Over the last few months the Animal Code has been on the agendas for the Planning Commission as well as the City Council. The code is being revised to adjust for setback laws as well as to change the number of animals allowed on certain size lots in Eagle Mountain.
During the 2/1/2022 City Council Work Session, Mayor Westmoreland made the following comment about the proposed changes and the process. “I want to express my appreciation for the work that’s been put into this very difficult, complicated, complex, passionate, project.” “Is it perfect, I supposed that is always up for debate.”
Councilmember Burnham made the following comment. “I had an interesting experience looking around the city. Especially in North Ranch. And I am very concerned that, how do I say this, many of our residents are breaking the law.” Councilmember Curtis followed up on by saying there are several things that residents will always do with their property regardless of what the law says. “Number 1, people will always put their fence up against their property line. And they will always allow their animals to go up to the property line. No matter what, it does not matter what the setback is. They will do that.” Curtis Continues, “Do I want to make non law abiding citizens out of people who are just.”
Timeline
- 2/15/2022 – City Council Meeting – Public Hearing
- 2/1/2022 – City Council Meeting – Public Hearing (Item was tabled and put on the Feb 15th Agenda)
- 1/4/2022 – City Council Meeting – Public Hearing
- 11/16/2021 – City Council Meeting
2021 Livestock related complaints
To see how big of an issue Eagle Mountain really has with livestock and complaints to our the city Enforcement Officers I did a GRAMA request to see how big of an issue or problem Eagle Mountain has with livestock. I requested, “List of incidents or resident complaints for 2021 that involve livestock and or chickens that were made to code enforcement.”
During the course of 2021 the city received 7 calls related to livestock.
- 9/20 – Alpaca In Back Yard (Old Salty Way)
- 7/7 – Sheep-Nuisance (Deerfield Circle)
- 4/12 – Animal Problem – Rooster (Windhover Road)
- 3/19 – Animal Problem – Dogs/Pig (Lindbergh Lane)
- 3/18 – Over the allowed number of animals (Cedar Pass Road)
- 3/18 – Condition of livestock holding areas, over the allowed number of animals, smells and accumulating flies (Cedar Pass Road)
- 3/18 – Roster Nuisance (Deerfield Circle)
As Eagle Mountain grows different types of neighbors and land uses will grow with it. Inevitably not all residents will see value in what other residents are doing with their property, and complaints will be made. This is why transitioning laws are needed. Lot size transitioning as well as zone type transitioning will help in the long run stop complaints and what are considered “incompatible land use” issues.
During the 1/4 City Council public hearing there were several residents that spoke in favor of limiting animals. One of the most outspoken residents, Bettina Cameron a resident in the Cedar Pass Ranch area, stated the following. “Bettina Cameron said Cedar Pass Ranch residents have experienced duress and she was upset that the Council joked about conflicts of interest during the Atlas Tower discussion. She stated Councilmember Gray has a conflict of interest regarding his livestock business. There are real issues with livestock in her neighborhood. The conditional use permit process can address additional animals over the previously approved animal ordinance. She noted difficulties in
determining adolescent designations and the size of miniature cattle varieties and advocated against basing setbacks upon animal enclosures due to the impact on neighboring properties and nuisance issues.Supporting Documents”
Councilmember Gray then stated that he houses livestock in areas outside of Eagle Mountain City. Mr. Cook agreed that Councilmember Gray did not have a conflict of interest just because he owns animals.
Minutes from the 11/16/2021 City Council Meeting
Mike Boyd and John Hubbard spoke in favor of clarifying the cumulative number of animals permitted and requested a reduction in the total number of animals allowed per acre and for the City to address nuisance issues.
Brent Strong spoke in favor of the point system.
Alex Clark, Kristin Fluckiger, Trevor Hawkins, Manfred Riem, and David Corrington submitted emails expressing concerns that the proposed amendment would prohibit chickens on lots under a half-acre.
Bettina Cameron and Heather Beck submitted emails and spoke against the proposed point system and against counting miniature cattle as half a regular-size cow.
The following residents made comments and/or submitted emails against the proposed point system and in favor of animal rights: Craig Whiting, Ben Keele, Daniel Walker, David Curneal, Scot Parker, Meg McInnes, Lacey Lewis, Matthew Endicott, Jody Hooley, Louise Innocenti, Mike Innocenti, Nicholas Jessen, Jacob Camp, Chad Krupa, Kelli Riem, and Sean Hammond.
Michael Robinson stated that his property has a fruit orchard, and the U.S. Government classifies his property as agricultural.
Liz Smith inquired if the changes impacted quarter-acre lots.
Bart Johnson requested clarification regarding the allowance of horses on his property.
Councilmember Curtis clarified that the City does not currently limit the number of animals on five-acre agricultural lots and that the standards in this amendment only impact residentially-zoned properties. He explained his intention is to clarify and increase the consistency of the residential livestock standards rather than increasing or decreasing animal rights.
Councilmember Burnham explained that the Equine Overlay permits horses on lots greater than a half-acre.
[Source]
Supporting Documents
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.
7 instances in a one year period is not a large problem. There are far more pressing issues which should be occupying the time of the city council. We moved to Eagle Mountain (specifically into an equine overlay zone) in order to raise animals. People who do not have animals should not be allowed to move into these areas and then request the council to change the rules because they don’t like them. There are already too many restrictions on our rights, and these individuals who are moving in and causing the issues knew what the type of area they were moving into when they purchased.
Further, anyone who knows anything about animals knows you can not count animals which are weaning into the allowed number. If the animal is still nursing then they should not have any point value.
Let me ask how many complaints have come in regarding yards which have junk cars, and yard clutter? Was this number more than 7 in the past year? The image is terrible let alone a place for varmints (skunks, rats, etc) to hide. Why are these items not being addressed?
What about the traffic issues? Has Eagle Mountain provided a safe and efficient road structure for its residents to travel on? Why are we not spending more time addressing these massive safety issues rather than wasting time of 7 animal complaints which have all come from people who do not own animals? Clearly you are not limiting the new construction, or requiring those contractors who wish to build to provide a better infrastructure. Have you had more than 7 complaints about this issue?
Lets spend your valuable time dealing with the real issues facing Eagle Mountain and not create issues which only impacted 7 people over the past 12 months.
Only 7! Hell I made 7 complaints about my neighbors having 25 plus chickens, turkeys, roosters and ducks right on our property line, between the constant noise and a smell I called 10 plus times, on top of that his rabbits got into my yard one of his dogs (that he breeds.) all on 1/2 am acer. I asked the neighbor to put his animals on the other side of his yard where he doesn’t share a property line and he has yet to do it. Complaints to the city go on deaf ears. “Put up a better fence” was the advice.
Not to mention the neighbor on the other side, rents his back yard out to someone that has 2 cows and 2 horses on it. I asked if we could put up a privacy fence and he told me that technically he owns 15’ of my yard! City’s response well you’ll have to work that out with your neighbor.
Rant over by resident living here 14 years, not a move in.