Old Middle School, 3rd Reading of Rental Occupancy Limitation Ordinance
Bronwyn's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6:00. The agenda includes:
- 18. 415 Stanton Avenue Contract Rezoning Agreement (Old Crawford School) [Tabled from 12/19/17 Agenda].
Plans to redevelop the former Crawford Elementary school into a senior living facility are underway. At the last meeting, Council directed staff to move forward with a contract rezoning agreement that would stipulate a minimum of one resident per unit who is at least 55 years old, and would require the adaptation and reuse of the old Crawford building. This is the requested contract rezoning agreement, back to be voted on. - 20. Staff Report on Zoning Text Amendment to allow installation of public art in front-yard setbacks.
Council recently heard a request to allow taller-than-currently-allowed art in front of commercial properties on South Duff Ave in order to create an art corridor. (Current rules limit 'statuary' to 4 feet.) Staff recommend two options, one of which is to increase the height limit to 10' maximum. Staff also caution that the changes should apply for art only, and not all signage and other commercial displays. - 21. 321 State Avenue Affordable Housing Development (Old Middle School).
Council recently approved an additional $350,000 toward this affordable housing project at our December 12th meeting, bringing the City's financial contribution to the infrastructure at 321 State Ave. to a total of $900,000. (This doesn't include the land value of $550k, which we are giving to the developer as well.) We are waiting for the developer to review and sign the most recent development agreement, and then we can move forward on this project. - 22. Hearing on rezoning of property at 3504 Grand Avenue from Residential High Density (RH) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC).
Habitat for Humanity and Heartland Baptist Church are working to partner and consolidate Habitat services at 3504 Grand Ave. The area is currently zoned RH (high density residential) and this request is to rezone the property as Neighborhood Commercial. Planning and Zoning recommended 5-0 to approve this rezoning request, and staff recommend approval.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large