Queen Creek dog training facility can continue operations

 

The dogs, cows and sheep can stay.

A business near Hawes Road and Superstition Drive that trains herding dogs and holds competitions will be able to continue operations after receiving a conditional-use permit from the town.

The owners of D&D Mini-Ranch Trial & Livestock, 20026 E. Superstition Drive, were required to obtain the permit after the town’s code compliance division received an anonymous complaint earlier this year about the number of animals being kept on the property, dust, and animal-waste odor, according to a staff report.

At its Wednesday meeting, the Queen Creek Town Council unanimously voted to grant D&D Mini-Ranch Trial & Livestock the conditional-use permit.

“This to me truly embraces the agricultural heritage of Queen Creek, and we’re talking about protecting neighborhoods. I want to protect our history. And so to be able to offer what you do here in Queen Creek is tremendous,” Mayor Julia Wheatley said.

The nearly 5-acre property, owned by Dan and Diane Sanderson, contains a single-family residence, accessory structures and agricultural pens. The business offers management, breeding and daily training of stock dogs and St. Croix sheep, as well as stock dog training events. It also hosts dog-herding trials.

In June, the Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend the town council approve the conditional-use permit.

Dan Sanderson told commissioners that when they purchased the property their real estate agent told them the land was zoned to allow their business. The site is zoned rural-residential.

Erik Swanson, planning administrator for the town, told the council that the Sandersons immediately began work to get the permit as soon as they were informed.

Since receiving the complaint, the Sandersons have not held any events at the site. The stock dog event period starts in November and ends in March and includes up to six competitions lasting from one to three days with between 20 and 40 people attending.

Some of the Sandersons’ neighbors attended the council meeting to show their support for the business.

“I’ve been to one of the events. It’s quiet. It does not interfere with anything in the neighborhood. You don’t even know what’s going on if you’re driving by,” said resident Wendy Feldman. “I think that’s almost a problem because I think other people should know about it and come learn about it.”

Another neighbor said he has not had issues with D&D Mini-Ranch Trial & Livestock and that his young children enjoy watching events from over their fence.

“There hasn’t been an event where we had a noise concern. We’ve never been woken up by any of the contestants or their dogs. We’ve never worried about our own livestock. Everyone has very well-trained animals. Everyone cleans up after themselves,” Trevor Forbis said.

The enterprise also found fans among council members who voiced their approval for the operation.

“I had the privilege of doing a site visit and asking all my questions with the applicants themselves, and I’ll just say the property is beautiful, so well-maintained. It’s a unique agritainment offering that brings together a great group of folks, and really minimal to no disruption to the neighbors,” Council Member Bryan McClure said.

D&D Mini-Ranch Trial & Livestock even ended up winning over one council member who had initially expressed disapproval.

“I had determined weeks ago that I was a no on this item. The reason was because I have concern for neighborhoods and how conditional use permits can set a precedent … that becomes commonly accepted elsewhere in other neighborhoods. But it’s a past tense,” Council member Jeff Brown said.

“I consider myself a strong protector of that neighborhood, but those (neighbors) are much more protective of it than I am, and so when they tell me that they support it and when the bulk of the neighbors ... support it, then I have to look at that.”

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