[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6206261,"mediaKeyId","3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337","parentId",3764385,"title","Board asks staff to research requiring rental-code disclosure at sale after bedroom safety dispute","audioSeconds",1834,"startMs",1626000,"endMs",3460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337&start=1626&end=3460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337/thumbnail_1626000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206261/Ames-City/Story-County/Iowa/Board-asks-staff-to-research-requiring-rental-code-disclosure-at-sale-after-bedroom-safety-dispute","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206261-95bf0885e868644628a9b7f737567de7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445669&Signature=MC0ifdD36uG9sbWUzCWDxratwA-n00q8moWsXHKG~0LiVmlsjAhE8Zpyp7GW5oN6S6mJrVCTWKtonZXamrRc-UzU0YpZv1Vlmtx8R449K37~EnPHWxxk7mxiaHUON9LUKzR56bt9g9ZlCUpucW0SJWHzlASwf9VC7gHMgwk~5A4HGUWB9z-obzoaOs~GAQT0UtquuxhShBGZobEX559NsxItcSIg2KbGNX5jB3sdZOi1vOlyBQM3UX6NBCYDaZAtlYjqr6aAeHMh9hm6PWW94dLPhUS9qi4PK~8OItwkOMJJIALQNnQ6uxlgTq5qx-gE65M5EbGk4aZFL2miZhEAbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ames City","date","2025-06-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board voted to ask staff to research options to reduce buyer confusion after a recent case in which a room shown on the assessor's public record was not approved as a bedroom by code inspectors.

Sarah (staff member) told the board about a property that had been listed and sold with what the assessor's record showed as an additional bedroom; inspectors found the space did not meet minimum code safety standards for a bedroom, including a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet. The new owner bought the house expecting to rent it as a four-bedroom unit and later learned the space would not be classified as a bedroom under city code.

Board members discussed existing tools: the city offers a pre-sale inspection service and issues letters of compliance (one- to four-year lengths depending on violations). Staff said they try to educate realtors and sellers and that a presale inspection can generate a remediation list before sale. Staff also noted the assessor's public property site (Beacon) is used widely and may not be simple to change for a single jurisdiction.

Members suggested several potential responses: improved outreach to the assessor's office and realtors, clearer language on the city website, a nonbinding buyer information packet, or an ordinance requiring disclosure of rental-code considerations at the time of sale. The board moved and approved a motion asking staff to research the legal feasibility of requiring that buyers be provided notice (or documentation) of rental-code requirements at sale and to return with options.

Staff said other practices already exist to reduce surprises: presale inspections, a $56 special inspection fee when owners remove themselves from the rental process after an inspection, and a process that issues letters of compliance after corrections are made. No change to the code was adopted at the meeting; the vote directed staff to investigate options and report back.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ames City Property Maintenance Appeals Board | June 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a recent case in which a room listed by the city assessor was judged unsafe as a bedroom by inspectors, the board asked staff to explore options — including requiring disclosure at property sale — and to increase outreach to assessors, realtors and buyers.","taxTitle","Ames City, Story County, Iowa","taxId",4975,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206266,"Appeals board weighs creating structured variance criteria; staff to draft memo to city counsel",731,521000,1252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337&start=521&end=1252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6206266/Ames-City/Story-County/Iowa/Appeals-board-weighs-creating-structured-variance-criteria-staff-to-draft-memo-to-city-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206266-71b12cc49d8bb5c893d494cb57091dd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445669&Signature=e456Kd51dCIfmGN1Wq4JzIMyVQ2GmXWyoMwrwdkUW4-rc-fOFely9i2uTvo8JHiyKBv9N33I-A2NV2ulzerXNymqol3TyOGJaKW9zLhSogu3hGAW8C49YucATlfi02GLyq1BvD2xzWTJgoauxX4ffX~vNI4PrRoatJPUIj30K69Q1Zm-sDYD3OwWzicSR7XW-SllcszSm7fwFKhqF9UZ9ohpL39QC8BauQB0wIAhwRCmspcws~N5juN5ZGgs2L-8mKxP5oLMFLZJNMRdHoKrJW-xBmUXtesW18zNdLg2pweq6ykxKGVhptZZf-qmaqRg18bqOQBuDszTeNLc-intew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members of the Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board spent the bulk of the meeting discussing whether the city code should include a structured variance process for property maintenance appeals and what criteria should govern that process.

Sarah (staff member) presented a memo summarizing options and highlighted the Windsor Heights variance criteria as an example. She told the board that the current code does not allow staff or the board to \"waive the code requirements,\" and that there is not a mechanism to grant exemptions purely on cost or convenience.

Members debated pros and cons of adopting zoning-like variance standards. Some said stricter, objective language (for example, impracticability or equivalent level of compliance) narrows discretion but can leave few cases eligible for relief. Others favored clearer, accessible language for appellants so that the board and applicants understand thresholds for relief. Several members proposed a two‑track approach that distinguishes life‑safety items from non–life‑safety issues, with less discretion for matters that affect renter safety.

The board voted to direct staff to prepare a memo for city counsel documenting the board's concerns about the current code and exploring options. Staff said it will return to the appeals board with proposed categories and revised draft language for consideration before any code amendment would be sent to council.

No code changes were adopted at the meeting; the action was to request staff research and counsel review.","Board members discussed whether to recommend creating a variance process or clearer standards for appeals and directed staff to send a memo to city counsel for further research and options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206271,"Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board postpones election of officers until full board present",137,294000,431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337&start=294&end=431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764385-404194cd449dbcc8504581dc0ca1f337/thumbnail_294000.jpg","/articles/6206271/Ames-City/Story-County/Iowa/Ames-Property-Maintenance-Appeals-Board-postpones-election-of-officers-until-full-board-present","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206271-6a682ac9e50752b814b4f58770e3893b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445669&Signature=H0qjELTu5uNVj~iXv2O1ZiC321oC3eQ-7dFXFOJX1B8XPK9kG08ptUdsDpYHlA5wthV-1u~cHgdpU3ZciBdhP5PxNV6XgeVqJqONVzWWpbbH9IvTqbVODEEnQYp2sYvoxHX5AwRoGMWVYREAvzROm7WiXr6D1Mal-GBlS3E8Kd-PVl-UqEziDkINbEBT93XOywIOQodYcArH-FKJMxoT8EOni9tHx6SqtZBeHRLYsq5D9r12j1cd6XJZoZzHGnWIQWQjGXnPQrypw7I8LyTNuMh8w5PlZ4B9LvoOOdfZjkLgc8R8kykU06NljMsyNHeXWo2P3Z7C8kdRQ3BBm29uIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board voted to table the election of a chairman and vice chair at its June meeting, saying the board prefers to hold the vote when more members can attend.

Board members moved and seconded to delay the election until the next meeting to allow Matthew and Patty — who were absent — to participate. Lauren Veil seconded the motion to table, and the chair called for a voice vote; the motion passed with the board answering “aye.”

Members debated whether to put a calendar date in the minutes; the board agreed to record the action as postponing the election until the next meeting rather than naming a specific date. No further action on officer elections was taken during the session.

The postponement was procedural only: the board approved minutes from its March 6, 2025 meeting later in the same meeting and continued with other agenda items.","The Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board voted to table the election of a chairman and vice chair until its next meeting when more members can attend.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board asks staff to research requiring rental-code disclosure at sale after bedroom safety dispute

Appeals board weighs creating structured variance criteria; staff to draft memo to city counsel

Ames Property Maintenance Appeals Board postpones election of officers until full board present