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• RONALD A. JACOBSON ` '` � 5529 BOX ELDER ROAD ) "' MARSHALL, WI 53559 t MAY 4 mg (608) 655 - 4917 D.C. PLANNING & PEVF v ,' ;k-; ZONING DIVIr i Response to Regional Planning Commission staff comments regarding Petition 7195: The RPC characterizes this property as a former farmstead, it is unclear at what point the RPC distinguishes between a farmstead and a former farmstead. In 1992 we wanted to purchase the entire farm that was for sale but we were unable to obtain financing because it was agricultural property. The seller was unable to sell it as a whole and after a year they divided the house and outbuildings off. We purchased these buildings on 6.4 acres(this is the area in green on the enclosed map). In the Fall of 1994 the agricultural land across the street came up for sale(orange area on the map)and we purchased this parcel which consists of 55.64 acres. In the Spring of 1995 the land which wraps around the 6.4 acres and a parcel across the street was available for us to purchase (this is the area in blue on the map). This was from the original farm from which we purchased the 6.4 acres and had been for sale for over another two years This area consists of 42.74 acres. We now own 104.78 acres with most of it being agricultural land. The intent in investing in all this land was to be able at some point to work it ourselves but this is an expensive business to start. The reason that we proceeded to rezone this parcel in the first place was because Dane County Zoning Ordinances required it. Our intent is to establish a greenhouse business which includes sales on site and off site (fanners markets, etc.). Sales may includes fresh vegetables, cut flowers,bedding plants, nursery plants, and resale of product lines related to these. We were told by Dane County Zoning that to run such an agricultural operation the Zoning was required to be Commercial. It became obvious that it would be most cost effective to also locate the office for the real estate assessment business at this site to help spread out the cost for starting up this operation. The RPC has stated that they have concerns regarding this being used for more intense or successive uses in the future. Apparently they did not bother to review or were not supplied with the rezoning petition because this issue is addressed in the petition. A very strict deed restriction is being placed on the property by us to assure that this would not happen. The RPC also has stated that justification be made for the 1.5 acre area. I invite them and the County Board members who think 1.5 acres is excessive for this type of operation to visit the following operations to see how easily this size acreage is consumed in such an operation: Kopke's on Sand Hill Road North of Oregon,America's Best on Hope Vilas Road South of Cottage Grove Road(one greenhouse there covers 2 acres),Deerfield Greenhouse&Floral off Hwy 73. We could list many more. Enclosed is a preliminary sketch as to how this area will be utilized by us.