Developer apologizes as Clive council approves site-plan amendment for Stratford Commons building

The Clive City Council on March 13 approved a site plan amendment allowing exterior facade updates at 12107 Stratford Drive, a roughly 8,000-square-foot office building now used for a cosmetics business, after the owner and his contractor acknowledged they completed the changes without following the city’s review process.

Katherine, a city planner, told the council staff had received one neighborhood letter opposing the color change and that Planning & Zoning had unanimously failed the amendment recommendation, citing concerns about setting a precedent and the opaque stain’s lack of visual contrast with nearby buildings. "Major facade updates are generally not approved by staff and go through the site plan amendment process," she said.

Harry Kambolian, the building owner, apologized during the hearing. "We did not go through the proper channels — the fault is ours," Kambolian said. He and the project team said they had reached out to nearby commercial property owners for support, had added new landscaping to provide additional screening and argued the finished appearance aligns better with surrounding residential properties than the prior facade.

A representative for Downing Construction, the designer for the project, showed municipal examples and told councilors the chosen stain product was intended for masonry and would allow the stone veneer to "breathe," and acknowledged staff concerns about paint-versus-stain durability and transparency.

Several council members expressed support for the building’s improvement but said they were troubled by the process lapse. "The problem I have is the precedent set through the process," Council member Ted said, urging the city to guard against a pattern of owners acting first and seeking forgiveness later. Council member Eric said he appreciated the investment but emphasized the need for staff to be able to control future exceptions.

Katherine told councilors staff intends to refine the development standards manual and add clearer language on stains and paints as part of ongoing zoning ordinance updates this year. She said staff would recommend more transparent stain options in future applications.

After discussion, the council moved to approve the site plan amendment. The motion passed unanimously. Council members said they approved the specific request while urging staff to tighten guidance and ensure the approval does not become a precedent for bypassing review.

The council’s action means the applicant may keep the current facade treatment as approved; staff noted that if council had denied the amendment the applicant would have needed to consider options that could include restoring or recladding the veneer.