Ames Council approves final plat and financial waiver for The Bluffs while deferring roundabout funding decision

The Ames City Council voted June 9 to approve elements of The Bluffs development near the corner of G.W. Carver and Cameron School Road while deferring a final funding decision on a possible roundabout.

Planning staff described three funding alternatives for the road improvements tied to the project and recommended a fourth option that would delay assigning final cost responsibilities until staff receives a preliminary engineering estimate in July. The council agreed to defer that funding decision for the larger roadway project but separately approved a final plat and a reduced financial-security requirement for the subdivision.

Kelly, a city planning staff member, told the council the city had previously offered a TIF rebate of up to $1 million to reimburse developer roadwork if the developer built lane widening and traffic-signal improvements. A roundabout concept being considered by the city would shift construction responsibility to the city and change the rebate calculations; that uncertainty prompted staff to ask for more time to secure a preliminary engineering estimate and finalize cost-sharing arrangements.

Luke Jensen, representing the development team, said the applicant “supports option four that allows us to collect comprehensive information with the road design, the costs, the various funding sources and keeps us moving forward.” Jensen also said alternative two would be acceptable to the development team if the council chose it.

On the final plat for a 20-acre parcel within The Bluffs at Dankbar Farms, the council approved two waivers linked to lot four, which is expected to be sold to a buyer identified in the record as Dover for a proposed assisted-living facility. One waiver grants conditional permission for a second driveway onto G.W. Carver, subject to a development agreement with the lot owner before a building permit is issued. The second waiver reduced the financial-security requirement to $255,000, reflecting an existing letter of credit securing other subdivision improvements.

Staff emphasized the waiver modifies only the security requirement and not the underlying obligation: if the city ultimately does not build the roadway, the developer remains responsible for constructing required improvements. The council’s action on the final plat and security allocation was taken after public comment from Jensen and a county participant who sought clarification about the engineering work and timing.

The council’s approach splits the immediate procedural needs—allowing a final plat and lot sale to proceed—from the larger funding decision, which the council will revisit after the July engineering estimate.