HomeMy WebLinkAbout20123380.tiff INVENTORY OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Applicant Shirley Dahl Case Number USR12-0060
Submitted or Prepared
Prior to At
Hearing Hearing
Surrounding Property Owners-Letters X
I Janet Whitmore Letter of Opposition dated September 14, 2012
Robin and Bonnie McIntosh Letter of Opposition dated September 14, 2012
3 Janet Whitmore Letter of Opposition dated October 26, 2012
LI Jerry& Patty Feather Letter of Opposition undated received November 2, 2012
Judith Luke Letter of Opposition dated November 2, 2012
I hereby certify that the SIX items identified herein were submitted to the Department of Planning Services at or
prior to the scheduled Planning Commissioners hearing.
Kim ogle E1 Planner
September 14,2012 RECEIVED
9O ' 02012
We'd County Pbn:vrg Neartroant
Weld County Department of Planning Services GREELEY OFFICE
1555 N I7i°Avenue
Greeley Colorado 80631
ATTN:Mr.Kim Ogle-Planner
RE: Case#USR 12-0060 Dog Kennel
Shirley Dahl&Jana Birdwell
T2N-R64W Section 21:N2NWSE(Lot B),6a'P.M.
Weld County,Colorado
Mr.Ogle,
l am in receipt of the application review notification card referencing Case((USR
12-0060 for a proposed 40 dog non-profit rescue and boarding kennel.I have printed and
reviewed the documents attached to the case file. As a property owner and homeowner
living on Lot A of the above referenced lands. I would like to express my concerns
regarding this proposed project.
The proposed project is to build and operate a boarding facility for rescued dogs.
The property,being Lot B located on the above referenced lands,is limited to 8.96 acres,
more or less.This property currently includes several structures such as;an unfinished
out building that the goats and rescued donkeys utilize to take shelter, an oversized
garage or storage type building that houses several dogs, possibly 7-12. Two smaller
storage type buildings,a chicken house that houses 100 or so fryer chickens raised for
processing the meat,and the home in which the owners reside.The configuration of the
structures together with the variety of fenced in areas appear to create an unorganized and
lack of a well-developed plan for this particular property. In my opinion,the property
boundaries don't contain adequate space to support another building or facility with
operations of the magnitude discussed within the proposed plans.
The temperament and health of the rescued dogs will be unknown until a
complete evaluation is made on each and every dog which could potentially require a dog
behavioral specialist.If the dogs arc recovering from abuse and neglect it is possible that
they could have significant issues,both medically and mentally. Exposing these dogs to
an area where not only families reside, but also where property owners cunrattly raise
cattle takes away from these property owners what they have already established.
Safety is a huge concern.There has already been one occurrence Mat ti=ran aware
of and took place on the property.One of the owners was attacked and bitten by one of
the dogs on the property.I do not know all the details but did sec where the owner was
bitten.Recently,I experienced a situation while walking past the pmperty and ono of the
dogs ran aggressively towards me. I felt threatened and was very nervous since I had
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never seen this dog before. I would like to think that I don't have to worry about my
safety while enjoying a walk down to my mailbox. The temperament of the dogs that
currently live on the property and any additional that would be added to the facility if the
proposed project is approved, causes deep concerns for surrounding property owners,
families, children, pets, cattle, etc. We as property owners will not know the temperament
of these dogs.
The proposed plan includes volunteers, part-time and full time employees and the
general public, ("individuals"). This indicates that these individuals will be granted
access to the property which also grants access to my property since we share the same
access road. I don't find comfort granting access to all of these unknown individuals.The
increased activity creates a sense of uneasiness and opens up the property to potential
criminal activity.
The increased activity by these individuals also includes excess traffic in and to
the properties which equates to increased wear and tear on the access road that both
property owners share as ingress and egress to and from the properties. Additional
maintenance will be required to keep the road smooth and free from a washboard type
effect. It is up to the property owners to maintain the road as well as Noble Energy, an oil
and gas company that services wells on the property. Noble currently provides limited
maintenance. I have used my own equipment to grade the road for our enjoyment in the
past; however, I do not want to use my equipment, fuel or time with all of this increased
activity. It is mentioned in one of the documents I reviewed that the current landowner of
the easement has granted the property owner access to the property for commercial use. I
have not seen this letter and do not know how this will affect me as a property owner that
shares the same access agreement.
