HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 13, 2025ITEM #:47
DATE:05-13-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:SIDEWALK INSTALLATION AT 700 E 13TH STREET (PARKS
MAINTENANCE FACILITY)
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City-owned property for the cemetery and Parks and Recreation (P&R) maintenance area is
considered a conveyance parcel, or a parcel previously created without the benefit of City review. The
cemetery has a recorded boundary and layout for plots, but the eastern side of the property where the
maintenance area is located is a remainder area that was created through the deed transfer process long
ago and a survey is needed at this time to establish boundaries due to proposed improvements. A
location map and the survey are attached for reference.
The plat of survey process for a conveyance parcel was triggered by the proposed construction by City
of Ames P&R of new maintenance garage building and other site improvements on the property. Plans
and Specifications approval is a separate item on this agenda. An excerpt from the draft site plan is
attached. Planning staff determined the remainder area is a conforming conveyance parcel outside of
the boundaries of the recorded cemetery layouts. There is approximately 400 feet of frontage along E
13th Street for the conveyance area.
The establishment of surveyed boundaries for a conveyance parcel looks at what missing
infrastructure is required along with a plat of survey, which in this case is a sidewalk along E 13th
Street for the remainder deeded area. A waiver of installing a sidewalk along E 13th Street is
requested as it relates to the construction of a new maintenance building on the property. With
the outcome of the waiver request, a plat of survey will be finalized to create a full parcel for the
cemetery and maintenance shop area.
Per the City's Subdivision Code installation of required infrastructure can be required with a plat of
survey. P&R requests a full waiver of the 400 feet of frontage or for a partial waiver of a segment
of sidewalk as depicted in the site plan excerpt that includes a crossing to Meadowlane to the
north rather than a full extension across the property. If Council does not approve a waiver, the
plans will be updated to show fully conforming segment of sidewalk for approximately 400 feet.
A Waiver is formal process in the City's Subdivision Code designed to address extraordinary hardships,
topographic constraints or other unusual conditions that granting of a waiver will result in substantial
justice, see below for more detail. Due to specific site issues, a waiver of sidewalk installation is
requested by P&R as a combination of topographic and other conditions.
1. Topographic. West of the Meadowlane intersection, East 13th Street begins to incline towards
the top of a hill at Maxwell Avenue. Due to this slope, the cemetery property has a large retaining
wall along its frontage in the road right-of-way. If a sidewalk is constructed along the full
frontage of 400 feet it would end near the retaining wall. There is not a feasible way to extend the
sidewalk further west along E 13th in the vicinity of the retaining wall. This condition could
support a partial or full waiver of the sidewalk as there is no feasible connection to the west.
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2. Future Trail Plans. Although a sidewalk is not feasible along the full frontage of E 13th
Street on the south side, as indicated in the attached memo from the Traffic Engineer, the
Walk and Roll plan shows the long-term strategy for this area is to develop a trail facility
on the south side of E 13th Street that crosses this site. The trail is shown as extending from
the trail in the south portion of River Valley Park along the E 13th Street frontage then heading
south through the maintenance area and cemetery to 9th Street. A portion of the E 13th Street
trail improvement would overlap the proposed sidewalk improvement if it were to be
constructed. However, the trail project is the lowest priority in the Plan for completion. Because
of this planned improvement, although into the future, it is an unusual condition for an
improvement that includes partially crossing the frontage and then traversing through the
property as a city improvement project. Theoretically, a segment could be constructed now, but
its utility would be limited until trail connections are completed in the future and all of the
improvement is planned to be completed by the City rather than a property owner as is usually the
case for subdivision improvements.
3. Safety and Accessibility. The minimum sidewalk requirement is a segment of approximately 400
feet that would connect to the Maintenance building walkway. The segment would not at this
time necessarily connect to the north side. However, it is recommended best practice to end a
sidewalk segment that will not extend further with a receiving end to create connectivity and
meet accessibility requirements rather than allowing the sidewalk to "dead end." In this case,
connectivity could be accomplished by constructing a receiving end across E 13th Street to the
north at Meadowlane for a street crossing, this concept is represented with the site plan excerpt as
a bid alternate for the site plan. Approving the concept with a crossing would be a partial waiver
rather than a full waiver.
