Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview

The main Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM.  See agenda for earlier items starting at 5:00 PM. The agenda include:

• 14. Motion directing staff to enter into a Professional Services Contract for Sanitary Sewer Analysis for North Growth Gap Area.
  Sanitary Sewer Analysis for Northern Gap Area – Due to the potential for development to the north, Council directed staff to plan to evaluate sanitary sewer capacity in the area. Before committing $18K to the study, Council needs to discuss how far to the north we want to grow, and when.
  
   
• 27. Resolution approving Iowa Economic Development Authority Contract for financial assistance for XPANXION, Inc., with local match.
  The Iowa Economic Development Authority has agreed to incentivize a software company, Xpanxion. These state monies require a local match, so the city is proposing an $18K forgivable loan. The city has an Economic Development Fund for this type of incentive.
• 30. Resolution approving Joint Use Parking Agreement for 1320 Dickinson Avenue (Perfect Games) . Perfect Games is planning to add mini golf, and is requesting to use the currently existing parking, without having to build more. They argue that peak mini golf season occurs when student traffic in Ames is low, so the current parking lot should be sufficient. 
• 44. Staff report regarding Welch Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Project.
  Welch Ave. Bike/Ped project: in 2014, Council directed staff to investigate a temporary pilot project which would eliminate east-side parking on Welch to create a protected area for gathering (eating, sitting, etc.) on the 100 and 200 blocks of Welch Ave. There are several methods to eliminate parking, ranging from changing the paint on the road to safer, more substantial barriers such as concrete planters. Options for Council to consider now include the following: which method to pursue for parking closure (paint or planters), additional street furniture to be installed, source of funding, and what information to collect during this trial project. 
• 45. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for Crane Farm Subdivision (896 South 500th Avenue) 
  Council approved rezoning of the property at 896 500th Ave., now the developer is back with a preliminary plat. Because the project is in an incentivized growth area, a development agreement is necessary before the final plat. (The developer’s agreement will outline which improvements will be the responsibility of the city because we incentivize growth in that area, and which will be the responsibility of the developer.)
• 46. Resolution setting date of public hearing on granting Access Easement across City property (Welch Avenue Parking Lot X) to benefit 122 Hayward Avenue.
  The next Council meeting on June 14th would be the normal time to set this public hearing. The developer is asking Council to hold a special meeting on May 31st, in order for them to be able to keep to their development schedule.
  
   
• 47. 321 State Avenue (Former Middle School) Options for Development Workshop.
  Options to develop 321 State Ave.: Council is being asked to decide if we want to consider only single-family detached housing, or if we want to consider a variety of ownership/rental types which aren’t currently permitted in RL zoning. Neighborhood input and support will be essential in order to consider alternatives to the single-family owner-occupied detached housing model.
• 48. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for 125 and 130 Wilder Avenue (Sunset Ridge Subdivision, 7th Addition).
  Council approved a Major Site Development Plan, but to proceed the developer still needs approval of a prelim and final plat.
  
   
• 49. Staff Report on redevelopment of 2700 Block of Lincoln Way.
  Redevelopment of 2700 block of Lincoln Way: Developers of the property on the 2700 block of Lincoln Way are proposing two options. Option A redevelops the properties at 2700, 2702 and 2718 Lincoln Way in the current zoning (Campustown Service Center), and requires no changes or council action. Option B proposes adding properties at 2728 Lincoln Way, 115 S Sheldon, and 112 and 114 S Hyland, and involves rezoning the area to a combination of CSC and high density residential (RH). The developers hope to build a 5-6 story building which would serve as a combination boutique hotel, commercial space, and residential apartments. (Approx. 168 units with a total of around 500 beds) To do so would require a LUPP (land use policy plan) amendment, zoning changes, zoning text amendments, and designation of an urban revitalization area (which includes tax abatement), development agreement, site development plan, and plat of survey. The Lincoln Way Corridor study is currently underway, and the site is the eastern edge of one of the focus areas of the study, but the developer is asking for an answer before that study concludes. 
• 52. Hearing on Major Land Use Policy Plan Amendment for 3115, 3409, and 3413 South Duff Avenue.
  
  A developer is proposing a major land use policy plan amendment in order to pursue a development on the 3100-3400 blocks of South Duff. The current LUPP designation for this area is highway oriented commercial (HOC). The developer would like to change the south and west portions of the 44 acre property to high-density residential, while maintaining the HOC zoning on the frontage north of the existing cemetery. The developer is proposing 700 apartment units. Residents in the spoke about concerns with traffic and storm water during input sessions in 2015 and 2016. At their May 4th meeting, Planning and Zoning voted 4-1 to recommend this major LUPP amendment. Staff recommend pursing contract rezoning if the project proceeds to address traffic and storm water issues.
  
  
   
• 53. Hearing on Final Amendments to Fiscal Year 2015/16 Budget.
   

If you made it this far, congratulations! This is quite the agenda. Here's your reward. The inspiration for this week's Preview title, Boomtown, by Greg Brown.

Thanks for reading,

Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen

City Council At-Large

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