The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM Aug 11th .  The agenda includes items:

• 29. Breckenridge. Land Use Policy Plan (LUPP) Amendment for 101, 105, 107, and 205 South Wilmoth and 3316 Lincoln Way and Discussion of options for Urban Revitalization Area and qualifying criteria for Breckenridge North Parcel. The Breckenridge saga has gone on for many years. If it had not been for the protest filed by the neighbors, requiring a super majority for a zoning change, this property would have been developed to a number near 1000 beds on all parcels. Due to the efforts of the neighbors and the willingness of two council members to stand firm and develop a settlement agreement that balances the needs of the neighborhood and the community at large, it is my hope we are close to the conclusion of this ordeal. In the end the total beds on all 3 parcels, including 3 additional high density zoned parcels on the corner of Wilmoth and Lincoln Way, is closer to 600. The most dense parts will be near Lincoln Way and include commercial, an appropriate use adjacent to a major arterial, an owner occupied affordable housing project on the middle parcel and a preserved green space back in the hands of ISU on the southern parcel. I would like to thank the College Creek Old Middle School neighborhood and Gloria Betcher for their sustained commitment during this process, without their resolve, we would be looking at a much different result. I support this plan, and am excited to see the opportunities it presents come to life in the coming years.

• 30. Request from Rose Prairie developers to amend Pre-Annexation Agreement. Apparently, having the taxpayers loan Rose Prairie millions of dollars in infrastructure dollars that amount to the largest leap-frog subsidy to development in Ames history, just isn't good enough for new Rose Prairie developer Terry J. Lutz. One of the main arguments to support such a departure in council policy (besides, again settling a lawsuit) was to create unique low impact residential developments surrounding Ada Hayden Park. These "conservation subdivisions" were to be less impactful and to protect the future of Ada Hayden lakes. The new developer asks for City of Ames to concede myriad items, on a signed agreement that runs with the land and that was in place prior to this developer's purchase. Some of the concession requested are:

  1. Land Use be High Density and Commercial development INSTEAD OF MEETING THE COMMITMENT to build low impact single family housing subdivision.

  2. Paying back the water and sewer loans to City of Ames rate payers later INSTEAD OF THE COMMITTED to date of July, 2020.

  3. The City of Ames water and sewer rate payers pay for ensuring that sewer and water are extended across the property for future development INSTEAD OF THE COMMITTED TO AND HISTORIC PRACTICE OF the developer being responsible for infrastructure on their own property.

  4. The Ames Electric Utility customers pay to extend electric infrastructure INSTEAD OF THE COMMITTED to developer paying this cost.

  5. The city not require sprinkler systems be installed in homes here INSTEAD OF THE COMMITTED TO required installation of sprinkler systems in all homes in this development.

  6. The Ames tax Payer purchase up to 5 acres for a public park INSTEAD OF THE COMMITTED TO AND HISTORIC PRACTICE of the developer dedicating such land to the city for new developments

There are situations in which a contract can change, as a sense of fairness guides the behaviors of most of us. If something egregious has occurred, or an unexpected change in other circumstances beyond the control of any of the parties yields a much different result, a decent person might adjust the expectations in an agreement, even to their detriment, to be fair and compassionate. But when one party creates a laundry list of changes not because of new information or other misunderstood details, but simply because they want a better deal for themselves, at the expense of City of Ames water customers, sewer customers, tax payers and Ada Hayden Park's future health...well, I think that is something different. It appears to be based only on a desire to make changes at our expense. In those cases, a just representative may choose not be so accommodating, and focus on empathizing with those they represent instead. 

• 31. Staff update on Request for Proposals for redevelopment of City-owned properties at 519-521 6th Street. The only group, which submitted a proposal was a collaboration between Story County Community Housing and Benjamin Design. The City rejected their proposal because it received an 81 rather than the minimum 85 required out of 172 points in the rating criteria. One large issue seems to be cash capitalization of the project. If the city of Ames is going to attack the affordable housing issue, it may need to consider means outside of its comfort zone to do so. As this project is relatively small, there may be an opportunity to take some extra time, and creatively explore this unique, volunteer driven model. If it is successful, the lack of capital used and replaced by volunteer goods and services could work to make our CDBG dollars go even further. I hope council asks hard questions here and does not allow fear of progressive alternatives to traditional capitalization of building projects, stand in the way of a successful alternative.

• 33. Resolution approving changes to Smart Energy Program. As technology is changing, the standards for earning rebates must change as well. However, I hope the staff will encourage new participation in higher levels of efficiency. If this yields fewer dollars into demand side management programs, this is not a course I hope to see the community take.

Thanks for reading

Matthew Goodman

Ames City Council At-Large

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