Snakes have slithered back onto Mapleton City agendas.
Planning commissioners in this south Utah County bedroom community once again considered an application for a snake farm Thursday, four months after it appeared the applicant had taken his business elsewhere.
California transplant Dan Sutherland has renewed his effort to house his online ball python breeding business in Mapleton.
Sutherland faced heavy protest from snake-fearing neighbors last fall when he attempted to land a conditional use permit for his operation.
The planning commission never denied Sutherland, but in October continued the decision until a state property ombudsman could review the matter.
The ombudsman wasn't able to meet with Mapleton officials and Sutherland then. In November, Sutherland took his snake farm application to Spanish Fork where he was granted a conditional use permit.
Mapleton Mayor Jim Brady said Sutherland then withdrew his application for a snake farm in Mapleton and planned to recover financially by selling his Mapleton land.
But, Brady said, the sale of Sutherland's Mapleton land fell through.
"When the sale fell through, his attorney approached the city and asked if they could withdraw the cancellation of their application," Brady said
Thursday. "We're trying to pick up right where we left off."
That's exactly what happened Thursday. After learning that the parties have still yet to meet with the state ombudsman, the matter was continued yet again.
Sutherland could not be reached for comment Friday.
Planning Commissioner Barbara Pratt said the ombudsman meeting is slated for April 26 and that the snake farm will likely return to the Mapleton Planning Commission agenda on May 10.
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