At the time set for hearing on the application, if the board shall find that all necessary parties have been served with notice as required, they shall proceed to hear and determine the sufficiency of the application as to form and substance, which application may be amended both as to form and substance before final action thereon. They shall also determine the merits of the application, all objections thereto, and all claims filed for damages or compensation, and may view the premises. The board may adjourn the proceedings from day to day, but no adjournment shall be for a longer period than ten days.
Iowa Code § 468.605
89 Acts, ch 126, §2