Farmington Town Board Approves Zoning Ordinance Change to Shalom Wildlife Zoo

The Farmington Town Board approved the updated wording to the zoning ordinance for Shalom Zoo at their regular meeting on Dec. 9 at the Farmington Town Hall.
The Town Board voted unanimously 3-0 to approve the change. 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. 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. This update allows Shalom to be in compliance with the town’s zoning code.
The Farmington Town Board has been taking time to decide what is best for the Town of Farmington, overall. Town Chairman Doug Neumann said, “These zoning code changes were not taken lightly. We have to take the best interest of the town as a whole when these types of situations arise. These changes will clarify some old language in our existing code by allowing zoological activities as an allowed use in agricultural zoning and also address the legal challenge the town received from a few individuals.”
Shalom Wildlife issued a statement on social media thanking the community for their ongoing support. “Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement during this difficult time for our business. It has meant so much to us, and we appreciate you standing beside us. God bless you.”