Ames planning and zoning held a meeting on campus Tuesday to garner student input about the future look of Campustown.

The meeting – a follow-up meeting from the planning and zoning commission last month – laid out the proposed look of the University Impacted Area. The plans were created with input from students, developers and planners.

“The two-hour planning and zoning meeting was the longest my boss had ever seen,” said City Planner Jeff Benson. “The presentation is down to a half-hour now; I’ll do it in 15.”

The campus meeting got off to a rocky start – none of the video equipment was in the room, and there were no dividers upon which to hang presentation materials. Only 10 students attended the meeting.

The students that attended were supportive of the city’s efforts to include them, however.

“I think holding the meeting here shows that the city really is concerned about student input,” said Henry Alliger, speaker of the Government of the Student Body senate and senior in animal science.

Students filled out a survey that asked for opinions about building and landscape appearance, and after the presentation, Benson fielded questions from the audience.

While speaking to Dawn Ashbacher, graduate student in political science, Benson noted foot traffic on Welch Avenue has been down since two of the Towers residence halls closed, and said the plan could bring that foot traffic back.

Another question raised was whether students would actually use businesses in the space set aside for commercial use, or just drive to Wal-Mart as they do currently. Benson said he wasn’t sure.

Students can view the plan and give input by visiting the city Web site, www.cityofames.org, and going to the planning and zoning section.

Planners will submit a draft to the city in November. The City Council will then direct what in the plan they want turned into ordinances. Final ratification is expected before the end of March.

Benson said that while ordinances can give developers guidance, it takes someone with vision to really spark development of a great neighborhood.