Discussion over the single-family conservation issue in downtown Ames dominated the Ames City Council meeting Tuesday night in what Mayor Larry Curtis described as one of the most spirited debates the council has had in his eight years as mayor.

The council went back on a zoning decision it made three weeks ago to limit the amount of multi-family housing in terms of square feet rather than units that could be added to an area bordered by Sixth Street, 11th Street, Grand Avenue and Duff Avenue.

Tuesday’s compromise allows for 12 additional units to be added to the 624 units that currently exist, meaning that current owners can continue to tear down single-family homes and put up multi-family housing until the cap is met.

The cap on all living units would be set at 636, and would allow new units into the area only if a current unit were destroyed, a concern made three weeks ago by Councilman Herman Quirmbach.

“[The proposal] creates an incentive for landlords to let their properties run down,” Quirmbach said. “And I don’t think that’s what we want to do.”

Quirmbach’s concern prompted the council to vote to raise significantly the cap on the number of multi-family housing units three weeks ago.

As this vote defeated the original purpose of the ordinance, Councilman Ted Tedesco proposed an amendment Tuesday to cap the number of units at a more reasonable 27 additional units.

Councilwoman Sharon Wirth then modified the number to 12 units and the vote passed with the support of Councilwomen Judie Hoffman and Ann Campbell and a tie-breaking vote by Curtis.

“It accomplished what I thought was philosophically correct,” Curtis said. “The modification was made to satisfy everyone, but often times, a compromise satisfies no one.”

The area in which the zoning is being discussed includes most of Ames’ Historical District, which was originally zoned for single-family housing in the 1800s.

During the Depression, zoning laws were changed to allow more families into the large homes.

But in the last fifteen years, Ames’ residents have felt the need to change the zoning ordinances back to single-family housing to allow for better living in the area.

The council will take one more look at the proposed ordinance before presenting it in public forum.

The mayor will not be allowed to vote on the final reading of the ordinance.

This would mean that if the council continues to be split 3-3 on the issue, the ordinance will automatically fail.

Curtis said he anticipates the ordinance to be finalized by early March.

In other news

*Kevin Geis, chairman of the Downtown Development Task Force, presented a three-phase plan for revitalizing downtown Ames.

The first phase would include work on 5th Street and 6th Street as well the downtown alleys.

Geis said that restoring the alleys first will allow the businesses on Main Street to have a way for customers to access the stores once construction of the street begins.

The task force proposed a budget of $839,000 for the project, while the council and Geis also discussed the possibility of involving Iowa State landscape architecture students with the renovation plans.

Some council members, specifically Ann Campbell, felt the phasing of the project could be better ordered.

“It is a mighty significant public investment before we even get to downtown,” she said.

The council voted to decide on the proposal in two weeks.

*Curtis read a proclamation designating Feb. 9, 1997 as “Fred Hoiberg Day.” Curtis said he will be on hand at Sunday’s game to retire the jersey of “the other mayor.”

“He is one the most celebrated athletes Iowa State has ever seen,” Curtis said. “His dedication on and off the court has served as a role model for the entire community. “