Horses, goats win preliminary OK
Staff writer
A proposed zoning ordinance establishing a district for animals such as horses and goats within Marion’s city limits is moving forward.
After Marion’s planning commission approved creating a special district Sept. 1, city council members Tuesday unanimously approved amendments to other ordinances allowing animals in the proposed district.
“All the rest of the restrictions on whatever animals can be in town still applies, with the exception of those” in the proposed district, council member Tim Baxa said.
The proposed district would be east of 3rd St., south of Forest St., and west of Commercial St.
Five properties within the proposed district would be rezoned as a “countryside district,” administrator Brian Wells said.
According to appraisal records, James Weidenbener, Barry Cole, and City of Marion own the properties.
One amendment would allow equine riding, an academy, and full-time boarding of equine in the designated zone. It also would allow for targeted grazing by goats.
Another amendment would allow electric fences only for the use of targeted grazing where an agricultural permit is held or a commercial operator is conducting targeted grazing.
Unprotected barbed wire fences would be allowed within the proposed district, while outside of it, a barbed wire fence would need to be protected by an exterior fence.
The council would be able to vote to approve the proposed zoning district after a hearing as early as Sept. 21.
Fencing requirements were clarified than what was said in the original story.