07-15-2002 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,July 15,2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#02-2797 JAMES MURPHY AND SANDRA SMITH,Continued) Weinberger explained that the applicants had made a request for a conditional use permit to allow an additional horse on the property, making a total of three horses on the property. The property is located in the RR-1B zoning district where horses are a permitted accessory use. The Smith/Murphy property is approximately 3.6 acres, where 5 acres is required to permit 3 horses as an accessory use on the property. Since the Smith/Murphy horses do not require pasture land for feed purposes, Council has the discretion to reduce the required pasture acreage. Weinberger pointed out that horses have been kept on this property since the barn was erected 60+years ago. Weinberger added that, regardless of the size of the pasture, a proper manure management program is vital to the protection of nearby wetlands and to eliminate odors. In 1997 the applicants contacted the University of Minnesota Extension Service to conduct a site visit to determine if any potential pollution impacts were present on the property. It was the opinion of Jeremy Geske, Extension Educator, specializing in Livestock Systems due to the size of the operation and the way it is managed that any impact to the wetland from runoff from the site is extremely minor. Weinberger stated that staff recommends approval of the application to permit three horses on the property per the request in the applicant's letter of application. One additional horse would not be significant change to the character of the property and the applicants own the property that would be subject to the most impact. He suggested that the Planning Commission also provide conditions that will ensure the impact of three horses will not change how the property is used and consider a sunset date allowing three horses on the property. Weinberger acknowledged the public comments memo submitting neighbors opinions for consideration. Hawn questioned the manure management program used on the property. Smith stated that Jeremy Geske, the University of Minnesota extension educator,reviewed their compost and management plan, including the border composting, and felt it was adequate. Murphy stated that the border composting provides a natural buffer for runoff By pushing the manure under the fence and managing the removal themselves by grading the area every spring or giving the manure to local landscapers, they have successfully been managing the waste. Having never considered adding additional horses to the property, Smith stated that the two they own are elderly and chronically lame. She indicated that her father had offered a younger four year old for them to train and keep. Murphy stated that it is a timing issue for them, there is no way to predict how long the 26 year PAGE 9 of 36