HomeMy WebLinkAboutA030 - Hearing on rezoning of the property located at Iowa State University Research Park, 4200 University Boulevard (S 530th), South of the Current Research Park Boundary from A to RIITEM #:32
DATE:02-10-26
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:REZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 16.35 ACRES FROM AGRICULTURAL (A)
TO RESEARCH PARK INNOVATION DISTRICT (RI)
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
This request relates to a 16.35-acre property located at Iowa State University Research Park,
4200 University Boulevard (S 530th), south of the current Research Park boundary.
At the January 27, 2026 City Council meeting, at the behest of the applicant, staff
recommended that City Council not proceed with the third reading of a rezoning for the site
that is the subject of this request. Prior to the meeting on January 27, the applicant had
modified the eastern boundary of the proposal to match a proposed Subdivision Lot line by
about 40 feet and approximately one additional net acre. At the January 27 meeting, the City
Council voted to hold a new public hearing for the proposed rezoning at the February 10, 2026
meeting with an updated rezoning exhibit and legal description (see attached).
The rezoning area is approximately 16.35 acres of a 35-acre parcel located south of the
current southernmost developed site of the Research Park along South 530th Avenue
(University) (see attached map). The rezoning area matches the proposed development
lot area in the Iowa State University Research Park Phase IV First Addition, which is
proposed for approval on the same agenda.
The request is to rezone from Agricultural “A” to the Research Park Innovation District
“RI.” The applicant requests RI for the planned area of development of the site and to
leave the remaining area as Ag within an outlot. The addendum includes more information
on the Plan 2040 designation for the property and Findings of Fact.
The essence of the proposal has not changed since the initial public hearing with the City
Council in December. The staff report from the December 16 meeting can be reviewed at this
link, including the Planning and Zoning Commission's discussion and recommendation of
approval for a zone change for part of the site. Note that at the original hearing a conceptual
rezoning Master Plan that was discussed on December 16th, but it was determined to not be
needed for the project and no formal approval of master plan or zoning agreement occurred.
Details on infrastructure extensions were deferred to the review of the Preliminary Plat for the
ISU Research Park Phase IV First Addition.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve on first reading the ordinance rezoning approximately 16.35 acres of a 35-acre
parcel from Agricultural to Research Park Innovation District (RI).
The applicant is requesting the City Council waive the rules and proceed with
second and third readings for the rezoning because the site was reviewed for
rezoning for essentially the same area in December before the proposed
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adjustment to the zoning boundary requiring this new hearing.
2. Deny the request to rezone a portion of the property from A-Agricultural to RI-Research
Park Innovation District.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposal is for partial rezoning of a site to suit the applicant's needs for the
planned development of the site within the RI zoning as a R&D facility. The proposed
zoning boundary is contingent on the approval of a subdivision that creates a lot
matching the rezoning boundary. If the subdivision is not approved, the split zoning
would restrict the entire site to agricultural use. There is also an applicant request to
waive the rules to approve the ordinance on second and third reading. If the rezoning is
finalized on the February 10, the applicant intends to file for final plat approval as early
as February 24.
The RI District proposal reflects the intended development pattern for ISURP. The
rezoning is also consistent with the Plan 2040 Employment designation for the area
with the required subdivision allowing for site specific infrastructure improvement
review to serve future development. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City
Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Addendum ISURP.pdf
Rezoning Exhibit.pdf
Existing Zoning and Location Map.pdf
Future Land Use Map.pdf
Plan 2040 Excerpt.pdf
Applicant Request.pdf
ISURP S 530th Ave Rezoning.docx
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ADDENDUM
Existing Uses of Land
The property is undeveloped and in agricultural production. 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 Crop production
North Crop production
East Crop production, a farmstead and the Ames
Municipal Airport
South Crop production
West Crop Production and a farmstead
Ames Plan 2040 Designation
Ames Plan 2040 designates the property with the “Employment” designation, which
supports general industrial areas and large-scale employment centers that are part of
planned business or ISU Research Park. Standard zoning categories listed for the
Employment land use designation include “GI” (General Industrial) and “II” (Intensive
Industrial) in addition to the requested “RI” (Research Park Industrial).
