Walnut Grove approves zoning text amendment to allow limited recreational-game processing

The Walnut Grove City Council approved a zoning text amendment, case WGCA-2501, to add limited recreational-game processing as a permitted use in specified agricultural and recreational zoning categories.

The amendment was introduced at a public hearing by Morris, who explained the change as “a subtext amendment to add … behavioral limited uses under agricultural models, recreational uses.” The amendment was advertised and reviewed by the planning commission, which recommended approval pending questions raised at its hearing.

Why it matters: Council members said the change codifies activities that already occur informally and gives the city a way to regulate where and how game-processing activities operate. Council asked whether the amendment would allow large-scale or commercially licensed slaughtering; staff answered the amendment targets smaller-scale, recreational processing and can be made more restrictive if the council desires.

What council discussed: Members pressed staff on scope and public-safety checks. The planning presenter said planning staff did “not find any adverse issues” in the zoning review but noted practical questions had been raised about carcass handling and third-party contractors used to remove carcasses. Council and staff clarified that ordinary household/game-processing by individuals would remain distinct from a commercial business that sells processing services.

Formal action: A motion to approve the zoning text amendment passed after a public hearing and discussion. The motion as read on the record referenced application WDTADash2501 / WGCA-2501 and sought to permit recreational-game processing as an allowable use under the city’s agricultural/recreational zoning provisions.

Council noted the amendment can be refined later with conditional-use provisions, setbacks or licensing requirements if members want tighter controls. The public hearing was closed before the vote; no written ordinance citation beyond the case number was provided in the meeting record.

Looking ahead: Staff will incorporate the approved text into the city zoning code and will bring back any recommended conditions or definitions if council asks for further restrictions or a conditional-use framework.