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Permit approved for industrial hemp growing operation

By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer


HOBART – The village board approved a conditional use permit Tuesday, Nov. 5, for Michael and Karin Clark to operate a horticulture business and organically grow industrial hemp on properties at 458 Four Seasons Dr. and 4413 N. Overland Road.

Todd Gerbers, village director of planning and code compliance, said the conditions of approval include no processing of materials on site, no sale of materials or product on site, no additional noise greater than that consistent with residential gardening generated as part of the horticultural process and the permit should be brought back to the village’s Planning and Zoning Commission and village board for review prior to the transfer of any portion of land from either parcel.

According to the permit narrative, the Clarks are planning to grow hemp on both properties beginning in the 2020 season, starting in the spring months through the harvest in late August to September, with the proper licensing and regulation from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The Clarks plan to use an accessory building to dry the material, which would be sold to a Wisconsin-based production facility.

There would be no changes to the buildings or home on their property, while the garden/growing areas on both parcels are set back from the roadway and screened from view by existing mature trees.

PDD rezoning

In other action, the board approved a rezoning request from Jeff Marlow of Lexington Homes to rezone two parcels in the 1200 block of South Pine Tree Road from A-1, Agricultural District, to PDD No. 2, Orlando/Packerland Planned Development District.

The 26.86 acres of the two parcels combined have been used for crop farming, and Marlow requested both parcels to be rezoned to be consistent with the parcel adjoining to the north, as well as with the residential development also to the north.

The rezoning would allow for the possibility of single-family and multi-family development on these two parcels, along with the vacant parcel to the north.

Village Administrator Aaron Kramer said only rezoning was requested at this time, and any proposed development would have to be submitted for review at a future meeting.

Marlow has proposed constructing a new mixed residential subdivision in the village just south of Lear Lane with approximately 46 single-family lots and six apartment buildings, along with parking and public roadway.

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