Threatening letter from anonymous neighbor!!

mightybooboo · #41 07/27/06, 07:17 PM

Surprised to find rural residential doesnt allow very much down here for animals,guess agricultural only zoning needs to be on my list now,I thought RR would do.

BooBoo

mightybooboo · #42 07/27/06, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandpj

Got back from the court house, and we are zoned agricultural A1, as we were informed prior to buying. T
PJ

GREAT news,congrats and thanks for the post.

BooBoo

KindredSpirit · #43 07/27/06, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deere-cat

Hi all,

This is my first post on this site. I've been a "lurker" on HT for quite some time now, and really enjoy it. I wanted to throw my two cents worth in here. I worked as our local Zoning Administrator, and I dealt with issues like this many times. Jimandpj, I'm glad your property is Zoned A1, so you can keep your animals. I recommend that EVERYONE get a copy of your current Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan (if they have one) from your township or county or city, etc. In my travels, I have seen a lot of township officials are part time, and don't always know the right answers. If they tell you something, get a copy of the ordinance that backs it up, otherwise it's your word against theirs.

This is also good advise for new property buyers. The Master Plan will show you where the township plans on putting developments (residential, commercial and industrial). For those of you against zoning, please keep in mind that it's zoning that can hopefully prevent a landfill, rock quarry, or maybe a subdivision from going in next to your property. I agree with Qwispea - zoning itself isn't bad, but bad zoning is. With that said, I recommend that everyone get involved in their local politics. I know, I know, nobody likes politicians, but it's critical that you keep an eye on them. Go to the monthly Board meetings, and Planning Commission meetings. You will get a feel for how your township is developing, and you can make sure that they make wise zoning decisions. It may raise your blood pressure, but I feel it's important. Most people have no clue who their local Board members are, or how they stand on development of the township. It's important for you to find out.

deere-cat

Welcome Deere-cat!! Your advice is very good. I have also looked at our city's Master Plan. They do the plans several years out, I think our town's was project for 20 years out and showed what the undeveloped areas might become in terms of zoning. Your advice is good for everyone buying land.

harrisjnet · #44 07/27/06, 09:12 PM

Don't get shook even if you find you are not zoned A1. If a complaint is ever filed you can ask for a waiver and if that fails they will give you a certain amount of time to come into compliance. There are ways of dragging it out to take years before they can actually make you get rid of you animals. I am afraid you are stuck with the kids.

harrisjnet · #45 07/27/06, 09:21 PM

I just reread all the posts. I am Very Happy for you on the zoning outcome.
I am wondering if the letter may have come from a jealous wife of a neighbor man. I AM NOT SAYING THEY HAVE REASON!!! It seems especially with older folks that the women have a jealous bone. I think it has something to do with a generation gap or something. What I consider friendly some say is flirting. Guess that may be from working with the public all my life.

jnap31 · #46 07/28/06, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandpj

Got back from the court house, and we are zoned agricultural A1, as we were informed prior to buying. There are no restrictions on livestock or anything else. Big sigh...

I'm going to chalk this up to another learning experience and add it to my "things not to assume" list.

Now, I just get to deal with my neighbor. We are very friendly, know them all by name, and speak to each of them when we see them. (Part of why the letter was such a shock!) So, we will just continue with that course of action, trying to be even more friendly.

PJ

WOOOOHOOO that is great news I would go out and buy 17 barking pyreenees if I was you. And guineas as well as geese

jnap31 · #47 07/28/06, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwispea

Seems to me some of the most outspoken against zoning ..are actually for it when it meets their own personal criteria. Some of those who were so active in the Planned Community threads awhile back ..were very outspoken against having McMansions and/or SubDivisions in a 'planned' community of Homesteaders. In effect ..they wanted to 'zone' those things out! Not saying I blame them ..just that zoning occurs almost everywhere.

Zoning can be a huge benefit if it is done properly. When it goes bad though ..as it most often does ..its a travesty. But it doesn't have to be bad ..its just that it is most often inappropriately planned. Among other things ..its the out-of-control ignorance of inept planners ..and the greed of corporate big-wigs that makes zoning the mess it is.

Most people with property even have their own styles of zoning within their own property. They haul animal waste to one end of their property ..they put their orchard in another area of their property ..they plant their veggies in a planned garden ..even within the home there is micro-zoning.

