03/03/1969 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2: Zoning Ordinance Amendments contI d.: amendments providing a limitation on the number of horses and other animals which can be maintained on agricultural property. 2) Richard W. Nowels, 14465 Manuella Road, dated February 24, 1969, request- ing the property owned by Mr. Ernest Le Pera on Manuella Road be rezoned to restrict the number of horses to two per acre. 3) Mr. H. C. Booth, 4280 Manuella Avenue, Palo Alto, dated February 27, 1969, requesting removal of horses from the Le Pera property due to sanitary reasons. 4) Fred C. Roberts, Santa Clara County Vector Control Specialist, dated February 27, 1969, noting approximately 55 horses are confined within the Le Pera property and that formidable amounts of manure are concentrated in a relatively small area. Mr. Roberts stated many residents in the immediate area would be adversely affected by the fly problem created by the horses. 5) Dr. Philip Haims, Santa Clara County Veterinarian, dated February 28, 1969, recommending that if horses are kept on the Le Pera property on Manuella Road, the following action be taken by May 1, 1969: 1) Stables be built; 2) well drained feeding areas be constructed; 3) good sanitation procedures be enforced to prevent mosquito and fly problems. Acting Manager noted the 10.3 acre parcel is not approved as a building site, is classified as agricultural property, and, pursuant to the requirements of the Town Zoning Ordinance, is not subject at this time to limitation on the number of animals that can be maintained. Council discussion ensued concerning alleviation of the excessive number of horses on the property, with floor participation by Ernest Le Pera, Colin Peters, 21563 La Loma Drive, attorney representing Mr. Le Pera, and the following speaking in opposition: William Downey, 14330 Deeell Drive (read letter from State Animal Protection and Humane Society, stating present conditions are not suitable to breeding horses), David Janssen, 27440 Sherlock Road, B. W. Pierce, 14371 Manuella, L. M. Ferris, attorney representing Mr. R. W. Nowles, Gardner Bullis, 14085 Manuella, Mrs. Dorothy Evans of De Bell Drive. Mr. Le Pera stated that it was his intent to maintain 20-25 horses on his property on Manuella Road and that the remaining horses would be moved to Santa Cruz within three weeks. Mr. Le Pera noted immediate removal of all excess horses was prohibited by the unavailability of temporary stabling facilities in neighboring communities and the difficulties with logistics of obtaining access to the Santa Cruz Mountains to feed all the horses at this time. Mr. Le Fera stated his desire to offer immediate cooperation to the Council and County Health Department. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Benson moved, seconded by Helgesson and carried unanimously, that the Planning Commission be requested to review possible amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding animal limitations to be placed on agricultural property. Council concurred that Mr. Le Pera should proceed to provide adequate fencing on the property immediately, and requested Staff to report in two 4 weeks concerning fencing improvements and progress on reducing the number of horses maintained on the property to a total of twenty. Ike RECESS: 9:25 P. M. RECONVENED: 9:30 P. M. s a — t ^ Y -3- 1300