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Home builders seek wider curb cuts, loop drive allowances; council authorizes zoning text amendment application
Summary
The Ames Home Builders Association asked the council to relax driveway throat-width limits and let certain looped driveways; the council authorized the association to file a zoning text amendment for staff review.
The Ames Home Builders Association (AHBA) urged the City Council to revise driveway-approach standards that builders say produce narrow, awkward approaches on modern houses.
Jake Hanson, president of the AHBA and a local home builder, presented three primary requests: allow up to a 29-foot driveway throat at the sidewalk (and a 35-foot curb cut at the curb), permit looped driveways where approaches are separated by a minimum distance, and limit inspections to the public approach to reduce unnecessary inspection trips for private onsite concrete.
Hanson said narrow 20-foot approaches can leave little lateral space between parked vehicles and hamper movement for people using mobility devices or trying to exit a vehicle. “That doesn't allow that encroaches into over that 20 foot side,” Hanson said, describing situations where occupants must step into landscaping or snow banks to get past a parked car. Builder Justin Dodge told council that frustrated clients often widen drives after occupancy if ordinance limits force them to use narrower approaches.
Council members asked staff for technical review and to weigh trade-offs such as on‑street parking loss and access-management concerns. Planning and Public Works staff said a modest increase (staff discussed about 4 feet in some contexts) could address many builder examples, but asked council to allow staff to analyze impacts — especially if looped driveways were to be allowed more broadly on narrower lots.
Council action: The council authorized the Home Builders Association to submit a zoning text‑amendment application consistent with its presentation, to allow staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the proposed changes and report back. The motion to allow the AHBA to apply carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: Driveway-approach standards affect street parking supply, curb-cut frequency, and the pedestrian environment. Council asked staff to study whether changes should be limited by lot width or other lot characteristics before any ordinance amendment.
Next steps: Staff will review the AHBA proposal, evaluate impacts (on-street parking loss, driveway sequencing, accessibility), and process a zoning text amendment through the Planning & Zoning Commission and back to council.
