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HomeMy WebLinkAbout016-1017-40-050 (2) Alex Blackburn From: Alex Blackburn Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 3:36 PM To: 'Greg Jensen' Cc: Pam Quinn; Kevin Grabau Subject: RE: Stable Hands Youth Ranch Greg, I read your e-mail and letter. In reference to your request to "please work with us". We will work with you on filling out applications, visiting your site, providing guidance in using our ordinance and we will attempt to provide alternatives when proposed uses don't work. However, our job as staff is to compare your application to the applicable ordinance and make a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment. Our duties are specific and we have no authority to deviate from the ordinance. Your letter references "troubled kids" several times. This is a completely new proposal and may require a permit for an institutional use. How many kids will there be and what makes them "troubled"? We need to know because one of the functions of zoning is to permit uses without causing off site impacts. Thanks, Alex Blackburn St. Croix County Zoning Specialist 715-386-4684 From: Greg Jensen [mailto:greg2000Cabfrontiernet.net] Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 9:33 PM To: Alex Blackburn Subject: Re: Stable Hands Youth Ranch Alex, I've submitted a Word attachment in response to your email below. Please read it carefully and keep an open mind to the goal and the purpose of Stable Hands. This is not a business venture that benefits me in any way. I have a ton of money that I've donated toward this project and will never see a financial profit from it in my lifetime. This is not about me, it's all about the future of our kids. Please work with us. Sincerely, Greg Jensen On 10/10/2012 11:17 AM, Alex Blackburn wrote: Greg, I went through your concept proposal that you submitted on 9-26-2012 for the Stable Hands Youth Ranch. Your property is zoned Agricultural Residential (Ag. Residential) 1 I broke your proposal into 3 cagories, permitted uses, uses that are permed with a special exception and uses that would not be allowed. Permitted Uses: Section 17.155(4) (h) allows two garage sales or other similar sales per year and each event is 3 days maximum. The word "days" in this section is referring to daytime hours. So, your family day/fundraisers and lambing day would be permitted. With a maximum of two events, so it could be 2 family days OR 1 family day and one lambing day. Uses allowed with a special exception permit for a limited commercial recreational activity: The day camps either part of the day or all day. Horseback riding, horsemanship and helping out on the farm. Uses not allowed: Overnight camping would not be allowed. Campgrounds are permitted by special exception in a Shoreland district only Building bunkhouses would not be allowed. Bunkhouses would be similar to a hotel or resort and these are permitted by special exception in a Shoreland District only. Uses not addressed: The only uses I haven't addressed are the concerts fundraisers. What are the hours of operation for the concert? How many people would you expect to attend and where would they park? What are the details on the fundraisers? We as staff people review your application against the ordinance standards and then make a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment (BOA) and the they make the final decision. So, you can modify your request so that it is consistent with the above listed ordinance standards or you can keep your request the way it is. We will process it either way, keep in mind that we will recommend denial of any of the uses that aren't consistent with the ordinance. Thanks and let me know if you have any questions. Alex Blackburn St. Croix County Zoning Specialist 715-386-4684 2 Alex Blackburn From: Alex Blackburn Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 11:17 AM To: 'greg2000@frontiernet.net' Subject: Stable Hands Youth Ranch G reg, I went through your concept proposal that you submitted on 9-26-2012 for the Stable Hands Youth Ranch. Your property is zoned Agricultural Residential (Ag. Residential) I broke your proposal into 3 categories, permitted uses, uses that are permitted with a special exception and uses that would not be allowed. Permitted Uses: Section 17.155(4) (h) allows two garage sales or other similar sales per year and each event is 3 days maximum. The word "days" in this section is referring to daytime hours. So, your family day/fundraisers and lambing day would be permitted. With a maximum of two events, so it could be 2 family days OR 1 family day and one lambing day. Uses allowed with a special exception permit for a limited commercial recreational activity: The day camps either part of the day or all day. Horseback riding, horsemanship and helping out on the farm. Uses not allowed: Overnight camping would not be allowed. Campgrounds are permitted by special exception in a Shoreland district only Building bunkhouses would not be allowed. Bunkhouses would be similar to a hotel or resort and these are permitted by special exception in a Shoreland District only. Uses not addressed: The only uses I haven't addressed are the concerts fundraisers. What are the hours of operation for the concert? How many people would you expect to attend and where would they park? What are the details on the fundraisers? We as staff people review your application against the ordinance standards and then make a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment (BOA) and the they make the final decision. So, you can modify your request so that it is consistent with the above listed ordinance standards or you can keep your request the way it is. We will process it either way, keep in mind that we will recommend denial of any of the uses that aren't consistent with the ordinance. Thanks and let me know if you have any questions. Alex Blackburn ST. ROUX COUNTY SPECIAL EXCEPTION Office Use Only \ f ~ APPLICATION ON Revi"d 12-15-M Planning & Zoning APPLICANT INFORMATION Property Owner: Gr ack Contractor/Agent. Mailing Address: 255 W 1&4 s4. Mailing Address: $rP 28 2012 NewuC6&o4. of Hok 1 SI-CROixwuNT ZQNINQ CX Daytime Phone: (71.T) 2Y4-36,89 Daytime Phone: Cell: (71S) 5:0S,-, Cell: ( ) E-mail. E-mail: ~J SITE INFORMATION Site Address: Q Property Location: _ 1/ ,~L 1f4, Sec. , T. _N., R. W., Town of Glerg.No 4 Computer 0 to lot] 40 _ O SO Parcel 30 S _ .133A-0 LAND USE INFORMATION "Zoning District: (Check one): O AG. ( ) AG. 11 XAG. RES. ( ) RESIDENTIAL O COMMERCIAL O INDUS'T'RIAL Overlay District: (Check till that apply): ( ) SHOREL,AND O RIVERWAY O FLOODPLAIN O ADULT ENTERTAINMENT State the nature of your request: 1C69 wo-c4 -rp r 0 Dt:r4; Eck Q 3 na & rei:'!~ - - dtN h CaAF - OeU U44C%R -C- r Cl S :tit cusa ilk dtt'M4~ ~r % lim&l C.0 Zoning Ordinance Reference -WU+~ . _0) 0 More than one request with this application? (Seethe supplemental fee amount below and attach the appropriate addendums.) FEES Application Fee: $ 1,100 Supplemental Fees: $175 x of additional requests) $ Total Fees: I attest that the information contained' his application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.. , Property Owner Signature:_ 5\ Date Contractor/Agent Signature: Date OFFICE USE ONLY Pre-application Meeting: With: Complete Application Accepted: By: Fee Received: !__-_1 $ Receipt Scheduled Hearing Date: / SPECIAL EXCEPTI£?N CRITERIA Pursuant to the St. Croix County Zoning Ordinance Section 17.70(7); please answer the following questions to.justify the approval of your request (attach additional paper if necessary); 1) Describe the details of your request. We wish to operate a non-profit Christian youth ranch (Stable Hands Youth Ranch) that would teach kids the operations of a basic farm/ranch. They would be instructed in animal care, feeding, grooming, farm heritage and preservation, and basic facts about the animals housed at the Ranch. With an instructor, we will allow them time to explore the animals and walk the trails through the woods to explore and enjoy the rural outdoors. We also offer outdoor games and activities, and a time to use their hands making crafts and building projects. Our main focus however, is guiding them to a life with Jesus Christ. 2) Describe the impact of your request on the enjoyment and value of surrounding properties. If there is no impact, explain why. Kids are kids, and white they're having fun, there can be some noise. The closest residence is about 90o feet away and they have pole shed between the ranch and their house. The next closest house is about 160o feet from the Ranch and has a wooded barrier between. They live about 300 feet from the driveway entrance, but again there is a wooded barrier between them and the driveway. 3) Describe the compatibility of your request with the uses and character of the surrounding area. Stable Hands youth Ranch fits in perfectly with the area It's a rural farming community, so the farm aspect of the Ranch blends in with the surroundings. We have 28 acres under till and put up about 2000 bales of hay. We are expanding our sheep flock, and currently house l l hea(L We also have horses, chickens, and ducks. The pasture ground serves the animals housed at the Ranch, and the balance is lawn and woods. 4) Describe how your request is consistent with the spirit and intent of the zoning district in which your property is located. (Please refer to the purpose statement for your zoning district in the M. Croix County Zoning Ordinance.) The property is actually an operating fam The founder and owner of the Ranch property was raised on a dairy farm, and farmed fora few years himself Protecting the farming heritage and rural community is ht. on his at. importance The rof rural farm preservation will be taught to the kids who visit the Ranch. Page 2 of 4, Rev. December, 2006 5 Describe how our re y quest will, impact public health, safety, and. general welfare.. What measures will you take to minimize any negative impacts? This property was purchased bare, so everything that has been built was done with kid's safety in mind. The Ranch is set nearly a quarter mile off a town road so traffic isn't a safety threat. As far as the general public, I foresee no health, safety or general welfare impact generated from the Youth Ranch. 