HomeMy WebLinkAboutA030 - Hearing on Annexation of Ames Golf and Country Club and Irons Subdivision PropertiesITEM #:29
DATE:07-28-26
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:ANNEXATION OF AMES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB AND IRONS
SUBDIVISION PROPERTIES
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The proposed annexation is the result of the Ames City Council determining on May 13, 2025
to proceed with annexing properties that were developed as the Irons Subdivision by the
Ames Golf and Country Club (AGCC).
At the time of the initial approval of the Irons Subdivision in 2014, the AGCC agreed to
covenants for future annexation of its property as well as for all the future residential
lots created within the Irons Subdivision. The covenants were a condition of approval
for the rural subdivision proposed by AGCC. City Council confirmed the intent to annex
the area on June 9 by initiating the annexation process to be completed consistent with
state law requirements.
The former Borgmeyer Farm property south of the AGCC was annexed in 2025, making the
AGCC/Irons property abutting to the City and therefore eligible to be annexed. City Council
determined it was appropriate to proceed with the Borgmeyer Farm annexation in 2025 and to
then subsequently proceed separately with executing the annexation language of the Irons
Subdivision covenants.
Uniquely in state law for annexations, a City Council may approve a transition of the
imposition of City taxes related to newly annexed land. The transition of taxes must
apply to all properties within annexation if it is approved. The transition of taxes is not
an abatement of value, but a lessening of the taxes collected by City to help ease the
increase in overall taxes paid because of the additional city tax levy rate.
At the time of initiating the 2025 Irons Subdivision annexation process to receive
annexation applications, the City Council offered an incentive of a 3-year property tax
transition (75%,50%, 25% reduction) to encourage the submittal of annexation
applications in a timely manner. This is the first time the City has utilized this option to
facilitate an annexation application.
Complete annexation applications have been received from 20 property owners
representing 143.12 acres in the planned annexation area (see the attached map
showing the annexation area and consenting property owners). Although all property
owners within the annexation area are required by the current covenants to voluntarily
annex at the direction of the City Council, these 20 applicants represent 61% of the 33
total property owners and 93% of the total annexation territory.
Under Iowa Code Section 368, up to 20% of the total land area of a voluntary annexation may
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be composed of nonconsenting properties (referred to as the 80/20 rule). This is allowed by
statute to avoid creating islands or to create more uniform city boundaries. Because the land
area of the consenting property owners in this instance is greater than 80% but not 100%, this
annexation is considered an 80/20 annexation.
The proposed 80/20 annexation conforms to the State law requirements of including
nonconsenting properties by creating more uniform boundaries of the City upon annexation.
Without the uniform boundary there would be intermittent pattern of properties of County
jurisdiction along with City jurisdiction properties, including along roadways.
Right-of-way (ROW) is included with the annexation as required by State law. The east half of
GW Carver will be annexed from Cameron School Road to 190th Street. Along 190th Street
the right-of-way that is south of the section line will be annexed. 190th Street is not centered in
the ROW and “half of the road” will not be annexed in portions of the area because the road is
located on other properties areas to the north of the annexation.
PLAN 2040 CONSISTENCY:
The area of annexation was originally developed in the County as an area of transition in
anticipation of the growth of the City. Development was approved before the land could be
annexed and developed in the City.
Ames Plan 2040 was subsequently adopted and this area is shown generally as a mix of RN-
3 for the housing area and Open Space for the golf course area. These designations indicate
the City would annex these areas, even though they were originally approved for development
in the County, subject to future annexation.
OTHER ISSUES:
Upon annexation the residential properties will be zoned FS-RL to reflect their existing
development pattern, rather than Ag zoning as is typical with annexation of undeveloped land.
The AGCC property will remain Ag zoning, where golf courses are permitted under Park and
Outdoor Area uses.
Planning at the time of the Irons Subdivision approval included the intention for changing to
City water service territory from Xenia water service territory. No new water mains must be
extended. Instead, existing water mains will be utilized. The water territory buyout terms were
completed by the Developer at the time of Final Plat approval. When City water is extended
adjacent to the Irons Subdivision, the water supply will then be switched to the City of Ames.
The homes are currently on septic systems. A deferred installation of a sanitary sewer
system was planned for the Irons Subdivision, subject to timing as determined by the
Ames City Council. Installation of the sanitary system would be at the cost of the
property owners.
It is important to noted that the sewer extension is not contingent on annexation and is
a separate issue of timing that will be determined in the future when sewer is extended
with development to the south of the former Borgmeyer property planned as the
Greenbriar development. Staff previously provided the property owners and City
Council an overview of sewer alignment options for planning purposes in April 2026.
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the annexation for consistency with Ames
Plan 2040 at its July 3 meeting. A resident of the Irons Subdivision spoke indicating that they
did not support annexation and that there was no need for the properties to be annexed at this
time.
The Commission found that annexation of the area was consistent with Ames Plan 2040 for
the expansion of the City and recommended approval with a 5-0 vote, including that the
residential properties be zoned as FS-RL.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The City held the required agency consultation meeting in June. Representative of Story
County attended the meeting and asked questions. No formal comments have been provided
by any entity.
Prior to initiating the annexation process in May 2025 and since that time, the City
Council has received public input from multiple residents of the Irons Subdivision
expressing that they do not want to be annexed and did not see a reason or benefit to
annexation. No additional comments have been received by staff since the public hearing
notices were sent and published.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the annexation by adopting:
a. A Resolution approving the annexation of 143.12 acres, including right-of-way, as
conforming to the recorded covenants for annexation, conforming to the City's
Comprehensive Plan, including non-consenting properties is for the purpose of
creating more uniform boundaries, and for the residential properties to be zoned
FS-RL upon annexation and the AGCC property to be zoned Agricultural.
b. A Resolution approving the transition to the City imposition of taxes over three
years on a 75%, 50%, 25% reduction schedule.
2. Modify the boundaries of the proposed annexation with the the 3-year transition of taxes.
3. Table the annexation and request more information.
4. Decline to proceed with the annexation at this time.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Although all property owners within the annexation area are required by the current
covenants to voluntarily annex at the direction of the City Council, 61% (20 out of the
33) of the property owners representing 93% of the annexation territory submitted
applications. Because of this, the annexation is considered an 80/20 annexation
process under state law. The proposed 80/20 annexation conforms to the State law
requirements of including nonconsenting properties by creating more uniform
boundaries of the City upon annexation. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City
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Manager that the City Council approve Alternative No. 1.
With City Council approval of the annexation, the application will then be submitted to the
State City Development Board of a hearing on approval of the annexation. Staff tentatively
believes the application will be submitted in August and accepted in September for a hearing
on October 7. The annexation will be final 30 days after state approval.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Annexation_Area_Map.pdf
AGCC Annexation_Area_Map_Final.pdf
Annexation Location and Land Use Map.docx
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W 190TH ST
CAMERON SCHOOL RD
Annexation Area Map
0 0.1 0.20.05
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¯Legend
Irons and AGCC
Annexation Area
Consenting
NA
Nonconsenting
City of Gilbert 2 Mile
Urbanized Area
Ames Corporate Limits
Pending Borgmeyer
Annexation Area
Parcels
Irons and AGCC
Borgmeyer
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STANGE RD
IRONSWAY
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W 190TH ST
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Annexation Area
Legend
City of Gilbert 2 Mile
Urbanized Area
City of Ames Corporate
Limits
Parcels
Properties Part of
Annexation
Consenting
County ROW
Non-Consenting
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0 0.06 0.120.03 Miles
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Location Map
Annexation
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Plan 2040 Designation Excerpt
Annexation
W 190th
GW
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