Old Crawford School, Rain on the Parking Lots, and Satisfaction Survey
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Bronwyn's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6:00. The agenda includes:
- 20. Resolution approving Major Final Plat for Quarry Estates Subdivision, 2nd Addition.
This 2nd addition of a subdivision just north of Ada Hayden adds 35 single-family homes, and includes financial securities for sidewalks. The developer is requesting Council approve this Major Final Plat before the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is in place, but even if Council does so, staff won't release the Final Plat for official recording until they have the CMP in hand. - 26. Second passage of ordinance establishing six-month moratorium on new Rental Occupancy Permits for single- and two-family homes within the boundaries of the SCAN, Westside, Oak-Wood-Forest, College Creek/Old Ames Middle School, Old Edwards, and Oak Riverside neighborhoods.
This has been up for discussion the past few Council meetings. It was drawn to our attention that the Colonial Village neighborhood is not part of SCAN, and thus was not included in the original boundary included in the moratorium. -
28. Staff Report regarding requests from Earl May regarding storm water requirements and site development plan review requirements.
Earl May wants us to reconsider the criteria which trigger storm-water improvements to a parking lot. The current City standard is to require improvements up to code if the area being re-surfaced or created is greater than 10,000 square feet. A change to these standards would apply city-wide, and not just to Earl May, though their pavement improvements are what spurred this question. - 30. Staff Report regarding requests of RES Development and R. Friedrich and Sons regarding redevelopment of former Crawford School at 415 Stanton Avenue.
This developer is looking to turn the old Crawford School building into an independent senior living facility. To do so, they'll need to rezone to high density, but presumably with some sort of agreement that the property would remain a senior living facility into the future. Also, they're asking for Council to consider a URA for the property, which would leverage tax abatement.
- 31. Resolution approving Encroachment Permit for 400 Main Street contingent on approval of Building Permit.
The owner of the building that houses the Spice and Bar La Tosca would like to widen the steps to a basement unit, in order to rent it to a business. To do so will require some modifications to a small part of Tom Evans Park. Staff also mention other planned modifications to Tom Evans Park, including removal of the middle sidewalk and four 'stressed' trees along the west side of the park. - 32. FEMA Grant Application for Flood Mitigation.
The city is applying for over $3 mil in federal dollars to assist with channel modifications to Squaw Creek, in an attempt to control flooding through Ames during times of heavy rain. - 33. Hearing on Major Site Development Plan (MSDP) for 2151 Cottonwood Road.
Council is being asked to approve this MSDP for a 12-unit apartment building west of University Blvd near the Research Park. The design of this unit looks a bit different than most other residential buildings in Ames, with flat roof and corrugated metal siding, but staff feel it will fit into the modern look of the Village Park subdivision. - 37. Presentation of 2017 Resident Satisfaction Survey results.
Not many surprises in this report, as our annual resident survey continues to show high levels of satisfaction with Ames services. The comments are fun to read, if you want a glimpse into the challenge of governing.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
