Oak to Riverside rezoning
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Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM. The agenda includes:
- 26. Scenic Valley Subdivision, 2nd Addition.
The first addition of this subdivision was approved in 2014. The preliminary plat for this area included two conditions, one involving street lighting and the other involving an easement to protect trees and slopes. Staff is recommending approval, as they believe these conditions have been met.
- 27. 896-500th Avenue (Crane Farm Subdivision). Development Agreement and Final Plat.
If a development occurs within an allowable growth area, the city may pay for “oversizing”, increases in infrastructure over and above the needs for the development, which may be needed for further future developments. This property involves an extension of Mortensen Ave, a CyRide turnaround, and improvements to 500th Ave. Staff estimates a third of the improvements could be considered “oversizing”. The City can chose to take on the costs of extending Mortensen and Wilder, or to pay for separate additional infrastructure equal to the oversizing costs. Staff is recommending the developer pay for the extension of Mortensen and Wilder, and the City will assume the responsibility for a shared-use path along Mortensen. - 28. Hearing on rezoning of property located at 104 South Hazel Avenue from Government/Airport District (S-GA) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC).
The property at 104 S Hazel had been used for Story County Community Life services, but these services are now being provided through a third party, Optimae. Because the County is no longer using the property, they wish to sell it. Staff is recommending a change in zoning to Neighborhood Commercial (NC). Planning and zoning voted 6-1 to rezone to Neighborhood Commercial. The County has indicated that they’re willing to consider contract rezoning to limit uses of the property to office and social service providing. - 29. Hearing on Vacation of Roadway Preservation Easement at 3599 George Washington Carver Avenue (Scenic Point Subdivision).
At the May 10th Council meeting, a vacation of the easement at 3599 George Washington Carver was referred to staff. The developer is asking for a release from their easement, as the road it was secured for is no longer in the LRTP. If growth to the north continues at its current pace, it may be that this road will come back to the LRTP in future years.
- 35. Progress Report from Sustainability Coordinator regarding FY 2015-16 activities.
In 2010, the City and ISU agreed to share the services of the Director of Sustainability. Initially, this partnership was focused on lessening electric consumption, but the scope of services for this position has expanded, and now includes topics such as waste stream, Smart Business program, education and outreach, and data management. Staff recommend a continuation of the contract, for a City investment of $25K annually. - 36. Staff Report on Artspace Consulting.
ArtSpace, of Minneapolis, is a non-profit company that focuses on providing affordable live/work space for artists. They have two models in which they help communities. First, if they are expected to develop a property, there is a $25K prelim visit, a $30K market study, followed by $600-$900K of city investment to assist ArtSpace in due diligence and planning if they commit to a project. Their second model is consulting only, and would run around $20K. It may be worth examining other Iowa communities which have taken advantage of their services, such as Council Bluffs or Dubuque.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
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