The Pella City Council will begin to consider restrictions to the use and location of sale of fireworks in the community during Policy and Planning following the regular meeting scheduled Tuesday.

City staff has outlined potential options for the council to possibly implement this summer in response to the legalization of fireworks this past legislative session.

The current Pella code prevents the use and sale of fireworks in the city limits. However, the new legislation passed by the State of Iowa allows fireworks from June 1 through July 8 and December 10 through January 3. Last week, the Marion County Board of Supervisors–on a 2-1 vote, determined that the use of fireworks would constitute a threat to public safety, private property, or constitute a nuisance to neighboring landowners. They gave instructions to County Attorney Ed Bull to draft an ordinance that restricts the use of fireworks to July 4, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in county limits.

Pella city staff is recommending the city council approves a resolution which prohibits the use of fireworks within Pella, but still allows the council to issue permits for display fireworks during the Fourth of July. In addition, staff also suggests a zoning amendment which limits the sale of fireworks to areas zoned as either Limited Light Industrial (M1) or Heavy Industrial (M2), mainly due to the safety of storing fireworks and the potential for fires spreading in more densely packed areas.

The city anticipates litigation against municipalities that aim to restrict sales to certain zoning areas.

Discussion for the possible fireworks code changes in Pella will begin following the regular council meeting–however, no formal action is taken during Policy and Planning sessions.