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<br />3 <br /> <br />Per Resolution No. 21-67 approving a conditional use permit for the Commercial <br />Stables, a maximum of 12.5 animal units are allowed on the Subject Site without an <br />approved facility management and waste handling plan. The CUP also allows the <br />number of animal units to be doubled to a maximum of twenty-five (25.0) on the Subject <br />Site with an approved facility management and waste handling plan. <br /> <br />The variance request to double the number of animal units again from 25.0 to 50.0 does <br />not enhance the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the community due <br />to the following issues: <br /> <br />• Wetlands and Floodplain <br /> <br />There are approximately 12 acres of wetlands and 22 acres floodplain on the 25 acre <br />Subject Site. This limits the amount of upland area to operate a commercial stable, <br />pasture farm animals and properly manage manure waste so it does not drain into <br />ditches and wetlands. <br /> <br />Including but not limited to, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) guidelines <br />state that for manure application, a minimum setback of 300 feet from protected wetlands <br />is required. A 50 foot non-manured vegetated buffer can be used in place of the 300 foot <br />setback during non-winter months. <br /> <br />MN State Rule 7020.2005 Subpart 1. states that a “…manure storage area must not be <br />constructed within a floodplain…”. Manure bins and/or manure storage shall be located <br />outside the floodplain. <br /> <br />• Animal Health <br /> <br />Given the limited amount of upland area, there are issues regarding the amount of <br />pasture the animals have for grazing and manure management. Per the University of <br />Minnesota Extension-Horse website, 2 acres of pasture are required for each horse and <br />manure should not be spread on pastures with more than 1 horse per 2 acres. <br /> <br />• Facility Management and Waste Handling Plan <br /> <br />Per the University of Minnesota Extension-Horse website, the average 1,000 pound horse <br />produces 56 pounds of manure per day. This equates 2,800 pounds of manure per day <br />for 50 horses. Due to the large volume of manure produced by 25-50 horses and the <br />limited storage capacity on site due to wetlands and floodplain, the applicant is <br />proposing to haul excess manure off-site with a dump truck which creates excessive noise <br />and traffic. <br /> <br />2. The variance shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan. <br /> <br />The variance is not consistent with the following City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plans goals <br />and policies due to wetland, floodplain, animal health and manure management issues: