09-10-1984 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono Planning Commission August 15, 1984 Page 2 This is not the applicant's primary source of revenue or profession. The breeding and raising of race horses is his hobby and will continue to be. The question of when and at what level of use a hobby farm takes on more of a commercial use is a difficult one. Staff has received calls from one repeated complainer regarding the owners of a large hobby farm located out on Watertown Road complaining of the commercial use of the residential property. The commercial use involves the boarding of horses and training in riding, specifically, steeplechase training. The external use of the property appears more commercial then single family/ hobby farm use. The Planning Commission found Thompson*s proposed use even less commercial in nature than the hobby farm operations in rural western areas of the city. The Planning Commission strongly recommends against establishing special performance standards for owners of these quasi -commercial farms, finding no danger to the public health, safety and welfare and that the properties still serve as the primary residence for all owners. Planning Commission Recommendation: To approve the variance application of Dennis Thompson that seeks a variance to the performance standard of Section 10.20 Subdivision 3K that states the keeping of domestic animals must be for non-commercial purposes based on the following findings: 1. The applicant's principal residence will be located on the subject property. 2. The application as proposed requires no additional variances to the performance standards for the keeping of domestic animals. 3. The proposed level of use will be compatible with the surrounding 2 acre residential zone. 4. The use as proposed presents no more intense a use of the property than a hobby farm use. Staff has drafted an approving resulution for your review and action.