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After hours of public comment, zoning board approves Romero House special-use permit for 702 Clark Avenue with limits on occupancy and operational conditions
Summary
By a roll-call vote, the Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a special-use permit for Romero House at 702 Clark Avenue, adopting staff's refined conditions: weekday hospitality hours (1'4 p.m.) and Sunday hours (10:30 a.m.' 4 p.m.), maximum 25 people at any one time during hospitality windows with a cumulative cap of 45 for the service period, a 10-person cap outside hospitality, no overnight stays, and site, parking and monitoring conditions.
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on March 26 to grant Romero House a special-use permit to operate at 702 Clark Avenue, imposing detailed conditions on hours, occupancy, access, parking and monitoring after more than three hours of testimony and discussion.
Staff framed the issue as a new allowance in the single-family conservation overlay: the City Council recently amended the overlay to permit consideration of one additional social-service provider on lots that abut a commercial zone. Planning staff described the proposed use as two functions: administrative office space and daytime hospitality services (meals, hygiene, laundry and an interior rest area). Staff recommended approval with refined conditions that clarify scope and measurement of intensity by counting people rather than by attempting to distinguish guests from volunteers and staff.
Key conditions adopted by the board include: - Hours and occupancy: hospitality services weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m. (peak), Sundays…
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