Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/12/1989

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Williams' property is unkept; there is not enough room for 6 horses. Horse trailers are brought in and out ail during the night. Mr. Ferber requested that the letterb delivered to City Hall regarding Ms. William'o request be read. Chairman Zimmerman entered the following letters into the record as being in opposition to Ms. Williams~ request: Tom and Sandee Knudson dated F, ecember l, 1988, Mark Welter da~ed December 5, 1988, Dennis and Dianne Berquist (not dated). Mr. Tom Welch- Stated that he resides with Ms. Williams and although his comments may appear biased, M~. Williams has requested his presence to help her feel protected from varioua threats. Mr. Welch stated that about 50% of the comments he has heard thi~ evening are false° Philip SwSggum - Noted that the odor of i, orses cannot compare ~o the smell that comes from the pig far~ in the area; he has not noticed ar~ increase in insect population; the fence was in terrible shape when he and Rhonda moved onto the property. Mr. Swiggum stated that he did not install a hot or barbed fence because he feels they are dangerous. Mr° Swiggum stated that the property was advertised as being 6.6 acres in size and horses were being maintained on the property when he moved in. Ms. Williams presented a certificate of reasonable value that stated the property was 6.6 acres more or less; she noted that the closing, the final paper~,ork indicate that the property was 5.87 acres. Ms. Williams stated that no part cf the fencing is more than 24 inches off the ground, the strands are one foot apart, the property has been totally refenced, and there have not been problems with horses getting loose since the new fence. Mr. Swiggum stated that the horse trailer was only used about once a month =his past summer. Ms. Williams stated that the water trough is kept in the barn to prevent the water from freezing and fresh water is brought out to the pastures every day. Ms. Williams stated that she cares for her horses and she makes sure their life is healthy and happy, Steve Lutmer with the City of Ramsey inspected the property and was impressed with the fence. Commissioner Shumway stated that the excessive heat thi~ past year made it extremely hard to keep weight on animals; he has seen Ms. Williams' horses and they are in good health. Ms. Williams submitted a petition containing the signatures of 41 persons that do not oppose her request for a conditional use permit. Two near neighbors did not want to sign because they are friends with the Heilersteds, an older lady next door abstained but her son-in-law stated that he doesn't mind the horses. Kathy Ee!!ersted - Stated that of those 41 signatures on the petition, there might be one that represents an adjacent property crwner. The people living i~ediate!y next door to Mso Williams have to put up with the smell and insects. Ms. He!lersted stated that she measured the fence and the Planning & Zoning Public Hearing/December 6, !988 Page 2 of 3