The Ames City Council discussed issues regarding text amendments and zoning codes at its meeting Dec. 9.

The first amendment came at the bequest of Heartland Baptist Church of Ames in order to build a steeple on its new building, 12 feet over the maximum height for the zone that the church is trying to build on.

The church bought the land at 3333 Stange Rd. when it was zoned for agricultural use. The land was later zoned to suburban low-density residential, which only allows for a maximum height of 60 feet. The church is asking for 72 feet to build a steeple on top of the structure.

The planning and zoning committee voted 3-2, denying the church the ability to build above the maximum height, due to concerns over future structures.

Planning and zoning noted that the vote against the structure came after they realized the current code would allow anyone in that zone to build a structure at that height with a building permit. The council discussed the chance of residents building ‘clock towers,’ or very tall structures on top of their current houses, which could be a potential if the code stayed at its current state.

Ultimately, the council voted to allow the text amendment and allow the steeple to be built.

The next text amendment that came before the council was about front yard parking for Northridge Village at 3300 George Washington Carver.

The Northridge Village is a “residential development with a continuum of skilled care, assisted living and independent senior living uses.”

The planning and zoning committee voted 5-0 in favor of allowing Northridge to build front-yard parking for its new building. The reason for the vote comes from the nature of the building being proposed. By allowing front-yard parking, visitors will not have to walk around the building to utilize the only public access entrance for the building.

The council voted to allow Northridge to build front-yard parking.

Matthew Goodman, at-large representative, then moved to narrow exceptions to allow front yard parking to skilled care, assisted living and independent senior living buildings.

The city discussed flooding at 1204 South 4th St. Riverside Manor, which has experienced flooding in the past due to the creek near the land, and many residents stated concerns over future flooding in the area if the subdivision is built.

The subdivision could potentially house mostly students. This area has suffered flooding in the area before and by allowing the division to build here, the potential for more severe flooding in the area is pertinent.

Gloria Betcher, councilwoman for the first ward, shared concerns over having to put in traffic signals to accommodate the influx of students living in the area.

This is what the council had covered at press time. To learn about the Lap Dance Ordinance, check out the Iowa State Daily website for the full write-up.

The council voted to receive more information before moving on with a decision.

Council voted on vending codes for the city of Ames for the second time this semester. The council previously voted to have the vending code looked at in terms of allowing sex offenders to own and work vending carts, and mobile vehicles.

Amber Correri, at large, discussed the issues that with enforcement if the city were to decided to go with option three. Option three stated that anyone labeled as a sex offender would not be able to own or work at a vending cart or vehicle.

The council also discussed narrowing language in the code to say that sex offenders are only excluded in working in mobile vending vehicles that go into Ames’s neighborhoods. 

The council voted on option five which states that city staff will remove the section of the code that prohibits those with a felony from owning or working at cart.

The city will vote on the ordinance after staff brings back a draft of the new ordinance.

Four ISU students have created an “Energy Yard Stick” to assist the city in their goal to become more sustainable.

The Yard Stick is a program that requires the resident to enter their address and answer a few questions about their energy usage. The program than assigns a rating to the household on a scale of one to ten, ten being the most efficient you can be. After the program assigns a rating, the resident is then given suggestions of options that they can do to improve their score, many of these options being free.

The students are hoping to have the site fully operational by the time they graduate at the end of next semester.

The city voted to not look into an appeal process concerning the Lap Dance Ordinance. By voting against an appeal, the ruling stands that the Iowa Supreme Court holds control over “live nude dancing” in the city of Ames and all city governments.

Tim Gartin moved to talk to legislature to discuss this issue but the issue was not seconded. Gartin stated concerns that the city was not pursing an issue where the state is holding control over a local ordinance.

Goodman then stated the issue was moot due to the fact that there are not business’s in Ames that allow “live nude dancing,” and that the council did not need to fight for control of this issue when there is nothing in the city to control at this time.