Homebuilders Association prior to the March 11th
meeting requesting Council review the driveway regulations that were adopted by City Council in
2023. Staff’s understanding of the request is to focus on standards related to driveway widths.
City Council overhauled the front yard parking and driveway width requirements in 2023 by clarifying
driveway dimensional requirements and by providing greater flexibility to create additional “flared”
parking options to the side of driveways. The process included months of Council review and included
consultation with the builder community prior to adoption.
A fundamental element of the current standards is to proportionately size front yard paving
(driveways) to the area needed to access garages or parking areas to the side or rear of homes.
Additionally, the driveway standards are designed to minimize pedestrian conflicts, maximize on-
street parking with controlled curb cut widths, and to treat all single-family properties the same
across the City.
The ordinance defines maximum driveway width based upon garage size. The maximum width is
measured at the sidewalk/property line of a home. After the sidewalk crossing, the driveway can widen
the width of the garage or use an angled flare for additional paving. The maximum widths at the
sidewalk are 12 feet-1 Car Garage; 20 feet- 2 Car Garage; 24 feet- 3 Car Garage.
Staff had met with a handful of local builders prior to the letter from the AHBA. The discussion addressed
the overall permitting process for both new house construction and replacement paving for existing homes.
The primary concerns in this discussion were interests by the builders for larger driveway options
for newer homes, focused on widening of 2-car garages and 3 car garages. They noted concerns
about the look and usability of the driveway maximums for larger garages. Staff noted that this
would be an issue especially when large garages were situated at minimum setbacks.
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Ideas discussed for wider driveways ranged from increasing the width to a minimum of 24 feet and
up to 30 feet, in various configurations, and to again consider if circle or multiple driveways could
be allowed.
STAFF COMMENTS:
If Council desires to explore changes to driveway standards, staff believes the issue should be
narrowly construed to topics described above to limit the scope and time committed to this
discussion.
The primary options are whether to allow for a small increase of 4 feet for 2-car garages ranging
up to larger increase of up to a maximum of 30 feet scaled to the size of larger garages. Keeping in
mind the goals to manage curb cuts that although the current standards are functional, a small change in
width could be accommodated without a likely significant impact to neighborhoods and to the
transportation system.
If Council is interested in this request, it could refer it to an upcoming meeting in April for
discussion and direction on whether to initiate a zoning text amendment for driveways. The AHBA
would like to have this issue addressed as soon as possible as they approach the next construction
season for new homes. The overall process to modify a standard would take six weeks for P&Z
review and Council adoption of an ordinance.
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DrivewayStandardReviewAHBA
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Proposed Driveway Standard Changes
Decrease
building review
time, cost, and
staff time.
Come in line
with neighboring
communities.
Eliminates
confusion.
Provides Ames
residents with
the ability to
create more
functional,
creative, and
safer driveways.
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Design Standard Review
●COMPLICATED (7 PAGE MANUAL)
●INCREASED BUILDING TIME & COST
●INCREASED OVERSIGHT
●3 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO APPROVE, INSPECT AND
ANSWER QUESTIONS
●END RESULT CAN BE UNDESIRABLE OR UNAPPEALING
●LOSS OF CHARACTER AND CREATIVITY
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EXAMPLE - NEW STANDARD
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EXAMPLE - NEW STANDARD
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EXAMPLE
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EXAMPLE - NOT COMPLIANT WITH NEW STANDARD
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EXAMPLE - RL NON-COMPLIANCE OF ADA HOMES
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EXAMPLE - NOT COMPLIANT WITH NEW STANDARD
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NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES
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HUXLEY STANDARDS (NONE, 1 PAGE PERMIT)
Requires inspection of
approach only
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Ankeny Driveway Permit & Standards
Requires inspection of
approach only
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Other Communities:
Johnston - permit and SUDAS standard for approach
Waukee - permit and approach standard
Neither has design standards for driveways
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Ames Driveway Permit & Standards
4 PAGE PERMIT APP 7 PAGE STANDARDS
REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM 3
DEPARTMENTS
REQUIRES INSPECTION OF
ENTIRE DRIVEWAY AND
APPROACH
CAN REQUEST ADDITIONAL CODE
CONSULTATION TO INSURE
COMPLIANCE
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CONSIDERATIONS:
●SNOW PLOW ROUTES
●ACCESSIBILITY
●CONSTRAINTS ADJACENT TO
DRIVEWAY
○SNOW PILES
○LANDSCAPING
○BASKETBALL HOOPS
○ETC.
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EXAMPLE - SIDE LOAD GARAGES
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EXAMPLE - SIDE LOAD GARAGES
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DRIVEWAY PROPOSED CHANGES
●ELIMINATE THE RESTRICTION AT PROPERTY LINE
●MAXIMUM OF 30’ CURB CUT W/ 3’-5’ FLARES
●DRIVEWAYS LEADING TO THE SAME LOT, OR SERVING THE SAME
PROPERTY, SHALL BE AT LEAST 20’ APART
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