It is mentioned in one of the documents that run-off from the property will be
contained on the property by a ditch that has no through outlet and that solid waste will
be disposed of by Gray Brothers Trash- If the proposed plan were to be approved I will
need further clarification as to the whereabouts of this ditch and if waste disposal is daily,
weekly or monthly. I currently own a strip of land directly north of the property where
the proposed project is planned and use this as my access road in and out of my property.
Water running to this road could inhibit my access to and from my property so I will need
specific details and plans for this ditch for adequate drainage of any water used in
cleaning of the kennels in the proposed project as well as the specifics on the additional
tanks that will be put in place for sewage if this proposed project is approved. My
understanding on the water well situation is that the property owner would increase the
water usage at a minimum, no additional water well will be drilled on the property.
Purchasing my property and home in the country was to have a peaceful life
outside of the city and away from all of the traffic, people, and excessive noise. To sit
back and enjoy the view of the mountains, the fresh air and the smell of fresh cut alfalfa
and corn while listening to the roosters crow and the cows moo and to just enjoy a fresh
hot cup of coffee while sitting outside on an early Saturday morning. After working all
week in downtown Denver, this is peaceful bliss and I'm in my own little world. The
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proposed facility will be in operation 24 hours a day with a variety of individuals in and
out. The noise level with the additional dogs could potentially be out of control and
become an additional nuisance and burden on all that own property close by.
Although I believe the idea of the proposed project to rehabilitate dogs that are
rescued from abusive lifestyles and/or were abandoned is commendable; I do not believe
that this is the right property location for a project of this type. This project should not be
constructed in an area where families and lifestyles are already established and will
inhibit the current daily routine. I also believe a facility and/or operation of this type on
the property will hinder any future resale of my property. I have made numerous
improvements to my property since I purchased in January 2010 and work hard to keep
my property presentable, clean and orderly.
I trust that review of this proposed project will include all comments and concerns
as well as a field inspection of the property where the proposed project is planned. A field
inspection will allow for a better understanding as to the concerns each and every
property owner within 500 feet of the proposed project might have.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration regarding my concerns and
please notify me of any future meetings regarding the proposed project. My email address
is: slednecker62(Zhotmail.com or I can be reached on my cell phone at 303-519-7892 if
you have questions regarding anything contained in this letter of comments and concerns.
Sincerely.
'411, /V 0
Janet M. Whitmore
8755 WCR 55
Keeneshurg, CO 80643
3IPatLe
8335 CR 55
Keenesburg,CO 80643
September 14,2012
RECEIVED
Mr.Kim Ogle
Weld Co Planning Svcs SU 20,017
1555 N 17th Ave. Weld County r unS(1,03/0Itli
Greeley,CO 80631 GREELEY OFFICE
Re: Case#USR12-0060
Mr.Ogle:
We are Robin and Bonnie McIntosh,and our I20-acre farm is next door to the property
the referenced case number wants to build a 40-dog rescue kennel on. This farm is our
home as well as ow livelihood We are writing this letter to protest having a 40-Dog
Rescue Kennel built next door to our property. We are listing below the reasons such a
facility would be detrimental to ow livelihood and ow property.
1. First and foremost,this facility would bring the value of ow property down.
Who would want to buy a property that is next door to a 40-dog Rescue
Kennel?
2. We moved here in 2001 from Brighton to get away from the barking dogs,
Our neighbors that want to build this kennel already have more dogs than they
can control. You can hear the dogs barking at all hours of the day,i.e.,late at
night when you're trying to go to sleep,in the day time, etc.
3. On several occasions their dogs came over in our pasture chasing our cows.
On one occasion a cow that was about to drop a calf was being chased by one
of their dogs. When we visited the ladies,one of them came to the door and
we told bet about the problem,and we told her if any of her dogs came in ow
pasture,chasing the cows again,we would shoot him. She told us to"go right
shad". Then who pays to dispose of the carcass?
4. A day hardly goes by but what someone's dog/dogs are on our property. We
have 12O acres out in the country,and we never dreamed we would be
inundated with dogs when we moved here.
