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Planning commission approves master-plan amendment to allow apartments at 4899 Everest Avenue
Summary
The Ames Planning and Zoning Commission approved a master-plan amendment for the Bluffs at Dankbar Farms (4899 Everest Ave.) that allows a limited area for small apartment buildings while keeping the overall unit cap unchanged; the motion passed 4–3. The decision advances the item toward City Council review.
The Ames City Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4–3 to approve a master-plan amendment for an unbuilt parcel at 4899 Everest Avenue, allowing a mix of housing that could include small apartment buildings in a defined northeast corner of the Bluffs at Dankbar Farms subdivision.
City planning staff told commissioners the request from Friedrich Land Development Company does not increase the total number of units allowed on the site, only the configuration. "The unit count is not increased, it's just divided differently," the planning director said while describing the concept of clustered apartments and attached single-family units. Staff recommended conditions to limit where apartments could be sited on the master plan so the development provides a clear transition to adjacent single-family areas.
Luke Jensen, representing Friedrich Land Development, told the commission the company sought flexibility to pursue a mixture of ownership and rental housing. "This property has always been something that we were going to get to ... as we took our focus really on the single family to the south," Jensen said, arguing the mix would help meet diverse housing demands.
Commissioners questioned the proposal's compatibility with the city's comp plan and existing neighborhood character, asking about emergency access, parking, garage setbacks and how the proposed buildings would achieve the same unit count as the original attached-single-family concept. Staff said Fire had made an initial review and did not raise major concerns at this conceptual stage, and clarified that setbacks and detailed lot layouts would come later through platting or a public site-plan review if the rezoning is approved.
Several commissioners expressed a preference for owner-occupied attached units but acknowledged strong rental demand in the community. Staff noted the city's reported apartment vacancy under 5 percent, which supports demand for rental product. The commission ultimately approved Alternative One — the staff-recommended approach that allows apartments only in the discrete northeast corner of the site and keeps the overall unit cap the same — by voice vote, 4 in favor and 3 opposed.
The commission's action amends the master plan; subsequent steps include platting, site-plan review and public hearings on any specific building proposals. The amendment will move forward to City Council for its consideration and any final regulatory approvals.
