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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 5-09-2007MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AMES, IOWA MAY 9, 2007 The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met, pursuant to law, in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, 2007, in the Council Chambers of City Hall with the following members present: Mary Ann Lundy, Lucy Martin, Bradley Miller, and Thomas Weber. Denise Link was excused. Staff members Judy Parks, Seana Perkins, Dominic Roberge and Steve Osguthorpe were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Martin, seconded by Miller, to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 25, 2007. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion carried unanimously. CASE NO. 07-11 SPECIAL USE PERMIT – FIRST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 2008 24TH STREET Public Hearing on application for a Special Use Permit to allow the continued use of a mobile classroom structure at 2008 24th Street Planner Perkins stated that the ZBA approved a Special Use Permit for this use in 2002, and the application before the Board was in response to the first stipulation, which required the applicant to re-apply if the classroom remained in place at the end of five years. Ms. Perkins advised the Board of several options, and said that the Planning Department recommended that the permit be extended with a stipulation requiring the church to remove the structure if it should vacate the premises. The Planning and Zoning Commission made the same recommendation. Ms. Perkins added that a representative of Northcrest Retirement Community, which is located is next door to the church, called to say that they were supportive of the request. Board member Weber asked for some background information about the requirement for the original permit. Ms. Perkins explained the approval process required for special uses located within residential zones. She added that staff also dropped the use of the word “temporary” in relation to this classroom because the structure has already been in place for five years. Board member Miller asked if a mobile structure could be used on a permanent basis. Board member Weber felt that this wasn’t really a mobile structure; it simply doesn’t have a foundation. Ms. Perkins stated that the code does not seem to prohibit a structure simply because it may be temporary. Attorney Parks noted that the nature of the structure (whether it is mobile or temporary or neither) was not as pertinent an issue as was the fact that a Special Use Permit was required anyway. Jeremy Bents, representing First Evangelical Free Church, stated that the congregation needed more space about five years ago and the trailer was put up to accommodate the children’s ministry. The church has purchased 75 acres north of town, but plans to move to the new 2 location are not yet set. A capital campaign was recently completed and it’s possible that they could start Phase I in the next six to twelve months. However, Mr. Bents said that they estimate it will take ten to fifteen million dollars to build the structure they need, and it could be five to fifteen years before they completely vacate the 24th Street location. Board member Weber commented that he would feel more comfortable with setting another time limit because this classroom does look temporary. The metal siding it has is flimsy – not heavy-gauge steel, such as that found on church building – and while it is not atrocious, the colors don’t match the larger structure, either. Ms. Perkins said she had perused the city code and could not find any indication that temporariness violates the law. Moved by Lundy, seconded by Martin, to ADOPT ORDER 07-11 granting a Special Use Permit to allow the continued use of a mobile classroom at 2008 24th Street with the stipulation that the structure be removed upon the vacation of the premises by the applicant. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Karen C. Thompson, Recording Secretary Bradley Miller, Chair The next meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment will be a Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Ames City Hall at 515 Clark Avenue.