Here is our initial letter to Alvin James:
-----Original
Message-----
From:
Jim Hyde [mailto:osiris@cruzio.com]
Sent:
Thursday, October 03, 2002 1:26 PM
To:
Alvin James
Subject:
Request for clarification under section 13.10.322
October
3, 2002
Alvin
James, Director
Santa
Cruz County Planning Department
Request
for formal clarification
Regarding
Title 13 Planning and Zoning Regulations
Section
13.10.322 - Residential Uses
Under
the title, "Animal-related uses, including:", we find that
"Animal-keeping
(subject to Section 13.10.643)" is only permitted on RA zoned
property. (Section 13.10.643 pertains
to "Animal-keeping in the
Residential-Agricultural
Zone District".)
However,
later under this same title we find the stipulation that
"Stables,
private, and paddocks (Subject to Section 13.10.641)" are permitted on
R-1 zoned
property above R-1-32. This stipulation
is the subject of our request.
Section
13.10.641, "Animal enclosures, stables and paddocks" part (a)
"Regulations
for Private Stables" addresses stables or paddocks used specifically for
horses. However, under part (b),
"Regulations for
Commercial
Boarding" the scope is extended to include "ponies, burros or other
animals."
We
recently received an informal interpretation of the subject
Stipulation
to the effect that, while horses may be kept on R-1-32 or larger parcels, goats
may not.
In
section 13.10.700-L, horses are defined as "Livestock", vis.:
"Any grazing, browsing or similar equine, porcine, bovine, ovine or other ruminant,
including but not limited to any horse, pony, mule, donkey, pig, hog, cow, ox,
sheep, goat, or llama."
The
clarification we are requesting is, under part (a) may an animal enclosure or
paddock NOT be used for "ponies, burrows or other animals"? If so,
then what is the basis for this preference for horses and horse Owners and
discrimination against goats and goat owners?
Furthermore, what is The County's goal in prescribing these limitations?
In
making your determination, please consider the following points:
· The
average horse may weigh in excess of 1,000 lbs, whereas the average goat weighs
about 100 lbs. As a result, horses have
a much greater impact on the land.
· Horse
manure is large and wet and breeds flies.
Goat manure consists of dense relatively dry pellets, and does not breed
flies.
· Goats
have unique personalities, are quick to bond with people and other animals and
make great family pets. They are easy
to manage and safe to be around, especially for children.
·
Horses and goats are both herd animals, and many horse owners like to have a
goat or two to keep their horse company.
· Goats
are handy around the garden. They eat
plant trimmings and significantly reduce the size of any burn pile, thus
reducing air pollution and landfill.
Their pellets are not "hot" and can be applied directly to the
garden without composting.
· Many
Santa Cruz residents have found that goats make terrific family pets, plus they
are useful for reducing the fire load on larger properties.
They accomplish
this in an environmentally friendly way, without any use of gasoline, machinery
or dangerous herbicides. As browsers
(unlike horses, which are grazers), goats do not pull plants up by the roots,
so they do not create erosion.
We are
asking for this clarification because we are looking for property in Santa Cruz
County where we can keep our pet goats.
We are not breeders, nor do we milk, slaughter, sell or eat our
goats. Our male goats are neutered and
odor-free. Thus, our activities and their
impacts are not any more "agricultural" than those of the horse
keepers.
We
recognize that some goat owners may not hold to the same high standards as do
we. By the same token, there are horses
that are neglected, mistreated, or a nuisance to the neighbors even though they
are being kept within the proper zoning.
There are many existing laws having to do with animal protection,
health, safety, nuisance, erosion control, etc. that apply equally to horses,
goats or other animals. We understand
the need for the Zoning Department to make and enforce rules regarding animal
density, however the public good does not require that the Zoning Department establish
policies that favor horses over goats.
Thank
you for considering this matter.
Regards,
Jim and
Jane Hyde
135
Coon Heights Road
Ben
Lomond, CA 95005
(831)
336-1117
Osiris@cruzio.com
www.goatrescue.org
Copies:
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
Jim
Hyde
osiris@cruzio.com
www.osirisconsulting.com
Mobile:
(831) 252-4747
Home
Office: (831) 336-4747
This is Alvin James’ response:
Thank
you for your email of October 3, 2002.
I apologize for the delay
in
responding to your inquiry.
You
have requested a clarification of Section 13.10.641 of the County
Code;
specifically, (a) may an animal enclosure or paddock not be used for "ponies,
burrows or other animals, and (b) if so, what is the basis for this preference
for horses and horse owners and discrimination against goats and goat owners.
The
situation you reference in your e-mail is related to the R-1 zone district. Goats are not an allowed use in the R-1 zone
district; "animal keeping" is only permitted in the RA zone
district. Boarding stables are also not
allowed in the R-1 zone district.
Animal enclosures may be used for animals others than horses, ponies,
etc. if the zone district allows such animals as a permitted use. This is not the case in the R-1 zone
district. The zoning regulations do
reflect a preference for horses in the R-1 zone district and, apparently, is a reflection
of the public testimony received when the animal regulations were adopted by
the Board of Supervisors.
… The Santa Cruz Sentinel published a
story describing the use of goats for weed/fire control, and then published a “thumbs
up” for that effort on their editorial page.
In response, we wrote this Letter to the Editor:
Editor,
Thank you for your positive press and “Thumbs Up” for goats.
We are happy that Santa Cruz City Water Department has chosen goats over machinery or herbicides to handle their weed control.
Not only are goats are useful for reducing the fire load, they munch poison oak, blackberry brambles and many non-native invasive plants (including French Broom), and tree trimmings. They can significantly reduce the size of any burn pile. They digest the seeds they eat, so they do not spread weeds. Their manure pellets can be applied directly to the garden without composting, are relatively dense and dry, and do not breed flies.
Goats are gentle, playful and intelligent. They are very adaptable, and easily make friends with people, pets or livestock.
Unfortunately, Santa Cruz County zoning regulations discriminate against keeping goats. Horses can be kept on larger residential properties, but goats can only be kept on agriculturally zoned property. Many larger properties are not agriculturally zoned.
Zoning that permits horses should also permit goats that are not being bred or used for agricultural meat or dairy production. They are smaller, cleaner and have less impact than horses. Like a horse or dog or cat, they become a part of the family.
We wish that the Santa Cruz County Zoning Department would “promote the goat”!
Jim and Jane Hyde,