Infrastructure
Water territory will need to be bought out by ISURP to transfer service from Xenia to the
City of Ames.
Water and sewer infrastructure exists at the subject property’s north property line. They
were extended by ISURP with prior development.
The developer will extend water and sewer at the time of site development. As part of the
initial reviews of the development concept, staff has reviewed plans for future looping of
water and extension of sewer to serve the larger 150-acre area shown on the Master Plan
and to areas south and east of the site. Looping may be determined to be needed with
the first phase of development at the time of subdivision review.
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 property is owned by the Iowa State University Research Park. The
rezoning request and statement of justification is included as Attachment E.
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2. Ames Municipal Code Section 29.1507(1) allows the property owner to initiate an
amendment to the Official Zoning Map.
3. The subject properties are consistent with the designation of “Employment”
identified on the Ames Plan 2040 Future Land Use Map.
4. Road extensions will occur with the development of the three ISURP-owned
properties that have not yet been annexed to the south and east.
5. Impacts on infrastructure and City services for this parcel are consistent with what
is already anticipated for the area. Infrastructure is available to the site. Utilities are
to be extended in manner consistent with the Subdivision Code, with a final decision
deferred until Preliminary Plat review.
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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PARCEL
B
ZONED
A
-
1
W1/4 CORNER
SEC. 22-83-24
CURRENT ZONING: A-1 (AGRICULTURAL)
PROPOSED ZONING: RI (RESEARCH PARK INNOVATIVE DISTRICT)
712137.22 S.F.
16.35 ACRES TOTAL
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JOB#DATE:PAGE OF7238.002 1/19/26 1 1
Phone: (515) 233-0000
2802 South Loop Drive
Strand Associates, Inc.
Ames, Iowa 50010
FAX: (515) 233-0103
00 100'200'
Description - RI (Research Park Innovation District)
That part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 22, Township 83 North, Range 24 West of
the 5th P.M., Story County, Iowa, being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the West Quarter
Corner of said Section 22; thence S89°52'29"E, 719.34 feet along the north line of said Northwest Quarter of the
Southwest Quarter; thence S00°07'31"W, 1192.52 feet; thence S90°00'00"W, 705.40 feet to the west line of said
Section 22; thence N00°32'36"W, 603.36 feet along said line to the Southwest Corner of Parcel B in said Northwest
Quarter of the Southwest Quarter; thence N89°27'45"E, 423.59 feet to the Southeast Corner thereof; thence
N00°19'13"W, 313.23 feet to the Northeast Corner thereof; thence N87°19'30"W, 425.48 feet to the Northwest
Corner thereof; thence N00°32'36"W, 253.71 feet along the west line of said Section 22 to the point of beginning,
containing 16.35 acres.
REZONING EXHIBIT
Owner:
Iowa State University Research Park
1805 Collaboration Place, Suite 1250
Ames, IA 50010
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O-PUD
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A RI
COLLABORATION PL
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Existing Zoning Map
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LINCOLN
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13THONTARIO
INTERSTATE
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¯Legend
Parcels
City Boundaries
Zoning Districts
Agricultural Zone "A" (sec
29.600)
Research Park Innovation
District "RI" (sec 29.903)
Government/Airport District
"S-GA" (sec 29.1002)
Suburban Residential Zone
Residential Low Density ''FS-
RL'' (sec 29.1202(4)-1)
Overlay Zones
""""""
"
"
""""""
"
"Planned Unit Development Overlay
District "O-PUD" (1)
Rezoning
Area ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
6
Civic
RN-3
RN-3
Emp
Emp
RN-5
OS
EmpRN-3
NC-MU
NC MU
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COLLABORATIONPL
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Future Land Use Map
0 0.1 0.20.05
Miles
IN
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3
5
LINCOLN
24TH
13THONTARIO
INTERSTATE
35
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¯Legend
Parcels
City Boundaries
Ames Plan 2040 Future
Land Use Designations
Natural Areas
Residential Neighborhood 3 -
Expansion (RN-3)
Residential Neighborhood 5 -
Multi-family (RN-5)
Neighborhood Core - Mixed
Use (NC MU)
Employment (Emp)
Open Space
Civic
Rezoning
Area
ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
ISURP-
owned land
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P L A N E L E M E N T S G R O W T H & L A N D U S E
63 A M E S P L A N 2 0 4 0
Employment (Emp)
» Includes both general industrial areas and large-scale employment centers that are part of planned business or ISU Research Park.
