Richmond P&Z approves pig farm permit, swears in new member
March 3rd, 2011 Posted in OpinionBy Kate Rouse
RICHMOND — The Planning and Zoning Commission welcomed new member and former city councilman Rod Going, who was sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting. He replaces Suzanne Dent, who retired in December.
Going, who was over planning and zoning when he served on the City Council some 10 years ago, said he is excited to serve and to bring his experience to the planning and zoning commission.
“I’ve lived in Richmond all my married life, so I know what people around here enjoy and what they’re looking for,” Going said. He said he already knows most of the members of the commission as well as the city council, and he is looking forward to working with them to serve the community for the next four years.
At the meeting, the commission approved a conditional use permit for Richmond resident Branden Jensen to raise pigs at his farm on 73 N. 400 East St. The pigs will be raised for a 4-H project and Jensen will start with just four piglets
this year. City Manager Marlowe Adkins said there were no objections from
neighbors regarding the permit to raise pigs, especially given the small size of the operation and the fact that they are being raised to be judged.
“Pigs aren’t that smelly if they’re properly taken care of,” Adkins said. “If they’ve got good husbandry, they’re not the legendary dirty animals that they’re made out to be.”
The request still needs to be brought before the council for approval, which Adkins said will be on the March 15 agenda.
After the meeting, Jay Baker from the County Planning and Zoning Office held a training session on recent changes in Utah’s Land Use Development and Management Act, or LUDMA. At last month’s planning and zoning meeting, Adkins said there will be “significant” but not “earth-shaking” changes to Richmond’s own Land Use Development and Management Ordinance, following recent changes to
the Utah law.
Baker told the Hard News Cafe he doesn’t expect that any major changes will have to be made in most of the Cache Valley towns and cities he will visit within the next few weeks. “They’re all pretty much in compliance at this point,” Baker said. “If there are any changes, they’re going to be minor ones.”
So far, Baker has visited Richmond and Newton to offer training on recent changes under LUDMA, and he will continue to visit one or two towns or cities per week until most of the valley is brought up-to-date on changes to the law.
NW
Tags: approved pig farm, planning and zoning, Richmond, Rod Going
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