Concerns of residents in areas southwest of Ames have been substantiated as the Ames City Council plans to discuss revisions to the Land Use Policy Plan — including involuntary annexation.

City staff has recommended Ames pursue a policy of involuntary annexation. Involuntary annexation could also help the city “square off” its boundaries, which can become irregular due to voluntary annexation, Mayor Ted Tedesco said.

Councilman Russ Cross said the ability to annex land is a part of the Land Use Policy Plan is to accommodate growth. Involuntary annexation was recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission as a “last resort,” Cross said.

“We may never need to use the tool, but if we do need to use it, it is planned out as carefully as possible,” he said.

Alan Munson, 4001 Dartmoor Rd., said residents in the area southwest of Ames are not interested in annexation.

Residents in the area are also concerned with the proposal to run a sewer line along Worle Creek. The residents of the area, which is part of the Southwest Priority Growth Area, said 25 property owners are against development of the land and only one is interested in selling.

“We are out in the country,” Munson said. “We have wells and septic tanks that are up to snuff. This is the lifestyle we chose.”

Munson said the city is going to spend $1 million and make the sewer line an accelerated project in the Capitol Improvements Fund.

Cross said the system could potentially cost $900,000.

Tedesco said some of the controversy with the sewer may be related to fear of annexation.

“If that’s your priority growth area, you better have it in the city,” Tedesco said of annexing land southwest of Ames.

Some residents are concerned with the environmental impact of the sewer line, Cross said.

“I think any time in Ames when we talk about cutting down one tree or more people get excited,” Cross said. “All design work has not been completed so that any of us know the potential impact on trees.” The creek is a natural flow for the sewer line, so systems to lift the sewage that have high-cost maintenance would not be needed, he said.

Tedesco said the Worle Creek issue will be referred to staff to investigate costs and the environmental impact and will not be decided at Tuesday’s meeting.

The council will also vote on a motion to provide a new liquor license to 212 Main Pub & Grill, 212 Main St., formerly Cafe Santa Fe.

The Campustown Action Association is also requesting the City Council approve suspension of parking regulations Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 in Campustown for a special Thanksgiving shopping promotion.

The council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.