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County approves rezoning, short-term rental permit and cannabis microbusiness interim use permit
Summary
The board approved a rezoning of 80 acres to agricultural-forestry, granted a five-year interim use permit for a short-term rental, and approved an interim use permit for a cannabis microbusiness restricted to indoor cultivation, manufacturing and wholesale (retail excluded).
Cooch County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved three land-use items recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission: an 80‑acre rezoning to AF1 (agriculture/forestry) to allow a full‑time residence and farming; a five‑year interim use permit (IUP) enabling a short‑term rental; and a cannabis microbusiness IUP that permits indoor cultivation, manufacturing and wholesale but explicitly excludes on‑site retail and on‑premise consumption.
The rezoning request was submitted by Mark and Conny Malan for an 80‑acre parcel at 4364 Town Road 143 (approximately 12 miles south of Littleport). The Planning and Zoning Commission received one public comment in support and recommended approval. The county board approved the rezoning and noted the applicants plan to salvage existing farm buildings and reestablish a farmstead.
Skye and Joey Ronton sought an interim use permit to operate a short‑term rental at 3178 County Road 93 (near Rainy Lake). Under the county short‑term rental ordinance, the board granted the initial five‑year permit. Staff noted the parcel does not exceed the ordinance’s density limit (no more than two short‑term rentals within a 750‑foot radius), and the IUP will expire on Aug. 26, 2030 unless renewed in accordance with licensing rules.
A third item involved applicants Thomas Prado and Luana Kanjakkura, who sought an IUP for a cannabis microbusiness at 4771 Town Road 51. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions. The board approved the IUP with endorsements for cultivation, cannabis manufacturing, hemp manufacturing and wholesaler licensing; it specifically excluded cannabis retail sales and on‑site consumption. Applicants told the board the operation will be entirely indoors, will include security and professional monitoring, and they plan to install solar to offset energy use. Applicants also described composting and other practices to avoid environmental impacts.
The board approved each item on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation by voice votes. Staff will proceed with administrative licensing and any required site inspections and conditions for the interim permits.
Ending: Each land-use approval will be subject to the county’s standard follow-up procedures — licensing, inspections and conditional renewals where applicable. The cannabis IUP carries an initial term to be reviewed per county ordinance and is conditioned on compliance with licensing and zoning rules.
