This meeting is a council workshop on Targeted Growth Strategy (see aggenda) . The staff report on the relative cost of growth has a lot of good information in it. Please consider reviewing it. There are currently residental development proposals for the North (area around Ada Hayden), Northwest (onion creek) and the Southwest of Ames (see map below). All these areas have different cost impacts on the city and thus the citizens (tax payers).
Many would like to allow growth in all three directions. However there is a cost of development that is born by the city for each of these areas. It is more efficient for the tax payer to have directed growth because the infrastructure will be built shortly before it is needed. If the city of Ames were to grow in all three directions at once the infrastructure costs to the city would be quite large. The result would be that much of that infrastructure would not be in use for at least 20 years. That is there are no homes using much of that infrastructure and with no homes there are no additional tax dollars paying for that infrastructure. These infrastructure costs are both one time capital costs and on going costs. Infrastructure costs include roads, bridges, sewer, water, storm water, police and fire protection. Efficient use of city dollars is the reason for targeted growth policies.
The report seems to indicate the least cost to the city is in the Northwest. This is for both one time capital cost and the annual recurring operation cost. Note that much of the North annual operating cost is due to the yearly expense of a fourth fire station that would be needed in the North.
| Cost of Development (see report) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Northwest | North | |
| Annual Operating Cost | $263,699 | $97,131 | $977,544 |
| Oversize Cost Per Developable Acre | $8,978 | $6,421 | $13,730 |
| Infrastructure Cost Per Developable Acre | $27,355 | $15,528 | $30,134 |
Another consideration is the impact to local schools. More single family homes means more students and in some cases more school buildings. It is important to note that the school district boundaries do NOT expand with the change in city boundaries.
| Projected Additional Housing Units per Area (see report) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Northwest | North | |
| Ames Schools | 2308 | 1098 | 10 |
| Gilbert Schools | 0 | 1812 | 2318 |
| United Community Schools | 1768 | 1001 | 0 |
The current city policy (see LUPP) is to direct growth to the Southwest and Northwest. Council directed staff to update the council on the cost of growth because the city has had many requests to grow North by developers. While North has attractions for development, the question before the public and the council is "does the city want to grow North?" and "do the citizens (tax payers) want to pay extra to support Northern growth". Please let me know your thoughts. I may not have time to respond to every email (I do read and value them).
That is it for now. More in a few weeks.
Jim Popken
City Council At Large
Disclaimer: My intent of this communication is to give you a heads up on items coming to the city council. I may state some of my impressions and leanings here. I will, however, try to avoid staking out a position on issues before the council meeting occurs. I feel that I should avoid committing to any positions until I have heard and considered all the public input at the council meeting before a vote.
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