Pleasant Grove may OK change to allow ball-python businesses

"We were just trying to find a way for people to do this type of thing, but without causing any sort of concern on the part of the neighbors," said Curtis Miner, a Pleasant Grove planning commissioner. "You have a number of different animals that can be raised in this circumstance, and some of them, people are afraid of. Some of them, people are not afraid of. From what we understand, the pythons are really relatively safe animals to raise, but the concern on the City Council's part is a public safety issue, and, whether it's real or perceived, it's still an issue."

Depending on whether the City Council approves the code change, the planning commission is scheduled to decide on Thursday whether to grant a conditional-use permit for the ball python business.

Despite a furor that erupted in Mapleton when a ball python business was considering coming to town — the business eventually landed in Spanish Fork — Pleasant Grove's Mayor Mike Daniels said residents in his city haven't expressed any outrage over the possibility.

"We haven't had any widespread clamor," Daniels said. "In this case (of a ball python business), you're dealing with a very controlled environment where these particular animals would be housed at all times. ... If you were not aware that (snake breeding) was taking place, you'd drive right by the place and you wouldn't even know it was there."

Fixing a gap in city code

• The City Council will consider amending the city ordinance tonight at 7 at City Hall, 86 E. 100 South, Pleasant Grove

• The Planning Commission will consider granting the ball python business a conditional-use permit Thursday at 7 p.m., also at City Hall.

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