The Fielding Town Council on Sept. 4 voted to approve a planning commission recommendation to allow a property owner to buy a 20-foot strip of town right-of-way along his lot and to move the north end of a recently built barn 16 feet so the structure complies with setback rules, council discussion and public commenters showed.

The council heard a lengthy exchange that included the property owner, Wade, multiple neighbors and council members. Wade told the council during his speaking turn that "I can't really afford to do that" when referring to moving the building farther east-west, saying he could not cover the full cost to relocate the barn. Resident Tony Zevos urged leniency and described the barn work positively, saying Wade and his crew had "worked their butts off" to remove a decrepit structure and that the new barn "looks fantastic." A written letter from Michael Rasmussen also supported allowing the structure to remain in its current position if the strip is sold.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended two options: move the north end of the building north-south by about 16 feet and sell a 20-foot-wide strip along the west side of the property so the building would meet the applicable setback. The council discussed precedent concerns, public-safety and future road needs, and possible stipulations such as restricting utilities or requiring curb and gutter in the sold strip, but did not set a universal policy during the meeting.

Council members noted engineering and platting steps would be required before a sale: the owner was to pay for Hansen Engineering to prepare surveys and a formal plat, a staff member said. The council discussed price and area: the planning commission suggested $5 per square foot for the 20-by-104-foot strip, producing a roughly $10,400 purchase price stated during the meeting. Council members debated whether approving this sale would create precedent for other property owners; supporters said the case had unique facts and recommended case-by-case handling.

After discussion the council voted to approve the planning commission's recommendation. The approved action requires the property owner to complete surveys and engineering, to move the barn's north end 16 feet as discussed, and to follow any conditions the council or staff include during the final plat and sale process. Council members said they will require final engineering, a formal plat and administrative follow-up before the town executes any property conveyance.