HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 10/17/2000MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 17, 2000
The Ames City Council met in special session with the Boone County Board of Supervisors, Story
County Board of Supervisors, and the Gilbert City Council at 7:00 p.m. on the 17th day of October,
2000, in the Ames City Council Chambers, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Ames Mayor
Pro Tem Hoffman presiding. Members present from the Ames City Council were: Campbell, Cross,
Quirmbach, and Wirth; Mayor Tedesco and Council Member Goodhue were absent. Present from
the Boone County Board of Supervisors were: Lind and Reed; Board Member Olson was absent.
Attending from the Story County Board of Supervisors were: Halliburton and Whitmer; Board
Member Mathison was absent. Representing the City of Gilbert were: Mayor Bob Jaquis and Council
Members Gunderson, Uthe, Vogtlin; absent were Council Members Benda and Henn.
DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE FRINGE AREAS
BOONE COUNTY, STORY COUNTY, AND CITY OF AMES. Leanne Harter, Story County
Planning Director, explained what progress had been made since the last joint meeting among
the Ames City Council and the Boone and Story County Boards of Supervisors (on July 11,
2000). The three governmental bodies had asked that background materials be developed
regarding fringe area development and related concerns. A Staff Report containing data and
information gathered thus far and delineating possible implications of development within two
miles of Ames had been prepared and distributed to the members. Ms. Harter gave a presentation
that identified existing land uses within two miles of the City of Ames, proposed land uses for
the area, number of zoning permits issued since 1999; school district boundaries; emergency
service boundaries, rural water district boundaries, and natural resources within the defined area.
She discussed these factors as they pertained to land contained within Story County. Ms. Harter
advised that Story County was in the process of revising their land Development Plan; she
estimated that it would not be finalized for two years.
Luke Nelson, Director of Boone County Planning and Development Department, spoke about
the Boone County land use data. He stated that Boone County had not adopted a Land Use Map;
they do have a current Zoning Map. Mr. Nelson compared current regulatory framework for
Boone County, Story County, and the City of Ames. He pointed out that coordination and
cooperation among the three entities is especially important since conflicts are evident in the land
development plans adopted by Story County and the City of Ames. Nelson.
Ms. Harter and Mr. Nelson analyzed the potential build-out of the land lying within the two-mile
area of the City of Ames that is contained in Story County and Boone County, respectively.
Ames City Council Member Cross asked to have the conflicts explained that exist between the
Story County Development Plan and the City of Ames Land Use Policy Plan. Joe Pietruszynski,
Ames Planner and G.I.S. Coordinator, showed a map detailing where the conflicts exist between
the two plans.
Story County Supervisor Whitmer said that he felt guiding principles should be developed. Jane
Halliburton, Story County Supervisor, suggested that the staffs jointly develop and implement
a communication process; it could as simple as a routing slip. Mr. Whitmer recommended that
the staffs associate the revenue base with the cost of providing a particular type of service. Ms.
Halliburton felt that it might be best if the staffs set the priorities that these three entities need
to be focusing on. Ames Council Member Campbell pointed out that it would be beneficial to
have some type of procedure in place so that the entities are not pitted against each other when
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a development proposal is submitted. Ames Planning and Housing Director Brian O’Connell
stated that he would prefer to see a more formal communication network among the entities.
Council Member Campbell pointed out that an obvious starting point would be to investigate the
conflicts that are known to exist between Story County’s plan and the LUPP of Ames.
It was recommended by the presenters and staff that the City of Ames provide input as it relates
to its adopted Land Use Policy Plan to Story County while Story County is in the process of
updating their Development Plan.
Story County Supervisor Whitmer said that he thought it should be determined if the two-mile
limit is a reality or an artificial barrier, e.g., is it possible for the City of Ames to run sanitary
sewer or water services as far as the two-mile boundary.
It was concurred by members present from the three entities to direct the joint staffs to check first
to see if there are overriding philosophies that can guide the three entities; to determine areas to
be worked on first, i.e., areas of apparent conflict; and to investigate methods to coordinate
processes and communication.
The meeting recessed at 8:42 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
STORY COUNTY, CITY OF AMES, AND CITY OF GILBERT: Brian O’Connell reviewed
what had transpired at the last meeting of the Ames and Gilbert City Councils (September 19,
2000). It has become apparent to Mr. O’Connell from these joint meetings that there is a need
to include Story County in the process of addressing issues pertaining to the “fringe area” land
located between Ames and Gilbert. Likewise, he believes that the City of Gilbert should be
included in the discussions involving Story County.
Gilbert Council Member Gunderson recommended that Ames and Gilbert move forward in
determining the boundaries to which each city would allow growth to occur. Story County
Supervisor Halliburton advised that the County has not been particularly involved in establishing
boundaries for each city. Story County Supervisor Whitmer explained that the County has never
really considered whether a buffer or boundary should exist or where it should exist between
Gilbert and Ames. He felt that it was important for the County to be involved in that discussion
as they would have jurisdiction over the land in between.
Frank Feilmeyer, Gilbert City Attorney, suggested that the Councils look at the two-mile area
and ask the staffs to ascertain if there are any common uses that can be agreed to be included in
each jurisdiction’s land development plan.
Gilbert Mayor Jaquis suggested that the Councils and Story County meet some time in the next
six months to discuss the common uses and philosophies. Gilbert Council Member Gunderson
felt that it would be beneficial if a comparison of plans could be made to determine where the
commonalities and/or conflicts exist.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:22 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor