–The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors discussed recommendations from the county Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the regulation of land use for hazardous liquid pipelines during their meeting Tuesday. The board heard from several area residents, who are asking them to fight for local property owners that are afraid their land could be seized for the project through the process of Eminent Domain, as well as those who have concerns over possible problems if the pipeline would rupture. The board expressed frustrations that State Legislators did not finalize any of the bills during this legislative session that would have provided guidelines as to when the pipeline companies could seek Eminent Domain authority.
The county is looking to amend the current zoning ordinance to include regulations regarding hazardous liquid pipelines and has a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The board took no action on the proposed amendments Tuesday and will continue the discussion next week after speaking with their pipeline attorney, Timothy Whipple. The board expressed concerns about the costs of possible litigation if they impose a strict ordinance. Summit Carbon Solutions, whose proposed pipeline would travel through Kossuth County, filed lawsuits in November after Shelby County and Story County passed ordinances that would require increased distances between the project and homes, churches, and schools.
