LaX schedules public forum for sheep, goat ordinance

The Town of LaCrosse is examining an ordinance which requires all weeds, grass and other uncultivated vegetation to be cut and disposed of at least once per month from April through September. The town is considering allowing sheep and goats in town to help with the grazing efforts.

“It was an issue that came up last year,” said Mayor Randy Camp. “We allowed it in one instance last year, and we got a lot of input.”

A public meeting is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the LaCrosse Town Hall for the purpose of discussing the matter and gathering public opinion.

In an email to the Gazette, Town Clerk/Treasurer Angela Broeckel said the town council last year granted permission to a resident to bring sheep to town to graze his property for a few months. There were some complaints about the smell, and the council is now seeking the opinion of the community before making a decision of whether or not to allow goats and sheep in town for grazing purposes.

There has been an informational survey at the LaCrosse Post Office and market to gather opinions on the matter, and the public meeting is planned as a format to yield more opinions.

“For the most part, more people seem to be in favor of allowing the grazing, but a pretty large number are opposed to it, too,” said Camp. “It depends on how close you are to it, I guess.”

The council will take into consideration comments at the public forum, as well as the results of the survey before making a final decision. The survey, Camp said, was not a vote, though some thought it was.

“We were getting an idea,” he said. “We wanted to get a general idea of what the population was thinking so the council will be able to make their decision.”

The weed, grass and vegetation ordinance, in addition to stipulating that any of those be cut and disposed of once a month, also states that any weeds, grass and vegetation are not to exceed 12 inches in height. The ordinance applies to any developed residential, business or commercial property.

Camp said the council will discuss the matter and possibly vote on a potential sheep/goat ordinance at its next meeting, slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the LaCrosse Town Hall.