Farmington Planning Commission Updates Zoning for Shalom Wildlife Zoo

The Town of Farmington Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Farmington Town Hall.
The big topic of this meeting was the zoning ordinance for Shalom Zoo. Many people chose to attend this meeting to show their support for Shalom, with the meeting almost having a full house of attendees. Many showed their support for Shalom by wearing apparel supporting the zoo.
There were two issues for the board to address pertaining to Shalom. The first was to update the zoning ordinance, and the second was to discuss the fencing between Shalom and the neighbors who have been suing the zoo.
While addressing the update to the zone ordinance, the town attorney, Michael Bauer, explained that this proposed ordinance would define zoological activity and further outline what could be done at the zoo. It further defines what the zoo can do on the property, which better aligns with the zoo’s goals and plans for the property moving forward. The updated ordinance better defines what “zoological activities” are, allowing the zoo to participate in the care, exhibition, preservation, and breeding of animals with associated educational programming on parcels of land containing no less than 100 acres of land. This would allow Shalom to have things like a visitor center, trails, parking lots, and educational facilities. This update would also allow for things like weddings, educational operations, food, drink, and gift sales.
The board also discussed the fence that Shalom plans to put up on their side of the property line between 1797 and 1809 Shalom Drive. The two parties are currently in discussion about what the fence should look like. The planning commission discussed the fence and how the two parties are currently in negotiation. The planning commission decided that the best way to handle it was to table it until the two parties had agreed on a fence, then discuss once the final fence design is approved.
Both of these agenda items have been sent to the board with the planning commission’s recommendations for the board for further discussion. A public hearing will be held on the Matter of an Ordinance Amending Text of the Town of Farmington Zoning Code, Town of Farmington, Washington County, Wisconsin-Referencing Resolution 2025-11.