To make way for a large development of homes and apartments on the north side of Ames, a nearby subdivision needs an alternative sewer extension.
In spring 2025, the City of Ames began annexing about 400 acres to make way for a development called “Greenbriar.”
Hunziker and Friedrich companies have partnered to develop a new neighborhood on 153 acres of farmland along George W. Carver Avenue and Hyde Avenue, which will include a commercial area. Plans include 236 homes and nearly 220 apartments.
The surrounding land includes property owned by the Ames Golf & Country Club (AGCC) to the south as well as portions of the Irons Subdivision. The Ames City Council decided to proceed with the annexation of those properties separately, and the process was deferred until 2026.
Several Irons homeowners spoke against the annexation in March 2025, citing concerns about an annual tax increase and sewer service. The council directed staff to explore alternative financing options for new city-owned sanitary sewer lines.
During its April 28 meeting, the council was presented with two sewer extension options: use the original easement or the alternative, which is nearly $500,000 cheaper and takes a different route, generally to the rear of homes, that would require new easements from property owners.
No action was taken, and it will take at least another year before a sewer project can start.
A sewer extension for the Irons is dependent on the timing of the Greenbriar project and their extension of the sewer line, Ames Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann said. At the earliest, it could happen in Fiscal Year 2027-28, but is highly unlikely.
New rear alignment is a cheaper option
The new sewer lines would cost around $951,000, a lower overall projected cost than using the original alignment, which would cost $1.4 million.
The smaller price tag is because construction won’t ned to dig up city streets.
This option is best suited to serve Ames Golf & Country Club, according to city documents. Though not required to connect to a sanitary sewer main, the country club can “if it becomes feasible.”
Why must properties near the Greenbriar be annexed?
The city allowed the Ames Golf & Country Club to subdivide and create the Irons subdivision on the northwest side of the course in 2014, agreeing that it had to annex into Ames at the city’s discretion.
The Irons and AGCC must be annexed into Ames to avoid creating an “island” around those properties.
Two hundred and thirty-five acres were annexed in September to facilitate the Greenbriar development.
A little more than 250 acres remain.
Irons homeowners still oppose annexation
Several residents voiced their continuing displeasure with the annex during the April 28 council meeting.
Randy Braden said requiring a sewer hookup has created significant anxiety in the Irons development.
“If this becomes a reality, without a doubt it’s going to be a hardship,” Braden said. “I understand the annexation; I don’t understand hooking to the sewer. So I’d ask that you give careful consideration to what you’re about to do to our neighbors and friends.”
Daryl Vegge said Irons homeowners “don’t want to have to pay for this (sewer)” and the necessary connection fees. He also said the Irons was a “nice-looking area,” and the city “running lines out there, tearing things up, utilities, sprinkler systems, sidewalks and lawns, it’s just going to be a mess.”
Ward 2 Rep. Tim Gartin said the Irons houses wouldn’t exist if the council hadn’t agreed to the proposal in 2014, joining forces with the developer and the nearby golf course.
“Your dispute is not with us; it’s with the developer and the golf and country club,” Gartin said. “As far as the annexation, we’re not going to leave this property as an island. It is a very difficult situation, and we are sympathetic to it.”
Annexation for the country club and the Irons will likely start this summer, Diekmann said. The process takes four to six months because it must been done through the state.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: City considers sewer options to develop 150-acre neighborhood
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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