Bronwyn's Council Preview

The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6:00. The agenda includes:

• 39. Hearing on rezoning of property at 398 South 500th Avenue (Collegiate Ames Subdivision) from Agricultural (A) to Planned Residence District (F-PRD) [Continued from 6/13/17].
  In January, we were asked to consider an 800+ bed student housing development on the west edge of Ames.  It required annexation, a development agreement, rezoning, and defining a new type of dwelling unit. The annexation has moved forward, and now we are at the stage of rezoning (to proposed PRD zoning), site development plan approval, and a decision on a new type of dwelling unit for PRD zones. (Items 40 and 41 on the agenda both relate.)
  
  I have voiced concerns about the concept of this project since the beginning, and they remain. This 860 bed development is targeted toward students, and uses parking along private roads (think Schilletter Village style) on the edge of Ames. Lincoln Way lacks good pedestrian/bike infrastructure that far west, and the area isn't served by CyRide. That, coupled with rapid student apartment development and slowing growth at Iowa State make me question the wisdom in the location and density of this development.
• 
• 40. Hearing on Major Site Development Plan for 398 South 500th Avenue [Continued from 6/13/17].
  See previous item
• 41. Hearing on proposed zoning text amendment to allow dwelling houses in Planned Residence District [Continued from 6/13/17].
  See item 39. In order for the Trinitas development to move forward as planned, a new type of dwelling needs to be allowed in PRD zones. The "dwelling house" would allow for up to 5 bedrooms in one house. 
•  42. Motion approving Safe Community Resolution.
  As I wrote in the May 23rd Preview, "The Safe Community Resolution is very similar to the one adopted by Iowa City in January. It is designed to affirm the City's protection under the 10th amendment, and states that 'the Ames Police Department shall not undertake any law enforcement action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons or devote any public resources to the enforcement of federal immigration law'."

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large

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