5. County Road 55 is already a well-traveled road that is very dusty. The dust
from the road settles over ow pasture where the cows are. We often wonder if
the cows are going to end up with dust pneumonia. This type of facility
would increase the already over-bearing traffic flow on this road when you
consider they will be hiring employees,trucks in and out to drop off or pick
up the dogs,people coming to see the dogs in case they want to adopt one,
etc..
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6. We would like to suggest that they put this kennel over by the Wild Life
Reserve south of Highway 52. Evidently that area is already zoned to
accommodate this type of facility.
7. Weld County already has a dog catcher and facility to house the dogs they
catch. Why do we need another one?
8. This area is zoned agriculture and therefore our cows in the pasture are there
legally. The only thing that separates our farm from the property they want to
build this 40-dog rescue kennel on is a 4-strand barbed wire fence. It is
intended to keep the cows in but it will not keep the dogs out.
9. Part of our livelihood is cows,and this intended facility could destroy this
source of income. We are up in our 70s and find it difficult to monitor this
sort of nuisance. But even worse,the dogs could kill the cows,or maim them.
Besides the example I set forth in number 3, on another occasion some dogs
chased one of our steers and he was lame for several weeks. On another
occasion a dog came clear into our corral and chased a calf through the
manger and he was wandering around out where he could get run over.
10. A dog rescue facility takes in all kinds of dogs,which means they could be pit
bulls,incorrigible animals,out-of-control animals,mentally and physically
abused,etc. Something like that next door to a pasture with cows in it could
be very damaging.
11. We have coyotes in the area because a draw goes across our property from
east to west,and also to the north of the neighbor's property. This draw is the
perfect place for the coyotes. When they get to howling,the dogs get to
barking. How do you stop this sort of thing and can you imagine multiplying
this times 40?
12. I read in the application that the ladies are trapping the run-off water coming
off their property. We were told that we cannot trap the run-off water because
someone else had already filed a claim for this type of water. Doesn't the
Army Corp of Engineers have to be contacted and they then rule or inform
people whether they can do this or not?
We are very opposed to a facility such as this being built right next door to our property.
We are hoping the ladies will see how opposed we are and will reconsider building such a
facility. Maybe they would like to buy our farm,then they wouldn't have us opposing
what they plan to do.
Yours truly, t
it
Bonnie&Robin McIntosh
303-732-4137
October 26,2012 RECEIVED
OCT SO 2012
WNO Count;c.: a uepsrtmant
GRCUEY OFFICE
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1555 N 17°Avenue
Greeley Colorado 80631
ATTN:Mr.Kim Ogle•Planner
RE: Case if USR 12-0060 Dog Kennel
Shiley Dahl&Jana Birdwell
T2N•R64W Section 21:142N WSE(lot B),6w P.M.
Weld County,Colorado
Mr.Ogle,
1 will not be able to attend the hearing for the above referenced case that is
scheduled for November 6,2012 at 1:30 pm in the Hearing Room located in the Weld
County Administration Building in Greeley,Colorado due to work commitments.
I have provided comments and concerns in my letter dated September 14,2012
and is on file with your office.I would like to once again express my concerns regarding
the placement of this facility near my residence.
I. The value of my residence will decrease.
2. The dogs are sometimes outside of the fenced area and allowed to run
around, they have chased my daughter and 1 when walking past the
Dahl/Birdwell residence. Some of these dogs have bitten their previous
owner that is why they have been removed from that home and placed
hem at the rescue residence.We should not have to worry about our safety
each time we walk by.
3. The"noise"-those dogs are always barking.
4. Chasing cattle, I have seen them these the McIntosh cattle and even
mentioned this to the dog owner,the dog was allowed to continue to run
around.The cattle were there first,what happens if something happens to
one of them while running away from the barking dog that is chasing after
them?
5. The access road will continue to go downhill with the excessive travel to
and from the residence.
I live out here and those or you that are part of this planning do not know or see
what goes on out here. I live and breathe this every single day and allowing this facility
is just not right for this property.The owner should consider buying property where there
are no homes and people that would be affected by a facility of this type.The owner has
already been in violation of Weld County codes regarding the number of dogs allowed on
a property of less than 10 acres.That limit is 4 and 1 know there have been up to at least
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12 dogs. Let me ask you this, would you want rescued dogs right next door? What
happens if they do jump the fence or are out running around and bite someone? What
about the constant barking? The selling of my home, I wouldn't buy a home here if I
knew this was next door. Why do I have to be affected by this?
