HomeMy WebLinkAbout972850.tiffNORTON
CATTLE
COMPANIES
P.O. Box 517
Eaton, CO 80615
(970) 454-3000
March 10, 1997
Weld County
Board of Commissioners
Honorable Commissioners:
This letter is regarding Special Use permit #112, a proposed expansion of the Horton feedlot
located approximately 11 miles South and East of Kersey, Colorado on Road 49 (see map), and
unusual discrepancies and extenuating circumstances of our dilemma.
When Horton Cattle Companies purchased the property i_ was represented to us by the previous
owner as having the permits in place and the ability to expand on the East %2 of Section 18 to
22,000 head capacity.
Subsequently, it has been discovered the files regarding our Special Use permit #112 have
conflicting information regarding whether Horton Cattle Companies has the right to expand on all
of the East half of Section 18 (both the NE and SE quarters of 18) or only on the North East 1/4
of Section 18.
Bullet points of the conflicting file data are as follows:
1.) A legal application showing the total 320 acres submitted was changed to show only
the NE 1/4 by a hand written correction.
2.) A resolution passed by the county planners stating the submission of an amended legal
would allow them to recommend to the County Commissioners to grant expansion to the
South (building pens on the full 320 Acres) versus building pens to the West restricting
construction to the NE 1/4 only.
3.) No evidence is in the file to show the amendec. legal yet conversation with the
applicant at that time, Mr. Bob Scherlong, assures me all legal documents were filed. The
owners at that time, Cowan Feeders, went ahead and constructed pens to the South in
1972-1973 across the quarter section line onto the SE quarter - i.e. they built pens on the
full 320 acres.
4.) An inspectors report dated September 27, 1985 stating 18,000 "cows" are in the lot
and "the property is in compliance." At this inspection all pens in the SE quarter as well
x,2.$53
HORTON
CATTLE
COMPANIES
P.O. Box 517
EatVagreQ.80615
(970) 454-3000
4.) Cont.
as the NE quarter had cattle in them further assuring us the full use of all 320 acres was
approved regarding our Special Use Permit #112.
5.) A resolution by the County Commissioners approving the NE 1/4 for expansion.
In summary, Horton Cattle Companies assumed the Special Use Permit #112 covered the full 320
acres from the following facts. 1.) Pens have been on the full 320 acres for 25 years. 2.) A
inspector stated the feedlot was in full compliance in 1985 at which time cattle were in all pens
covering both the NE and SE quarters (all 320 acres). 3. At the time Horton Cattle Companies
purchased the lot the seller assured us the expansion was for both quarters as they had already
expanded into both quarters.
Our current dilemma is twofold.
1.) We have committed to dirt and concrete contractors to start March 171h with a
deadline for completion of May 151 . Therefore, a 60 day delay is cost prohibitive for us
as well as the contractors.
2.) Our option to expand to the West with confinement to the NE quarter is less than
desirable because of the following factors. 1.) Many nearby residents will then be able to
see the feedlot from their homes along County Road 49. 2.) The expansion pens will be
visible to the County Road 49 traffic. 3.) Drainage is not as desirable. 4.) Space is
limited in this area and consequently there will be more cattle per square foot whereby wet
pens and flies will be more of a problem.
Therefore, we respectfully request, with all the Commissioners discretionary judgment, an
approval, without a 60 day process, of expansion of this feedlot to the 22,000 head capacity as
presently permitted and that, based on the unusual discrepancies and extenuating circumstances
outlined above, expansion be approved to continue to the South onto the SE 1/4 of Section 18.
Thank you for your time and understanding in consideration of this issue. A decision this week
would be most appreciated. Please see the attached letter from Mr. Bob Scherlong.
Respectfully yours,
Dallas Horton
Horton Cattle Companies
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