Clinton County board approves 10‑acre split for single house and small goat operation in Madison Township

The Clinton County Area Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 25 approved a special‑exception petition allowing a 10‑acre lot split and a single‑family home with a small goat operation on a 60.8‑acre parent tract along the north side of West Gasline Road in Madison Township.

County planning staff recommended approval after concluding the request met the zoning criteria for a single residence in the Agricultural zoning district and could continue an agricultural use on the new lot. The board voted to approve application CC2025‑00052, docket 03‑25‑SE, incorporating the staff findings into the motion.

The petition would create a one‑lot split from a 60.8‑acre parent tract in Section 22 of Madison Township. The petitioner requested the 10‑acre lot so he could live on the property and move his small goat operation there; staff noted the site would remain in agricultural use rather than be converted to typical residential lawn. Under the county's point system the parcel received four points, which requires review by the BZA for lots between two and 20 acres.

Liz Ditzel, a county staff member who presented the report, told the board the site sits off a paved section of West Gasline Road and that soils testing for septic is on file. She said the health department had no objections and that the lot will require a perimeter drain to be identified during the minor subdivision review at the area planning commission stage. Ditzel also said the unified development ordinance counts 10 goats as one animal unit and that setbacks for livestock would be met without variances.

Members of the public who live near the site urged caution. "My concern is the water level," said Bridal Cornell, a nearby resident of 46 years, who said creeks and the water table have been lower in recent years and that additional wells and septic systems could strain local water resources. "I'm not cracked up about having more traffic on the road," she added, and said deer crossings along that stretch of road concern her.

Earl Marshall, who identified himself as owning adjoining acreage, said he had installed a deep well on his property and that new wells on nearby lots sometimes require deeper drilling, and urged the board to consider drainage patterns. "I put a new well in 215 feet deep with 195 feet of water," Marshall said.

Board discussion was brief. Chester Banks moved to approve the application "according to the findings of the staff report which are incorporated in motion by reference;" the motion was seconded and passed in a roll call vote. Recorded votes included yes from Andy Bailey, Brett Mueller, Scott Houser and Chester Banks. The board noted that if the petitioner seeks any further division or additional lots in the future, that would require separate review and additional approvals.

The approval is contingent on the petitioner completing minor subdivision approval with the area planning commission as the next step. The BZA record notes the parcel will remain in the petitioner's family and that the remaining acreage is expected to continue in agricultural use.

The board adjourned after completing the single public hearing. The next meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2025.