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• Annual status reporting requirement <br /> 91- no May- Base yard <br /> 0026 1992 The industrial nature of the proposed use is not <br /> consistent with the character of the existing <br /> community <br /> The proposed use is better suited to an Urban area <br /> which has been determined to be appropriate for <br /> such industrial use. <br /> The desired use would adversely affect <br /> surrounding properties. The character of the <br /> surrounding subdivisions is <br /> residential/agricultural in nature. The close <br /> proximity of dwellings conflicts with the proposed use <br /> by the applicant. This application for Special Permit <br /> is the outcome of complaints filed by surrounding <br /> property owners. Complaints were based on <br /> negative visual impact as well as noise and traffic <br /> problems created by the activity <br /> The proposed use will substantially alter or change <br /> the essential character of the land. The proposed <br /> parking of dump trucks and heavy earthmoving <br /> equipments on the property will substantially alter the <br /> existing residential/agricultural character of the land. <br /> Applicant's Financial Reasons - Discussion of the Starving <br /> Farmer Argument <br /> One of the reasons cited in the application for justifying this use is the rancher's "ability to <br /> use his farm vehicles for other commercial purposes is vital to his ability to finance the <br /> vehicles and earn a living". I have some difficulty with this argument because there are <br /> many farmers, perhaps a majority of farmers, that are part-time and most do not derive <br /> most of their income from farming. Farming is therefore often a secondary source of <br /> income. Other than agri-tourism which has specific income thresholds to ensure that it <br /> remains secondary to the primary agricultural operation, it seems difficult to justify the co- <br /> location of other commercial activities on the farm. What if the heavy equipment rental <br /> operation is more profitable than the ranching operation? Shouldn't there be income <br /> thresholds and therefore some amount of financial disclosure before approval just as for <br /> agritourism? This is similar to the argument around allowing transient rental <br /> accommodations and other non-farm uses on agricultural land. <br /> To allow non-agricultural commercial uses on farm land would seem to represent a kind of <br />