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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20081306.tiff Case#AMUSR—686 Proposed Expansion • Comments by:Larry Budler 129 Hunter's Cove 970-535-0677 Mead, CO 80542 I live approximately 1 '/a miles from the dairy farm. I was raised on a farm. Daily I drive past the dairy. My family and others in this area drink this milk that is produced from this dairy. This is a rural area and community. I bought and built my house here because of being able to be in this type of rural America. Yes, driving by the dairy, it has a rundown look about it. But we must remember this operation was here long before us and will be here in operation after most of the people have moved on to something else or some other area. I have listened to all the pros and cons to this issue. The City has okayed the proposed expansion. This upgrade will make the business look more eye appealing for passers by. The people against the issue are looking at their interest to build more houses,to profit for themselves as an individual. They talk more truck trips. How many more vehicles will be here if you have 3 vehicles per house built$o how many more vehicles will you be putting on the road? They stress the amount of dust • blowing. Stop and look at all the dust blowing from all the new housing projects that are going on for the last four to eight years in this area. They start these projects, can't sell and nobody maintains the weeds and dust control. They will keep their cows out of this environment so they produce well, which means they will control this dairy. The ground water pollution and the increased odor will not be any greater because of all the updating of the control of these elements. I can go on and on telling you the pluses on the expansion. The bottom line is the dairy will be here, so why not take advantage of the dairy owners' proposed expansion to not only update all phases of the dairy operation, clean up all of the property, make the front of the property more eye appealing for all the passers by as they travel on Road 5 and keep my milk local. Remember,they too have the right to make a living. This is still rural America. Thank you. Larry Budler • EXHIBIT 2008-1306 84 Page 1 of Jacqueline Hatch �rom: Mike McNeil [mmcneil@k2cable.net] nt: Sunday, February 17, 2008 2:47 PM To: Jacqueline Hatch Subject: RE: AmUSR-686 Dear Ms. Hatch, Many thanks for your quick reply. After consideration of AmUSR-686, my wife and I would like to convey our full support for the request. Although we live in a residential subdivision, we believe that farming is the lifeblood and character of the Mead area. Kindest regards, Mike Michael McNeil likSeventh Street liptd, CO 80542 cell: 720-308-5740 On Tue Feb 12 7:45 , 'Jacqueline Hatch' sent: Mike, Thanks for the email. The existing Use by Special Review (USR) permit USR-686 allows for 900 head. The Department of Planning Services has not counted the number of head out on site. Thanks again and let me know if you have any additional questions Jacqueline From: Mike McNeil [mailto:mmcneil@k2cable.net] EXHIBIT Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 7:38 PMle To: Jacqueline Hatch "s Subject: AmUSR-686 •ar Ms. Hatch, With respect to the application AmUSR-686, what is the current total number of livestock on this property and wh2 maximum number of animals are they currently allowed? This will better help me understand the nature of the requested expansion in this application. I live about a mile from this property. 02/19/2008 Page 2 of With kindest regards, Mike •chael McNeil 321 Seventh Street Mead, CO 80542 cell: 720-308-5740 • • 02/19/2008 Page 1 of Jacqueline Hatch dirom: MGRIEK@aol.com nt: Friday, February 15, 2008 9:02 AM To: Jacqueline Hatch Subject: AMUSR-686 Dear Ms. Hatch: After hearing numerous complaints from others in the area regarding this proposed expansion, I started thinking of possible solutions to the odor problems that we all are concerned about. I am in the environmental field - recycling specifically which includes organics recycling - and am aware of technology being used very successfully to deal with animal waste. If the dairy were to invest in an anaerobic digester for the manure, not only would that significantly reduce the odor, it would also eliminate the need for settling ponds for the wastes, and could be used to generate electricity to power some of their operations. This technology is very available, can be tailored to fit the size and needs of the dairy, and reduces negative environmental