Wolf v. City of Ely , 493 N.W.2d 846 ( 1992 )

LARSON, Justice

(dissenting).

I dissent from Division III and the result.

Ely is a small town with limited financial resources, trying to maintain the aesthetic quality of a rural Iowa community. This ruling unnecessarily frustrates that effort.

Our cases hold, and the majority concedes, that no formal plan is required to satisfy the requirement of a comprehensive plan as a prerequisite to zoning.

Ely’s zoning ordinance is a part of a “comprehensive” plan. Despite the informality of the plan, any reasonable reading of the town’s ordinances, maps, and resolutions (which our cases say may constitute a comprehensive plan) should make it clear: a junkyard in the middle of town was not to be a part of its future development.

I would reverse and remand.

HARRIS, J., joins this dissent.