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3 <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 number of animal units to be doubled to a maximum of twenty-five (25.0) on the Subject Site with an approved facility management and waste handling plan. <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 to the following issues: <br />•Wetlands and Floodplain <br />There are approximately 12 acres of wetlands and 22 acres floodplain on the 25 acre Subject Site. This limits the amount of upland area to operate a commercial stable, pasture farm animals and properly manage manure waste so it does not drain into <br />ditches and wetlands. <br />Including but not limited to, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) guidelines state that for manure application, a minimum setback of 300 feet from protected wetlands 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 />MN State Rule 7020.2005 Subpart 1. states that a “…manure storage area must not be constructed within a floodplain…”. Manure bins and/or manure storage shall be located outside the floodplain. <br />•Animal Health <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 />•Facility Management and Waste Handling Plan <br />Per the University of Minnesota Extension-Horse website, the average 1,000 pound horse produces 56 pounds of manure per day. This equates 2,800 pounds of manure per day 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 />2. The variance shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan. <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: