Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan commission recommends temporary goat permits after resident report on weed control
Summary
Following a public comment from a resident who used goats to manage undergrowth on a hilly, wetland-adjacent property, the Galesville Plan Commission voted to recommend that City Council allow temporary goat keeping and asked staff to prepare a permit application; commissioners flagged enforcement and location questions.
John Peterson, a resident in attendance, described using goats on his hilly property that slopes into adjacent wetlands to control undergrowth and noxious weeds and said they performed well as an alternative to herbicide. Commissioners discussed where temporary goat-keeping might be appropriate within city limits, questions about permitting and enforcement, and potential limits on locations.
Renee Brenengen moved to recommend to the City Council that the city proceed with allowing temporary keeping of goats and to create a permit application; Randy Larson seconded. The motion carried with six ayes, zero nays and one abstention. The meeting record does not specify which commissioner abstained.
The commission’s recommendation directs the city to draft a permitting process for temporary goat-keeping; city council action will be required to change city-wide policy or regulations. Commissioners noted enforcement and location were outstanding issues to be resolved as part of any permit program. The commission adjourned following that vote.
