Zoning change is eyed

By Gloria Hafemeister for the Daily Times
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:56 PM CST

JEFFERSON - The Jefferson County Zoning Department is looking at a change to the 30-year-old zoning laws that could help those owning or considering buying small farmsteads in the county.

Currently, Jefferson County law requires farmers selling off their productive farm land but who will be remaining on the farmstead or who would be selling the buildings separately, can only include up to three acres with those buildings. A farmer is allowed no more than two 35 acre splits for development. If the acreage around the buildings is larger than 3 acres, the farmer must forfeit one or two development rights to attain 5 acres and he must rezone from A-1 to A-3.

Bruce Haukom of the Jefferson County zoning office says the proposal is not really a major change.

“It brings Jefferson County's zoning in line with the state's Farmland Preservation rules that allow up to five acres with the farmstead,” he says. “It just gives more flexibility. At the time the law was created people felt this was enough land without cutting into the farm fields.”

He adds, “It doesn't affect the number of splits that can be made or anything else in the current program.”

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He says a couple more acres with the farmstead could provide the opportunity to do something productive with the land around the buildings and even with the buildings themselves.

The proposal to change the current law was submitted to the county zoning committee by town of Watertown Supervisor Jim Bosch who says the current consolidation law doesn't leave much opportunity for such things as small organic vegetable farming, small scale nursery growers or a small horse ranch.

He says, “A five acre mini farm will serve the retired farmer with an array of benefits not only for himself but even more so if he chooses to sell his farmstead.”

He looks at it as economic development, saying, “There is even more value to the public and the buyer for these enlarged farm consolidations. Real estate brokers will realize a larger market. With a conditional use permit through the county, many established small business owners as well as young entrepreneurs may seek these properties.”

He believes towns should encourage these small businesses, noting that they are a large part of economic development for the towns, not only supplying local services but will bring the towns more money in tax revenues.

Bosch says these businesses could be automotive shops, heating and air conditioning contractors, electricians, concrete contractors, lawn service and landscape contractors, woodworking shops or small scale farming such as organic vegetable production.

He adds, “This is a towns' way of getting some industry. Presently most towns cannot have industrial parks.”

Bosch points out that upkeep on nonproductive farms can be a huge liability to the retired farmer.

“To replace a barn roof could cost as much as some farmers paid for their farms years ago. Selling these nonproductive farms to small business owners can bring them back to being productive thus it will be important for new owners to keep the buildings in good repair. Farmers that leave the farm can enjoy seeing their farm well kept.”

Haukom said his department sent the proposal to the townships for review but so far, none have replied that they are for or against the proposal. No date has been set for a hearing for the proposal and there is not a timeline for the county to take action on it.

Haukom does not expect it will receive much opposition since it simply puts the county in line with state rules.