What if separate communities want the same land?
Iowa Code Chapter 368.4 gives cities the opportunity to enter into annexation moratoriums for up to 10 years where all cities involved agree not to attempt annexation. This is usually agreed upon by two communities who then create a dividing line, splitting the desired territory. The moratorium is a way for both communities to build infrastructure in the area and share in its economic prosperity. It also helps in avoiding one community from employing a massive preemptive annexation in attempts to ensure their hold on the territory, possibly causing an overextension of infrastructure capabilities along with animosity between the impacted areas. Communities interested in establishing a moratorium can contact the City Development Board for further information and instructions. Information for this article was contributed by Steve McCann, administrator with the City Development Board. Additional information was obtained from the Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook published by Iowa State Unive
