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Home My WebLink About~Master - Packet of Communications to Council May 27, 2025 City Office 515.239.5105 main 515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811 515.239.5142 fax Ames, IA 50010 www.CityofAmes.org MEMO To: Mayor and City Council From: Jeramy Neefus, Principal Clerk, City Manager’s Office Date: May 23, 2025 Subject: Packet of Communications to Council Listed below are the communications to the City Council known to staff as of May 23, 2025: 1. Jim Gregory, Ames Resident – May 13, 2025 RE: Request for South Lincoln Mixed-Use District Zoning Text Amendment 2. Kyle Hauswirth, Leadership Ames Class 38 – May 19, 2025 RE: Leadership Ames Project Request – Bike Repair Stations 3. Sandy Silverstein, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America – May 21, 2025 RE: Appeal of Rejected Application for Highway 30 and Durham Bandshell Light Display for Alzheimer’s Awareness Initiative 4. Dévon Lewis, Historic Preservation Commission Chairperson – May 21, 2025 RE: Request to Sponsor “Ames: A Glimpse Inside” 5. Kelly Diekmann, Planning and Housing Director – May 23, 2025 RE: Request for Zoning Text Amendment for Exception to Setback Encroachments 6. Jason Ziph, Ames Fire Department Fire Inspector – May 23, 2025 RE: Request to Amend Municipal Code Sections 17.6 (2) and Sections 17.6 (9) to Align with New State Code Regarding Fireworks 1 Hall, Renee From:Jim Gregory <jim.g@bikesatwork.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 13, 2025 10:42 AM To:City Council and Mayor Subject:South Lincoln Mixed-Use District text amendments request [External Email] We have lived and operated our small business in the South Lincoln neighborhood for 24 years. We would like to replace our exisƟng home with a new all-electric, energy-eﬃcient house, garage, and shop powered by solar panels. The buildings would be built along Universal Design principles to allow us to live out our remaining years in this highly walkable neighborhood. Current zoning regulaƟons, however, restrict our ability to build such a building on our lot. AŌer meeƟng with the Planning Department, we request four text amendments to make it easier to build on corner lots like ours in our neighborhood. The text amendments are necessary due to development paƩerns in our neighborhood since it was rezoned from Urban Core ResidenƟal Medium Density (UCRM) to the South Lincoln Sub Area MulƟ-Use District (S-SMD) in 2004. This zoning designaƟon was craŌed to encourage the area's development as a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood while sƟll retaining it's original character. When the district's development standards were draŌed, it was assumed that the long, narrow lots common in the neighborhood would be consolidated into larger lots, their buildings torn down, and larger buildings built upon them. For that reason, the S-SMD development standards treat primary facades (those adjacent to the front yard and facing a street) and secondary facades (the porƟon of a building adjacent to a side yard on a corner lot and facing a street) largely the same. It also imposes new regulaƟons, like a maximum facade width and a minimum recessed facade setback, so the new, (presumably) larger buildings would beƩer match the character of the exisƟng neighborhood. But other than the Bridge Home projects on S. Sherman Ave and the proposed PUD on S. 4th St, no new large buildings have been built on consolidated lots. Instead, most redevelopment has occurred as either inﬁll development or improvements to exisƟng buildings on single lots. These investments have made property owners of these lots less willing to combine their lots with adjacent lots and build larger buildings. This has created a problem for "orphaned" corner lot owners like us in the district. Under the neighborhood's previous UCRM zoning, redeveloping single corner lots would be completely feasible. The secondary facades setback under UCRM regulaƟons is much lower than than primary facades (15' vs 25'). There are also no restricƟons on secondary facade width, or depth and width of recessed facades. Under S-SMD regulaƟons, redeveloping these corner lots is much more diﬃcult. Most exisƟng corner lot buildings are not compliant with S-SMD because their secondary facade setbacks are too short. This makes improvements or addiƟons to the exisƟng buildings impracƟcal--any new addiƟons would require large oﬀsets from the exisƟng secondary facade to meet the S-SMD development standards. Tearing down and replacing the orphaned corner lot buildings is also impracƟcal because the setback requirements make the buildable area too small. One corner lot in the neighborhood is so narrow that a new two-story building under exisƟng S-SMD regulaƟons could be no wider than 9' and it's secondary facade no longer than 40'. On another lot, any new building could be no wider than 19'. 