The owners of a southeastern Minnesota dairy farm have withdrawn their application to expand their operation to as many as 1,500 cows.
The Post-Bulletin of Rochester reports the proposal had divided Plainview Township, a community of less than 500 people, over what’s best for farming communities versus what’s best for the environment.
Tim Zabel and his family officially withdrew their variance request Tuesday night. He declined to comment on what led to their decision, but said his family is re-evaluating their proposal and could bring it back in the future. He says they’ve also looked at other sites but have yet to find one likely to be sold.
Planning commission member John Koepsell says Zabel had not yet obtained numerous documents and informational reports needed for his variance request.
