Ames residents filled the City Council Chambers on Tuesday to express concerns about how the Ames Urban Fringe Plan would affect land use policy in rural areas.

The plan was developed to create continuity among the land use policies of Boone County, Story County, the city of Ames and the city of Gilbert, where all have subdivision control in the area. It specifically focuses on the two miles surrounding Ames that is divided into a rural service and agricultural area, a rural/urban transition area where development may occur in the future and an urban service area that is ready to be annexed into the city.

Matthew Flynn, director of Ames planning and housing, said some guiding principles of the plan were to preserve agricultural land, direct development to targeted growth areas and protect environmental resources. Jeff Benson, Ames city planner, said in order to do this, intergovernmental coordination is needed by the surrounding government bodies.

“Zoning has to be consistent with the use of the property,” Benson said. “We have to bear in mind that uses inconsistent with the city may be consistent with the county.”

Several residents who live in the fringe area criticized Story County’s effort to inform them of the rezoning of their land, making reference to rural areas being rezoned as industrial zones. Leanne Harter, director of planning and zoning for Story County, said the county notified residents through school district mailings and the Story County Web site. Many residents in these areas do not think this is sufficient.

“The county is not interested in protecting our interests,” said Kathy Fromm of Ames. “We have to protect ourselves. The Web site is not adequate.”

Another aspect of the plan that spurred debate is the allowance of one mile of land north of Ames to serve as a buffer between Ames and Gilbert.

Councilman Russ Cross said the boundary would be used to maintain each city’s identity.

“The Gilbert Council was extremely concerned Ames would march north and be in their backyard,” Cross said. “As time passes, I don’t know if that will make efficient use of public resources.”

Several residents said they believed preserving the area would waste developable land.

“I don’t know when I go past an area why it shouldn’t be filled in,” said Doug McKay, Ames land owner. “You’re denying those people a right to develop their land if they want to.”

Several other meetings plan to be scheduled to share feedback with the other government bodies before the plan is finalized. Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco said Tuesday’s meeting was a very primitive version of the final plan.

“Do I see this as an overnight thing? No — as indicated here tonight, there is a lot of work to do,” Tedesco said.