McFADDEN, Justice.
This is an appeal from an order of the district court detaching certain real property owned by petitioners-respondents Blaine and Betty Ramey from the city of Blackfoot, respondent-appellant. The order is reversed.
Respondents’ twenty-acre tract is part of several hundred acres that were annexed pursuant to I.C. § 50-2221 by the city of [265]*265Blackfoot in 1975. On four of the twenty acres are located homes occupied by respondents and by respondent Betty Ramey’s parents. The remaining sixteen acres are pastureland.
Respondents’ tract is surrounded by land lying within the Blackfoot city limits and used for various purposes. (See Appendix.) To the north is a cemetery, which apparently has been within the city limits for some time. On the east of the property is the Yancey subdivision, an area of new homes. To the east of the Yancey subdivision is another area of homes and mobile homes, the Dun-Roamin subdivision. A third subdivision, Harmony Acres, lies to the southeast of respondents’ tract. To the southwest is the Blackfoot National Guard Armory and a residential area. To the west of the tract is the Animal Health Clinic, operated by two veterinarians. On the west side of the clinic is a railroad spur and a livestock sales yard.
In 1976, respondents petitioned the district court for detachment of their sixteen acres of pastureland from the city of Blackfoot pursuant to I.C. §§ 50-226 to 233. The district court entered an order granting detachment and enjoining the city from attempting to reannex the property.
Appellant city of Blackfoot appeals, assigning two errors to the district court’s order. Appellant first argues that respondents’ land does not meet the detachment statutes’ prerequisites for detachment. Appellant also maintains that even if the land meets the conditions for detachment, the remedy of detachment does not apply to lands validly annexed under I.C. § 50-222.
This court holds that the district court erred in finding that respondents’ land met all the prerequisites for detachment. The finding that detachment of respondents’ land would not “materially mar” the “symmetry” of the city of Blackfoot, an essential finding for the granting of respondents’ petition, is clearly erroneous. I.R.C.P. 52(a). The judgment granting detachment is therefore reversed and the cause remanded with instructions to enter an order denying the petition. The court does not reach appellant’s other assignments of error.
Idaho Code § 50-2302 states that the district court shall grant detachment if [266]*266it finds that the tract of land for which detachment is sought: (1) contains more than five acres; (2) is used exclusively for agricultural purposes; (3) receives insufficient benefits to justify retention within the corporate limits; and (4) is of such character that the symmetry of the city would not be materially marred by detachment. All four conditions must be met for detachment.
This court has construed the fourth condition — that the land be of such character that detachment would not “materially mar” the “symmetry” of the city — -in three cases. In the first case, Lyon v. City of Payette, 38 Idaho 705, 224 P. 793 (1924), this court reversed a judgment detaching a ten-acre “island” from the city of Payette. The island left only two “small, narrow necks” connecting the part of the city north of the tract with that part south of it. In view of these facts, this court held that there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court’s finding that detachment would not materially mar the symmetry of the city. Lyon is the only previous case decided by this court dealing with “island” property.
In Maxwell v. City of Buhl, 40 Idaho 644, 236 P. 122 (1925), decided a year later, this court noted that “the word ‘symmetry’ as used in [I.C. § 50-230], does not seem to have been judicially defined.” 40 Idaho at 647, 236 P. at 123. The court then stated:
The definition given by Webster is as follows:
“1. A due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; harmonious relation of parts; as, the symmetry of a Greek temple.
“2. Conformance; consistency; congruity.
“3. Correspondence or similarity of form, dimensions or parts on opposite sides of an axis, center or a dividing plane.”
In determining whether or not the symmetry of the city would be materially marred by detachment, . . . due regard must be had to the contours of the land covered by the city.
40 Idaho at 647-48, 236 P. at 123. Based upon this definition, the court determined that the district court had erred in rejecting the petition for detachment in toto and that two of the six parcels should have been detached.
