DAILY HERALD (Provo, Utah) 17 August 06 Snakes in a barn (Natalie Evans)
Hundreds of snakes are set to slither into Mapleton. But residents say the reptiles -- and their rodent food supply -- are sneaking in and they want them stopped.
Dan and Colette Sutherland thought they'd done everything necessary to move their business from Palmdale, Calif., to Mapleton. They bought property in an agricultural zone, the city granted them a permit for a home-based business, which they thought they could use to house their Internet-based snake business. Two almost-complete barns -- one for the snakes and one for the mice they eat -- are already sitting on the lot. The snakes don't have a move-in date yet.
However, Mapleton City Manager Bob Bradshaw said that the application for the land and building permit and the true intent of the Sutherlands don't match.
"In the first place, I think they got their permit to build the barns in deceit. He called it a hobby," Bradshaw said, referring to Dan Sutherland.
The business did start as a hobby, the Sutherlands said. Colette Sutherland got her first snake, Kashmire, 30 years ago as a pet. It was the only thing she wasn't allergic to. Now, the business ships and breeds the ball pythons. Nearly 200 snakes hatched at their business last year.
The permit was never reviewed before the council or planning commission, and neighbors were not notified.
"Not everyone who plans to raise snakes in Mapleton goes to the council for permission," Mayor Jim Brady said.
Council members said that they will review what the city can do about the situation with the city attorney. There is a chance, because the permit has already been granted, that the answer to the review will be nothing.
Residents have numerous concerns. Schoolchildren walk by the area, and resident Grace Huffaker worried that they could be bitten. They worry about the odor.
"We're concerned about a plan for containment in the event of an emergency such as a fire or earthquake," Mapleton resident Jeff Gallup said. "We're concerned about traffic, noise at this facility."
The Sutherlands said that a fire wouldn't be an issue. Snakes can't cough, so they'd die from smoke inhalation. Mice would, too, because of their size.
As for traffic, a truck would come to the home with food once a month, as well as other deliveries of equipment, Dan Sutherland said. They would not amount to more than one per week, and he offered to pick up the food in Draper. No one ever comes to the home to buy reptiles -- the Sutherlands mail them in boxes via a shipping store.
As for odor, Collette Sutherland said that the snakes are contained in metal drawers, and the waste they produce will be in a trailer for Dan Sutherland to take to the dump.
Still, the snake farm's neighbors worry about their property values.
"I think you're basically creating a black hole in the middle of Mapleton," Mapleton resident Duane Madsen said. He owns several acres behind the snake farm and worries about the ability to develop it.
The Sutherlands were not aware of the need for a business license because they'd obtained the home-based business permit. They thought they'd done their research, and their children are set to start school Tuesday. They are worried that their children will be teased because they said their teachers have been called by Mapleton parents.
Brady told residents not to create a "combat zone" in council chambers. Residents remained calm, until after the meeting when they surrounded the Sutherlands.
In the unwelcoming atmosphere, Dan Sutherland became emotional, his eyes teary as residents gathered around him expressing their frustrations.
Dan Sutherland said he wasn't aware of residents' worries -- no one called or e-mailed him with concerns. He wants to better the area by building a nicer home than was already on the lot.
"The key thing is not whether these buildings are safe, whether the snakes are safe, the fact is that whether a commercial business is permitted at that site," Madsen said.
The Sutherlands want to educate the public about their business. They will be hosting a meeting at Mapleton City Hall, 125 W. 400 North, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Sutherlands's Web site is www.ballpython.com.
Snakes in a barn