Mary Greeley seeks zoning changes for nurse-training center and four townhomes; council narrows scope

Representatives of Mary Greeley Medical Center told the Ames City Council on Aug. 5 that they seek two zoning amendments to the Hospital Medical District to allow a development that would add a nurse-training facility and four townhome-style residential units at the southwest corner of their campus. Gary Boteen, chief financial officer for Mary Greeley, and Tenfold Architecture representatives described a proposed complex with a 60-foot training building adjacent to existing single-family residences to the south and a separate row of four townhomes fronting Kellogg Avenue. The hospital asked council to allow household living as a principal use in the district (to permit the townhomes) and to reduce the extra setback that currently applies to buildings taller than 50 feet where they abut residential zoning. Under the existing code adopted in 2011 to preserve neighborhood compatibility amid requests for increased height, a building taller than 50 feet in the hospital district must set back 50 feet from an adjacent residential lot; the applicant requested the 12-foot setback that otherwise applies to shorter buildings. City staff told council…