HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Planning & Zoning Minutes 08/06/2014 MINUTES
CITY OF AMES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Date: August 6, 2014 Debra Lee, Chairperson 2015
Rob Bowers, Vice Chairperson 2015
Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. Yvonne Wannemuehler 2015
Julie Gould 2016
Place: Ames City Hall John Tillo 2016
Council Chambers *Carlton Basmajian 2017
Matthew Converse 2017
Adjournment: 7:27 p.m.
*Absent
MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED:
1. Public Hearing for the Planned Residence District Major Amendment for 2205 Green Hills
Drive
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CALL TO ORDER: Debra Lee, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Converse) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of August 6,
2014.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 2, 2014:
MOTION: (Bowers/Tillo) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of July 2, 2014.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
____________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments.
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PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLANNED RESIDENCE DISTRICT MAJOR AMENDMENT FOR
2205 GREEN HILLS DRIVE
Karen Marren, Case Planner, stated that the applicant, Green Hills Residents’ Association, has
submitted an application for a Major Site Development Plan to amend the existing Green Hills
Planned Residence District. She reviewed details of the applicant’s request with the
Commission and outlined the areas that will be affected on a map. Ms. Marren explained that
the requested amendments will be phased in over a period of years and reviewed the details of
this plan with the Commission. She stated that the intent of a Planned Residence District is to
identify unique circumstances for development that will allow some additional amenity/open
spaces. Ms. Marren stated that most of the proposed amenities are being proposed for later in
the phasing plan with the first couple of phases consisting of the proposed additions. She stated
that staff usually looks for the amenities to be constructed earlier in the project. Ms. Marren
stated that the applicant has proposed a parking lot addition on the north end of the site that
would provide 67 additional employee parking spaces near the detention pond. She stated that
staff has a concern about clarifying how far the parking lot will encroach into the wooded area of
the property, how much clearing of the area will need to be done, how many trees will be lost,
and how the parking lot addition will blend in with the existing natural feature. Ms. Marren stated
that parking calculations and the percentage of open space will need to be updated. She stated
that staff needs to review where the parking additions fall in the phasing plan. Ms. Marren
reviewed the contents of Alternative #1. She stated that staff recommends Alternative #1
outlined in the Commission Action Form.
Julie Gould asked what would happen if the Commission did recommend Alternative #1 and
there were issues with the conditions outlined in that alternative. Ms. Marren stated that staff
would make sure that the conditions and Code requirements were being met before the case is
placed on the City Council agenda. Debra Lee stated that it is her understanding that questions
have arisen because the parking lot addition request was submitted separately. Ms. Marren
stated that that was correct.
Ms. Marren clarified the process of forwarding a case to the City Council when applicants do not
meet the conditions set out in the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation.
Rodney Copple, 4938 Hemmingway Drive, stated that he has been the Executive Director of
Green Hills Retirement Community for the last 14 years. He stated that Green Hills has a
homeowners’ association. Mr. Copple said that there are 134 residences in Green Hills and
those homeowners actually own Green Hills. He said that the homeowners’ association also
owns the healthcare center, assisted living center, and the wellness center. Mr. Copple
reviewed the changes that were made and amenities that were added to the property in 2012.
He reviewed the details of the phasing plan for this project and the reasons they have for
proceeding in this direction. Mr. Copple stated that their organization saves the money for the
various stages of a project before construction begins. He stated that the independent side of
the organization does not have any debt. Mr. Copple stated that demand will fuel the addition of
more apartments. He explained the need for the north parking lot.
Ms. Lee asked the applicant if they were comfortable with the conditions outlined in Alternative
#1. Mr. Copple stated that they would love Alternative #2 but they will accept Alternative #1.
Mr. Tillo stated that he feels that the project meets the needs of the community.
MOTION: (Tillo/Wannemuehler) to accept Alternative #1, which states: that the Planning
and Zoning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the Major Site
Development Plan to amend the Green Hills Community Planned Residence District
Zone with the following modifications;
a. A tree survey be submitted to verify the extent and detail of clearing needed to
allow for the proposed parking lot expansion,
b. The proposed parking lot expansion be added to the overall Major Site
Development Plan and be included in the PRD parking calculation table and
phasing plan for the property,
c. The total surface area of the north parking lot expansion to be added to the
overall Major Site Development Plan calculations to verify compliance with the
minimum open space requirement of the PRD.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
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COMMISSION COMMENTS: Ms. Lee stated that she feels that the new front entrance and the
parking addition will be a welcome addition to the Green Hills facility.
____________________________________________________________________________
STAFF COMMENTS: Staff reviewed the tentative agenda for the meeting of August 20, 2014.
____________________________________________________________________________
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Tillo) to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0)
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Debra Lee, Chairperson Lorrie Banks, Recording Secretary
Planning & Zoning Commission Department of Planning & Housing
S:\PLAN_SHR\Council Boards Commissions\PZ\Minutes\2014 Minutes\P&Z Minutes-08-06-14.docx