I think much of what you point out here comes down to compromise. Breckenridge still got their development on the north parcel of the old middle school along Lincoln Way (just in higher density from). 26 single family homes and 38 apartment/townhome units with the current development plan on the middle parcel (controlled by the city). I think the city chose the better of the two LITECH proposal as Prairie Fire had more green space and amenities with slightly less units (the neighborhood also supported their proposal). As for the church north of somerset, they originally owned that entire property and had planned a retreat area with other recreational amenities around the site. At least they gave up some of it to the retirement development otherwise there would have been even more open space.
Prairie Fire proposal:
As far as the housing crunch in Ames. I think it mostly comes down to availability of land and the city's willingness to subsidize development cost with pioneer infrastructure (e.g. Ankeny). What land is available near the fringes of Ames is pretty expensive and often times requires infrastructure upsizing. I do think we will see improved planning in this regard with Ames Plan 2040 once it is adopted. Which might help guide developers more.
For new single family housing developments in the next couple years (other than north Ames) I think there will be some new ones in south Ames off of Oakwood Rd. This one in particular looks like it could be pretty unique: https://www.facebook.com/ansleyames
I like the fact the people developing it are a local family that lives on the farmland their and has some businesses in the area. As opposed to the normal larger developers like Hunziker, Friedrich, Jensen, etc. Not that I have anything in particular against them.
Good info, thanks. I started sending this off the restaurant rails so will stop here.
I agree about getting land "development ready" with utilities. Ames is are in a pickle as the have the boundaries of US 30 to South, terrain/creeks to NW, Skunk River floodplain to NE, industry/I-35 to East, and other 'obvious land' tied up by ISU (southwest Ames research fields, applied sciences complex on 13th)....that's why it was odd to me those NW Somerset acres sat undeveloped for a decade and then went to non-SF housing when it is in such employer/jobs demand.
I see what you mean about the higher density dev't ending up on the old MS old track site along Lincoln Way. I had forgotten about the old track there! (pics below)
Hope the north and south developments there look as nice as those renderings! Thanks again!
I just looked up some stuff about that Ansley thing - I'll post in new thread.
For the youngsters who don't know the old MS site west of State Ave/Cross Country course:
Today
Old Days
