Kaysville planning panel approves permit for three goats at 336 South Marie Circle amid neighbors' complaints about rats and noise

KAYSVILLE, Utah — The Kaysville City Planning Commission on June 26 approved a conditional use permit for farm animals at 336 South Marie Circle, allowing the property owner, Randy Beckstrom, to keep three adult goats subject to mitigation measures and verification of compliance with city code.

Staff said the property is 20,168 square feet in an R1-20 zone and — under city standards cited by staff — the lot size supports three goats (staff noted the code allocates approximately 5,445 square feet per goat in that zoning). At the time staff inspected the property they observed three adult goats and seven offspring; city code counts only adult animals toward the permitted total. Staff said six chickens were on-site and that number is permitted by code without a conditional use permit.

Staff and commissioners told the audience the applicant submitted a mitigation plan addressing odor, dust, noise, pests and drainage and that staff considered that plan adequate to meet code requirements. Staff said fencing and animal structures must be placed at least 50 feet from adjacent dwellings; a field measurement at the hearing showed the existing pen area was about 17 feet from a neighbor’s dwelling. The applicant agreed to relocate fencing and gates to meet the 50-foot requirement and staff said the city would allow a short period for the work to be completed and then verify compliance.

Neighbors raised concerns during a public-comment period about a recent increase in large rodents on the properties bordering 336 South Marie Circle. Reese Kearney, a long-time resident, said she had shot a rat and that rats were present along the shared fence line. "I cannot assume responsibility that my 4 chickens are drawn to rats," Kearney said, adding that the smell and constant crying of goat offspring had affected her ability to use her yard. Dave Williams, who lives next door at a distance staff measured as 17 feet, said he had seen multiple rats near the fence and expressed concern for grandchildren and pets.

Several neighbors asked the commission to deny the permit; others supported the applicant. Cindy Garlick, who operates a dairy goat herd nearby, said she had experience with rodents and encouraged allowing the applicant to work with neighbors on mitigation. Applicant Randy Beckstrom told the commission he typically keeps young goats with their mothers for about six months and that he sometimes sells adult animals or rehomes offspring to keep the adult count within limits. "I typically leave them on for at least 6 months," Beckstrom said.

Commissioners and staff discussed the limits of city authority and code. Planning staff explained the enforcement process: field verification, attempts to secure voluntary compliance, timelines for corrections, and escalation to the city attorney and potential revocation of a conditional use permit if necessary. The commission added a direction that staff should monitor compliance and follow up, and staff said it would either accept photos submitted by the applicant or re-inspect the site after the fence is moved.

A motion to approve the conditional use permit, with staff monitoring and the requirement that the applicant comply with the mitigation plan and setback requirements, was made, seconded and approved by the commission.