4085 Lexington Ave - 2009-07-20 Maggie Mell/John Schonberg IUP Request
TRANSMITTAL CITY COUNCIL
I MAYOR MAGUIRE
® COUNCILMEMBER HANSEN COUNCILMEMBER TILLEY
COUNCILMEMBER FIELDS COUNCILMEMBER BAKKEN
7-24-09
Mayor and Council-
Enclosed is an e-mail that was sent to and received by Mayor Maguire regarding the
Maggie Mell/John Schonberg IUP request. The sender, Ms. Caroline Jackson, has asked
that the letter be forwarded to all members of the City Council.
Tom
To: Mayor of Eagan / Mr. Mike Maguire
From: Caroline Jackson/ Resident of Eagan who owns horses in Dry Lot Paddocks
Re: Letter on be-half of Maggie Mell and John Schonberg
Date: 7.20.09
I am writing this letter on be-half of my friends, current horse owners and great citizens
of Eagan; Maggie Mell and John Schonberg.
They are both extremely logical, trust worthy and the type of residents you want in your
community. They stand up for what they believe and they also have the facts to back up
what they say. Currently they have received approval for the passage of an arena on their
Eagan property and they are working with you and the Eagan council on getting the
amount of horses that can be on their property. They are asking for a total of 7 horses
and currently you have approved 5. I would like to make a case as to why they should be
able to have 7 horses on their property and you can be 100% certain that they will do
what you ask them to prepare to make this happen.
I am currently a horse owner and I board my horses at a barn that has many dry lot
paddocks. My two horses, one is a mare and one is a gelding, are in two different dry lot
paddocks. They do not get put out to pasture; they receive grain each morning and
evening, and then flakes of hay each day. Horses do not need grass to graze on daily;
they are perfectly fine in dry lots. Some of the horses at are barn our turned out to
pasture daily and some are not and I am perfectly fine with the set up that I have. The
horses are happy, healthy and well provided for. I actually pay a monthly fee for my
horse to be in a dry lot and am pleased with what they receive.
I don't understand why Maggie Mell and John Schonberg can't have 7 horses on the
property they own and have paid for in Eagan. They have gone through all of the steps
and procedures that Eagan City Council has asked of them. They have done everything
in a very professional and well mannered way. In addition, a horse in a dry lot paddock
is a happy, healthy horse.
I would be willing to bring pictures of my horses and the set up they have at our current
barn. I am also willing to speak up on Maggie and John's behalf if needed.
Thanks so much for your time today. I am very proud to live in Eagan and I also am very
proud to have such wonderful friends and horse owners that also live in Eagan like
Maggie and John. I ask that you please take a moment to re-consider any decisions you
have on the amount of horses that they can have on their property. Their property can fit
7 horses and they will provide and care for those horses in a very safe, professional and
healthy manner!