The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m. The agenda includes:
Item 20: Resolution approving major final plat for Quarry Estates subdivision, second addition
This second 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 is in place, but even if the council does so, staff won’t release the final plat for official recording until they have the CMP in hand.
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.
Item 28: Staff report regarding requests from Earl May Nursery & Garden Center regarding storm water and site development plan review requirements
Earl May wants us to reconsider the criteria which trigger stormwater improvements to a parking lot. The current city standard is to require improvements up to code if the area being resurfaced or created is greater than 10,000 square feet. A change to these standards would apply citywide, and not just to Earl May, though its pavement improvements are what spurred this question.
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 the council to consider an urban revitalization tax abatement for the property.
Item 31: Resolution approving encroachment permit for 400 Main St. 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 Plaza. Staff also mention other planned modifications to Tom Evans, including removal of the middle sidewalk and four “stressed” trees along the west side of the park.
Item 32: FEMA grant application for flood mitigation
The city is applying for over $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with channel modifications to Squaw Creek, in an attempt to control flooding through Ames during times of heavy rain.
Item 33: Hearing on major site development plan for 2151 Cottonwood Road
Council is being asked to approve this MSDP for a 12-unit apartment building west of University Boulevard near the Iowa State University 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.
Item 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 challenges of governing.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
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