Changes deal with emerging ag issues

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• STORY: Board discusses wineries, agri-tourism

Agricultural tourism and farm wineries will now be addressed in Goodhue County zoning ordinances. Commissioners on Tuesday OK'd amendments recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission that recognize farm wineries as a permitted land use, add performance standards for farm wineries, define agricultural tourism and establish permit requirements for activities associated with farm wineries or ag tourism.

The PAC has been working on the ordinance amendments for months. Land-Use Management officials and commissioners say this allows landowners to use their property more freely and provide more income opportunities.

"It's trying to strike a balance between allowing more opportunities for agriculture and agricultural uses but also protecting the concerns of property owners in terms of character of their area," said Mike Wozniak, county planner and zoning administrator.

Commissioner Ted Seifert agreed. "Goodhue County is uniquely situated to take advantage of this niche and bring tourism dollars to the county," he said.

Wozniak hopes the ag tourism and farm wineries language the county has drafted will be used as a model by other counties and townships.

Tags: local government, goodhue county board, politics, agribusiness