Zoo’Opolis has zoning approval to move to Brown County

Kathleen Bowen, owner of Zoo’Opolis, shows a ferret during an exotic animal show for second graders at Columbus Signature Academy Fodrea in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

BROWN COUNTY — Zoo’Opolis has received permission to officially move from Bartholomew County and reopen in Belmont.

The owner of the exotic petting zoo, Kathleen Bowen, went before the Area Plan Commission in April and May and the Brown County Commissioners in June to try to have about 5 acres of land along State Road 46 West rezoned. The land had been residential; she needed it to be general business in order to operate her zoo there.

The APC voted unanimously on May 28 to recommend the change to the commissioners; the commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of it on June 5. Commissioners President Dave Anderson voted no after hearing about 1 1/2 hours of comments from the public.

Those who spoke against the rezoning expressed concern about the welfare, appropriateness and image of exotic animals being on display for the public; and possible risks to public health from those animals.

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The approximately 100 animals in the zoo — a number which changes according to how many animals reproduce — include a zebra, raccoons, small reptiles, wallabies, housecat-sized bengal cats, a timber wolf, goats, geese, peacocks, an alpaca, rabbits and many types of birds.

Bowen has moved to Belmont and will live on the zoo grounds.

Two people besides Bowen spoke in favor of the petition in front of the county commissioners last week, citing the business’s possible economic impact. Others had spoken at the earlier meetings.

The commissioners said they also received many written comments on the topic.

In response to the concerns, Bowen told the audience that she’s heavily regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture, and that one of the requirements is to have hand sanitizer stations throughout the zoo to fight the spread of bacteria. None of her exotic animals have tested positive for pathogens since she opened in 2015, she said.

Just as the APC did at its last meeting, the commissioners attempted to keep comments centered on the appropriateness of the zoning, not about how people feel about this particular business.

Again, more than one speaker asked where the appropriate place was for people to express their concerns about particular businesses when a zoning change like this is requested. APC President Dave Harden had told that audience that the county commissioners were the board to contact; commissioners President Dave Anderson told commenters on June 5 that planning and zoning was the group to talk to.

Planning Director Chris Ritzmann, the head of the planning and zoning office, said that her department would hear comments about types of businesses and whether or not they were appropriate to the type of zoning being requested, but not comments about individual businesses. Jim Kemp, president of the Brown County Redevelopment Commission, said that his board would be a good place to start for discussions about individual business. The RDC meets on fourth Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the junior high school.

“I do think there should be a forum for this,” said county commissioner Jerry Pittman.

Regarding regulations for this business, which the public seemed to be concerned about, he proposed getting the Brown County Animal Control Commission involved. The audience applauded at that suggestion. No meeting date was immediately set to address the topic.

Pittman made the motion to approve the change of zoning for Zoo’Opolis because it was consistent with the business zoning of other parcels along State Road 46 West in the Belmont area. County commissioner Diana Biddle supported it.

“Regardless of the zoning, the animals are residing here now and will probably continue to reside here,” Biddle said.

Before the business can open there, Bowen will need to do a septic system upgrade to commercial standards, said John Kennard of the Brown County Health Department.

Regarding the health risks commenters mentioned, “this is probably going to be one of the heavier regulated business in the county,” Kennard added.

Biddle and Pittman also mentioned that this wouldn’t be the first time exotic animals have been housed as pets or as part of a public exhibit in Brown County. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, visiting with monkeys and reptiles was part of the tourist attractions in downtown Nashville.

Bowen said late last month that she hopes to reopen the zoo in its new Belmont home in late summer.