City Council approves land rezoning
August 23, 2006
The Ames City Council, in an attempt to move beyond years of contention, approved Tuesday night a measure that could lead to the construction of a new shopping center in Ames.
The council voted 4-1 to rezone an area northeast of the Interstate 35 and East 13th St. interchange from industrial to commercial to allow developer Bucky Wolford to begin planning construction of a 646,000 square-foot open-air shopping center on the property.
The council accepted a compromise proposed by Wolford in an Aug. 18 memo addressed to Ames Mayor Ann Campbell, in which he promised to incorporate a City of Ames Welcome Center into the shopping center as well as pledge $150,000 toward a bike path from Dayton Avenue to the Interstate 35 interchange.
FASTTRAK
Last we knew: In June, the City Council decided the area east of Interstate 35 and East 13th Street should remain industrial. The action was recommended to be adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The latest: The City Council accepted the deal developer Bucky Wolford had set forward and voted to rezone the land as commercial. This will most likely lead to Wolford
dropping a lawsuit against the city of Ames, putting an end to multiple years of the political locking of horns.
What’s next: Wolford’s company will move forward with the development of the building plans.
Some council members voted in favor of the measure despite reservations.
Councilman Ryan Doll said he disagrees with the development of the mall but voted in favor so the city could move forward with the issue.
“I support the motion, not the development,” Doll said.
Councilman Dan Rice cast the only negative vote.
Following the council’s decision, Wolford indicated he would drop the lawsuit he filed following the council’s decision in April to block Wolford’s plans by rezoning the property to industrial.
During the meeting, the council also denied a petition for the sale of alcohol during a concert to take place on Welch Avenue on Sept. 2 as part of the city’s “All American Weekend.”
People’s Bar and Grill, 2430 Lincoln Way, had requested to sell beer during the concert on Welch Avenue directly adjacent to the building.
Campbell cast the deciding vote after a 2-2 tie among the council members.
Warren Madden, ISU vice president for business and finance, spoke against the motion to allow alcohol sales at the event.
“The university – as it assesses this – does not believe a beer garden in Campustown is appropriate,” Madden said.
Craig Buske, ex-officio student council representative, said banning beer sales at the event would only drive students to drink at private house parties, making alcohol available to minors.
“I think a beer garden is a good idea. I think it would be a fun event, and I think it would be well-managed,” Buske said.
Other resources:
FROM ISD: EDITORIAL: City Council has no reason to deny Wolford
FROM ISD: Wolford sues city to annul council’s zoning decision