impacts of odor, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and more. I would be glad to work with him to get him more information or try to answer any questions he might have. Marjorie Griek 15741 WCR 5 also Executive Director Colorado Association for Recycling 970-535-4053 Tel. 720-839-9531 Cell •jie@cafr.org E-mail www.cafr.org The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. EXHIBIT 02/15/2008 Page 1 of Jacqueline Hatch iiirom: MGRIEK@aol.com nt: Sunday, February 03, 2008 4:09 PM To: Jacqueline Hatch Subject: Case number AMUSR-686 Dear Ms. Hatch: I am writing regarding the above-named USR and plans for the expansion of the dairy operation. As neighbors to this operation, we have lived just north of the facility for 18 years. From past experience, we realize that dairy operations can be accompanied by odors, dust and other environmental factors. The plans for the expansion call for additional land to be irrigated, both by flood irrigation and pivot sprinklers. The irrigation water will be coming from the dairy's settling ponds. As yoi are probably aware, these waters consist of waste products from cattle in addition to water. This becomes anaerobic, contains numerous pathogens and is extremely odiferous. We also understand that it contains nitrogen and other beneficial attributes and can be problematic to dispose of, therefore the reasons for using it as irrigation water. We do not want to protest the dairy's use of wastewater for irrigation but we would request that the owner of the dairy help mitigate the negative impacts of irrigation, especially of a pivot sprinkler. We ask that either trees be planted or berms erected, or some other form of mitigation along the southern edge of the property that will reduce the smell and negative visual impacts of irrigation. Respectfully, Marjorie Griek Bill Worrell 15741 WCR 5 Longmont, CO 80504 • Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. • EXHIBIT 02/04/2008 Weld County Planning Departmer SOUTHWEST BUILDING • February 18, 2008 2008 EC E I,� VED To: Jacqueline Hatch Weld County Planning I am writing this letter in response to your Case # AMUSR-686, to voice my strong objection to the proposed expansion of the dairy on Weld County Road 5. I have lived in this same location for 24 years and have several animals myself. I love living in the country and grew up in Wisconsin, Americas Dairy Land, and have witnessed many such dairy operations. It is my opinion that the dairy is already too large, the density of the cattle is too high and adding acreage to bring more cows into milk production will make a bad situation worse. As stated before, I have been around large dairy herds and have never smelled anything compared to the putrid odors coming from this farm. I don't know if this is because of too great of density of cows, the lack of an adequate pond system to dispose of manure, or the manner in which the cows are housed. The cows are never pastured; instead stand in mud and manure, except when they are being milked. The manure and urine saturated environment creates a serious problem with flies and mosquitoes all summer long, for all people living in the area. It also appears that all of the cows have had at least half of their tails chopped off, so they are not able to keep flies away from their own bodies. A few • years back the farm started creating mulch from their manure. There is now about a half acre of mulch sitting at the farm. Another concern is the traffic created by the dairy. There are many vehicles pulling in and out of the farm. These range from slow moving tractors and trucks with tanks taking feed or liquids to the farm a couple miles away on WCR 32 where they move the calves after they are born,to the milk haulers that barrel up the road to and from the farm. This road is also a main road for traffic going to and from Mead Elementary and Mead Middle Schools morning, noon and night. There are several new residential developments that have been approved along this route and the increased buses and parents driving children to and from school do not mix well with the farm traffic. In summary, it is because of 1)manner in which the cows are housed, 2) density, 3) odors, 4) flies and mosquitoes, 5) traffic, and 6) change in development plans for the area that I strongly object to the expansion of this dairy. Thank you. Sincerely, Susan Haley 14491 WCR 5 • 303-775-5608 EXHIBIT Weld Gdunfy Kann Department SOUTHWEST BUILDING FEB 2 1 2008 • February 18, 2008 Ec E I V E D To: Jacqueline Hatch Weld County Planner I am writing in