Mink farmer denied agriculture protection by Utah County

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    By STACEY CHARLESWORTH

    Utah County Commissioners did not allow one of North America’s largest mink farmers to establish an agriculture protection area in Lehi.

    At the Utah County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, the commissioners denied Scott McLachilan’s request for an agriculture protection area because of zoning and health concerns.

    On Feb. 23 McLachilan applied for an agriculture protection area for his 275-acre lot near Jordan River in an effort to protect himself from increasing development west of Lehi.

    Commissioner David J. Gardner also said there may be a problem with McLachilan selling food to other entities.

    However, Lynett Hubbard, McLachilan’s daughter, who spoke at the meeting on her father’s behalf, said, “That is not exactly true that he sells food. He sells the excess, just like a farmer sells excess hay.”

    Hubbard said she feels like the commissioners do not have a good understanding of what her father does, and she said she was upset by their decision.

    The commissioners said it would be all right for McLachilan to re-apply for an agriculture protection area. Hubbard said her father will “definitely” submit another request.

    Many of McLachilan’s neighbors have complained about the smell of his farm and do not want it to be protected.

    However, Commissioner Gary R. Herbert said the smell of McLachilan’s farm has nothing to do with the commissioners’ decision to deny his request for an agriculture protection area.

    “If anyone says not to put up a mink farm as an agriculture protection area because it smells, they will not have a persuasive argument,” he said.

    Furthermore, so long as McLachilan complies with county zoning laws he will be protected against nuisance lawsuits, said Commissioner David J. Gardner.

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