In Ball v. Village of Parma, 49 Idaho 40, 286 P. 24 (1930), this court extensively elaborated upon the Maxwell definition of symmetry:
We think that the symmetry that is involved here is equally if not more, concerned with the general outlook upon the surroundings within the village limits adjacent to residence and business districts than it is with the regularity of the exterior boundary lines. The lands and lots within a municipality are in important matters under the regulation of the village governing body, and it is thought that, if to withdraw that regulation would permit of a condition which would mar the general surroundings in any definite section of the municipality, then the symmetry of the village would be marred to that extent, for to that extent it mars the harmonious relation of the different parts of the municipality for dwelling and business purposes. If to take village supervision from lands which by their proximity to the platted residence or business district would tend to mar the surroundings, then and on that account we think symmetry of the municipality would be marred by the detachment. Because it renders a part of the municipality, on account of the segregation, out of harmony with other parts in being less desirable for residential and business purposes, and on that account we think the symmetry of the municipality would be marred by the detachment. In other words, the [267]*267symmetry of the municipality may require municipal authority over close-in, unplatted lands, though they may be agricultural in use, aside from the condition of the exterior boundaries. It will be noted in this case that each tract that was found to be entitled to detachment was not abutting upon any platted portion of the village. As the village remains after this decree, there is considerable unplatted land between that which is platted and the city limits on every side. Over this land the village council has jurisdiction. If the Ball tract were removed, this element of symmetry would be broken, and the city limits would be against the border of the platted portion on the west side, and on that side only.
49 Idaho at 45-46, 286 P. at 26. The court then noted that detachment would bring the village limits a quarter mile closer to the business and residential districts.
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McFADDEN, Justice.
This is an appeal from an order of the district court detaching certain real property owned by petitioners-respondents Blaine and Betty Ramey from the city of Blackfoot, respondent-appellant. The order is reversed.
Respondents’ twenty-acre tract is part of several hundred acres that were annexed pursuant to I.C. § 50-2221 by the city of [265]*265Blackfoot in 1975. On four of the twenty acres are located homes occupied by respondents and by respondent Betty Ramey’s parents. The remaining sixteen acres are pastureland.
Respondents’ tract is surrounded by land lying within the Blackfoot city limits and used for various purposes. (See Appendix.) To the north is a cemetery, which apparently has been within the city limits for some time. On the east of the property is the Yancey subdivision, an area of new homes. To the east of the Yancey subdivision is another area of homes and mobile homes, the Dun-Roamin subdivision. A third subdivision, Harmony Acres, lies to the southeast of respondents’ tract. To the southwest is the Blackfoot National Guard Armory and a residential area. To the west of the tract is the Animal Health Clinic, operated by two veterinarians. On the west side of the clinic is a railroad spur and a livestock sales yard.
In 1976, respondents petitioned the district court for detachment of their sixteen acres of pastureland from the city of Blackfoot pursuant to I.C. §§ 50-226 to 233. The district court entered an order granting detachment and enjoining the city from attempting to reannex the property.
Appellant city of Blackfoot appeals, assigning two errors to the district court’s order. Appellant first argues that respondents’ land does not meet the detachment statutes’ prerequisites for detachment. Appellant also maintains that even if the land meets the conditions for detachment, the remedy of detachment does not apply to lands validly annexed under I.C. § 50-222.
This court holds that the district court erred in finding that respondents’ land met all the prerequisites for detachment. The finding that detachment of respondents’ land would not “materially mar” the “symmetry” of the city of Blackfoot, an essential finding for the granting of respondents’ petition, is clearly erroneous. I.R.C.P. 52(a). The judgment granting detachment is therefore reversed and the cause remanded with instructions to enter an order denying the petition. The court does not reach appellant’s other assignments of error.
Idaho Code § 50-2302 states that the district court shall grant detachment if [266]*266it finds that the tract of land for which detachment is sought: (1) contains more than five acres; (2) is used exclusively for agricultural purposes; (3) receives insufficient benefits to justify retention within the corporate limits; and (4) is of such character that the symmetry of the city would not be materially marred by detachment. All four conditions must be met for detachment.
This court has construed the fourth condition — that the land be of such character that detachment would not “materially mar” the “symmetry” of the city — -in three cases. In the first case, Lyon v. City of Payette, 38 Idaho 705, 224 P. 793 (1924), this court reversed a judgment detaching a ten-acre “island” from the city of Payette. The island left only two “small, narrow necks” connecting the part of the city north of the tract with that part south of it. In view of these facts, this court held that there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court’s finding that detachment would not materially mar the symmetry of the city. Lyon is the only previous case decided by this court dealing with “island” property.
