HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 6-27-2012MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AMES, IOWA JUNE 27, 2012
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met, pursuant to law, in regular session at 7:00 p.m.
on June 27, 2012, in the Council Chambers of City Hall with the following members present: Patrick
Brooks, Bruce Calhoun, Elizabeth Erbes, Sandra McJimsey, and Gary Taylor. Staff members Ray
Anderson and Judy Parks were also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Brooks, seconded by McJimsey, to approve the minutes
of the meeting of May 23, 2012, as written.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO. 12-11
SPECIAL USE PERMIT - CHUCK WINKLEBLACK, 203-205 MAIN STREET
Public Hearing on application for Special Use Permit to allow a college/university use by the
ISU College of Design
Board Member Gary Taylor announced that he was declining to participate in this case, as he is a
faculty member with the ISU College of Design, and the decision will affect the department’s space
and budgetary issues.
Board member Taylor left the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
City Planner Ray Anderson explained that the Iowa State College of Design is interested in leasing
space in the building at 203-205 Main Street for studios and a gallery for use by students enrolled
in art, design and urban planning classes. Use of buildings in the “DSC” (Downtown Service Center)
by a college or university requires a Special Use Permit (SUP). The owners of the building seek to
obtain the required SUP to accommodate the proposed use of the building space by Iowa State
University. Design studio classes would begin in the fall of 2012 and continue throughout the
academic school year and into the future.
Mr. Anderson said that there are criteria in the Code which must be met for a SUP. He noted that
these criteria and staff’s findings are detailed in the staff report. Based on the findings, City staff has
concluded that the application meets the criteria and approval is recommended.
Chair Calhoun inquired as to why this use required special review in the Downtown. Mr. Anderson
explained that the Downtown Service Center is primarily for uses that involve retail and services;
this is considered an institutional use. The Board has an opportunity to review these requests for the
Downtown so there is a level of consideration for how much of the area can be occupied by this type
of use.
Michael Miller, Director of Operations, ISU College of Design, 201 N. Parker Street, Polk City,
Iowa, stated that the department is running into space issues, especially with increasing enrollment.
This site provides additional square footage as well as an opportunity for the students to become a
part of the Downtown Ames area. This is an opportunity to engage the community and have people
find out what the department is doing.
Moved by Brooks, seconded by McJimsey, to adopt ORDER NO. 12-11, thereby approving the
request for a Special Use Permit for use of the building at 203-205 Main Street by a college or
university in the Downtown Service Center zone.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared approved unanimously.
COMMENTS: There were no comments by the Board.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Emily Burton, Recording Secretary Bruce Calhoun, Chair