6) How will you ensure that your request will not constitute a nuisance by reason of dust, smoke, odor, or outer similar factor? What measures will you take to prevent a nuisance? Noise would be the only nuisance generated from the Youth Ranch. We purposely built the barn way off the road and away from neighboring homes so noise wouldn't be a factor. I 7) Additional comments: THE FOLLOWING USES REQUIRE A SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SET: ( ) Major Home Occupation ( ) Contractor Storage Yard ( ) Airstrip ( )>1 Animal Unit/Acre ( ) Filling & Grading ( ) Wireless Communication Tower ( ) Nonmetallic Mining ( ) Adult Entertainment ( ) Commercial/Industrial District Use ( ) Lower St. Croix Riverway ( ) Shoreland ( ) Floodplain ( ) Junk/Salvage Yard, Kennel, Slaughterhouse, or Limited Commercial Recreational Use Pape 3 of 4, Rev. December, 2006 Description of Business Stable Hands Youth Ranch Inc. 2866 160'x' Ave Glenwood City, WI 54013 Mission Statement: Stable Hands Youth Ranch exists to glorify God by providing an environment where children can hear the Good News of Christ and discover His unconditional love. This unique farm-life atmosphere offers kids of all ages a firsthand look at God's handiwork while building their hope in Christ. Property: Property consists of 64 acres 28 acres is currently under till 4 acres in newly fenced pasture Property was purchased 3 years ago with the intent of a farm-based youth bible camp in mind. A 36' x 112' main barn which houses the animals, and attached 16' x 64' lean-to was erected two years ago There are two to three acres of lawn Driveway is new with gravel lift and 8" of crushed lime rock. We currently haul large loads of hay up the driveway so emergency vehicles would have no problem with access. We have a 4 acre hay field for additional parking for family events. There is a new well with 1 outdoor hydrant and water in the pole shed. We have a porta potty on site at all times, and would add additional toilets during larger events. The closest neighbor is approximately 900 feet away. Their pole shed is visible but their house is not. Another neighbor lives about 300 feet from our driveway entrance (our driveway is 1/3 mile long) but they are about 1600 feet from the camp. He is not visible for there is a wooded lot between us. Other neighbors are nearly 1/2 mile away and also not visible. Planned Youth Bible Camp Mission Schedule: • 2013 Beginning in spring of 2013, we would like to hold day camps for three different age groups of children. We would serve a snack (cookies, candy, fruit snack) and a beverage. We are projecting to hold day camps once or twice a week. As the camp shows more growth (possibly next year), we would like to expand to an over night camp. Typical Day: A typical day would start at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm. It would consist of kids ranging in ages 5 -17, and host approximately (15 - 30 kids) that would be broke up into three small groups. Each day would host a specific age group. Camp would start with a large group bible session including singing, a puppet skit, and a bible lesson. As they break into groups, one group would learn about animal care, identification, feeding, cleaning, and basic things about a farm. Another group would be involved in crafts and team building projects. Another group would be involved in outdoor games and activities. The three groups would rotate through the day. All leaders and helpers are volunteers. There would be one leader and a minimum of one helper per small group, depending on attendance. It would not necessarily be the same volunteers from week to week. Family Day We would also host a Family Day/fundraiser twice a year, (spring and fall) for families to come to the Ranch and experience the rural farm atmosphere with their kids, and visit with staff and friends. We would also host "Lambing Day" for kids and parents to experience and hold the new lambs. Future: Within the next year or two, our vision would be to continue to host all day camps, a few days a week. Our long-range vision is to someday build overnight bunkhouses and restroom facilities and host weeklong camps with lights out at 10:00 pm. Activities may be expanded to horseback riding, horsemanship, and helping with chores on the farm. We are also hoping to host Christian music concerts and overnight retreat groups. • s Supplemental Information Sheet Special Exception Application • Description of business o Find in the pack marked the same • Hours of operation o Typical days would run 9:00 am - 5:00 pm o A few days could run until 9:00 pm, and in the future, we would like to host overnight camps. • Number of employees o All directors, leaders, and helpers are volunteers. We would start out with approximately 12 volunteers. There are no paid positions as of yet. • Site plan o See enclosed • Structures o See enclosed o We presently have no immediate plans for expansion but in the future can see the possibility of a shelter, restroom facilities, pavilion, and bunkhouses. • Sanitary system o We installed a new sanitary system in July of 2012. We currently do not have public restrooms, but plan to erect a facility in the near future. We presently have portable restrooms on site. • Parking lot o Most parents will be dropping their kids off and leaving again until they pick them up, so we need very little parking area. We have approximately 20 parking spaces plus acres of overflow parking. Main parking area has an 8" base of crushed lime rock. • Entrance/Driveway accesses o Driveway is 1/3 mile long and has an 8" base of crushed lime rock. • Outside storage areas o None • Lighting o Since most activities are during daylight hours, there are only two outside lights on the barn. Both 100 watt. The patio area is lit with six 75 watt recessed bulbs. With the possibility of an evening event, portable lighting would be used. • Signage o We are applying for a sign permit at the end of the driveway • Landscaping plan o See enclosed • Storm water management plan o No new construction • Erosion control plan o No new construction • Daily traffic estimates o Estimate 15 -20 cars on average, except for special events • Elevation drawings o No immediate structures proposed