02/11/2015 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for re -zoning of the land at 6966-6970 Lake Drive — Summary of Events by Robert and Carol Stanek (land owners) Brief history on the land. Robert purchased the 6970 Lake Drive property from Wesley and Jean Beach in November, 1994 and has lived there since. Carol and Robert were married in August, 1998 and have lived on the land with Carol's children (Alexandria-25 and Taylor Greene - 22) until they moved out as adults. Presently, we have Kennedy (13) and Courtney (12), with Taylor also living with us while she is attending college. In January of 2013, our daughters were asking if we could get some pygmy goats as pets. After telling them "No" numerous times, we finally relented provided a number of concerns could be addressed: 1) if the city would allow us to have the goats, 2) the girls researched and fully understood the goat needs and requirements, and finally 3) the girls took over complete care, feeding and over -sight of the goats. We figured we were off the hook with the "if the city would let us" part! Once the kids did their research, we approached the city. In March of 2013, we went to the city offices and inquired to whom we would speak to regarding whether or not having goats in the city proper would be allowed. There was no one available in the zoning department, so we were directed to speak with the police department as they would know the ordinances regarding our request. So we went to the police department, where we were given a number to call. Carol left a message regarding this request along with our address, number of acres we had at the time (four) and our phone number. A few days later, Carol received a return call from the community services officer (CSO). She was told (much to our surprise) that we were, in fact allowed to have the goats, and that we could even have a couple of horses if we wanted. She was told that our property was zoned rural. So we proceeded with putting up a fence (50' by 100') in the front area (where we had a mound of dirt as well as trees and an area for the goats to roam.) We also make a 3' by 4' shelter for the goats, and proceeded to purchase three baby goats. In this area, we have also a 15' by 15' enclosed fenced area with a 7' by 7' shack to house a dozen egg -laying chickens. Things went well with the goats as the girls were taking full responsibility for their care. Plus, they occasionally showed them in parades and county fair events. And people we knew would bring their kids to the area to watch and feed the goats. About this same time, we started to look at purchasing the 6966 property for the purpose of housing horses so the kids could ride them more and even participate in local 4H activities. We owned three horses, but housed them on a farm belonging to Carol's brother in North Branch Based on the knowledge that we could house horses on the land, we pursue purchasing the 6966 property. It was a logical solution versus transporting the horses two and a half hours round trip per 4H event. We purchased the four additional acres in July of 2013. The kids found a local 4H group and joined in September 2013.