Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview

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

• 38. Hearing on intent to construct New Well Field and authorizing acquisition of land via eminent domain, if necessary.
  Due to aging wells and increased demand for treated water, Ames is seeking to build a new well field to the east of Skunk River and north of River Valley Park. The city held meetings with landowners over whose properties the city would negotiate easements, and is hopeful these can be acquired voluntarily. In the case that easements can’t be achieved voluntarily, the city would need to pursue them through eminent domain if the project is to proceed.
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• 39.  Aspen Heights Major Site Development Plan for construction of a multi-family residential and limited retail development (Aspen Heights) at 205 South Wilmoth Avenue and  Motion granting pre-approval of tax abatement.
  Breckenridge is back with their Major Site Plan for Aspen Heights, the 422 bed development at the intersection of Wilmoth and Lincoln Way. The site plan conforms to the development agreement, and the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend accepting it, with conditions. Staff recommended 14 stipulations, including adding a turn lane from Franklin Ave, easements for a shared use path along Lincoln Way, adjustments to landscaping, parking, and fencing, among other things. 
  
  
• 40. Hearing on Voluntary Annexation of 5871 Ontario Street.
  The owner of the property at 5871 Ontario St. is seeking voluntary annexation into the city. The property is within the Northwest allowable growth area in the City’s Land Use Policy Plan (LUPP). Planning and Zoning voted to recommend approval. 
  
  
• 41. Hearing on rezoning, with Master Plan, of property at 896 South 500th Avenue from Agricultural(A) to Suburban Residential Low Density (FS-RL) and Suburban Residential Medium Density(FS-RM) [Continued from April 12, 2016].
  This rezoning request was delayed at the last council meeting in order to study sanitary sewer capacity. If Council proceeds with item 37, which would upgrade the sanitary sewer trunk along Lincoln Way, then capacity will be sufficient, and staff recommends rezoning with 6 conditions.  P&Z concurs.
  
  
• 49. Staff Report and Update on Landscape Ordinance Provisions (Postponed from April 12, 2016).
  City Council directed staff to review landscaping requirements for apartments and parking lots, with a goal of increasing sustainability and biodiversity. Council is being asked for feedback on formatting of the ordinance, sustainability, and site inspection and maintenance.
• 51. Campustown Facade Grants.
  Two businesses have applied for Campustown façade grants this year, for a total of $32,500. One is the Cranford Bldg (home of Jeff’s Pizza and High Class Glass), and the second is Arcadia Café at their future home of 116 Welch Ave.  The Cranford Building received a grant last year for the Lincoln Way façade of their building, this year they are seeking one for the Stanton Ave edge of their building. 
• 52. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for Dotson Drive Subdivision (601 and 705 Dotson Drive and 4112 Cochrane Parkway) .
  Dotson Dr. preliminary plat – In 2015, the Ames School District traded some land near the current Middle School in exchange for land the school district could use for Facilities. The developer proposes single-family homes on the land by the Middle School. Planning and Zoning recommended approval of the Preliminary Plat 7-0.
  
  
• 53. 122 Hayward Avenue.  Staff Report on request for permanent access easement through City Parking Lot X to facilitate redevelopment of 122 Hayward.

  Dean Jensen is working on a project to convert some properties on Hayward to student housing units totaling 145 beds. They need to secure an easement which would grant permanent access through the parking lot to the east onto Welch Ave. At the same time, the City Council has established a goal to  "Explore public/private improvements (e.g. entertainment, parking, housing, amenities) for public/private space in Campustown and Downtown." Thus, traffic from the Jensen development could potentially be in conflict w/ goals for that area. Council can choose to grant the easement, or initiate a study of the area, if we believe that we may want to use that parking lot for any type of public space.

• 54. Guidelines and criteria for implementation of Public Facilities Improvements Program for Non-Profit Organizations.
  As part of the 2015/2016 action plan for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding, $100K was set aside for a “Public Facilities Improvement Program”.  This money would go to non-profits who serve low/moderate income families, to assist in improvements to mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural components of their facilities. 
• 55. Motion adopting City Council Goals to be completed by December 31, 2017.

  City Council Goals – In early 2016, Council held two goal-setting meetings, and came up with the following list of goals. Each goal has corresponding objectives and tasks, where individual action items aimed at each goal are expounded upon.

  Strengthen Downtown and Campustown

  Promote Economic Development

  Expand Sustainability Efforts

  Address Housing Needs

  Promote a Sense of One Community

  Strengthen Human Services

  Encourage Healthy Lifestyles

Thanks for reading,

Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen

City Council At-Large

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