263—7.10(368) Board proceedings when one or more conflicting petitions are received within 30 days.
	7.10(1) Applicability. Petitions will be considered pursuant to this rule if any other petitions containing common territory are submitted to the board pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 368 within 30 days. If all conflicting petitions are validly dismissed or denied by the board, the board will proceed on a remaining petition as if no conflicting petition had been filed.
	7.10(2) Hearing and information considered. If conflicting petition(s) are complete and in proper form, the board shall consider any petitions, including voluntary application(s) submitted by a landowner pursuant to Iowa Code section 368.7(4), and shall conduct a public hearing pursuant to the procedure set forth in subrule 7.9(2).
	7.10(3) Criteria. Within 90 days of receipt of the petition, the board or a committee appointed by the board shall meet to assess the petition, including voluntary application(s) submitted by a landowner and any evidence received at the public hearing. If the petition meets the applicable requirements of Iowa Code chapter 368, the board or committee shall approve the petition unless the board makes an applicable finding as described in Iowa Code section 368.7(4)“a.”
	7.10(4) Conversion to an involuntary petition. If the petition is not approved, the board shall issue an order setting forth its reason(s) for failing to approve the petition and requiring conversion of the petition into an involuntary petition. Within 30 days of the board’s order issued pursuant to this subrule, the city shall withdraw its petition or convert its petition into an involuntary petition containing all information required by Iowa Code section 368.11 and any rules adopted by the board applicable to involuntary petitions.
	7.10(5) Local committee. Following conversion to an involuntary petition, the board shall order appointment of a special local committee to consider all pending petitions for annexation of common territory, pursuant to Iowa Code section 368.14A and rule 263—8.10(368). The special local committee shall conduct a public hearing to receive evidence and comment on all petitions pending before it. The committee will determine the order of presentation prior to commencement of the hearing. The committee will conduct the hearing pursuant to 263—Chapter 9.
	7.10(6) Committee action. The committee shall, within a reasonable time following conclusion of the public hearing, meet to determine appropriate means to resolve the common territory issues among the petitions before it.
	a. 	The committee shall resolve common territory issues by amending or denying one or more of the pending petitions.
	b. 	Upon resolution of the common territory issues, the committee shall proceed with consideration of each remaining petition in accordance with Iowa Code sections 368.16 and 368.17 and any applicable rules adopted by the board.
	c. 	A petition converted to an involuntary petition pursuant to subrule 7.10(4) that contains some land without the consent of the owner shall not be approved unless at least four of the board members and at least one-half of the local representatives vote in favor of approval.
	d. 	The committee shall issue a separate decision setting forth its findings and conclusions relating to each of the petitions. The committee shall file its decision with the board and promptly notify the parties of the decision, as required by Iowa Code section 368.19.
	7.10(7) Board action. Upon receipt of a committee decision approving all or a portion of a petition pursuant to subrule 7.10(6), the board shall proceed in acting on the decision pursuant to 263—Chapter 10.
[ARC 7705C, IAB 3/6/24, effective 4/10/24]