A property owner in Mapleton learned the hard way to ask for permission first, not forgiveness.
John Horst, owner of J.M. Building Contractors, applied to have an agricultural property rezoned in 2019 as part of an application to build an accessory building on his property to use for his construction business. He resubmitted the building application the following year, claiming it was for personal use. He’s been operating his business out of the building ever since.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, council denied a request to rezone the property fearing it would set a precedent. They argued others who have zoning applications denied may go ahead anyway, hoping to get approval once the business is established.
Now that the rezoning was denied, Horst has not said what he plans to do. At a previous meeting, Horst told council that moving the business to town would not be viable. Horst has yet to respond to a request for comment.
