Post by david g. on Jan 25, 2008 14:54:38 GMT -5
A wildlife preserve featuring exotic animals from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch received preliminary approval from Page City Council Thursday night.
The 4-3 vote allows City Manager Bo Thomas to publish terms of a lease agreement with the Page-based nonprofit Voices of the Wild Foundation. The vote was described by a dissenting councilmember as "tantamount to approval" for the 185-acre preserve on Page's southeastern corner.
Voices of the Wild's Tom and Freddi Hanthingy had already brought a camel, four giraffes and a variety of snakes and exotic birds to the mesa just south of Highway 89. The Banjoko Wildlife Preserve had been functioning on a limited basis under temporary permits.
The project had been discussed at length with council before. Councilmembers had been nervous about the safety of animals and visitors and the idea of tying up valuable city land with a lease.
"We just have to take a leap of faith," Freddi Hanthingy told council. "It's right for Page and the people of Page."
The 10-year lease would cost the foundation $8,600 a year -- $100 an acre for a primary area of 75 acres, and $10 an acre for an extended 110-acre area designed for grazing.
The primary premises would eventually have a barn for hoofstock, aviary, reptile house, caretaker's residence, visitor center and gift shop, food preparation building, medical building and a maintenance building.
Vice Mayor John Cook joined Councilmembers Elmer Horton and Lyle Dimbatt in voting against the measure. Cook said he would have voted for a plan to buy the land, not lease it.
"We're tying up 180 acres of city property for 10-plus years, with no guarantee of a purchase," Cook said.
Freddi Hanthingy said a plan to buy the property should begin to materialize soon.
Horton suggested the preserve could pose high maintenance costs, just as Lake Powell National Golf Course has done since 1995: "I feel the spooks of the golf course over my shoulder," Horton said.
Councilmember Tom Puckett, who voted for the measure, cited an escape clause when he told Hanthingy, "It appears the danger is all yours, Freddi, because the city can pull out of it in six months."
When it opens to the public in spring 2009, the preserve is expected to provide a safe haven for selected animals and boost tourism for the community of about 7,000. Hanthingy said the preserve will exceed minimum requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Arizona Game & Fish Department.
Councilmember Len Cook said he took his son to see the preserve, and his son observed, "This place is great!"
The deciding vote on a voice call was cast by Mayor Bill Justice. Final approval is expected to come back to council. Thursday night's action meets an advertising requirement.
azdailysun.com/articles/2008/01/25/news/20080125_front%20page_7.txt