HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 08/17/1999MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 17, 1999
The Ames City Council met in joint session with the Planning and Zoning Commission at 7:00 p.m.
on the 17th day of August, 1999, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue,
pursuant to law with Mayor Ted Tedesco presiding. Council members present were Ann Campbell,
Russ Cross, Judie Hoffman, John Parks, Herman Quirmbach, and Sharon Wirth. Commission
members present were Kevin Buck, Karin Sevde, Steiner Silence, Riad Mahayni, and Dennis
Keeney.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
REVIEW OF DRAFT ZONING MAP: Brian O’Connell, Director of Planning and Housing,
advised that it was his staff’s understanding that the draft zoning map was being presented to the
Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission for their information, and it was not expected
that any decisions would be made at this meeting. The principles followed by staff in designing
the Proposed Municipal Zoning Map were explained by Mr. O’Connell.
Eden Schmitt, City Planner, gave an overview of the different zones and overlay districts
represented on the Map. Ms. Schmitt explained how the staff decided where to draw the zoning
boundaries. She stated that many areas have been pre-zoned to be consistent with the Land Use
Policy Plan. Council Member Cross recommended that these pre-zoned areas be depicted on
the Map when it is presented to the public at the ward meetings. Council Member Wirth voiced
her concerns about the area around S. Second Street being pre-zoned commercial given the fact
that a lot of residential development has been allowed to occur there in the recent past.
Even though staff attempted to have the zoning boundaries follow property lines, Ms. Schmitt
advised that a split boundary is proposed in the manufactured housing park west of Franklin on
W. Lincoln Way. She also stated that the Downtown/Campustown Service Center zone is
proposed to be extended to the area west of Grand Avenue, which is consistent with the
Downtown Plan, but not with the Land Use Policy Plan.
Ms. Schmitt advised that the next step in the process is to present the Zoning Map to residents
of the City at public meetings. The scheduled meetings are as follows:
Ward 1: September 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ames Public Library (residential areas)
Ward 1: September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ames Public Library (commercial and
industrial areas)
Ward 2: September 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ames Public Library
Ward 3: September 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Collegiate United Methodist Church
Ward 4: October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
Council Member Parks asked if the Chamber of Commerce had been made aware of these
meetings. Ms. Schmitt replied that the Chamber had not been apprised. Mr. Parks believes that
the Chamber has another meeting planned that involves commercial and industrial property
owners from Ward 1. Due to the apparent conflict with the September 22 date, Mr. Parks
suggested that staff hold the Ward 1 residential meeting on that date and switch the Ward 1
commercial and industrial meeting to September 8.
Mayor Tedesco asked if smaller versions of the maps could be distributed to the Council and
Commission members. Ms. Schmitt advised that the printing costs are extremely high, so staff
is looking at various options to be able to provide copies of the maps economically.
Council Member Parks recommended that the ward maps be narrowed to include only the
property contained in each ward.
Council Member Quirmbach asked that a side-by-side comparison of the current zoning
designations and requirements versus the proposed zoning designations and requirements be
made for each ward. He suggested that this be presented in a handout so the property owner
could take it with him or her.
Concerning the Zoning Ordinance, nonconformities remain an issue. Mr. O’Connell stated that
staff will need more time to review the memo prepared by Council Member Parks pertaining to
the Zoning Ordinance; however, staff will attempt to address the issues referenced in that memo.
COMMENTS: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to refer to staff the request of Coe’s
Campus Flowers to cover meters in front of their store for “Good Neighbor Day” on September
1, 1999.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared unanimously carried.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Parks, to refer to staff the request of Jeff Fenimore, on
behalf of the Somerset Developer Group, to modify the garden wall design in Somerset Village.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________
Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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