2 To make development on the remaining corner lots more pracƟcal, we recommend the following text amendments to the South Lincoln Mixed Use District zoning regulaƟons: 1. Add "15 Ō. for side lot line abuƫng public right-of-way on a corner lot" under "Minimum Building Setbacks - Side Lot Line" in Table 29.1003(3). This change is copied from the original UCRM regulaƟons. Note that this would only eﬀect corner properƟes on S. 2nd St and S. 4th St in the neighborhood, as properƟes bordering the north and south sides of S. 3rd St are already subject to a 10' and 15' build-to line, respecƟvely. 2. Change Sec. 29.402(4) from: "Through Lots and Corner Lots. On through lots, and corner lots with two or more abuƫng streets, except lots within the RL, RM, and UCRM Zoning Districts, the required front setback shall be provided on all streets." to: "Through Lots and Corner Lots. On through lots, and corner lots with two or more abuƫng streets, except lots within the RL, RM, UCRM, and S-SMD Zoning Districts, the required front setback shall be provided on all streets." This change is necessary to allow the ﬁrst text amendment to take eﬀect. 2. Change the "Building Form - Width" secƟon in table Table 29.1003(3) from: "Width of a primary facade shall be no greater than 40 Ō. Width of the secondary facade(s) closest to the street shall be no greater than 40 Ō. Recessed facades must be set back at least 8 feet from the primary or secondary facade. A second primary facade or secondary facade is permiƩed but must be separated from other primary or secondary facades along that building face by a recessed facade of at least 24 Ō. in length." to: "Width of a primary facade shall be no greater than 40 Ō. Width of the secondary facade(s) closest to the street shall be no greater than 48 Ō. Recessed facades must be set back at least 8 feet from the primary facade. A second primary facade or secondary facade is permiƩed but must be separated from other primary or secondary facades along that building face by a recessed facade of at least 24 Ō. in length." Adding 8' to the secondary facade length makes it possible to add a main-level bedroom to an exisƟng building. Removing the secondary facade setback distance makes it possible to add an aƩached garage. 3. Remove the porƟon of secƟon "Building Form - Roofs " in Table 29.1003(3) that reads "All buildings shall have roofs with at least one or more gable end secƟons, or at least two or more dormers, facing a street." This eliminates the need to add a dormer or gable to a secondary facade, a feature rarely found in the original neighborhood's buildings, opƟmizing roof space for solar panels. These suggested amendments will encourage further development in the neighborhood without compromising its character. We urge their adopƟon. Jim Gregory and Joan Stein 129 Washington Ave Ames, IA 50010 3 -Jim -- Jim Gregory Bikes At Work Inc. www.bikesatwork.com 129 Washington Ave, Ames, IA 50010 515-233-6120 ~ sent from my pedal-powered computer (www.pedalpc.com) ~ 1 Hall, Renee From:Kyle Hauswirth <kylehoz@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 19, 2025 12:07 PM To:City Council and Mayor Subject:Leadership Ames Project Request- Bike Repair Stations [External Email] Good Morning Mr. Mayor and City Councillors , I am a member of the Ames Alliance's Leadership Ames Class 38, and part of the program is a project that can help improve the community. Our team is considering a project dealing with cycling in the community, we would like to fundraise for 4-5 Saris Deluxe Public Work Stands with pumps to place in strategic places around the community to help facilitate cyclists around the community, these stands can assist when cyclists have small mechanical issues away from home or open bike shops. We are currently considering Main Street, the Library, Brookside Park, and Ada Hayden Park right now as potential locations. The goal would be for our team to fundraise to purchase the stands, and fund the install, and then turn ownership of the stands over to the city. It was recommended to me to email this address with the information that we have so far to know if there would be potential city buy-in before moving forward. We have buy-in from community stakeholders already, and would love to work with the city and community to make this a reality. Please let us know what you think of this idea, and what would be required from us to move forward. Thank you very much! Kyle Hauswirth Ashley Martin Zach Hansen Heather Slifka Heather Fischer 1 Hall, Renee From:Sandy Silverstein <ssilverstein@alzfdn.org> Sent:Wednesday, May 21, 2025 1:24 PM To:City