Commissioners press staff on zoning, enforcement of commercial feedlots and feed-store rules
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Summary
The commission reviewed how commercial feedlots, dairies and feed stores are addressed in the draft zoning code, reiterated that commercial feedlots currently require a conditional use permit and discussed enforcement and definitions distinguishing on‑farm finishing from commercial contract feeding.
Commissioners and planning staff spent substantial time reviewing how the draft zoning code treats commercial feedlots, dairies and feed stores and whether the county is enforcing conditional-use permit requirements.
Staff said commercial feedlots, dairies and similar large confined-animal operations are allowed only in heavy industrial districts or with a conditional use permit in specified agricultural districts. Commissioners noted several feedlots operating on lands that are not heavy industrial and asked staff to confirm whether those operations obtained required permits.
The commission debated how to define “commercial” feedlots and suggested distinguishing finishing of an owner’s own animals (staff indicated this should not require a permit) from contract feeding or buying/finishing livestock for others (which the commission agreed should require a land-use permit). Staff confirmed the current code treats commercial feedyards and dairies as conditionally permitted uses and that enforcement has been inconsistent.
Commissioners also discussed feed stores: staff said retail sales are permitted in many commercial districts and the separate “feed store” listing in the industrial district may be a legacy artifact; commissioners asked staff to clarify definitions and where feed stores should be allowed.
Commissioners raised environmental concerns tied to water quality and nitrate risk in groundwater and urged consistent application of the code: if the code requires permits for certain commercial feed activities, the county should seek compliance. Staff proposed to compile a tabular summary of permitted uses by zoning district and return it to the commission for review.
No formal enforcement action was taken at the workshop; the commission directed staff to refine definitions for “commercial feedlot” and “feed store,” confirm which existing operations lack permits, and provide a consolidated table of permitted uses for future review.