MAPLETON — The fate of a controversial proposed snake farm in Mapleton remains unclear after a contentious public meeting Wednesday night did little to bring the two sides closer to a settlement.

Dan and Colette Sutherland were preparing to move their online ball python breeding business to their newly built home and two barns in Mapleton when public outcry began last week.

In an effort to address the concerns and calm the fears of his new neighbors, Dan Sutherland held an informational meeting at the Mapleton City Building but was unable to finish his presentation as tempers flared on both sides.

"If you're going to bring snakes here, it's going to be over my dead body," one woman shouted as she stormed out of the meeting.

Residents said they objected to the idea of a commercial enterprise in their neighborhood, but seemed more concerned with the businesses' inventory than its operation.

"I don't think any of us care about the UPS truck," Mapleton resident Gwen Warren said. "I'm concerned about the snakes getting out."

Dan Sutherland explained that his business would bring no traffic to the area, as it is conducted entirely online and the farm is closed to the public. He emphasized that the couple has never had a snake escape in 16 years of business.

"You're talking about the irresponsible owner who has the snake in a cage with a brick on top," Sutherland said. "We don't even fall into that category."

Edward Christensen, who built the Sutherlands' current facility near Palmdale, Calif., and now lives in nearby Elk Ridge, said he dislikes snakes as much as anyone, but vouched for the Sutherlands' operation and their new facility.

"I saw their facility, how meticulous they are," he said. "They're very professional...and I have no fears putting my kids in their house because (the snakes) don't get out."

Some residents and city employees have accused the Sutherlands of being dishonest in the process of applying for permits, which Dan Sutherland denied.

"Our hard part was reading in the paper that we were dishonest and that we were underhanded in this, because we weren't," he said.

After the meeting's abrupt end, city officials invited everyone to move into the City Council meeting and discuss the issue with Mayor James Brady, who said the Sutherlands did all they were asked to do.

"From my knowledge and from the documents I've seen, the Sutherlands have complied with what was requested of them in applying for a building permit and a home occupancy license," Brady said.

But before they can breed snakes on the property, the Sutherlands still need to obtain a conditional use permit from the planning commission, he said.

The commission will consider the Sutherlands' conditional use permit application at its Sept. 21 meeting.

Meantime, the Sutherland family and the $600,000 they say they have spent so far to relocate to Mapleton remain in limbo. Colette Sutherland will stay in California to run the business, while Dan Sutherland will stay in the family's new home with their four children, who began attending school here this week.

"We made this move as a family, but now our family is split up," Dan Sutherland said.

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com