Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Utilities and Services
An undeveloped tract of land can be a real bargain, but before you put down a deposit,
check on the availability of utilities and the cost to get them to your building site. These
include electricity, telephone, municipal water or a well, natural gas lines, and irrigation.
If you wish to heat with propane or wood, check on its availability and on any regulations
that may prohibit its use. Find out whether the property is connected to a municipal sewage
system and what the monthly charges are. If the property has its own septic system instead,
be sure that the subsoil is permeable so percolation will take place, that the drainage field is
sufficiently large, and that the tank is located where it can be cleaned easily. Inquire about
the location of the nearest landfill and the availability of trash disposal services. Find out
who maintains the roads and removes snow.
Determine who provides police service, fire protection, and ambulance service to the
area. Will there be adequate water on the property for fire protection needs? Some of the
answers may affect the fire insurance rates on your homeowner's policy.
Horsekeeping in the suburbs
As urban corridors are subdivided into small acreages, you may find yourself setting
up horsekeeping in a residential neighborhood. Such a location involves some special
considerations to maintain good neighborly relations and satisfy legal requirements.
•
MANURE MANAGEMENT
.
Your sanitation plan must be impeccable. Manure
piles must be concealed and well managed to control odor and flies (see
chapter 15
,
Sanitation, for details).
•
NOISECONTROL
.
Whinnying horses, a blasting barn radio, a megaphone used
during lessons—all of these seem perfectly normal to a horse owner but may
not be to a neighbor who cherishes peace and quiet.
•
AESTHETICS
.
Where you see a beautiful pasture, your neighbor might see a
field of weeds and manure. Appearances matter when neighbors are close, so
mow, paint, and repair as needed.
•
SECURITY
.
It is imperative that your horses stay on your property and not be
able to access your neighbors' garden, lawn, trees, or buildings by leaning,
reaching, or escaping. If your neighbors also have horses, consider instituting
a 20-foot buffer zone (double fence) between properties so the horses can't
contact each other.
•
COMMUNICATION
.
Stay in touch with neighbors so you can work out small
problems before they become big ones. Stay informed. Be active in your local
