2025/05/07 - LAND USE - CUP - Conditional Use Permit - CUP-25-06

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April 1, 2025 Page 3 of 3 made an application for a conditional use permit per the terms of the Burnett County Land Use and Shoreland Protection Code of Ordinances to expand the wildlife rehabilitation center, located at 24938 Viola Lake Rd, on Viola Lake, in the RR-1 zoning district, Lots 7 and 8 CSM Vol. 12 Pg. 40, in Government Lot 13, Section 31, T39N, R15W. Mark Fox explains they have a rehabilitation center for wildlife. They were approved for a CUP four years ago from this committee. At the time, they built temporary cages and kept them indoors. They would like to expand to accommodate larger animals. Currently they are qualified for rabbits, squirrels, turtles and songbirds. They would like to have larger animals like water birds. Examples would be ducks, geese, swans, loons and great blue herons. On average, they normally get 100 animals per year. The last couple of years they have received two to three larger birds per year. To be qualified to take care of them they need DNR approval and U.S. Fish, Game and Wildlife Service approval. His wife, Kari Fox, is a veterinarian and certified wildlife rehabilitator and has to have 100 hours experience in taking care of these animals. The final requirement is they have to build a building that is large enough to house them. The minimum requirement from the state and federal rules is 12' x 24' x 10'. They are proposing a carport frame 14' x 24.5' x 10' followed by enclosure of the sides with fencing material. They have had two or three of these larger animals, which they can take in because Ms. Fox is a veterinarian,but can only keep them for several days. Unless they are licensed, they have to find another rehabilitation center to take care of them. They have the training but they have to have the building. Chairman Conroy questioned if all the animals are there at once. Mr. Fox stated it is a four to six month season where they may have 10 squirrels, two rabbits, three birds and each are there for four weeks. They are busiest in the spring with newborns and in the summer they get more injured animals. They have 25 animals typically during this time. Chairman Conroy questioned how many waterfowl they would have at a time. Mr. Fox stated probably never more than one or two at a time and have never had more than two or three a year. He put in the proposal to have a maximum of ten. Public hearing open. Lois Wilkinson stated she is opposed to this CUP and this is right next to their property. There are concerns about noise, safety and predators. This belongs on their farm in a different location. Jeff Wilkinson lives next door to this property. There has been release of animals on their property on purpose and sometimes accidentally by escaping. Some of the animals have become tame like birds and squirrels. Mr. Wilkinson is concerned about noise, safety, predators and bird flu. Public hearing closed. Mr. Towne stated he received no correspondence from the Town of Sand Lake. Supervisor Tucker stated it sounds like they should be doing this in a different area. Supervisor Moyer questioned how far away their farm is.