BOARD OF ZONING HEARS COMPLAINTS

FARM BEING USED FOR OTHER USES

THE MADISON BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS AND FIRST RESPONDERS ABOUT A PROPERY OWNER THEY SAY IS CREATING HAZARDOUS SITUATION BY OPERATING A COMMERICAL FESTIVAL ENTERPISE ON PROPERTY THAT IS ZONED RESIDENTAL AGRICULTURE.

THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2357 NORTH K ROAD BASED ON ITS LOCATION IS WITHIN THE CITY OF MADISON'S TWO MILE BUFFER ZONE, IN THE PAST THE ZONING BOARD HAS HEARD COMPLAINTS WITH HOW THEY ARE USING THE FAMILY FARM AS A VENUE FOR MUD RUNS, ATV DRAGS, CONCERTS AND FLEA MARKETS. RESIDENTS IN THE AREA HAVE CITED LOUD NOISE,GUNFIRE,HUGE BONFIRES,CAMPING AND VEHICLES PARKED ON NORTH K ROAD THAT CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD AND DAMAGED THE ROADWAY.

THOSE OPPOSING THE USAGE SAY THE EVENTS NOT ONLY CAUSE DISRUPTION AND EXCESSIVE NOISE IN AN AREA ZONED FOR FARMING AND HOMESTEADING BUT POSE A DANGER SHOULD THE SITE OR NEIGHBORS NEED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AS THE ROADWAY ISNT WIDE ENOUGH IN SOME PLACES FOR FIRE TRUCKS AND AMBULANCES TO PASS SAFELY.

IN ADDITION TO BEING USED FOR CAR SHOW,PARTS SWAP, ANIMAL SWAP, AND PETTING ZOO THE OWNERS ARE CHARGING FOR PARKING AND SELLING T-SHIRTS TO MARKET THE SITE. 

MADISON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO CALLS AT THE PROPERTY IN THE PAST AND PROPERTY OWNERS AND GUESTS HAVE BEEN "VERY NON-COMPLIANT". THE CURRENT RESPONSE POLICY IS THAT FIRE AND AMBULANCE PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT WILL NOT ENTER ONTO THE PROPERTY UNTIL ESCORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BOARD OF ZONING TOOK ALL COMMENTS UNDER ADVISEMENT AND BECAUSE OF THE VENUES NEXT EVENT BEING MAY 22ND THE BOARD HAS SCHEDULED A SPECIAL MEETING FOR MONDAY NIGHT MAY 17TH FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION BEGINNING AT 5:30 PM WITH REGULAR BOARD MEETING JUNE 8TH. 

IN OTHER BUSINESS THE BOARD APPROVED SEVERAL CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS FOR RESIDENT TODD BOONE TO USE A FENCED LOT NEXT TO FORMER CHAPMAN PRINTING BUILDING AT 107 EAST SECOND ST, WHICH IS NOW A RECORDING STUDIO AND OFFICES FOR THE MADISON MUSIC MOVEMENT AS A POSSIBLE SITE FOR FOOD TRUCKS AND OR CONCERT VENUE. PLANS ARE STILL PRELIMINARY HE STILL HAS TO GET APPROVAL FROM HISTORIC BOARD.