»Mixes traditional manufacturing warehouse activities on the east side of the city and office and R&D uses in ISU Research Park and areas near South Bell.
»Can include high impact and heavy industrial uses.
» Older areas include single purpose industrial lots and relatively low-density site development.
»Planned facilities include large blocks and large sites.
» High truck traffic generation with good access to regional transportation facilities.
» City policy to focus most new large large industrial development east of I-35.
» Service uses are clustered in Boone County and can be expanded with the West Growth Areas.
LAND USE: CATEGORIES
PUBLIC ACTIONS
»Implement infrastructure and transportation projects necessary to open the East Industrial area.
»As East Industrial, Prairie View, develops out with large uses, evaluate options for smaller industrial sites and locally serving commercial uses. Large format retail is not permitted.
» Use economic development tools and standard to
» Support commuter transportation alternatives to single occupant automobiles.
»Adapt zoning to provide for large manufacturing facilities based on automation.
» Differentiate zoning for business park use types from individual general industrial uses oriented to small or independent businesses.
»East scenario Tiers 3 and 4 have planned residential uses adjacent to industrial uses north of the railroad. Consider future compatibility of use and traffic levels with industrial. Development options north of the railroad.
DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
» Phase out small obsolete industrial clusters in primarily non-industrial areas, such as industrial pockets along the railroad.
»Use screening and landscaped buffering to address building scale and typical utilitarian appearance.
»Residential uses should not be permitted in these areas. Site design should provide separation and buffering between intense industrial and adjacent residential use.
» Apply aesthetic enhancements to sites along major corridors.
»Plan for improved pedestrian connectivity and access for alternative modes of transportation.
» Large sites may allow for incorporating green infrastructure, renewable energy, or other GHG reduction and sustainable design techniques to existing site and development in new employment areas.
» Focus Research Park uses on R&D and office with
» Ensure truck traffic and transportation capacity is
GOALS
»Provide attractive and well-functioning settings for a range of industrial enterprises.
» Build on Ames’ natural and historic strength in research.
» Minimize impact and external effects on city neighborhoods.
» Discourage industrial uses that are large resource users for water and sewer services with system capacity impacts.
APPL ICABLE EXISTING ZONING CATEGORIES
»GI General Industrial PI Planned Industrial
»RI Research Park Industrial
»II Intensive Industrial
high employment intensity.
adequately addressed in siting new large industrial facilities.
support resource and environmentally conscious uses, minimize water and sewer capacity demand.
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DO NOT WRITE IN THE SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE, RESERVED FOR RECORDER
Prepared by: Renee Hall, 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 Iowa State University Research Park Phase IV,
1st Addition, 4200 University (S. 530th Avenue), is rezoned from Agricultural to Research
Park Innovation District.
Real Estate Description: That part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of
Section 22, Township 83 North, Range 24 West of the 5th P.M., Story County, Iowa, being
more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the West Quarter Corner of said
Section 22; thence S89°52'29"E, 719.34 feet along the north line of said Northwest
Quarter of the Southwest Quarter; thence S00°07'31"W, 1192.52 feet; thence
S90°00'00"W, 705.40 feet to the west line of said Section 22; thence N00°32'36"W,
603.36 feet along said line to the Southwest Corner of Parcel B in said Northwest Quarter
of the Southwest Quarter; thence N89°27'45"E, 423.59 feet to the Southeast Corner
thereof; thence N00°19'13"W, 313.23 feet to the Northeast Corner thereof; thence
N87°19'30"W, 425.48 feet to the Northwest Corner thereof; thence N00°32'36"W, 253.71
feet along the west line of said Section 22 to the point of beginning, containing 16.35
acres.
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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