Horseshoe Hill, named for its shape, was not zoned for use by horses

Until this past week, one should not have been able to find a hoof print, let alone a horseshoe, on Kimball’s Horseshoe Hill, as it was zoned R-2, for residential use only.

Horseshoe Hill, encompassing more than 125 acres of land was rezoned rural residential following discussion for and against the process at the Kimball City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The land, situated south-east of the Kimball High School, is owned by James Vrtatko and was previously zoned R-2, prohibiting the use of the land for any kind of livestock.

Though Vrtatko was unable to attend the meeting, he stated in his application, “For this property it makes more sense to be RR (rural residential) which is intended to be possible transition from Agricultural and ranch use.”

Zoning concerns for Horseshoe Hill arose when longtime Kimball resident Harold Farrar sought to sell his home including nearly four acres on the southern edge of the Sunnyview neighborhood, adjacent to Vrtatko’s land.

Farrar, wished to make better use of the small parcel of land behind his home and increase his resale value, but could not have his home on East Ninth Street rezoned to rural residential without adjacent property similarly zoned.

“I had a potential buyer interested in my house on the four acres in the back,” Farrar said. I believe they talked with Daniel and he said that the only way I could rezone mine or the only way to have animals there now was to get an adjacent property.”

According to Farrar, Vrtatko was unaware that his property, Horseshoe Hill, was zoned residential, prohibiting livestock use.

“Obviously if we can get this rezoned, I feel that it does benefit my property as far as someone wanting to have one or two horses or one or two cows,” Farrar said. “Chickens, of course, a lot of towns now, I know in Laramie chickens are allowed in town.”

Sunnyview residents Brad and Annette Brower, some of Farrar’s neighbors, asked the council to deny the request due to the expected nuisances.

“My question was if somebody bought both of those properties they would be allowed to have animals right up next to those houses, so there is no buffer,” Brad Brower said. “We talked about the nuisance. What do you consider nuisance? Is it just sound? What about the smell?”

Kimball Municipal Code covers nuisances including certain unsightly conditions, excess noise and offensive odors, according to City Administrator Daniel Ortiz.

“It’s not as limited as you might think,” he said.

Additionally, Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff assured the Browers that those situations would be further enforced under state statutes against disturbing the peace.

Council passed the rezoning ordinance with council member Christy Warner casting the sole dissenting vote.

Council also:

Reviewed the one and six-year road plan.

Approved a $3,000 Keno grant for the Post Prom Committee.

Dropped the agenda item to consider evicting Keep Kimball Beautiful.

Tabled a citizen agenda item regarding snow removal.

Reminded the public that next month begins the once monthly council meetings, on March 15 at 6 p.m.