ST. PAUL - After conditionally accepting a request to allow a County of St. Paul resident to graze goats on a piece of county-owned property in the small community of Lafond, council decided on July 14 to deny the request.
CAO Sheila Kitz said she received a couple of responses from residents, which she presented to council on Tuesday. While one written response was in favour of the goats, another response - a letter signed by a about a dozen residents who live in the vicinity - spoke out against the request.
Residents against allowing the goats noted that while the idea itself may be a good one, because the county doesn't maintain the property in question, they felt there were few details missing, such as the number of goats grazing, if there would be shelters and water provided to the animals, and what type of enclosure would be used to keep the goats contained on the property.
Residents were also concerned about the animals being there at night, which would create noise for nearby landowners. The goats would have been allowed on the property until Oct. 31, 2020.
"Goats need supervision," stated the letter.
Residents also noted that both residents and non-residents of the area often use the garbage bins located near the property where the goats would graze, and this could create an opportunity for someone to let the animals out. If goats were not properly contained, it could cause accidents along the nearby highway, and the animals could also cause damage to residents' gardens, yards and property, according to the letter.
Residents also believe that having the goats so close to the hamlet could attract more large predators into the community. "Once we have a few goats in the area, there is a concern that the coyotes, predatory cats or even bears will come to hunt," reads the letter.
"I think we need to respect the wishes of the community," said Coun. Maxine Fodness. She noted that the number of opposed residents represented the majority of the community. "I think they're valid concerns."
Reeve Steve Upham said he felt there likely was a bit of a "trust issue" between residents in the community.
Fodness noted that the original decision was subject to no objections being raised by residents, since the request would have been an exception to the Land Use Bylaw. A motion to deny the request for the goats to graze on the property was carried.
As discussions wrapped up, Fodness directed administration to take a look at the land, specifically addressing the debris around trees that was noted in the letter from concerned residents.
