Commission decides not to advance setback ordinance

By Patrick Fisher

The New Prague Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously agreed not to pursue the issue of feedlot setbacks after continuing a lengthy public hearing on the Wednesday, May 25.

The hearing was a continuation from the commission’s April 27 meeting, when it presented the first reading for the amendment. As it read, the amendment would require any future urban development to have a 1,000-foot setback from farms with 50 or more animals. It grew out of the city’s recently updated comprehensive plan to recognize farmers and their right to farm.

More than 50 people attended Wednesday’s meeting, most of them present for the public hearing.

New Prague City Planner Renee Christianson presented a map that showed how much area would be covered by the proposed ordinance for each of the 12 feedlots near the community. The map also showed the affected area if there was a 500-foot variance.

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