HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 4-10-20131
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AMES, IOWA APRIL 10, 2013
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment met, pursuant to law, in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on April
10, 2013, in the Council Chambers of City Hall with the following members present: Patrick Brooks,
Shelby Ebel, Elizabeth Erbes, Sandra McJimsey, and Gary Taylor. Staff members Ray Anderson and
Judy Parks were also present.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Moved by Erbes, seconded by Brooks, to elect Gary Taylor for the
office of Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Erbes, seconded by Taylor, to elect Sandra McJimsey for the office of Vice Chair of the
Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by McJimsey, seconded by Erbes, to approve the minutes of
the meeting of March 13, 2013, as written.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CASE NO. 13-03
SPECIAL USE PERMIT - DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1420 SOUTH
BELL AVENUE
Public Hearing on application for Special Use Permit to allow expansion of an existing building
and parking lot on the property located at 1420 South Bell Avenue
City Planner Ray Anderson explained that this is an amendment to a Special Use Permit that was
approved in February of 2005 that allowed the construction of the Career Academy for Des Moines
Area Community College (DMACC). At this time, the owner wishes to construct an addition of
approximately 9,400 square feet to the second floor to accommodate 7 new classrooms and labs, a
mechanical room, work room, restroom, and storage room. An expansion of the parking lot to include
95 new parking spaces is also proposed.
Mr. Anderson noted that there are certain criteria/general standards in Municipal Code Section
29.1503(4) that the application must meet in order to be approved. Staff has reviewed those
standards, and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions are listed in the staff report. Staff has found the
application to meet the standards, and approval is recommended.
Board Member McJimsey noted that Finding 3 in the staff report states that the expansion will be
utilized “as classroom and lab space.” She suggested that it be re-worded to say “...utilized as
classroom, lab, and related spaces.” Board Member Erbes also noted that the numbering on the
Findings was repeated, and they should be renumbered after Finding 3.
Board Member Ebel asked to see elevation drawings of the proposed building addition.
The meeting recessed at 7:08 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
2
Don Bernholtz, Stott, Barrientos & Associates Architects, 1421 South Bell Avenue, Ames, Iowa, was
sworn in and testified under oath. He showed the elevation drawing and described the design details.
Ms. Erbes asked if there would be any changes to the south elevation. Mr. Bernholtz said that there
will be no elevation changes on the south or west sides. Upon being questioned by Assistant City
Attorney Judy Parks, Mr. Bernholtz stated that the first story is roughly 22,000 to 24,000 square feet,
and the second story is roughly 10,000. The addition will result in a 25% larger building.
Moved by Brooks, seconded by McJimsey, to adopt ORDER NO. 13-03, thereby approving the
Special Use Permit to allow the expansion of the Des Moines Area Community College Career
Academy Hunziker Center building and parking lot, at 1420 South Bell Avenue, as shown on the site
plan updated and submitted on April 3, 2012 by Stott, Barrientos & Associates Architects, based
upon the findings and conclusions of staff.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COMMENTS: There were no comments by the Board.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________
Emily Burton, Recording Secretary Elizabeth Erbes, Chair