Council and Mayor Subject:Appeal letter on request to illuminate Ames sites for Alzheimer's awareness initiative [External Email] Hi. I am from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. We are a national nonprofit organization. As you may know, each year, we hold our annual “Light the World in Teal” initiative in which buildings and landmarks around the world in the color teal to help raise Alzheimer’s awareness and shine a spotlight on this growing, international health issue. The Highway 30 light columns and the Durham Bandshell have both taken part in this campaign for at least the past 3 years by lighting up in teal to help raise awareness and shine a spotlight on this growing health issue. Last year, more than 1,350 sites around the world participated. This year, Light the World will take place on November 3rd. We made a request to have both sites participate again this year. We recently received a rejection letter stating that this does not conform to your criteria. We were told that we could appeal to the City Council, which is what I am doing now. The letter stated that your light displays adhere to specific purposes, one of which is recognizing events of community-wide significance. It further states that “one way to strengthen your application would be to partner with an Ames-based association or an impacted resident to demonstrate a direct local connection.” Although we may not have a specific local organization or individual in mind, but to think that this issue does not have a direct impact on the people in your community is foolish. This is a health issue that directly impacts many people in the state, and more specifically, in Ames. In Story County, where Ames is located, an estimated 11.8% of its senior population is affected by Alzheimer's disease, which is slightly higher than the state average. Given that Ames has a population of approximately 66,000 residents, with about 10% aged 65 and older, this would equate to roughly 6,600 seniors in Ames. Applying the 11% prevalence rate, approximately 726 seniors in Ames may be living with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia-related illness. Approximately 62,100 Iowans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia- related illness. This represents about 11% of the state's senior population. Additionally, over 80,000 family caregivers in Iowa provide an estimated 118 million hours of unpaid care annually to individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. The state also has one of the highest proportions of older adults in the country, which is a contributing factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Combine that with the fact that there is a severe shortage of geriatric specialists, Iowa would need a 446% increase in geriatricians to meet projected needs by 2050. We are talking about a dramatic health crisis here. I am hoping that you will reconsider and illuminate the Highway 30 Lights Columns and Durham Bandshell, as you have done for the past several years, on November 3rd. 2 Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of individuals and families, and raising awareness is key to promoting early detection, research funding, and caregiver support. By participating, you will be part of a global effort to spark conversations and inspire action. We find that the campaign generates significant community appreciation, makes a powerful statement, and inspires action throughout the community as well as through federal government. In addition, this campaign usually generates a tremendous amount of publicity for the initiative itself and the sites who participate through our website, social media, e- blasts, press releases, and more. Thank you. Sandy Silverstein Sandy Silverstein Media Relations Manager at Alzheimer's Foundation of America office. 866-232-8484 | email. ssilverstein@alzfdn.org 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor | New York, NY 10001 AFA Homepage | Donate | E-Store | Memory Screening Caring People  Quality Programs  Exceptional Service 515 Clark Ave. Ames, IA 50010 www.CityofAmes.org Planning & Housing Department MEMO 515.239.5400 main To: Mayor and City Council From: Kelly Diekmann, Planning & Housing Director Date: May 23, 2025 Subject: Request for Zoning Text Amendment for Exception to Setback Encroachments Background: On April 22, 2025, the City Council referred to staff a zoning text amendment request from Jacque Pfaffle, owner of the property at 615 10th Street. Ms. Pfaffle is seeking to make minor changes to the front façade of her property, which she purchased in October of 2024, by adding a small porch over the existing stoop, wood awnings over second-story windows, and window boxes to the windows on the ground floor. The building