So ..zoning in itself isn't bad ..but bad zoning is.

All our animal waste is used on the edibles not taken to one end of the property and I had squash and tomatoes and potatoes growing all over our 2 acres, I placed the fruit trees strategically so they would not shade anything else that is the extent of my "zoning" the reason I am against subdisions and mc mansions moving in next door us because ususally the people that live in those places are the ones that fight for zoning and try to complain and make the farmers lives miserable that have lived there and farmed for a long time.

frugalville · #48 07/28/06, 10:14 AM

Good to hear your zoning panned out to be A1.

Now might be time for your own letter to the neighbors.

"Dear Residents,

After receiving an anonymous letter concerning the questioned permitting of harboring livestock/farm animals and children, I have obtained the following information that I wish to share with each of you.

After continuous research, I have found that my personal private property strictly complies with our county zoning ordinance. With an A-1 zoning, I am in compliance with keeping my livestock and animals.

While the ordinance specifically does not specify keeping/owning children, I will have to continue my reseach to confirm with 100% accuracy that they are permitted. (and subject to the terms and conditions of the NAIS program)

In the future if any of you have a problem with myself, family ,or property, please feel free to come and adress me in person, as you may find that I am very amicable.

Hope to see you all at the cookout next weekend !!!

Your favorite neighbor"

'end of attemped comedy'

insanity · #49 07/28/06, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frugalville

Good to hear your zoning panned out to be A1.

Now might be time for your own letter to the neighbors.

"Dear Residents,

After receiving an anonymous letter concerning the questioned permitting of harboring livestock/farm animals and children, I have obtained the following information that I wish to share with each of you.

After continuous research, I have found that my personal private property strictly complies with our county zoning ordinance. With an A-1 zoning, I am in compliance with keeping my livestock and animals.

While the ordinance specifically does not specify keeping/owning children, I will have to continue my reseach to confirm with 100% accuracy that they are permitted. (and subject to the terms and conditions of the NAIS program)

In the future if any of you have a problem with myself, family ,or property, please feel free to come and adress me in person, as you may find that I am very amicable.

Hope to see you all at the cookout next weekend !!!

Your favorite neighbor"

'end of attemped comedy'

ROTF!

Thats a pretty good idea there!

Qwispea · #50 07/29/06, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnap31

All our animal waste is used on the edibles not taken to one end of the property and I had squash and tomatoes and potatoes growing all over our 2 acres, I placed the fruit trees strategically so they would not shade anything else that is the extent of my "zoning" the reason I am against subdisions and mc mansions moving in next door us because ususally the people that live in those places are the ones that fight for zoning and try to complain and make the farmers lives miserable that have lived there and farmed for a long time.

Many people prefer to let their animal manure age for a few months so that it doesn't burn their plants. For that ..they have a specific place where they put it ..they don't just put piles here and there and everywhere.

You missed the 'zoning' point entirely. Most people living in subdivisions couldn't care less about how you manage your farm. And a lot of those who live in mcmansions absolutely enjoy a well run farming operation ..they love havin a view of large, well maintained, well managed tracts of crops.
So I'm not buying into the theory that people who live in subdivisions and/or mcmansions usually try to make the farmers lives miserable.

Qwispea · #51 07/29/06, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnap31

WOOOOHOOO that is great news I would go out and buy 17 barking pyreenees if I was you.

I see no reason to mock pyrnad's situation ..even if unintentional. People ought to use a bit more common sense than that.

Qwispea · #52 07/29/06, 09:09 AM

Late last night ..I was reviewing our recent tax bill ..and noticed we are now zoned residential. We were agricultural!

So now Monday ..I have to make some phone calls to find out why my zoning changed. I hope its just a clerical error. If not ..I'll be fighting the township over the zoning change.

amwitched · #53 07/29/06, 10:14 AM

[QUOTE=jimandpj]I just received a threatening letter in the mail from an anonymous neighbor complaining about the noise from my goats, chickens, and children.

Not to be ugly, on this beautiful morning, but what kind of noise are your neighbors complaining about? I have my own flock of chickens so I do know about the noises that they are capable of making, but I do not own any goats. I always figured that they didn't make much of a sound.

Now children on the other hand...............

I have a few neighbors that have children that scream and yell at all hours of the day. Sound carries in the country alot further than people realize ( until they hear something that they don't want to be hearing).