The City Traffic Engineer has prepared a memo (attached) regarding the feasibility of this
crossing. The biggest issue is that due to the amount of traffic on E 13th and the design speed
limit, additional measures are recommended to enhance the visibility and safety of the
Meadowlane crossing that may include substantial pedestrian warning systems at additional costs.
The memo outlines options for three safety enhancements due to the conditions. If a partial
waiver is approved and the crossing is included, the City Traffic engineer will make a final
determination on whether to require all of the proposed interventions, including the costly
flashing beacon.
Due to the issues outlined above, Staff is proposing that City Council approve a full waiver of the
sidewalk improvement.
WAIVER PROCESS:
Sec. 23.103(1) of the Ames Municipal Code allows City Council to waive the infrastructure installation
standards of the Subdivision Ordinance when it can be shown that strict compliance with the
requirements of the Regulations would result in extraordinary hardship to the Applicant or would prove
inconsistent with the purpose of the Regulations because of unusual topography or other conditions. In
no case shall any modification or waiver be more than necessary to eliminate the hardship or conform to
the purpose of the Regulations.
If City Council does not support the full waiver for the 400' of frontage, a partial waiver could be
approved only for the portion of the frontage generally west of Meadowlane due to topography in
order to allow for the sidewalk concept to be constructed as shown on the attached site plan.
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City Council is not acting on the Plat of Survey, but merely the waiver of the sidewalk installation
requirement. Granting of the waiver will allow the applicant to prepare the official Plat of Survey
and submit it to the Planning and Housing Director for review. The Director will sign the Plat of
Survey confirming that it fully conforms to all conditions of approval.
Based on the Council's action regarding the sidewalk waiver, the Site Development Plan for the
maintenance building will be updated as necessary and approved by staff.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a full waiver of sidewalk installation requirements for 400 feet of frontage along East
13th Street due to topographic and unusual condition, thereby authorizing the Planning and
Housing Director to approve the final Plat of Survey.
2. Approve a partial waiver of sidewalk installation to allow for sidewalk improvement that does not
extend past Meadowlane and extends to the proposed onsite walkway extension to the
Maintenance Shop, and include a crossing of E 13th Street, or as otherwise specified by City
Council, with final design and enhanced safety features to be approved by the City Traffic
Engineer.
3. Deny the requested waiver of the sidewalk installation requirement as City Council finds that the
requirements for a waiver as described in Section 23.103(1) have not been satisfied, thereby
requiring construction of an approximate 400-foot sidewalk segment across the entire conveyance
parcel frontage without a crossing of E 13th Street to Meadowlane.
4. Refer this request back to staff and/or the owner for additional information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff believes that due to the topography and the unusual conditions of the planned trail to
eventually be undertaken by the City, a full waiver can be approved.
While the City's subdivision code is designed to ensure gaps in infrastructure are resolved with
new development, the proposed sidewalk would not connect well to any existing sidewalk system
and enhance access to the property. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the
City Council adopt Alternative #1, waiving sidewalk installation along the full frontage as described
above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Location Map.pdf
Plat Excerpt
Site Plan Excerpt
Memo from Traffic Engineer
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Location Map
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¯Legend
Parcels
Subject Property
Subject Property
Area of new
building and
sidewalk
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I hereby certify on________________________________ that the Plat of Survey is
consistent with Chapter 23 of the Ames Municipal Code and any conditions of
approval.
