Meeting Public Comments

Nathan Mueller [Iowa County Zoning Officials]

These comments are regarding HSB588. We have significant concerns with the language under Division VIII Land Use, found on page 20 (lines 1835) and page 21 (lines 17).The language of this bill, as written, would not just enable small producers to diversify their income but would clear the way for fullscale commercial development to invade agricultural areas. Enabling this kind of development with no regulation will put further upward price pressure on agricultural land, squeezing out younger and beginning farmers, as well as create possible health and safety hazards for employees, guests, neighbors, and the public.Please consider amending the final version of this bill to remove new subsection 335.2.4 (page 20, lines 2024) and new subsection 335.28.1.b (page 21, lines 37) to protect neighboring farmers and the public visiting these agricultural tourism operations.