Bronwyn's Council Preview

The Conference Board meets Tuesday at 5:30, the Ames City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. (following Conference Board) at City Hall.   The agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.
 

• 19. Resolution approving selection of a Partner Developer in connection with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Proposals for multi-family housing Development in the Baker Subdivision (321 State Avenue).
  The City has been working to put affordable housing at the Baker Subdivision on State Avenue for quite some time. This subdivision has two halves; one designated for single-family housing, and one area for multi-family housing. This agenda item involves the latter half, and represents our second attempt to find a developer that can secure state tax credits (LIHTC) in order to provide low-income multi-family housing. Two proposals seeking the 9% state tax credit were received, and staff scored them on a number of criteria related to our goals for the Baker Subdivision. Staff are recommending proceeding with the proposal (with modifications) from Hatch Development Group.
• 20. Staff report regarding Landscape Accents within building setback .
  This item involves how the City regulates landscaping items such as planter boxes, arbors, fountains, garden fences, etc. in yards. While some limits on the height and number of yard/garden features may be reasonable, it is also important to allow flexibility so that things like garden fences aren't prohibited outright in front yards. 
• 21. Staff report regarding Setbacks for Vehicle Charging Stations.
  In anticipation of increased EV charging needs, staff are recommending Council make some preemptive changes to our zoning to better facilitate charging station placement on commercial/industrial lots. Currently, charging stations are not allowed to encroach into a setback, meaning that often there might not be enough room for them. Staff are recommending allowing them to partially encroach on the setback, so that while some landscaping buffer would still be required, they could be installed on many more commercial lots.
• 22. Discussion of additional questions for the Resident Satisfaction Survey .
  Every year, Council reviews the questions in our Resident Satisfaction Survey, and adds or removes a few extra questions.
• 23. Hearing of a Rezoning for a Master Plan Amendment at 798 N 500th Avenue (North Sunset Ridge).
  The following is an edit to a Master Plan for the property shown in the map below. This proposed version has more housing, one less street, slightly more undeveloped open space to the East (by the creek), and phased development to the far west of the property. The removal of the street to the northeast is also preferred by the City, as we are in the process of acquiring the land directly north for use as a city park.
  
  
   
• 26. Hearing of a Minor Amendment to Ames Plan 2040 for a portion of the parcel located at 325 Billy Sunday Road 
  Item 26 and 27 both reference the same property, shown in the map below. This is currently city-owned property zoned Government/Airport (S-GA), and staff are proposing to rezone a portion of it (16.5 acres of about 24 total) to Highway Oriented Commercial (HOC) zoning. This would retain enough space for the Ames Animal Shelter with room for expansion, and potentially the sale of the HOC property could be used to generate funds to expand and/or renovate the shelter facility.
  27. Hearing to Rezone a portion of the parcel located at 325 Billy Sunday Road from S-GA to HOC.
  (Same property as Item #26, map below)
  
• 28. Hearing on 2021/22 Shared Use Path System Expansion - Ioway Creek.
  This is a hearing for a new shared-use path that would run along Ioway Creek from where S Walnut meets S 5th St. to eventually connect with the Skunk River trail. The segment of the Skunk River trail from Lincoln Way to SE 16th is planned for a future year. Once both pieces are complete, this will be a great addition to our greenbelt trail system.
  
• 29. Hearing on 2022/23 Ames Plan 2040 Water Utility Infrastructure.
  This project will utilize federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding for two new water mains, one along Lincoln Way to County Line Rd., and one going south along Hwy 69 from Ken Maril Rd. These water mains (totaling $705,672) are meant to facilitate expansion/development in these two priority growth areas. 
   

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially.  This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.
 

• Friedrich Commercial Node Amendment.
• Main Street Parking Waivers.

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, At Large