The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment approved an exception on Sept. 10 allowing the owner of 2617 Oakwood Road to pave the first 50 feet of a driveway and use gravel for the remaining length, because the driveway extends well beyond the code’s 300‑foot threshold. The board approved the request after staff and the municipal engineer recommended conditions including compaction and a 4‑inch gravel depth for the unpaved segment.

City staff explained this exception is a newly adopted provision (added in August) permitting relief for very long driveways that would otherwise require full paving. "This lot is actually 950 feet back from Oakwood Road," staff said, and noted the property is about 12 acres and situated at the western extent of the city limits, adjacent to rural Story County. Staff recommended approval with conditions that the first 50 feet be paved under a driveway permit and that the remaining unpaved portion be constructed with a compacted gravel section (engineer‑approved depth of 4 inches).

Applicant Alex Wickenkamp, the property owner, told the board he intended to narrow the paved flares at the road to meet city permit standards and said his plan is to eventually pave the entire driveway but to leave the long interior portion gravel while the ground settles before final paving. "My plan for the flares at the road had exceeded what the permit... I'm fine with narrowing that back down," Wickenkamp said.

A nearby resident testified in opposition, raising environmental and dust concerns including impacts on nearby wooded ravines and Worley Creek watershed. Jane Love, who lives on Timberland Road, urged the board to consider dust (PM2.5) and runoff effects and recommended requiring effective dust mitigation if gravel is allowed. Another neighbor emphasized winter access and emergency vehicle concerns; the applicant and staff said the driveway alignment and stormwater plan had been reviewed by engineers and the city and met applicable standards.

After discussion the board approved the exception with conditions. Staff said the municipal engineer had reviewed the gravel plan; the approval was conditioned on obtaining the required driveway permit, paving the first 50 feet, and installing the specified compacted gravel on the remainder.

Outcome: Exception approved with conditions; decision carries standard appeal rights.