City Council had one of its longest meeting of the year Tuesday to discuss the Downtown Gateway rezoning and the 25 percent rental occupancy ordinance. 

The most prominent issue on the table tonight was the 25 percent rental ordinance. Should it pass, the following neighborhoods would have caps on how many rental properties can exist within certain areas. 

• College Creek/Old Ames Middle School
• South Campus Area Neighborhood (SCAN)
• Colonial Village
• Oak Riverside

At the last meeting, eight locations were identified, however those were reduced down to the previous four. 

Citizen after citizen came forward both defending and discouraging the ordinance. 

Those in favor of the rental cap have expressed the cap is against their rights as homeowners and homes are sold for significantly more in these areas. Some residents claimed a loss in property value up to $20,000 with the ordinance. 

For people who plan to sell their homes or turn their homes into rentals, this poses a threat to them financially. 

Those against the rental cap have said there is a need to preserve the Ames area’s historic neighborhoods, and rental properties are taking over these neighborhoods. 

Students who are renters have been a prevalent concern for many homeowners. Some of the citizens who spoke today cited issues with students not maintaining the property by having massive yard parties, not shoveling the sidewalk or driveway causing cracks, and other property management responsibilities. 

For more information on the rental ordinance, click here. 

Tami Hicks spoke during the multi-hour public forum tonight, and she spoke on behalf of her clients who were unable to attend and gave insight to the issues with housing in Ames from the perspective of a property professional. 

“This is a result of low number of homes for sale in the nation — not just in Ames,” Hicks said. 

Lisa Hill, resident of the SCAN area, talked about her experience with Veishea and the yard parties that ensued in the rental property near her home when she first purchased her home. 

She supported the rental cap and said she hopes to preserve the neighborhood for future families. 

Tony Farland brought forward 185 petitions from people in the affected areas of the rental cap at the City Council meeting. 

“Property owners are property owners,” Farland said. “We’re still paying taxes and are a part of this community.”

Also discussed at the meeting was a Downtown Gateway Zoning District, which will affect businesses from Grand Ave. to Duff Ave. near the railroad. 

Buissness owners like Tim Grandin came forward saying this will hurt them immensely. The purpose of the zoning is to “rebuid the corridor” however Grandin said, “We don’t want another Main Street. We have a Main Street”

Different options were presented with smaller areas than what was originally presented, however these were met with criticism from Councilman Tim Gartin, who said he feared what City Council members of the future will think of small measures like this. 

Councilwoman Gloria Betcher pointed out to the assumed impact of the Downtown Gateway Zoning District isn’t as much as they think. She argued since they are only talking about one side of Lincoln Way it can’t have too large of an impact.

The meeting concluded at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, and the council will reconvene in May.