HomeMy WebLinkAboutA041 - Hearing on Rezoning Property at 220-400 Freel Drive from General Industrial (GI) to Government/Airport District (S-GA)ITEM #:41
DATE:11-18-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:REZONING OF PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 220, 306, 312, 318, AND 400
FREEL DRIVE FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (GI) TO
GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT DISTRICT (S-GA)
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City of Ames is requesting to rezone the 9.53 acres of property located at 220, 306, 312,
318, and 400 Freel Drive from General Industrial (GI) to Special Purpose - Government/Airport
District (S-GA) (Attachments A & B).
The City recently purchased the subject properties to establish a new Resource Recovery and
Recycling Campus to accept municipal solid waste, recyclable materials, and yard waste from
residents and commercial haulers. The materials would then be transferred offsite for disposal
or recycling.
Once the site is rezoned, the City will make further decisions about the design, timing, and
construction of the facility. Development and use of the property will be subject to
administrative staff review with a Minor Site Development Plan.
Ames Plan 2040 designates the property as "Employment" (Emp) (Attachment C). Standard
zoning categories listed for Employment include General Industrial (GI), Research Park
Industrial (RI), and Intensive Industrial (II). The S-GA District is exclusively reserved for
properties used for or owned by government (federal, state, county, school district, or
municipal). Any future land use designation can have land use that is zoned S-GA.
Development within S-GA is guided by the planned land use, which in this case would be
industrial standards. One of the goals of the Employment land use designation is to
accommodate a wide range of industrial types of uses. GI zoning, which is typically applied to
Employment designated land, allows for a wide range of indoor and outdoor uses.
A transfer station facility is similar to allowed uses in GI and will be compatible with industrial
uses planned for this area. If the rezoning was not approved, waste processing would be
allowed within the current GI zoning subject to approval of a Special Use Permit.
Utilities are accessible from the Freel Drive right-of-way. Vehicle access will be from Freel
Drive. The City is planning a Freel Drive street improvement project that will pave Freel Drive
from Lincoln Way to SE 5th Street.
The property is located within the 100-year floodway fringe which will require flood protection
improvements consistent with Chapter 9 of the Ames Municipal Code. Therefore, the
proposed S-GA zoning does not alter flood protection requirements compared to the
current GI zoning.
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
On November 5, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission considered the rezoning
request. A representative of a property owner for a house located north of the site was
concerned about increased industrial use in relation to their residence and asked if the use
was allowed in GI zoning. The Commission discussed the use and flood protection
requirements. The Commission voted 5-0-1 to recommend approval.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Public Works staff sent a letter to all property owners adjacent to this site in October . The
letter described the City's intent for use of the property and to contact staff with questions.
Planning and Housing staff provided mailed notice to all property owners within 400 feet of the
subject property and posted a sign on the site prior to the November 5 Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting. Notice for the City Council hearing was mailed to property owners within
400 feet, published in the Ames Tribune, and a sign was posted on the site.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve first reading of an ordinance to rezone the properties at 220, 306, 312, 318, and
400 Freel Drive from General Industrial (GI) to Special Purpose - Government/Airport
District (S-GA).
2. Deny the request to rezone the properties at 220, 306, 312, 318, and 400 Freel Drive.
3. Refer this item back to staff for more information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The request for rezoning will allow for Government use of the site as defined by the
City Council. Use of the site will be similar to industrial uses that are consistent with
the adopted Ames Plan 2040 as described in the addendum. There are no projected
impacts to infrastructure and City services for this parcel. Although no defined plans
are available for the site at this time, the City Council will review and approve the
design of the transfer station at the time the project is issued for bid. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative 1, as described
above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
220-400 Freel Drive Rezoning Addendum.pdf
Attachments A, B, & C.pdf
220-400 Freel Drive - Rezoning.docx
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ADDENDUM
REZONING BACKGROUND:
Ames Plan 2040. The Future Land Use Map designates the land proposed for rezoning
as “Employment” (Emp) which is consistent with the proposed “S-GA”
(Government/Airport) District zoning (see Attachment B – Future Land Use Map).The
proposed use as a Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus Transfer Station that
accepts municipal solid waste, recyclable material, and yard waste for the City of Ames
is consistent with the goals and development guidelines for the “Emp” land use
designation. The new facility is located in an industrial neighborhood and will mi nimize
the impact and external effects on city neighborhoods, which is a stated goal for the “Emp”
future land use category.