________________________________________________________
Planning & Housing Director
INDEX LEGEND
LOCATION: , NE 1/4, SECTION. 2, TOWNSHIP 83 NORTH,
RANGE 24 WEST, OF THE 5TH P.M., CITY OF AMES,
STORY COUNTY IOWA
REQUESTOR: CITY OF AMES
PROPRIETOR: CITY OF AMES
SURVEYOR: MYRON G. DARINGER
SURVEYOR COMPANY: CITY OF AMES
RETURN TO: CITY OF AMES, PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEER
515 CLARK AVE., AMES, IA 50010
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EXISTING MH
RIM: 895.34
EXISTING MH
RIM: 894.78
54" RCP FL: 885.71 (SW)
54" RCP FL: 885.70 (NW)
EXISTING MH
RIM: 894.73
54" RCP FL: 885.78 (SW-N)
EXISTING INT/MH
RIM: 895.08
EXISTING MH
RIM: 901.23
EXISTING INT/MH
RIM: 901.22
EXISTING MH
RIM: 897.99
SLEDDING RULES
SIGN
CP #505
BM# 504
BLOCK LANDSCAPE
EDGE
MULCH
PARKS MAINTENANCE
FACILITY SIGN
PARK SIGN
FIBER MH
RIM: 897.55
2" CONDUITS(2)
EVERGREEN BUSH
EVERGREEN BUSH
EXISTING
BUILDING
SERVICE DOOR
FF: 898.49
PCC
PCC
UTILITY VAULT
2" ELECTRIC LINE
PCC
1.5" ELECTRIC LINE
SERVICE DOOR
FF: 898.60
SERVICE DOOR
FF: 898.60
PCC
WALK
ACC
PCC
ELECTRIC MH
RIM: 894.62
CITY OF AMES
BULK WATER SALES
SIGN
FIBER POSTCP# 500 CROP LINE
EXISTING INT/MH
RIM: 901.35
GUTTER: 900.68
SERVICE DOOR
FF: 897.68
EXISTING
BUILDING PCC WALK
PCC
PCC
GRAVEL
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NO DUMPING SIGN
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PROJECT NUMBER
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THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED
SPECIFICALLY FOR THE ABOVE REFERENCED
PROJECT. THEY ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR USE ON
OTHER PROJECTS OR IN OTHER LOCATIONS
WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL AND
PARTICIPATION OF SVPA ARCHITECTS INC.
REPRODUCTION IS PROHIBITED.
REVISIONS
ISSUANCE
24065
04/25/2025
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
2025
710 E 13TH ST,
AMES, IA 50010
AMES PARK &
RECREATION
MAINTENANCE
EXPANSION
C600
LANDSCAPE PLAN
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GRAPHIC SCALE
40'20'60'
N
LANDSCAPE NOTES:
1.PLANT QUANTITIES ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY; DRAWING SHALL PREVAIL IF CONFLICT OCCURS.
CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CALCULATING OWN QUANTITIES AND BASING BID ACCORDINGLY.
2.CONTRACTOR SHALL PLACE SHREDDED HARDWOOD BARK MULCH AROUND ALL TREES AND IN
SPECIFIED PLANTING BEDS (SEE LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION NOTES) TO A DEPTH OF 3". WALNUT
PRODUCTS ARE PROHIBITED.
3.KIND, SIZE, AND QUALITY OF PLANT MATERIAL SHALL CONFORM TO AMERICAN STANDARD FOR
NURSERY STOCK, ANSI 260-2004, OR MOST RECENT EDITION.
4.THE CONTRACTOR SHALL REPORT SUBSURFACE SOIL OR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS TO THE ENGINEER.
5.SUBSTITUTIONS SHALL ONLY BE ALLOWED WHEN THE CONTRACTOR HAS EXHAUSTED ALL SOURCES
FOR THE SPECIFIED MATERIAL, AND HAS PROVEN THAT THE SPECIFIED MATERIAL IS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE NAME AND VARIETY OF SUBSTITUTION TO THE ENGINEER FOR
APPROVAL PRIOR TO TAGGING OR PLANTING. SUBSTITUTIONS SHALL BE NEAREST EQUIVALENT SIZE OF
VARIETY OF PLANT HAVING SAME ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS.
6.ALL PLANT MATERIAL SHALL BE NURSERY GROWN, SOUND, HEALTHY, VIGOROUS AND FREE FROM
INSECTS, DISEASE AND INJURIES, WITH HABIT OF GROWTH THAT IS NORMAL FOR THE SPECIES. SIZES
SHALL BE EQUAL TO OR EXCEEDING SIZES INDICATED ON THE PLANT SCHEDULE. THE CONTRACTOR
SHALL SUPPLY PLANTS IN QUANTITY AS SHOWN ON DRAWINGS.
