HomeMy WebLinkAboutA033 - Planning Division WorkplanITEM #:37
DEPT:P&H
April 14, 2026
Staff Report
PLANNING DIVISION WORKPLAN
BACKGROUND:
COMPLETED PROJECTS:
The City Council last established a comprehensive Planning Division Workplan in May 2024.
In the past year, the City has completed significant projects and referrals related to:
Enhanced public notification, Final Reinvestment District Application, Housing Development
Incentives, West Campus Overlay Zoning, Annexation for North Ames, Downtown Vision,
Harrison Workforce Housing project, Chautauqua Ridgewood Historic District Nomination,
Driveway Standards Updates, Digital Billboard standards and lease, Furniture Mart site plan
and URA, state mandated variance and Accessary Dwelling Unit standards revisions, Mary
Greeley Medical Center building concept review along Kellogg, along with other minor zoning
text amendments and other referrals.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:
However, there currently are other ongoing initiatives in various states of progress:
Downtown Multi-Modal Parking Structure Planning Grant (Notice of Award April 6th, no
schedule determined, potential to begin Fall 2026)
Irons Subdivision Sewer Extension Options (Report to Council April 28th)
AGCC and Irons Subdivision Annexation (Council initiated, begin process Summer
2026)
Development Incentive Agreements and URAs (ongoing through Summer 2026)
The Linc
Hayden's Preserve
The Bluffs
Greenbriar
Ontario Scholl Rd Workforce Housing
E 13th Street Elwell Property Zoning Amendments (May 2026, start rezoning process to
remove contract rezoning and keep commercial zoning and overlay for the property.
Text Amendments to the NE Gateway Overlay to simplify commercial development
review)
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South of Campus Redirection Area (Update April 28th, determine next steps for potential
zoning changes)
Downtown Vision Implementation Committee (ongoing)
PROJECTS DIRECTED BY THE COUNCIL, BUT NOT YET STARTED:
Last spring, the planned new initiative was to proceed with an 18-month process for
rewriting the subdivision and zoning ordinances to create a new Unified Development
Code. Due to other Council priorities, the rewrite did not begin. The original report from
April 15, 2025 meeting is at this link.
Chapter 31 Text Amendments for Double Pane Windows and Infill of Openings
Note staff would also address an emerging issue of heat pump mini-split supply
lines with new guidelines for exterior alterations
Old Town Neighborhood General Outreach Meeting concerning Historic District
Standards and Requirements
HPC Workplan from February also includes an initiative to consider interests in
changing substitute material standards for alterations, e.g. windows and siding
types.
Council Vision and Goals with tasks that apply to the Planning and Housing Department
B. WE VALUE DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY
B1. Increase quantity and variety of single and multi-family housing units at various
price points or rental rates related to new construction and rehabilitation of
existing housing.
B1.T1. Analyze: 1) resident demographics (including income), 2) target
housing price points, and 3) possible incentives to “match” income.
NEW PROJECTS FROM THE NON-AGENDA PACKET NOT YET STARTED:
Luke Jensen request to consider zoning changes to NC or DSC zoning district and
create incentives for Downtown housing development north of 6th Street
Leon Wuebker request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Annexation of property
in Boone County for Employment and Residential development, Council previously
requested additional information
Kwik Star CGS Zoning Text Amendment to increase allowed gas fueling positions
NEW STAFF REQUESTED PROJECTS NOT YET STARTED (cleanup issues)
Assortment of minor zoning text amendment cleanup issues that include:
Clarification of Data Center Use as industrial, not commercial office
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Allow for 20% alternative design flexibility for ADU setbacks, clarify stories for
ADUs attached vs. detached units
Adjustment of ground mount Solar standards, primarily for large properties, e.g.
church sites,
Front yard accessory structure exception for properties with large setbacks
Subdivision Code Arterial Road access standards, allow per SUDAS spacing for
large sites rather than request a waiver
PUD Overlay defined gross density vs. net density calculation
STAFF COMMENTS:
Staff believes that the five projects that will require a substantial time investment to complete
depending on the Council's priorities are:
1) Downtown Parking Structure Planning Grant project
2) Unified Development Code (UDC) project
3) Old Town Historic District Outreach project Regarding The Nature Of The Historic District
Regulations
4) Affordable Housing Demographic Analysis project
5) Downtown Housing Project North Of 6th project
Therefore, Staff has not presented a proposed work plan at this time until the City
Council provides a prioritization of the above projects.
With the summary of projects and requests in this report, staff is only seeking a general
prioritization so that a more defined workplan can be created. Once the priorities are
known, staff will present at a future meeting options for a Workplan that schedules
projects out for 12-16 months, and those that are not prioritized remain in the "parking
lot."
ATTACHMENT(S):
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