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Supervisors vote not to sell Osage parcel after neighbors and buyer clash over use
Summary
Following an extended public discussion about a proposed dog daycare and constraints from Iowa DOT easements, the Jefferson County Board voted to keep the Osage property off the market, citing utility easements, potential nuisance concerns and community opposition.
The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 8 to remove a county-owned parcel on Osage from sale after a lengthy public hearing in which neighbors, a prospective buyer and county staff debated whether the land could be developed and whether it should be offered for sale.
County staff presented a DOT District 5 map showing underground utility lines and a DOT restriction that prevents building within a specified easement. "As it stands right now, that ground is not available to build," the chair said while referencing the DOT map and the underground conduit crossing the parcel.
A prospective buyer argued the property would be a suitable site for a dog daycare and described efforts to find alternate parcels near town, saying the business would bring customers to local stores. Neighbors countered with concerns about noise, late-night activity, traffic, gravel dust and the potential effect on property values.
The county attorney and staff discussed legal constraints and enforcement tools. The attorney noted that some county functions (for example, ambulance services and public health) can make the county a covered entity under HIPAA; during the Osage discussion he also outlined options for nuisance enforcement and civil remedies if the county later decides to regulate activities that generate noise or other impacts.
After public comment the board moved "to not sell this property" and the motion carried by voice vote. The chair clarified that DOT indicated the property could be sold but the easement prevents building over the cables; the board’s action is to hold the parcel off the market. One supervisor said the decision should avoid repeated rearguments at future meetings.
Next steps: the board placed a permanent hold on sale of the Osage parcel for now and advised the prospective buyer to explore alternative sites; staff were encouraged to coordinate with local realtors and to consider other county-owned or nearby land that might be appropriate.
