CAMPBELL v. CITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (2025)

Scott Campbell appeals the district court's dismissal of his judicial review action. Because we have no issues to review, we dismiss the appeal.

Campbell petitioned for judicial review after the City Development Board of the State of Iowa approved an application for voluntary annexation of 77.75 acres, including 5.73 acres owned by Campbell and his wife. But Campbell, representing himself, neither filed a brief nor attended the judicial review hearing, and no counsel appeared on his behalf. Because Campbell made no argument, the district court deemed this waiver of any issues and dismissed the petition. See Aluminum Co. of Am. v. Musal, 622 N.W.2d 476, 479–80 (Iowa 2001) (“[I]f the parties fail to raise any issues by not filing any briefs, the reviewing court has nothing to consider.”). While Campbell appeals, we are similarly left with nothing to review. See Meier v. Senecaut, 641 N.W.2d 532, 537 (Iowa 2002) (“It is a fundamental doctrine of appellate review that issues must ordinarily be both raised and decided by the district court before we will decide them on appeal.”). Because it would not be “a sensible exercise of appellate review” to determine a case without any arguments or ruling, we decline to decide this appeal and dismiss. See id.

APPEAL DISMISSED.

CHICCHELLY, Judge.