7.STAKE OR PLACE ALL PLANTS IN FIELD AS INDICATED ON THE DRAWINGS OR AS DIRECTED BY THE
ENGINEER FOR APPROVAL BY THE OWNER PRIOR TO PLANTING. REMOVE STAKING AT END OF
WARRANTY PERIOD.
8.ALL DISTURBED AREAS NOT OTHERWISE COVERED BY BUILDING, PAVEMENT, AND LANDSCAPE BEDS
SHALL BE SEEDED WITH TYPE 1 GRASS OR OTHER SURFACING MATERIAL AS APPROVED BY THE
OWNER.
9.CONTRACTOR SHALL PLACE TOPSOIL FROM THE SITE OR SOIL CONDITIONED OR TILLED INTO THE TOP
6 INCHES WITH AT LEAST A 5% ORGANIC CONTENT, INTO REQUIRED PLANTING AREAS (YARD AREAS,
BUFFER YARDS, OR PLANTERS).
10.STOCKPILED TOPSOIL SHOULD BE PLIABLE LOAM, SECURE FROM NATURALLY WELL-DRAINED AREAS,
FREE OF ADMIXTURE OF SUBSOIL, FREE FROM CLAY LUMPS + STONE AND OTHER DEBRIS OVER 1 INCH
IN DIAMETER. (PER IOWA DOT SPEC. SP-155079)
11.TOPSOIL SHALL HAVE A PH VALUE OF MINIMUM 5.5 AND MAXIMUM OF 7.0. (PER IOWA DOT SPEC.
SP-155079)
12.CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTING TOPSOIL AND SUBMITTING TEST RESULTS TO ENGINEER
FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO USE AND PLACEMENT. (PER IOWA DOT SPEC. SP-155079)
13.UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES, FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES HAVE BEEN PLATTED FROM AVAILABLE
SURVEYS, RECORDS, AND DEEDS. THEREFORE THEIR LOCATIONS MUST BE CONSIDERED
APPROXIMATE ONLY. THERE MAY BE OTHERS. THE EXISTENCE OF WHICH IS PRESENTLY NOT KNOWN.
14.ALL SEEDING AND PLANTS SHALL BE PROVIDED AND INSTALLED BY THE CITY OF AMES PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT. THE CONTRACTOR IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SEEDING DISTURBED
AREAS OUTSIDE THE CONSTRUCTION LIMITS.
SITE INFORMATION:
TOTAL SITE AREA = 1,599,089 SF (36.71 AC)
PROPOSED TOTAL IMPERVIOUS AREA = 66,076 SF
PROPOSED PARKING LOT PAVED AREA = 27,797 SF
PROPOSED SIDEWALK PAVED AREA = 608 SF
PROPOSED BUILDING AREA = 7,765 SF
PROPOSED GRAVEL AREA = 5,978 SF
PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
#ZONING DESCRIPTION REQUIRED PROPOSED
1
10% of Total Proposed Gross Parking Lot
Area(26,722)(Not Including Driveway in Front
Yard)(Needs to be within 10' of curb and not
less than 5' in width)
2,673 SF(10%)2,691.3 SF(10.07%)
2 1 Overstory Tree Every 200 SF of the 10%
Landscaped Area 14 Trees 14 Trees
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION NOTES:
TYPE 1 (PERMANENT LAWN MIXTURE)
TYPE 2 (PERMANENT COOL-SEASON SLOPE AND DITCH MIXTURE)
ORGANIC MULCH
NO-DIG PLASTIC EDGING TO BE INSTALLED AROUND SPECIFIED
PLANTING BEDS
PROTECT TREES DURING CONSTRUCTION
A
C
B
D
A
A
A
DC
C
C
2
PO
2
PO
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JS
PLANT SCHEDULE
KEY BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME QTY.SIZE
Deciduous Overstory Trees
QI Quercus imbricaria Shingle Oak 2 (50' H & 40' W)1.5" B&B
GB Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'Autumn Gold Ginkgo(Fruitless)6 (50' H & 30' W)1.5" B&B
LT Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree 3 (90' H & 50' W)1.5" B&B
UF Ulmus 'Frontier'Frontier Elm 3 (40' H & 30' W)1.5" B&B
Shrubs
JS Juniperus scopulorum 'Medora'Medora Juniper 9 (10' H & 3' W)#5 CNT
TM Taxus x media Stonehenge Dark Druid 11 (4' H & 4' W)#5 CNT
PO Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May'Litttle Devil Ninebark 8 (4' H & 4' W)#5 CNT
3
LT
2
PO
2
PO
1
QI
1
QI
5
TM
6
TM
DC DC
B
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E E
E
E
E
B
CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
CONSTRUCTION LIMITSCONSTRUCTION LIMITS
A
A
A
CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
3
UF
4
GB
2
GB
NOTE:
TREES SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF 15' FROM A BUILDING; MINIMUM 3'
