Plan commission recommends approval of zoning amendment to allow limited animal and fowl keeping in parks and agricultural districts

The Village of Greendale Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of a zoning text amendment that would add limited animal and fowl keeping as a permitted use in the Park (P) and Agricultural (A) zoning districts for specific purposes including education, research and similar recreational events, with permits subject to the public health director’s approval.

Staff explained the change is a chapter-17 text amendment that aligns with existing chapter-9 definitions and conditions. The proposal would add a limited animal-and-fowl-keeping use in Park and Agricultural districts but preserve a permitting and review step: the public health director must review applications and may impose conditions or deny permits if health or licensing standards are not met.

Commissioners asked about the meaning and scope of the word “research.” Staff said the ordinance defines research as controlled work affiliated with a recognized institution or professional body, conducted under accepted protocols, complying with applicable state or federal licensing and not open to the public, and limited in duration for a specific project. Staff emphasized that adding the text does not automatically approve individual proposals; instead, applicants would still need to submit for health-review and any necessary permits.

One commissioner noted the potential for the word “research” to raise public concern and asked whether the language is required for consistency with state statute and existing ordinance language. Staff replied that the research language mirrors provisions already in chapter 9 and that the public health director retains final authority over permits and enforcement.

The commission motioned, seconded and approved the recommendation to the Board of Trustees on a roll call vote. Staff will forward the commission’s recommendation and the proposed ordinance language to the Board of Trustees for further action.