Board approves special exception for agricultural chemical sales, storage and drone service with parcel-limited condition

The Jackson County Board of Adjustment on April 28 granted special exception 25-04 to Gregory and Mary Thomas, allowing an agricultural chemical sales and storage operation on a farm parcel that will support their drone-based spraying and seeding business.

Gregory Thomas, applicant and operator, told the board the operation would store and stage agricultural chemicals, maintain containment for totes, and support drone aerial application of fungicides, insecticides and cover‑crop seeding. Thomas described the drones as carrying “about 10 and a half to 13 gallons” per load and said deliveries of bulk product would be limited in frequency (“twice a year, maybe 3 times”) and that most activity is seasonal in July and August. He also said septic is approved for the site and that the applicants plan a concrete‑foundations structure for chemical storage; the building dimensions discussed were described in the hearing as roughly 50 by 80 feet.

Staff presentation and public notice: County planning staff said the required 500‑foot notice area was used for the application and that no objections were received. Staff reviewed DNR/state licensing requirements referenced by the applicants and confirmed the special exception being considered was for the use (chemical sales, storage and agricultural service) rather than for building permits; separate building approvals remain required.

Board action and conditions: During deliberations a board member proposed and the board accepted an amendment to limit the special exception to the specific parcel and to the currently existing building plus the proposed new building; the board added a condition that any additional growth or additional buildings beyond the approved footprint would require returning to the Board of Adjustment. The motion to approve the special exception with that condition passed by voice vote.

Operational details recorded in the hearing: Applicants said containment would be provided for packaging/totes, that trucks typically depart early and return late during active season, and that current field‑wash practices occur at farmers’ fields rather than on site. Applicants said they hold required DNR and state licenses for chemical handling and aerial application. Staff and a board member discussed limiting the approval to the parcel to ensure anyone buying adjacent land would be notified of the use and that expansion would trigger a fresh review.

Speakers

- Gregory Thomas — applicant/operator (business) - Mary Thomas — co-applicant (business) - Mike Nicholson — Board of Adjustment member (government) - Laurie (staff member) — county planning/zoning staff (government)

Authorities

- Special exception case 25-04 - References in hearing to state/DNR licensing and to applicable county ordinance language permitting agricultural service and chemical storage under special exception/conditional uses

Actions

- Motion: Approve special exception 25-04 to allow agricultural chemical sales, storage and drone agricultural service at the subject parcel; amendment adopted to limit the approval to the parcel and to the existing plus proposed building footprints, with any additional expansion to require return to the board. - Outcome: approved (voice vote). No roll-call tally presented in transcript.

Clarifying details

- Building size discussed roughly: 50 by 80 feet (applicants and staff discussed this as the proposed storage building footprint). - Drone load capacity: about 10.5–13 gallons per drone load. - Chemical delivery frequency: typically twice a year; possibly up to three times per season. - Containment: applicants stated a containment system will be provided for totes and storage. - Septic: applicant said septic system is approved and at least 30 feet from the proposed building area. - Public notice: 500-foot notification; staff reported no responses objecting.

Context and follow-up: Staff noted this approval covered the use only; building permits, inspections, DNR/state licensing obligations and any environmental or transportation permits remain separate steps. The board asked staff to record the parcel limitation in the decision so future buyers are aware of the approved use and understand expansion would require additional board review.

Provenance

- Topic intro excerpt: "Next docket is docket number 25Dash04. Applicants are Gregory and Mary Thomas. ... The proposal is to allow applicants to operate an agricultural chemical sales and storage business." (transcript block at ~1226.42) - Topic finish excerpt: "All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed same sign. K. Thank you." (transcript block at ~2630.50 showing vote and conclusion)

Proper names

- Jackson County - Westbury Meadows, Springbrook (location references used in applicant descriptions)

Salience: Approval affects agricultural operations and chemical storage practices locally; the most salient elements are environmental controls, state licensing compliance, and a board condition limiting the approval to the parcel and approved buildings.