10/22/13 The Marshall County Commissioners voted to re-zone.
Chris Martin and David McCallum successfully sought re-zoning of their properties from L1 – lake residential to A1 – agricultural. Both families sought the zoning to allow for their children to raise small livestock – such as goats or rabbits – as part of their participation in the county 4H program.
In McCallum’s case he also desired to split his property to allow the building of a log cabin on half of his lot as a retirement home. His property borders Koontz Lake and Martin’s is near the Happy Acres subdivision on Myers Lake.
Under the current zoning ordinance no livestock operations whatsoever can be undertaken on L1 properties. The agricultural designation allows for livestock activities under the ordinance restrictions.
The Marshall County Plan Commission in September reviewed each case and sent a favorable recommendation to the Commissioners for the re-zoning.
Commissioner Deb Griewank said that she considered the re-zoning to be an example of “spot zoning”. Her objection centered on the possibility that future owners of the property might seek to have an expanded agricultural operation and disrupt the lake communities both properties border.
Griewank’s motion to deny the request in both cases died without a second. Commissioners Jack Roose and Kevin Overmyer supported the re-zoning and it was approved for both landowners.
Provided by RN
