Plan Commission - Public Hearing — Agenda

Town of Merton Public Hearing To Consider Amendments to the Adopted Town of Merton Comprehensive Land Use Plan – 2035, Adopted by the Town of Merton Town Board by Ordinance on May 12, 2009. The Amendment Includes the Following Request: Change the Land Use Designation on the Gideon Farms LLC Properties from “Governmental and Institutional” to “Rural Density and Other Agricultural Land”. The Property is Located at N56W30020 County Road K – Tax Key MRTT0396-999-006 - 32 Acres June 17th, 2026 Present: Chairman Klink, Commissioners Griffin, Olson, Siepmann, Good, & Caliendo, Attorney Van Kleunen, Planner Haroldson, and Deputy Clerk Claas Absent: Commissioner Queoff Also Present: Andy Gehl, Jim Shaw, John Utlech, Brian Graves, Kristin Graves, Chris Jaekels, Alison & Brian Pritzow, Patrick Johnson, and Anthony Wychules The Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman Klink at 5:42 p.m. Planner Haroldson read the Public Hearing Notice. Gehl stated the 8 acres and the 32 acres pre-dates his owning of the parcels. Moving forward there could potentially be some small shifting of boundaries depending upon water, runoff, plans. His goal is to get the 32 acres permanently into agricultural. They would, at some point in time, donate it to a non- profit for a permanent agricultural easement. At the moment, they are simply trying to keep cows in there. Chairman Klink opened the meeting to public questions or concerns. There were none. Chairman Klink stated what he is proposing for the acreage is fine, based on what he’s using it for now. It makes sense, but the Plan Commission needs to see the whole thing and work out the details later. Planner Haroldson asked how many animals he anticipates on the 32 acres. Gehl responded that the USDA recommends 23. The farmer that he had last summer had a few more than that. Gehl felt that was over grazed. He tried switching farmers this year, and now he has none. He will have beef cattle. Historically they have been cow/heifer pairs that have been there. He’s trying to move to a rotational grazing plan and trying to find a farmer that will work with him. The public Hearing was closed at 5:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Holly R Claas Deputy Clerk