North Growth Gap Area and Water Quality Monitoring Study at Ada Hayden

Bronwyn's Council Preview

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

18. Resolution awarding contract for two-year Water Quality Monitoring Study at Ada Hayden Heritage Park to State Hygienic Laboratory of Coralville, Iowa
Ada Hayden serves as a valuable recreation area, wildlife habitat, and backup water supply for Ames. Staff recommends water quality testing every 5-7 years, with the last study occurring in 2009/2010.
40. Presentation of local amendments to 2015 Editions of International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, Fire, and Fuel Gas Codes; and Uniform Plumbing Code.
Every few years, various international code standards are updated. By adopting, Council would be bringing the city into compliance with changes adopted in 2015 by the International Code Council. In addition to the approval of international/uniform codes, Council would be amending chapters 5 and 8 of Ames Municipal Code, and setting the date of public hearing on these changes to May 23, 2017.
41. Motion agreeing to accept Old Edwards School site at future date for use as City park, with certain conditions.
The old Edwards school location on Woodland could potentially become a city park. The Edwards Neighborhood Association has raised over $80k to put towards tearing the building down, which the school district estimates could cost $241k. City staff recommend the ACSD (Ames Community School District) first clarify (move) the southern property line, which apparently includes some encroaching structures from neighboring properties. Secondly, the letter of intent from the ACSD didn't propose a specific dollar amount, which the city would like to clarify before any agreement is made.
42. Staff Report regarding North Growth Gap Area.
In Spring of 2016, staff reported on several infrastructure issues (sewer, transportation, etc.) facing growth in the North Growth Gap area. They are reporting back with options for sewer service. Council also got a request from the Squaw Valley Homeowners Association, asking to connect to city sewer. To accommodate this request, staff report, would require the costliest ($14.5mil) sewer upgrade. In addition to the question of sewer, Council is being asked to choose between three policy options; maintain Priority Transitional Residential status in the fringe plan, change its status to Urban Services, or designating it as Rural Transitional. (The differences involve density, development standards, and how and when to annex.)
43. Hearing on rezoning of property at 3505 South Duff Avenue from Agricultural (A) to Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC).
This agenda item relates to a church that wants to put a parking lot in the front of their building, rather than behind it. The area is designated as future HOC in the LUPP, and staff are recommending the change.
44. Hearing on Proposed 2017/18 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan.
Due to uncertainty of federal funding, this item is on the agenda with a recommendation that we continue the hearing until June 13th. Uses for the funding include $550k for affordable housing on State Ave., $150k for homebuyer assistance, and other programs including renter affordability and housing improvements.
45. Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment pertaining to on-street parking in Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.
This zoning change will allow property owners to count on-street parking toward their parking requirement in Neighborhood Commercial zones. NC zones are fairly limited across the city, and tend to occur in places without room for additional parking lots.