Frazer votes to allow horses on certain residential properties

A couple who wants to put horses on a 24-acre property in Frazer is now one step closer to getting their wish.

Supervisors last week unanimously voted to pass an ordinance that allows agricultural operations on properties larger than 15 acres as a conditional use in residential moderate density, or RM, zoning districts.

The zoning change came at the request of David Stubbs and Mara Rice-Stubbs, who want to have horses on the property located at 2510 Butler-Logan Road. The property is in one of the township’s two RM districts. Keeping horses is considered an agricultural operation.

The Stubbs family could not be reached for comment.

Township Supervisor Lori Ziencik said the supervisors passed the zoning change because it was recommended by the township’s planning commission, there was no opposition or comments from neighboring properties, and it requires 15 acres.

Ziencik said only 25% of the properties in those districts are big enough to have agricultural operations.

The property that prompted the change is surrounded by farms.

“This in particular fits the character of the neighborhood,” Ziencik said.

Ziencik said a conditional use hearing will have to be held before the couple can put horses on the property, so the supervisors can make sure they’re abiding by the requirements outlined in the ordinance. Conditional uses need to be approved by the supervisors.

The ordinance states that not more than one horse shall be maintained on the first five contiguous acres of land and not more than one additional horse shall be maintained for each additional contiguous acre of land in excess of five acres.

The ordinance also requires:

• That no other structure or use, except a single-family dwelling and agricultural accessory structures such as barns, shall be permitted on the property during the period of continued agricultural use.

• Any agricultural accessory building needs to be located at least 50 feet from any residential lot line.

• Perimeter fencing is required around all fields and meadows that will be used for livestock and/or horse grazing, feeding and similar activities. Those fences need to be 10 feet from a lot line.

• Roadside stands can only sell products that are produced on the premises and are required to provide a minimum of 10 off-street parking spaces.