response to Case #AMUSR-686. My family owns the farm ground directly south of the proposed dairy expansion, specifically the SE ''A Sec 19, T3N, R68W. This land has been in our family for three generations. As you can see we have a significant interest in the ownership of land near this proposed expansion. We are faming this ground at the present time, but we have recently begun the process of annexing to the Town of Mead. Much of the farm ground surrounding us is also being rezoned to various residential types. We have nothing against dairies, but can't understand why the applicant would want to spend money on expanding in an area that appears to be more conducive to residential zoning. We have filed complaints with the County in the past concerning the ponds on the existing dairy overflowing into our drainage and irrigation ditches. I realize this was under different ownership at the time, but with expansion, would not there be a need for • bigger ponds, more chance for overflowing, more flies, and more unpleasant odors? For all these reasons, Haley Land Company hereby files our objection to this proposed expansion. Sincerely, John R. Haley, MGR 303-776-8353 (H) 303-775-0777 (C) • EXHIBIT , �r Weld County Planning Department l� GREELEY OFFICE FEB 19 7008 • KRAEMER, GOLDEN & OBRIEN, LLC RECEIVED TRIAL ATTORNEYS RICHARD E. KRAEMER• RANDY GOLDEN • MICHAEL M. O'BRIEN 343 West Drake, Suite 110, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526; Office: (970) 223-7000 • Fax: (970)223-0285 February 13,2008 Weld County Planning Commission 918 10th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 RE: Case #AmUSR-686 Applicants: Martin and Johanna Bangma 1989 Trust and Rocky Mountain Fuel Company Planner: Jacqueline Hatch • Dear Commissioners: Please DENY the above-referenced application. Please consider the following facts: 1. SIZE OF INCREASE: The application is a quadrupling of the existing family sized dairy operation. An increase from 500-750 to 1940 head of cattle is a dramatic increase in the scope of operation. 2. TRAFFIC: Several problems will be created. Larger trucks laden with milk products must take the road. Please prohibit those trucks from traveling north on CR5 to CR34, then east to 1-25. That route includes traveling in front of the middle and elementary school in Mead. That road lacks shoulders and hundreds of children will be endangered during the school months by these large heavy trucks. Secondly, truck traffic should be diverted south to Hwy. 66 to proceed east to 1-25. The CR5 and Hwy. 66 intersection should be signalized at the expense of the applicant. Hwy. 66 is a notoriously dangerous road with cars routinely traveling 55-60 mph. A heavy tractor trailer cannot safely enter Hwy. 66 from CR5 without a traffic signal to stop Hwy. 66 traffic. Without a signal accidents will occur. Please check with the Sheriff and highway patrol to find that Hwy. 66 is the site of more accidents including fatal accidents than almost any roadway in Weld County. This proposed expansion will increase traffic patrol needs, emergency personnel needs and cause injuries because of accidents. • EXHIBIT 6 • ! ill , KRAEMER, GOLDEN & O BRIEN, LLC TRIAL ATTORNEYS Thirdly, the proposed expansion MUST include additional farm employees. Any proposed expansion must be conditioned on improvements to CR5 with deceleration lanes, widening, shoulders, signage, lighting, parking, mud and dirt abatement procedures and limitation on hours of highest use. Drivers on CR5 tend to travel at least 55 mph in that area. The additional trucks and employee and other traffic will need to be managed and supervised by Weld County. CR5 must be improved at the applicant's expense. 3. INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION: Please review the Mead Area Comprehensive Plan where this project is located. The SURROUNDING farms are now permitted or proposed to be permitted as annexations to Mead with residential neighborhoods. This property is in the inevitable path of growth from Longmont and Boulder County. This is an inappropriate use now and in the future for this property. The existing dairy operation and its size should not be encouraged to expand knowing that in the near future it will be obsolete and a hindrance to the • planned growth of Mead, Longmont, Boulder and Weld counties. Please encourage the applicant to move this herd of dairy cows to the Hwy. 85 corridor of Weld County. That location would be a far superior site. Someone from Weld County government or the economic development organizations could be assigned to this task to allow the herd and business expansion in a far better location. 