was constructed in 1910 prior to the first zoning ordinance. The house has UCRM zoning currently and is nonconforming: it projects 13 feet into the 25- foot front setback). The structure may continue in its present form, but additions or alterations must comply with code. The first floor porch addition can be permitted through an exception process with the ZBA, but the other changes have not available relief within the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 29.402(2), allows for certain setback exceptions and encroachments. However, due to the nonconforming 13-foot encroachment, no further encroachment is permitted as minor projections (the awnings and window boxes) may only go 3 feet and architectural features (front porches) may only go 8 feet into the setback. Currently, Ms. Pfaffle could apply to the ZBA for a Minor Area Modification for her proposed front porch per Section 29.402(2) of the Zoning Ordinance. The other elements (awnings above second story windows and window boxes on the ground level) do not qualify for the Exception. Options: The owner finds it desirable to make modifications to the front façade of 615 10th Street. Staff does not believe a wholesale change to broad standards such as front setbacks in appropriate. To respond to Ms. Pfaffle’s request, Staff identified the following narrowly defined options: 1. Modify the relevant Exception for a Minor Area Modification to allow for minor projections to be eligible. Council created the existing Minor Area Modification Exception to allow for the extension of architectural features into a required building setback when the principal building is nonconforming, but only for those features described in Sec. 29.402(b), including front porches ,but excluding awnings and window boxes. The most straight-forward code amendment to address Ms. Pfaffle’s concern is to expand the eligibility for the Exception for this Minor Area Modification to include Sec. 29.402(a), which would cover the awnings and window boxes. This change would provide a way for Ms. Pfaffle to apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for consideration of her request. 2. Modify Minor Projection language to always allow by right for a projection of up to two feet, if the projection is at least 3 feet from a property line. This would allow minor projections for nonconforming structures that could still meet the minimum 3-foot setback expectation. In this case it would allow the Awnings and Window Boxes, but the porch would still need ZBA approval. 3. Take no action. If the Council chooses to keep the regulations as they are, the owner would be able to pursue the porch addition, the awnings and window boxes. This issue of encroachments could be revisited as part of the Zoning Ordinance update in the next couple of years. Staff Comments The Zoning Ordinance currently allows for the ZBA to consider, on an individual basis, modifications to nonconforming properties within set parameters. Option 1 would be the quickest code change that could be processed by staff as the modification involves just one line of code to permit consideration of more types of features. It could be added to other code amendments early this summer. Option 2 would also be a modest change in terms of time. The homeowner would still need to seek ZBA approval for the porch addition. Since the options are narrow in scope and time commitment, Council could direct initiation of either Option 1 or 2 and not put the item on the agenda for future discussion. Alternatively, if Council has additional questions or concerns they could motion to have the item presented at a future Council meeting. If Council does not have an interest in committing time to proposed change at this time, then no further action is needed. Smart Choice 23 May 2025 To: Ames City Council From: Ames Fire Department Subject: REQUEST FOR CHANGE TO CITY CODE SECTIONS TO ALIGN WITH NEWLY ADOPTED STATE CODE. Under previous State code, a Board of Supervisors or City Council may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or limit the use of consumer fireworks, display fireworks, or novelties, as described in Code section 727.2. The new State code prohibits a Board of Supervisors or City Council from restricting or limiting the use of consumer fireworks, display fireworks, or novelties, as described in Code section 727.2, on July 3, July 4, or December 31 in accordance with Code section 727.2(4). A person who violates Code section 727.2 would commit a simple misdemeanor. It is requested that the City Council direct that appropriate changes be drafted by the City Attorney to amend City Code Sections 17.6 (2) and Sections 17.6 (9). 515.239.5109 main 1300 Burnett Ave. 515.232.9932 fax Ames, IA 50010 www.CityofAmes.org