FROM EDGE OF PAVEMENT; MINIMUM 20' SPACING FROM EACH OTHER
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Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
main
fax
To: Keith Abraham, Director, Parks & Recreation Department
From: Damion Pregitzer, Traffic Engineer
Date: March 19, 2025
Subject: Evaluation of Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing at E 13th Street
Near Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility
Background:
Public Works evaluated the feasibility of an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on E 13th
Street in response to the planned expansion of the Parks and Recreation maintenance
facility on the south side of the street. We understand that due to the improvements
being made, the missing infrastructure ordinance has triggered a potential installation of
a sidewalk across the frontage of the site with a pedestrian crossing at the E. 13th Street
and Meadowlane intersection.
Current conditions at the location include:
• Traffic Volume (AADT): 13,300
• Design Speed: 40 MPH
• Roadway Configuration: Minor Arterial, 4-Lane Undivided
• Existing Pedestrian Facilities: Trail on the north side; no sidewalks or
designated crossing near the Meadowlane intersection.
• Future Plans: The Walk Bike Roll plan shows the long-term strategy is to
develop a parallel facility on the south side of E. 13th Street with the nearest
improved crossing location being Maxwell Avenue to the west.
Safety Considerations:
According to the FHWA Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing
Locations, key factors influencing pedestrian safety at uncontrolled crossings include
vehicle speed, traffic volume, number of lanes, and pedestrian demand. Given the
design speed of 40 MPH and AADT exceeding 9,000, a marked crosswalk alone is
not recommended without additional enhancements.
Potential Countermeasures:
Based on FHWA guidance and engineering judgment, the following countermeasures
could be considered:
7
• Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) #9 – Provides controlled pedestrian crossing
with high compliance. ($150,000)
• Advance Yield/Stop Markings & Signage #3 – Alerts drivers to pedestrian
crossings in advance. ($2,000)
• High-Visibility Crosswalk & Lighting Enhancements #1 – Improves
pedestrian conspicuity, especially during low-light conditions. ($3,000-$5,000)
Public Works Recommendation:
Based on an engineering evaluation of existing conditions , the costs of the potential
countermeasures, and future city plans, Staff recommends waiving the sidewalk infill
requirement until future Walk Bike Roll plan improvements can be implemented. This
approach aligns with the City’s long-term strategy to develop a parallel facility on the
south side of E 13th Street, providing a safer and more comprehensive pedestrian
connection.
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NETWORK PLAN & PRIORITIES WALK BIKE ROLL AMES | JUNE 2024
65
Figure 26 | Prioritized Bikeway and Shared-Use Path Projects
The priorities illustrated on this map are one
input used to determine which projects to
build first and should not be interpreted as a
commitment to order of implementation. Many
additional factors influence the order in which
projects are implemented. See the previous
page for more information.
9
NETWORK PLAN & PRIORITIES WALK BIKE ROLL AMES | JUNE 2024
70
Figure 28 | Prioritized Crossing Projects
The priorities illustrated on this map are one
input used to determine which projects to
build first and should not be interpreted as a
commitment to order of implementation. Many
additional factors influence the order in which
projects are implemented. See the previous
page for more information.
10