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Judge again refuses to block zoning change for 'Field of Dreams' development
A Dubuque County judge has again refused to block a zoning change needed for commercial use of the "Field of Dreams" movie site.
The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Judge Thomas Bitter on Monday denied a motion by a group called Residential and Agricultural Advisory Committee, a group is composed of area residents and other people who own land near the Dyersville property.
The group wants the court to overturn a rezoning decision by the Dyersville City Council. The group maintains the council violated open-meetings laws and also didn't consider potential harm posed by the development.
Bitter rejected the group's motion in October but agreed to hear oral arguments after the group filed another motion.
In Bitter's latest decision, he said the group didn't adequately back up its assertions.
A Chicago-based development group plans to transform the Dyersville landmark into All-Star Ballpark Heaven, a 24-field youth baseball and softball tournament complex.
Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs
In this July 14, 2004, photo, people enjoy the Field of Dreams baseball field in rural Dyersville. The town is considering a $38 million plan to turn the farmland around the famous cornfield diamond into a marquee destination for traveling youth baseball teams. While the plan could provide an economic jolt to the region, it also has unleashed an emotional battle as the town of 4,000 tries to decide if they should build it. (AP Photo/Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Dave Kettering)
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