Campustown Urban Revitalization Area Criteria
The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM May 26th (note new time). The agenda includes items:
-
31. Staff Report on proposed revisions to Campustown Urban Revitalization Area criteria. The Campustown Urban Revitalization Area criterion outlines community priorities that must be achieved to receive a subsidy. Some categories of community interest have been, structured parking, aesthetically pleasing materials, and safety. The Campustown Action Association, in an effort to protect the unique character of Campustown, has requested additional criteria for receiving these incentives, be that the commercial spaces be rented to a non formula business. Non-formula businesses are generally large national chains. With redevelopment, very high rents ensue, and local businesses that define the area can be pushed out of the area. In Campustown the urban revitalization has forced the closing or relocation of many smaller businesses. The new rents are some of the highest in the state. If The Ames City Council believes there is value to maintaining the unique and diverse offerings in Campustown, it will need to adjust the abatement criteria. Currently the market manipulation of Tax Abatement and TIF in the area, while creating exciting new mixed use areas, are favoring those adding the least to the identity of Campustown.
-
32. Staff Report pertaining to Un-Manned Aircraft Systems (UAS). When I look out my 2nd floor bedroom window, I have certain expectations. If I can see another window, or my neighbor's back yard, I myself am observable. If I cannot see these things, I my self am not observable. This tends to change a bit with the seasons, but I have a reasonable expectation of privacy due to the unmoving nature of structures and the lack of floating people. Drones are floating observers and I do not believe the level of understanding and sophistication are present to continue to ensure my privacy I expect in my own home in the presence of drones. I would really have to rethink a lot of things with floating people as well, but that is not on the agenda...yet. I have concerns with allowing drone flights without careful and deliberate consideration of how to ensure this privacy for our residents, in the presence of these flights.
-
33. Staff Report on changes to process for considering outside funding requests. The council funds many wide and varied groups. This is a discussion of how these choices should be made and on the basis of what priorities.
-
34. Hearing on Proposed 2015/16 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan. The City of Ames receives federal dollars from HUD every year in the form of a Community and Development Block Grant. Ames may use these dollars for Emergencies, Slum and Blight and Assisting in acquisition of housing for low to moderate-income families. This Action plane gives a glimpse of how these dollars will be spent in the coming years.
Thanks for reading
Matthew Goodman
Ames City Council At-Large
| Others can subscribe at |  |
| Follow Council News on |  |
| View council on line live at |  |
Any corrections or additions to this email will be posted at the Council Preview Blog.