ERP Funding, Hotel on Lincoln Way, and Rose Prairie
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Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM. The agenda includes:
- 32. 2015/16 ASSET draw-down pertaining to Emergency Residence Project.
In order for the Emergency Residence Project to receive ASSET funding, they are required to submit data on clients they serve. Previously, Council had asked for information on how many clients were from Ames as the ASSET contract requires. There was concern by Council that we were providing services to homeless people who did not list Ames as their last known residence. In June, the City compared funding requests with the County, and found several instances where ERP requested funding from both entities for the same client for an undefined time period. City staff isn’t comfortable allocating the remaining $28K from fiscal year ‘15/’16 until it can be verified that the City and County aren’t paying for duplicate services. Staff recommend holding the funding over to the next fiscal year so ERP can clarify the bills in question. - 33. Staff Report on 2700 Block of Lincoln Way pertaining to reduction of parking spaces for hotel uses.
A developer is proposing to redevelop the 2700 block of Lincoln Way into a mix of apartments, retail space, and hotel space. At the last council meeting, Council directed staff to report back on parking restrictions which would affect the developer’s ability to bring in a national chain hotel. Staff report that there are two issues related to parking for this proposed project. First, if a bar or restaurant is attached to a hotel, they are typically required to have parking. Option 1 is to waive this requirement. Second, hotels are required to have one parking space per room, option 2 would reduce the parking requirement for the hotel by 50%.
Parking is a complex issue. Easy access to infinite parking contributes to a car-focused culture of transportation, which is not the case in other cities and countries. On the flip side, permanent residents in the Campustown area feel the pinch of parking when residential streets are congested and used for semi-permanent parking. Even if Council reduces the parking requirement, it may be that the hotel chain will need to contract for more parking with a neighboring facility (business, church, etc.).
If Council chooses not to change any parking standards, the project will proceed with the original plan for a smaller boutique hotel. - 34. Hearing on rezoning, with Master Plan, of 5571 Grant Avenue (Rose Prairie) from Agricultural (A) to Suburban Residential Low Density (FS-RL), Suburban Residential Medium Density (FSRM), and Convenience General Service (CGS). Plus Addendum to Pre-Annexation Agreement
Rose Prairie, LLC, the owner of the property at 5571 Grant Ave., is requesting a rezone of the property from agricultural to a mix of medium and low density residential, and a convenience store node. This parcel is 170 acres, and the developer is proposing 80% single family, 14% multi-family, and 6% commercial use. In addition, 5 acres would be used for a park. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to approve the project, and staff recommends approval. The original development agreement for this area limited the units to 292. The proposed master plan (and amended development agreement) shows around 740 units. Because the development is part of the Ada Hayden watershed, it is protected by a conservation easement which regulates environmental impacts such as storm water run-off.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
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