HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Planning & Zoning Minutes 04/19/2017 MINUTES
CITY OF AMES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
[*Absent]
MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED:
1. Public Hearing for a Zoning Text Amendment for Interior Access Self-Storage Facility Height
Design Standards in the Highway Oriented Commercial Zoning District
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CALL TO ORDER: Debra Lee, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Converse) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of April 19,
2017.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2017:
Ms. Lee stated that amendments to the April 5, 2017 meeting minutes need to be made to
correct a reference on page 5 from Dr. Diekmann to Mr. Diekmann and the spelling of the last
name of a citizen that spoke at the Public Hearing on page 9 needs to be amended to Leisz.
MOTION: (Bowers/Ragaller) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of April 5, 2017 as
amended.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
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PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments.
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PUBLIC HEARING FOR A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR INTERIOR ACCESS SELF-
STORAGE FACILITY HEIGHT DESIGN STANDARDS IN THE HIGHWAY ORIENTED
COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT
Kelly Diekmann, Director of Planning and Housing, stated that the City adopted self-storage
design standards in a Special Use Permit process in 2004. He stated that those standards
involved one-story structures with exterior access although interior access was permitted. Mr.
Diekmann stated that the applicant wants to construct a three-story facility. He reviewed staff’s
concerns about compatibility and incentivizing use of commercial land rather than industrial. Mr.
Diekmann stated that staff recommends that interior access structures be limited to no more
than three stories in height.
Debra Lee asked staff to clarify the roof design standards. Mr. Diekmann reviewed details of the
pitch and styles of roof that would be allowed for an internally accessed structure.
Anuprit Minhas asked Mr. Diekmann to elaborate on the rationale for internal access and
exterior access and why they have different design standards. Mr. Diekmann stated that interior
access structures can be multiple stories in height. He explained that the door interface would
be internalized and easier to maintain for security reasons with an interior access structure.
Discussion was held on the differences between interior access and exterior access
structures/sites.
Ms. Minhas asked for clarification of the requested height of the structure comparing three
stories to 40 feet. Mr. Diekmann stated that every 14 feet of a building is considered to be
equivalent to one story. He stated that typically 35 feet would be considered to be a three-story
building.
Ms. Lee asked for clarification of the General Industrial and Highway Oriented Commercial
(HOC) zoning district architectural standards. Mr. Diekmann stated that the General Industrial
zoning district does not have architectural standards. He stated that because the HOC zoning
district interfaces so many different types of uses is why it has so many design standards in
addition to the Special Use Permit process.
Randy Dickson, U-Haul Company of Iowa, 6310 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, stated
that he prefers to have a standing seam, low pitched roof. He asked for clarification of
Alternative #1. Mr. Diekmann stated that anything less than a 6:12 pitch standing seam roof or a
flat room would be acceptable under Alternative #1.
MOTION: (Ragaller/Converse) to accept Alternative #1, which states: that the Planning
and Zoning Commission recommends that the City Council approve a text amendment
for interior access mini-storage facilities to be limited to a maximum of three stories and
that such buildings may have a flat roof.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
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COMMISSION COMMENTS: None.
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STAFF COMMENTS: Mr. Diekmann stated that the Draft Landscape Ordinance went to the
City Council on April 11, 2017. He stated that they accepted the Planning and Zoning
Commission’s recommendation. Mr. Diekmann reviewed the status of the Lincoln Corridor Plan.
He reviewed the Commission’s tentative agenda for the meeting of May 3, 2017.
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MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION: (Wannemuehler/none) to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
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Debra Lee, Chairperson Lorrie Banks, Recording Secretary
Planning & Zoning Commission Department of Planning & Housing
S:\Planning.Dep\PLAN_SHR\Council Boards Commissions\PZ\Minutes\2017 Minutes\P&Z Minutes 04-19-17.docx