Proposed Zoning. The applicant proposes rezoning from “GI” (General Industrial) to “S-
GA” (Government/Airport) District. The “S-GA” zone is a Special Purpose District in the
adopted zoning regulations of Chapter 29 in the Municipal Code. It is reserved exclusively
for structures and uses related to or owned by federal, state, county, school districts, or
municipal government authorities. Such structures and uses include property of the City
of Ames for administration and services. Although such governmental structures and uses
enjoy a legal exemption from local zoning requirements, with the exception of height
limitations in the vicinity of an airport, it is expected that such authorities will cooperate
with the Department of Planning and Housing to encourage the development of standards
which will be applicable to and compatible with the general character of the ar ea in which
this District is situated.
Development of the site will incorporate unique features of government use for the
processing of waste, storage, and fueling (see attached description). These activities are
permitted to occur within GI zoning, but S-GA zoning is the preferred zoning for
government owned and operated sites to accommodate, if needed, unique characteristi cs
of the government uses.
Existing Uses of Land. Land uses that occupy the subject property and other
surrounding properties are described in the following table.
Direction from Subject
Property
Existing Primary Land Uses
Subject Property Vacant Open Space
North Industrial Service and Outdoor Storage
East Industrial Service and Outdoor Storage
South Industrial Service
West Vacant, Industrial, and Outdoor Storage
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Infrastructure. Public utilities serving this parcel are in the Freel Drive right-of-way along
the west boundary of the site. The street is paved from the intersection of Lincoln Way
south to 220 Freel Drive. Freel Drive will require paving improvements for the length of
the proposed development site, which will extend south to 400 Freel Dr. The City is
planning paving of Freel from the north to the intersection with SE 5 th.
Findings of Fact. Based upon an analysis of the proposed rezoning and laws pertinent
to the proposed map amendment, staff makes the following findings of fact:
1. The subject properties are owned by the City of Ames. A map of the boundaries for
the subject properties is included as Attachment E – Property Survey & Legal
Description.
2. The stated purpose of the S-GA zoning designation is, in part, to be reserved
exclusively for structures and uses related to or owned by federal, state, county,
school districts, or municipal government authorities.
3. The proposed rezoning with the intended use is consistent with other General
Industrial uses and the designation of “Employment” (Emp) identified on the Ames
Plan 2040 Future Land Use Map.
4. Site Development will be subject to approval of a Minor Site Development Plan to
ensure that such development and intensity of the use provide a safe, functional,
efficient, and environmentally sound operation.
5. Infrastructure and City services for this parcel are consistent with what is already
anticipated for the area with the planned Freel Drive paving improvements.
Public Notice. The City provided mailed notice to all property owners within 400 feet of
the subject property prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in accordance
with the notification requirements of Chapter 29.
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ATTACHMENT A
Location Map
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ATTACHMENT B
Zoning Map
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ATTACHMENT C
Ames Plan 2040 Future Land Use Map
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DO NOT WRITE IN THE SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE, RESERVED FOR RECORDER
Prepared by: City Clerk’s Office, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 Phone: 515-239-5105
Return to: Ames City Clerk, P.O. Box 811, Ames, IA 50010
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE
CITY OF AMES, IOWA, AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 29.301 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY CHANGING THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED AND SHOWN ON
SAID MAP AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 29.1507 OF THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa;
Section 1: The Official Zoning Map of the City of Ames, Iowa, as provided for in Section
29.301 of the Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa, is amended by changing the boundaries
of the districts established and shown on said Map in the manner authorized by Section 29.1507
of the Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa, as follows: That the real estate, generally located
at 220-400 Freel Drive is rezoned from General Industrial (GI) to Government/Airport District (S-
GA)
Real Estate Description:
306, 312, 318 Freel, legal description as follows: Lot Twelve (12), Thirteen (13) and
Fourteen (14) in Woodland Acres, Plat 2, Ames, Iowa, Story County, Iowa
220 Freel, legal description as follows: Lot Three (3), Pete Cooper Subdivision, Ames,
Iowa, Story County, Iowa
400 Freel, legal description as follows: Lot Nine (9), Ten (10), and Eleven (11), Woodland
Acres, Plat 2, Ames, Iowa, Story County, Iowa
Section 2: All other ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
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Section 3: This ordinance is in full force and effect from and after its adoption and
publication as provided by law.
ADOPTED THIS day of , .
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A Haila, Mayor
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