09-18-92 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 18, 1992 2 C. Ordinance 80 Rezoning from Rural Residential to Agricultural - Tom Soderberg D. Resolution No. 92- Granting a Conditional Use Permit for an Equestrian Center - Tom Soderberg Mr. Dale Froyum, Froyum Associates, indicated he has worked with the St. Croix Equestrian Center in an advisory capacity and what they have found is that livestock has to be integrated into the community; therefore, management techniques are the key. The number of horses is based on perceived needs and the number maximizes as the facility increases or as the use is needed. In terms of the horse industry this is not a commercial site where there is buying, selling, trading and daily interchange of horses and people. This facility is determined to be a service facility because it provides a service to the public to participate in another activity that would allow them some type of recreational goal. The site is a positive site because of the size and the border of the park (normal encroachment of housing is not a problem). The plan fulfills the requirement in terms of safety for horses and participants and protecting encroachment upon the neighborhood. Councilman Mottaz found unanimous agreement with everyone he talked to from the University of Minnesota to different cities and stable owners, that 140 horses on this amount of acreage is too many horses. Mottaz found that the City of Minnetrista has an ordinance made up after all the stable owners and people interested in horses in Minnetrista, together with the Planning Commission and City Council, drew up an ordinance which does not allow under a commercial stable operation more than one horse per half acre of pasturable land. Therefore, he would limit this operation to 70 horses. Mottaz suggested that the City consider adopting such conditions in an ordinance. Attorney Filla stated that the owners of the property are Andrew Inc. and the contract purchasers are Genie Arabians, Inc. and Tom Soderberg is an officer of this organization. (Genie Arabians, dba St.Croix Equestrian Center) and that he had no title concerns on the property. Attorney Filla, Tom Soderberg and his attorney will meet to set a step policy on boarding a certain number of horses over a particular time period based on the best management practices. M/S/P Williams/Mottaz - whereas the applicant has agreed to an extension of time for council consideration of his request until the September 1st meeting, I therefore move that this matter be postponed until that time. (Motion carried 5-0).