December 17, 2013
12/18/13 With little opposition the Marshall County Commissioners approved the re-zoning request of Fredrick Gerard for 4367 West Lake Shore Drive at Lake of the Woods.
The property had been zoned L-1 and Mr. Gerard wanted to change the zoning to A-3 agricultural residential so that he could raise goats on his property.
During the public hearing Gerard explained to the commissioners the family’s desire to raise about a half-a-dozen goats for personal use and pleasure. The re-zoning to A-3 allows property owners the opportunity to have animals for hobby or 4-H.
Gerard recently purchased an adjacent piece of property the butts up against A-1 property. The family has raised goats before and will have their corral and barn at the back of the new property.
During the public hearing Joe Toth who lives on the east side of the lake about how the plan on getting water to the goats… Gerard said they would use a stock tank and hose to fill it. Joe Skelton was questioned the “spot zoning”, how manure would be handles and effects on property values. Gerard said the previous property owner had a compost pile they would take advantage of and would use the manure on their garden.
The County BZA voted 2-2 on a variance to allow the goats so there was no recommendation there and the Plan Commission voted favorable for the re-zoning. The Commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of the re-zoning with a suspension of the rules and approving it on all three readings. Commissioner Deb Griewank voted against the petition to re-zone.