Opinion ID: 1833363
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Denial of Writ of Certiorari Against the Board of Supervisors.

Text: The Objectors claim the trial court erred in denying the writ of certiorari against the Board of Supervisors. They allege the action of the Board of Supervisors in granting the rezoning and the amending of the Plan and zoning map was arbitrary, capricious, illegal, erroneous, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law. The trial court found the Board of Supervisors could reasonably find the rezoning to allow development of the proposed softball park would preserve a large area of open green space, serve as a transitional district to separate and buffer planned residential areas from planned commercial areas, and provide park facilities to the area. If the validity of the rezoning ordinance is fairly debatable, it must be allowed to stand. See Neuzil v. City of Iowa City, 451 N.W.2d 159, 163 (Iowa 1990). The Objectors urge the rezoning of the Ochylski property constituted illegal spot zoning. Spot zoning results when a zoning ordinance creates a small island of property with restrictions on its use different from those imposed on the surrounding property. Kane v. City Council of Cedar Rapids, 537 N.W.2d 718, 723 (Iowa 1995). Spot zoning is not necessarily illegal. Montgomery v. Bremer County Bd. of Supervisors, 299 N.W.2d 687, 696 (Iowa 1980). We have held there must be substantial and reasonable grounds or basis for the discrimination when one lot or tract is singled out in an amendatory ordinance removing therefrom restrictions imposed upon the remaining portions of the same zoning district. Keppy v. Ehlers, 253 Iowa 1021, 1023, 115 N.W.2d 198, 200 (1962). Spot zoning will be allowed: If it is germane to an object within the police power and there is a reasonable basis to treat the spot-zoned property differently from the surrounding property, the spot zoning is valid. In determining whether there is a reasonable basis for spot zoning, we consider the size of the spot zoned, the uses of the surrounding property, the changing conditions of the area, the use to which the subject property has been put and its suitability and adaptability for various uses. Kane, 537 N.W.2d at 723. The trial court found the rezoning did not constitute spot zoning. There was substantial evidence in the record on which the court could base its decision. The surrounding property to the immediate north, south and west of the Ochylski property is zoned for suburban use but is used as agricultural land. The land to the east of the Ochylski property is zoned light business. The light business zoning permits commercial and light industrial use. The changing conditions of the area included the reconstruction of Highway 65 and the new interchange at Hubbell Avenue one-half mile east of the site. We find the trial court could conclude there was a reasonable basis for the rezoning of the Ochylski property.