Planning Commission says Bridle Path couple can keep their cows
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Despite concerns voiced by more than 30 residents, the Simi Valley Planning Commission granted a conditional-use permit to a local couple last Wednesday allowing them to keep eight cows, two pigs and 12 hens at their Bridle Path home.

The commission voted 4-1 to let Randy and Margaret Miller keep their animals on a portion of their 8.5-acre Meander Drive property, which is located in the 630-home equestrian community in the southwestern part of the city.

The Millers filed the application for the permit after a citizen's complaint was made against them regarding their cows.

The family's property is in a limited farm animal overlay district, which allows residents to keep horses, goats, mules and other animals, but not cows, chickens or pigs. Because their lot is more than 20,000 square feet, the Millers were able to request additional animals.

Commissioner Mary Bibb cast the dissenting vote, noting that the Millers knew what type of development they were moving into in 1989 and what the rules were for animal keeping.

During the three-hour hearing, about 60 residents spoke or turned in written comments for or against the permit. The commission also had at least 50 letters or petitions submitted before the meeting.

Most of the residents against the permit expressed concerns about manure removal, depreciation of property values and setting a negative precedent that makes it difficult for the Bridle Path homeowners association to uphold its covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).

There was also discussion about horn and face flies, which breed in cow manure and pose serious health risks to horses.

On the other side, those in favor of the permit said that many people would like to live in a rural environment that includes cattle and that free-roaming cows help knock down brush that could be a fire danger otherwise.

Friends of the Millers also vouched for the cleanliness of the couple's property and dismissed the fly problem as "paranoia," adding that keeping corrals and animals clean while utilizing insecticide or fly predators can keep flies at a minimum.

Ultimately, the commission concluded that there is adequate space for the number of animals the Millers want to keep and that, even with all the public testimony, there was no "compelling evidence" to reject the permit.

"We've heard a lot of what might happen, or what could happen, or what could be," chair Tim Shannon said. "The evidence we have heard tonight is not overwhelming that there is an issue."

The Millers have three steers on their property: one 16 years old and two 6 months old. There is also a 5-year-old cow, which is currently off site for breeding, and a 4-month-old baby heifer.

Six hens are on the site as well, but there are no pigs yet—though the Millers would like to have two in the near future. In addition, the couple has two horses, which are already allowed in the overlay zone.

The main reason the Millers said they wanted to keep the cows and possibly get pigs in the future is because their 17-year-old daughter, Heidi, is involved in the Santa Rosa Valley 4-H.

Heidi explained to the commission the many responsibilities that come with raising cattle, saying that she washes, blow dries and walks them every day. She also feeds and picks up after them twice a day.

"My animals are my life," said the high school senior, who has been raising pigs, horses and cattle for the past nine years. "They're clean, they're healthy and they're happy, and I give them the best home they could ever have."

While many residents who were against the permit said they supported 4-H, they maintained that the Millers should play by the rules of the homeowners association.

Jim Pantaleo, president of the Bridle Path HOA, asked the city to stand by the CC&Rs and deny the conditional-use permit.

"Bridle Path is still a residential equestrian community. We're not farms; we're not cattle ranches," Pantaleo said. "How are we supposed to enforce the CC&Rs when one lot has different rules on it than another lot?"

The commissioners struggled with the issue of whether or not the CC&Rs supersede their decision, but most decided they couldn't base their decision on those rules.

Bibb even reprimanded the HOA, saying that it should have enforced its rules when the Millers first started keeping cows 17 years ago.

Commissioner Keith Mashburn expressed worry about the motivation behind the residents' complaints.

"I know for a fact there are other cows in the neighborhood, and I question, why aren't they being challenged?" he said.

The permit will be reviewed in six months and extended thereafter if no problems are found.

According to the city attorney, the CC&Rs could supplant the city's decision if the HOA decides to take civil action against the Millers.