Board backs city of Ames annexation petition for Borgmeyer area; resolution to be forwarded to city

The Story County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to endorse a City of Ames voluntary annexation that would bring roughly 98 acres of consenting property, railroad right-of-way and other adjacent parcels into Ames and square up the city’s northern boundary.

Planning and Development staffer Leanne Harder said properties included in the petition are generally north of the existing city limits near Ames Golf and Country Club and extend east toward Hyde Avenue. The proposal includes parcels that petitioned for annexation and additional territory brought under the city’s petition by an 80% consent procedure under state code.

Harder said the annexation parcel includes mapped floodplain and is designated for urban expansion and natural-resource areas on the county’s comprehensive-plan map. She noted the city will apply its floodplain regulations for areas so designated.

Harder told the board the county’s role at this stage is advisory: under Iowa law the board must act within 30 days of the consultation meeting and may comment on conformity with county planning. She said the final annexation will go to the City Development Board because the area lies within two miles of the City of Gilbert; the city’s final approval and state-level review are expected later this summer or in early fall.

Supervisor [moved], seconded the motion to approve Resolution 25-89, and the board recorded recorded ayes from Supervisors Fazel, Edmonds and Merkin. County staff will forward the resolution to the Ames city clerk for inclusion in the city’s annexation record.