Bremer County supervisors direct repeal review of pipeline zoning ordinance

Bremer County supervisors voted during their regular meeting to direct staff to send Ordinance 23‑02—portions of the county zoning code that regulate hazardous‑liquid pipelines—back to the county Planning & Zoning (P&Z) commission for consideration of repeal.

The motion followed a closed‑session legal briefing and public remarks by supervisors that the item ties to court actions. Chair made the motion to return the ordinance to P&Z and the board voted in the open session to proceed; supervisors said a public statement explaining the intent and process will be prepared for release. Darius (board member) indicated the subject is “very controversial” and recommended the board draft a public message after conferring with legal counsel and staff.

Planning & Zoning must follow the same adoption process according to state code, including setting public hearings and returning any recommendation to the board. Supervisors emphasized transparency: they told the public the county will publish a fuller disclosure about why the repeal process is occurring and that any repeal would require additional hearings at the Planning & Zoning and board levels.

The board did not adopt a final repeal during the meeting; the action was a directive to send the ordinance back to Planning & Zoning for review and possible repeal. No timetable was set for P&Z hearings; supervisors said the county attorney and staff will coordinate next steps.

What happens next: Planning & Zoning must schedule hearings and make a recommendation to the board. Because the topic arises from litigation and legal strategy, supervisors said legal counsel will review drafts of public materials before distribution.

Votes and procedure: The board’s action was made by motion and supported in open session after a prior closed‑session briefing under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) (strategy with counsel). No final repeal vote was taken at the meeting.