In Maxwell v. City of Buhl, 40 Idaho 644, 236 P. 122 (1925), decided a year later, this court noted that “the word ‘symmetry’ as used in [I.C. § 50-230], does not seem to have been judicially defined.” 40 Idaho at 647, 236 P. at 123. The court then stated:
The definition given by Webster is as follows:
“1. A due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; harmonious relation of parts; as, the symmetry of a Greek temple.
“2. Conformance; consistency; congruity.
“3. Correspondence or similarity of form, dimensions or parts on opposite sides of an axis, center or a dividing plane.”
In determining whether or not the symmetry of the city would be materially marred by detachment, . . . due regard must be had to the contours of the land covered by the city.
40 Idaho at 647-48, 236 P. at 123. Based upon this definition, the court determined that the district court had erred in rejecting the petition for detachment in toto and that two of the six parcels should have been detached.
In Ball v. Village of Parma, 49 Idaho 40, 286 P. 24 (1930), this court extensively elaborated upon the Maxwell definition of symmetry:
We think that the symmetry that is involved here is equally if not more, concerned with the general outlook upon the surroundings within the village limits adjacent to residence and business districts than it is with the regularity of the exterior boundary lines. The lands and lots within a municipality are in important matters under the regulation of the village governing body, and it is thought that, if to withdraw that regulation would permit of a condition which would mar the general surroundings in any definite section of the municipality, then the symmetry of the village would be marred to that extent, for to that extent it mars the harmonious relation of the different parts of the municipality for dwelling and business purposes. If to take village supervision from lands which by their proximity to the platted residence or business district would tend to mar the surroundings, then and on that account we think symmetry of the municipality would be marred by the detachment. Because it renders a part of the municipality, on account of the segregation, out of harmony with other parts in being less desirable for residential and business purposes, and on that account we think the symmetry of the municipality would be marred by the detachment. In other words, the [267]*267symmetry of the municipality may require municipal authority over close-in, unplatted lands, though they may be agricultural in use, aside from the condition of the exterior boundaries. It will be noted in this case that each tract that was found to be entitled to detachment was not abutting upon any platted portion of the village. As the village remains after this decree, there is considerable unplatted land between that which is platted and the city limits on every side. Over this land the village council has jurisdiction. If the Ball tract were removed, this element of symmetry would be broken, and the city limits would be against the border of the platted portion on the west side, and on that side only.
49 Idaho at 45-46, 286 P. at 26. The court then noted that detachment would bring the village limits a quarter mile closer to the business and residential districts. Although the land was undeniably more than five acres and used exclusively for agricultural purposes, the court determined that removing the land from village control would mar the symmetry of the village. The court therefore affirmed the denial of the detachment petition.
While regularity in shape is an important element, the Ball case shows that symmetry means more than due proportion of the parts of a body, conformance and consistency, and correspondence or similarity of form on opposite sides of an axis or center. Symmetry also involves the ability of the municipality to regulate adjoining lands whose use affects the quality of life in residential and business districts of the community. Symmetry thus requires not only regularity in the shape of the city, but also a measure of consistency, harmony and uniformity of regulation.
In the instant case, the district court’s findings show that respondents’ pastureland is surrounded by land being used in a variety of ways, from stockyards to homes, but all of the uses related to the existence of the community. It is precisely this kind of situation that was anticipated in Ball when the court said that “symmetry” includes “village supervision [over] lands [in] proximity to the platted residence or business district.” 49 Idaho at 45, 286 P. at 26. Yet the result reached by the court below in this case is the opposite of those reached in Ball and Lyon. Not only does the district court’s order give the city an unusual shape by creating it in a sixteen acre “hole,” but the order also denies the city supervision over lands surrounded by and in close proximity to businesses and homes. In addition, the record shows that the area is being developed for a variety of uses that may not be entirely compatible. Under these circumstances it is inappropriate that the city be denied supervision over a portion of this part of the city. This court therefore holds clearly erroneous the district court’s finding that detachment of respondents’ sixteen acres of land would not materially mar the “symmetry”.of the city of Blackfoot. Because respondents’ land does not meet all four prerequisites for detachment under I.C. § 50-230, detachment must be denied.
Reversed and remanded with directions to deny respondents’ petition for detachment. Costs to appellant.
BAKES and BISTLINE, JJ., concur.