From Deseret News archives:
Mapleton to pay snake breeder
Mayor Jim Brady said the city misled Dan Sutherland by counseling him to purchase the land for his business and granting him a business license and building permit for two barns to house the animals and their prey rats and mice.
The city planner at the time advised Sutherland he did not need to conduct a public hearing before moving in with his 1,500 ball pythons, he said.
"If the city planner had not made the representations he made, Mr. Sutherland would not have spent the money he spent," Brady said. "We (the City Council) felt responsible for his expenditures."
The settlement money covers only the difference between the current price tag on Sutherland's property and the snake breeder's total out-of-pocket expenses.
A complete list of damages, which includes lost profits and damage to the snakes' breeding cycle caused by unnecessary moving, rings in at more than $1 million, said Randy Spencer, Sutherland's lawyer.
Brady said Sutherland contacted Mapleton to discuss his business before moving from California in 2006. After looking at the breeder's Web site, thesnakekeeper.com, the city planner advised him he could breed snakes in Mapleton. Sutherland originally selected a piece of property in a remote area bordered by two streets and a railroad track. He was advised, however, that he must move his business to an area zoned for residential use.
After Sutherland was issued a business license, the City Council, concerned that there were no public hearings about the matter, interceded in the process. In July, after nearly 18 months of heated meetings with the snake breeder's neighbors, the city denied Sutherland a conditional use permit for his snakes.
The city will pay the settlement over a five-year period in payments ranging from $55,000 to $65,000. The money will come from the city's contingency fund.
E-mail: estuart@desnews.com
Comments
- 2 more in GOP may challenge Bennett 4:04 p.m.
- Miles, Saban back SEC officials 3:46 p.m.
- Baby sitter charged in infant death 3:45 p.m.
- Hockey HOF class gets its rings 3:03 p.m.
- Phelps to test old suits at World Cup 3:03 p.m.
- Flyers get QB back for semifinal tilt 3:02 p.m.
- Former DPS head pleads guilty 2:46 p.m.
- Hasan's lawyer to meet with him 2:45 p.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 2:42 p.m.
- Two arrested in $3 robbery 2:41 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf'
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
257 - House passes health care bill
216 - Lobo suspended
176 - TCU showdown has big implications
156 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
109 - Provo company innovating engines
108 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
106 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Your reference to Mountain Meadow without also mentionsing that it only...
To 12:35: I'm happy to give Reagan credit where he deserves it. Like I said,...
So where is the great success in this? Wall Street is up, but thats to be...
he is going to say he is "fine" with the call. If he said the truth he would...
Some days I think Orrin Hatch is far to liberal and fair minded of a...
Which was the same argument made when a black man wanted to marry a white...
Why would playing in RES be special? Aren't there about 100 high school...
Can't baseball and American football end in ties too? I guess I see the...
"Matheson left Utah families to fend for themselves." No, the Republican...
Sure there is. I'll bet a large number of the people who see the headline...


You can be the first to comment on this story.