Do you think that this may be what the neighbor is complaining about? When they are outside - are they really playing quietly?

BaronsMom · #54 07/29/06, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Now children on the other hand...............

I have a few neighbors that have children that scream and yell at all hours of the day. Sound carries in the country alot further than people realize ( until they hear something that they don't want to be hearing).

Do you think that this may be what the neighbor is complaining about? When they are outside - are they really playing quietly?

Quiet play is for INDOORS! Asking people who are living their lives in the country to keep their children quiet because you might hear them is absurd.

Laughing, talking, playing...they are kids! They should be learning how to use a hammer and banging nails into boards, bouncing balls on concrete - having a great time, chasing, running, playing.

If they were bouncing their basketball on the neighbor's garage door or screaming foul language at a neighbor's house, there would be a problem. If the neighbor is having an anniversary party or a wedding in their yard, and have told the neighbor's and would like a couple of hours for this special event and children are disrespectful, that's different.

But, not being tolerant of children playing?

I just can't believe someone would have a problem with kids playing in the country! I don't care what time of day it is.

When I visit my parent's farm, I can hear the neighbor's children (they have 9 children) playing and laughing. They live 1/8 mile from the farm. My parent's donkey is louder. The coyotes yipping in the pasture are louder than 9 kids playing!

When my children played outdoors, I only asked for "No Screaming" (unless in pain or distress) and absolutely no swearing was tolerated.

There is nothing more joyous then children playing outdoors!

Qwispea · #55 07/29/06, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amwitched

Now children on the other hand...............

I have a few neighbors that have children that scream and yell at all hours of the day. Sound carries in the country alot further than people realize ( until they hear something that they don't want to be hearing).

Do you think that this may be what the neighbor is complaining about? When they are outside - are they really playing quietly?

I doubt the 'zoning-infraction' complaint was primarily about children who make noise when they play ..because the nature of the complaint had to do with whether the property was zoned 'residential' or 'agricultural'.
Besides ..what kind of neighbor would try to force somebody's children to play quietly outdoors? A very unreasonable neighbor ..way out-of-line.

Qwispea · #56 07/29/06, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaronsMom

Quiet play is for INDOORS! Asking people who are living their lives in the country to keep their children quiet because you might hear them is absurd.

Laughing, talking, playing...they are kids! They should be learning how to use a hammer and banging nails into boards, bouncing balls on concrete - having a great time, chasing, running, playing.

There is nothing more joyous then children playing outdoors!

I agree 100%.
Let kids be kids ..let them PLAY!

:banana02:

crystalniche · #57 07/29/06, 03:04 PM

In my opinion children SHOULD be making noise when they play outside. Their "noise" while playing is music to my ears. Kids are meant to run, yell, holler, pound things, laugh, cheer and lots else~nothing wrong with any of it! I can see someone complain if kids get into their yards and make a mess of it but not for normal play. When I grew up our neighborhood was full of noisy kids, playing games in the street was a favorite pasttime. Our elderly neighbors would sit out on their porches and join in our laughter and even get involved in our games. One older couple would say "Hide here!" pointing to their porch and we would, how they would laugh at our antics. We knew to never, ever get into gardens, flowers or the grape arbors and had much respect for them. In turn they had respect for us too.

Today my neighbor hates kids and the noises they make. They complain everytime we have kids up who run, yell and play. Mostly we just ignore them. They say that we are "terrible" but really~is it so terrible to let kids be kids? They stay in our yard and as our yard is big they have lots of room to run around and have fun. The kids make their dogs bark and they don't like that. Could your neighbors be like mine in that they do not like kids at all?

Topaz Farm · #58 07/29/06, 03:12 PM

Quote:

In my opinion children SHOULD be making noise when they play outside.

It is when they get quite that you had better go see what they are up to.

KindredSpirit · #59 07/29/06, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topaz Farm

It is when they get quite that you had better go see what they are up to.

LOL Exactly!!!

Lilandra · #60 07/29/06, 04:30 PM

You've got to see the movie Monster House -- its great and it is about an old angry neighbor who hates kids on his yard... but its better than that. A nice semi-scary cartoon movie. Nothing offensive or inappropriate for young kids... except for the scary house but even that doesn't spook any worse than the villians in snow white or sleeping beauty.

the movie is exactly what this thread has morphed into