4. BURDEN ON MEAD: The applicants existing and proposed land is in an area Mead has included in its growth plan. The farm expansion is inconsistent with that plan. Effective growth management relies on a long term planning and Weld County has encouraged municipalities to plan and anticipate growth. This dairy expansion would bring damage to town roads; danger to vehicles and passengers; damage to town owned and managed roads; additional heavy truck traffic; additional road maintenance expense and the responsibility to respond to people's complaints about odors. 5. DORS: The applicant pretends that compliance with federal water quality standards will somehow abate the noxious odor of 2,000 cows maintained in a confined space. I live about one mile east of the farm off CR7. At present the manure from this farm is collected and recycled as compost by Brian Hoogland, d/b/a Soil Rejuvenation Products. I can tell when Brian turns his piles to create compost from a mile away. It stinks. Any review of this application needs to include a thorough study and smell abatement plan and procedure that must be carefully supervised by Weld County government. Please impose a plan on this applicant • ill ' ' • KRAEMER, GOLDEN 8c O'BRIEN, LLC TRIAL ATTORNEYS whether or not you grant this expansion request. The applicant is creating a nuisance with this application. Granting of the variance for expansion brings the nuisance to the community of existing homeowners who will have a right to contend that the granting of the expansion is arbitrary and capricious and contrary to the private property rights of the neighbors. Please do not invite controversy and introduce a new hazard to the people of southwest Weld County. Two thousand cows without access to pasture or live food will create a noxious odor that will offend the people who live within 2 miles of this farm. Please do not consider granting one business' request to bring such a stench to the people who have moved to the area believing that nuisance did not exist. Weld County residents will have their property values depressed by introduction of noxious odors to their residential neighborhoods. Please deny this request. Weld County is a huge expanse with lots of rural communities that would welcome and accommodate a large dairy operation. Please help the applicant find a better place to house this commercial dairy operation and deny this requested expansion. • Thank you. Sincerely, C RICHARD E. KRAEMER /ddlp • • • Weld County Planning Department SOUTHWEST BUILDING • FEB 7 7 2008 NWC of WCR 5 & WCR 32 RECEIVED Permitted Livestock Confinement Operation (DAIRY FARM) Currently 500-750 permitted head dairy Proposed expansion to be heard by the Weld County Planning Commission MARCH 18,2008 [CASE NUMBER AmUSR-686 [APPLICANT: Martin&Johanna Bangma 1989 Trust&Rocky Mountain Fuel Company (PLANNER: [Jacqueline Hatch LEGAL DESCRIPTION: A parcel being part of the E2 and Lot B of RE-525,also being part of the E2 of Section 17, IT3N,R&BW of the 6th P.M.,Weld County,Colorado. REQUEST: Site Specific Development Plan and Special Review Permit for a Livestock Confinement Operation(1,940 head dairy including milking cows,dry cows,heifers, and calves)and one — single family dwelling unit per lot other than those permitted under Section 23-3-20.A of the I • Weld County Code(two single family employee homes)In the A(Agriculturai)Zone District. (LOCATION: (West of and adjacent to CR 5 and north of and adjacent to CR 32. Weld County Southwest Service Center 4209 CR 24.5 Longmont, CO 80504 Phone: (720) 652-4210 x8730 Fax: (720) 652-4211 Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Planner on Call available: Monday—Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m Jacqueline Hatch;jhatch@co.weld.co.us Objections • Increased Truck Trips • Increased Dust • Increased Effluent(surface &ground water pollution ) • Increased Odor • Increased Noise • • Negatives affect neighboring properties use and enjoyment thus effecting property value. • manure storage lagoons EXHIBIT 9 - 4 M LL 44•-lc ,, ..,., O.. ........ O e., f0 's---VVV CV cm =meO. .v w (..,s. uj 0 '16 C4 ,,' ,,, _, I:: qt.) ILi 6 rr • :r. ii.! ' 4} C. C V .� • r• •r r' - ;: Y•' r1 iii [i: 1..., ` !M `"y r}? ii ..... •_, ..,. _ ..., -,-,; :..4 ... „.. „, .. ..r.„ •......: zi, ..... ff. r_: .u+y '� is ,Y' !:Y ,, u r v N .,.1 .Y. _. -._ w cn N� a. at:. :3. ' I .J • J xM) •` i.1.. ,1' �'.. 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