HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 12-13-2017MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AMES, IOWA DECEMBER 13, 2017
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment met, pursuant to law, in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on
December 13, 2017, in the Council Chambers of City Hall with the following members present:
Kyle Perkins, Shelby Ebel, Matthew Koehler, and Susan Bradbury. Board Member Amelia
Schoeneman was absent. City Attorney Mark Lambert and City Planner Charlie Kuester were
also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Perkins, seconded by Koehler, to approve the minutes
of the meeting of November 8, 2017.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CASE NO. 17-25
SPECIAL USE PERMIT – Mike DeMoss, Public Hearing on application for a Special Use
Permit to allow a motorcycle dealership greater than 10,000 square feet in the General
Industrial zoning district on the property located at 919 E. Lincoln Way
City Planner Charlie Kuester displayed a location map for the request. He explained that Bill
Fedeler, H & B Properties, constructed a speculative industrial building at 919 E. Lincoln Way in
Ames. The Minor Site Development Plan was approved in July 2016, and no specific tenant was
identified at that time. In October of this year, it became known that Fenders Cycle of Ames
wished to locate in the building, moving from their site on South 16th Street. Fenders Cycle was
apprised of the need to seek a Special Use Permit if they desired to occupy more than 10,000
square feet of the approximately 15,000 square feet building.
The site plan, project description, applicable law, and Findings of Fact and Conclusions were
reviewed in detail by Mr. Kuester. The approved site plan for 919 E. Lincoln Way depicts a
building of 14,770 square feet. There is a single access point off of East Lincoln Way, a
driveway that circles the building, and 50 parking spaces. The proposed use is a motorcycle sales
and service dealership. In addition, Penske trucks are rented from this site.
While the building was built as a speculative industrial building, parking was provided at a rate
(one space per 300 square feet) that could accommodate most office and retail uses. Parking
requirements for motor vehicle sales and services are two spaces, plus one space for every 500
square feet over 1,000 square feet of showroom, and plus two spaces for every service bay. With
this formula, the use will require 31 parking spaces. As noted above, there are 50 spaces on site.
The applicant is not proposing any changes that would require an updated site plan from the site
plan approved on July 27, 2016. The existing improvements consistent with the 2016 approved
site plan will govern the overall site improvements and can reasonably be expected to serve the
new uses as well. The Site Development Plan was approved under the prior landscape standards
that were subsequently modified on July 1, 2017. Staff notes that outdoor display uses can be
established on sites that do not meet the current front yard landscaping ordinance, but proposed
outdoor display uses would require compliance with front yard landscaping upon publication of
an updated Zoning Ordinance on December 15, 2017. If this Special Use Permit is approved on
December 13, it will not be subject to the front yard landscape requirement.
The outdoor display of vehicles for sale or lease will require a setback of 40 feet from the front
property line. This would not allow the parking spaces nearest the street to be used for display. In
addition, vehicles parked for sale or lease would still need to leave 31 parking spaces available
for customers and clients.
Mr. Kuester explained that the East Lincoln Way corridor is a mix of industrial and commercial
uses, and a mix of Highway-Oriented Commercial and General Industrial zoning. There are other
Automotive and Marine Craft Trade uses found along this corridor, although most are in
Highway-Oriented Commercial zoning districts. An automotive or motorcycle dealership is an
allowed use with the approval of a Special Use Permit by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Kuester stated that staff does not anticipate any negative impacts on the industrial
neighborhood from the responsible use of this property as a motorcycle dealership and truck
rental business. He added that a Minor Site Development Plan was approved, and the building
was subsequently built in accordance with that plan. The site can accommodate the proposed
uses without further improvements.
Mr. Kuester answered Ms. Bradbury’s question regarding the rental of Penske trucks from the
site. He believes there are plenty of parking spaces available for customers, employees, and
display vehicles.
Chuck Winkleblack of Hunziker Properties, 105 South 16th Street, Ames, Iowa, was sworn in
and testified under oath. Mr. Winkleblack stated he was there to answer any questions. He
mentioned that at the time the building was being constructed, they did not know who the tenant
would be. He said that this request comes partially from the fact that they were unaware that a
use over 10,000 square feet in this zone had to have a Special Use Permit. He added that the
tenant’s business will not only include the sale/repair of motorcycles, but also the rental of
Penske trucks, and they will ensure there are enough parking spaces available for customers,
employees, and display vehicles.
It was said that two phone calls had been received from surrounding property owners, but there
were no concerns.
Mike DeMoss, 105 South 16th Street, Ames, Iowa, was sworn in and testified under oath. He
answered the Board’s question regarding the hours of operation. Mr. DeMoss stated that the
business will be open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday,
and closed on Sunday. He said after January 1, 2018, the business will most likely be closed on
Monday until the season picks up again.
Moved by Koehler, seconded by Perkins, to approve ORDER NO. 17-25, thereby approving the
request for a Special Use Permit for an Automotive and Marine Craft Trade Use greater than
10,000 square feet in a General Industrial zone at 919 E. Lincoln Way.
Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COMMENTS: There were no comments by the Board.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Perkins, seconded by Koehler, to adjourn the meeting at 6:18
p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Heidi Petersen, Recording Secretary Shelby Ebel, Chair