5.13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The traditional view of a feedlot is an outdoor area that is used for the fattening • of livestock before they are sent to market. The animals at the nutrition center are housed in controlled environments, not kept in open pens. The animals are intended to be used for nutrition research not fattened for market. The animals are studied regarding weight gain and growth in relation to the type of feed used. Milk production is analyzed in order to determine the relationship between milk production and type of feed used. Specific breeds of animals are used so that variables can be controlled; many of the animals remain at the center for several breeding cycles, some animals remain for years. Along with research in animal nutrition, the center conducts ongoing research in the preservation of feed and silage, development of new types of feed and laboratory analysis. There has been some discussion about the nature of the operations that occur at the nutrition center and whether it is typical of uses found in a light industrial zone. The Cargill Animal Nutrition Center is an agricultural research and product development facility. Within the scope of research and development, it is staffs opinion that the facility's operation has more characteristics that are agricultural in nature than industrial. Recommendation IIIBased on the above overview, staff is presenting the following definition for animal, nutrition and agricultural research to be included as a conditional use in the Ria and Al zoning districts. Animal, Nutrition and Agricultural Research Buildings, laboratories and other facilities or structures which are used in connection with animal, nutrition or other agricultural research and development , investigation, testing, adaptation or experimentation, but not facilities for the commercial manufacture or sale of products, except those which are used in research operations, with respect to which research activities have been completed or which are part of research and development programs; the facilities also can include animal feeding facilities; barns, storage buildings, confinement areas, or other animal housing units; pasture and grazing areas; cropped or tilled fields; grain and feed processing, storage or manufacturing facilities; nursery areas; and waste management facilities or systems. It is recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of an ordinance creating a definition for Animal, Nutrition and Agricultural Research Illto be included as a conditional use in the Al and Rla zoning districts.