Thanks for your time and hopefully you will at least consider my concerns since I
am closer to the property than the surrounding owners.
Sincerely,y ,
(%t m
Janet M. Whitmore
8755 WCR 55
Keenesburg,CO 80643
2IPage
Weld County Planning Dept.7.Kim Ogle in Reference to U5R 12-0060
Hi Kim:
We have a house on 50 acres at 9508 County Rd.55. We just found out about the proposed
Dog Rescue kennel and feel this area is Agricultural cold not commercial. These dogs will disrupt
the neighborhood by their barking and will lure coyotes. We already have a dust problem and with
6 more people driving the roads twice a day will only add to the dust problem. Why is The County
even considering this use when there is so much land in the area which is already partially
commercial just to the south of Rd 18.If this kennel were south of Rd 18 the sounds of 1.76 6
the Railroad would muffle out the dogs barking. This will hurt property values.Why would The
County want a property with only 10 acres to have this Rescue Kennel in the middle of Section 23
surrounded by people who don't want it?
Our residence is of 9757 CR 57 on 72 acres and we are in the area of Rd 20 6 Rd 55 everyday
while working on the house on Rd 55. We had plans to buy another house at 9264 CR 55,but if
this is approved,we will not. Property values will go down and make any houses close to the
Rescue kennel difficult to sell. What benefit would this Rescue kennel have in improving this
area?
I hope this decision is not going to be made without someone in the planning dept.coming out
to the area and having a good look at this property and its proximity to all the Agricultural
properties adjacent to this proposed Rescue kennel.
We believe the County has established a precedent that Agricultural land North of CR 18,
across the area from CR 59 to CR 49 stay Agricultural? At this time there are no commercial
enterprises except the Salvage yard which was here long before the land was sold to the home
owners. Why is someone always trying to push commercial in an area which is Agricultural used
for hay,cows and in our case a vineyard. We are outside from spring to fall many hours a day
tending the vines and dogs yelping will not be pleasant.
We are definitely against this Dog Rescue kennel!
Jerry&Patty Feather,
9757 CR 57&9508 CR 55 Keenesburg,Co 80643,303-732-1720&303.883.4835 cell
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Judith Luke(judithluke10@gmail ooml
November 2,2012 1:39PM.
Re: Dog kennel on road 55.Keenesburgll1SR12-0060
I have read the application and I have some reservations about a kennel of this size.
I live about a mile from this property and I can guarantee,35 doge will be noisy to those further than a
mile of the property. Sound carries out here
Dogs bark. Abused and abandoned dogs already have fear,depression and anxiety. When one dog
barks they will all bark—pack mentality.
Even if they are inside all night,they will still bark. And how will the lives of the families nearby be
affected. Have they asked before applying or Is this another
I want it regardless of how I affect the peace and quiet of my rural neighbors?
I have a bigger problem with the notion that dogs in a kennel can be rehabbed and put in new homes.We
have adopted dogs from Evergreen Animal Protection League and from Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. These
dogs are fostered,live in homes. The foster home is able to tell you how they react with a home setting.
with other dogs.cats.The tab we adopted last year came from a foster home north of Fort Collins. This
home had about ten dogs,all lived in a separate room of the house together,beds and individual care.
This person rehabs dogs who have lost limbs,were overweight,or recovering from surgery. They had a
doggy door to come and go and special diets. They socialized with others.had daily walks and swims in
their pond. The dog we adopted was exactly what the report said-prefers to be inside with family. This
would be the kind of rehab I would prefer for this area.
Their application says they will take overflow from other shelters-which ones?
Will they be collecting fees or donations?
Wit the amount of help they plan to hire,this sounds more like a business rather than agriculture.
No mention is made of air conditioning for tie summer nights or heat for the winter,
36 doge will bring in unwanted traffic to the area on roads meant for locals.
With all of the wide open spaces in Weld County.surely there is a better pace for this large kennel.
somewhere where the barking won't affect so many people.
Thank you.
Judith A.Luke
9355 Weld County Road 57
Keenesburg,CO 00643
303-204-2513
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