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nutrition center is primarily a research center for the development of improved <br />animal nutrition. <br /> <br />The traditional view of a feedlot is an outdoor area that is used for the fattening <br />of livestock before they are sent to market. The animals at the nutrition center <br />are housed in controlled environments, not kept in open pens. The animals are <br />intended to be used for nutrition research not fattened for market. The animals <br />are studied regarding weight gain and growth in relation to the type of feed <br />used. Milk production is analyzed in order to determine the relationship between <br />milk production and type of feed used. Specific breeds of animals are used so <br />that variables can be controlled; many of the animals remain at the center for <br />several breeding cycles, some animals remain for years. <br /> <br />Along with research in animal nutrition, the center conducts ongoing research in <br />the preservation of feed and silage, development of new types of feed and <br />laboratory analysis. <br /> <br />There has been some discussion about the nature of the operations that occur at <br />the nutrition center and whether it is typical of uses found in a light industrial <br />zone. It is staffs belief that the Cargill Animal Nutrition Center is an <br />agricultural research and product development facility. Within the scope of <br />research and development, it is staffs opinion that the facility's operation has <br />more characteristics that are agricultural in nature than industrial. <br /> <br />If the proposed animal, nutrition and agricultural research use is not included as <br />an allowed use in the I1 zone, Cargill would still be able to develop their <br />industrial zoned property for activities such as offices and laboratories but would <br />not be able to expand the livestock and agricultural related activities on the <br />industrial zoned land. The existing livestock and agricultural related activities <br />that are located on property that is zoned I1 could be continued as a pre-existing <br />non-conforming use. <br /> <br />Planning Commission Meeting <br /> <br />At the Planning Commission meeting held on June 25, 1996 the discussion <br />centered on the appropriateness of having animal, nutrition and agricultural <br />research as a conditional use in the industrial zones. Representatives for Cargill <br />made the case that because this definition is tailored to Cargill's animal <br />nutrition center facility there is very little likelyhood that another business <br />could develop industrial land under this proposed definition. They also felt that <br />since approximately 250 acres of their total 980 acres is zoned I1, this would <br />address Cargilrs concerns regarding not being able to utilize that property for <br />expansion of their facility. <br /> <br /> <br />