Carbon Footprint and Parking System Improvements
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Bronwyn's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6:00. The agenda includes:
- 9. Resolution approving annual 2017 Urban Renewal Report and certification of TIF Debt for Campustown and annual appropriation of Kingland TIF Rebate
The City has a handful of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts, with $4.37 million in outstanding TIF obligations. While a few of these TIF districts require no annual action other than reporting, the Campustown/Kingland TIF requires Council approval to allow the rebate of incremental taxes ($302,218 this year). - 17. 415 Stanton Avenue (Old Crawford School).
a. Staff Report regarding Urban Revitalization Area.
In order to receive certain financial incentives, the developer of the old Crawford School property is requesting Council establish a URA. The staff report supports the claim that the building is of sufficient historic value to qualify for a URA. The staff report also presents Council with a choice of two nearly identical lists of criteria for the URA, the only difference being whether to require future Council approval of the site plan and architectural plans.
b. Resolution approving Minor Land Use Policy Plan Minor Map Amendment for 415 Stanton Avenue from Low-Density Residential to High-Density Residential and c. Hearing on rezoning property at 415 Stanton Avenue from Government/Airport Zoning District (S-GA) to Residential High Density Zoning District (RH).
In order to complete their vision of an independent senior living facility, the developers are requesting a change in the property's zoning to High-Density Residential. (Staff detail several controls to ensure the property remains a senior living facility in order to justify the change to high-density residential zoning.) - 19. Hearing on Land Use Policy Plan Major Map Amendment for North Allowable Growth Area.
At the request of Friedrich & Sons, the developer planning to develop properties south of Cameron School Rd and west of GW Carver, Council is considering an amendment to the urban fringe map. They seek to have the area changed from its current designation of "transitional" to "urban residential", which would allow for future annexation. Staff are suggesting including the area east of GW Carver in this change. In order to change this area, both Story County and Gilbert have to agree. Currently the County has done so, and the Ames Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended the change.
- 23. Staff Report on tax abatement for new Greek house construction.
In 2011, Council referred a proposal to staff that would have amended the tax abatement criteria to include new construction as eligible for tax abatement. Though the proposal was referred at that time, no follow-up Council action was then taken to officially amend the criteria. Fast forward to 2017, and Council is being asked to consider it again. - 25. Staff Report on parking system improvements.
Staff are reporting back on several topics related to parking, including fines, fees, equipment, maintenance schedules, etc. Our fines for parking meter violations are fairly low, compared to other communities, but staff aren't recommending an increase. (Ours are currently $5, many communities have a minimum fine of $10.) In addition, Council is frequently asked to simplify or modify neighborhood parking standards, and it's being suggested that the new Campus and Community Commission undertake outreach on that. - 26. Update on City Operations Carbon Footprint and Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
In June of this year, Council asked staff for a workshop on our carbon emission goals. The current goals were set by the City after the 2007 Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, and have long since expired or been met. Now Council needs to decide if and how to establish new carbon reduction goals.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
