Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview

The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM.  The agenda includes:​

• 16. Requests from Ames Chamber of Commerce for Ames Main Street Farmers Market on Saturdays from May 7 to October 15, 2016.
  This agenda item relates to Farmer’s Market permits for the Summer 2016 season. The City received a letter from Swank’s Jewelry asking Council to consider other locations for the Main St. Farmer’s Market. The letter referenced numerous merchants who believe their business has been negatively impacted by the Farmer’s Market and resulting street closure. In response, the Main St. Cultural District (MSCD) polled business owners downtown, and found that of the 55 surveyed, 48 (87%) favor the current location, 1 didn’t care, and 6 would favor relocation. A recent thread on the Ames People Facebook group showed overwhelming support for the current location, and generated several interesting ideas about the flow of traffic and layout of the stands. According to the MSCD, the Main St. Farmer’s Market brings an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people downtown each Saturday during the season.

• 17. Staff Report on North Growth Area. 
  This refers to an area to the north-northwest of Ames, which is currently in the fringe plan with a  “Priority Transitional Residential” designation. This area has the capacity for approximately 600 homes, if built to the current minimum density requirements. This area is not currently within the City boundaries. To allow development of the area, several issues need consideration; sewer services, transportation, and emergency services. (For example, part of the gap area can’t be adequately served by existing sewer connections.) 3 policy options are put forward by staff; leave it as is, change all or part of the area to the “urban services area” designation, or change part of the gap (west of GW Carver) to “rural transitional”.
  

• 18. Resolution approving/motion denying Land Use Policy Plan Minor Map Amendment for the end of Cedar Lane.
  Burgason Enterprises, LLC is asking for some changes to the Urban Fringe Plan and the LUPP to eventually annex and develop a 9.72-acre parcel of land south of Cedar Lane. Planning and Zoning voted 6-1 to approve the request. (This land does include some of the rail bed which could potentially become a bicycle connection to regional trail systems to the south.)

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• 19. Community Development Block Grant Program. 

  • a. Resolution approving amendment to the 2014-18 Five-year Consolidated Plan to create a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area for redevelopment of 321 State Avenue (Old Ames Middle School) site as a 51% Low- to Moderate-Income housing development.
    This is the beginning of the process to develop the middle parcel of the old Middle School properties recently purchased as part of the settlement with Breckenridge. Since the property was purchased w/ CDBG (community development block grant) dollars, the Federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires compliance with certain criteria. Due to the census track the area lies in, the city needs to pursue a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area designation from HUD in order to develop the property as a mix of low/moderate income housing and market rate housing. In all of the outreach meetings held by the City, feedback indicated overwhelming support for mixing market-rate and low/moderate income housing. 

  • b. Resolution approving FY 2016/17 Proposed Annual Action Plan projects and budget.
    The attached budget outlines the programs which will receive CDBG funding in 2016/17. Staff recommends reintroducing the Childcare Assistance Program, and also continuing with many programs which were in place during 2015/16. (Acquisition/Reuse, Rehabilitation, Homebuyer Assistance, and Renter Affordability programs)

• 20. Hearing on Amendments to Fiscal Year 2015/16 Budget.
  Amendments to the 2015/16 budget include:
  -The addition of money for a traffic planning study on Ontario, which would explore the feasibility of reducing parking on one or both sides of the street and adding a turning lane and/or bicycle lanes.
  -$20,000 from Council’s contingency fund to contribute to a new LED lighting system to be installed on Main St.
  -Adding a full-time position for Cy-Ride

• 21. Hearing on adoption of FY 2016/17 budget.
  The Council had several meetings in early 2016 to review various aspects of the 2016/17 budget and to hear public input. This item represents the final vote on the 2016/17 budget.

• 23. Hearing on rezoning of properties at 1405, 1415, 1425, 1502, 1509, 1510, 1511, and 1519 Baltimore Drive and 1428, 1429, 1506, 1514, and 1522 Boston Avenue from Community Commercial Node (CCN) to Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC).
  Friedrich Iowa Realty and Development is requesting to rezone a number of properties north of East 13th St from Community Commercial Node to Highway-Oriented Commercial. They are asking for the rezoning in order to allow for a wider range of commercial uses in the area. (14 of the 23 lots have remained vacant since the creation of the subdivision in 1999.) The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 (one abstention) to recommend rezoning, and City staff also recommends rezoning.

Thanks for reading,

Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen

City Council At-Large

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