Fans, foes of Turlock ice rink and corn maze face off

R.A.M. Farms is seeking to tweak its permit for an ice rink, corn maze and other seasonal activities on the east edge of town.

The plan includes starting the skating, the most popular offering, on the weekend before Thanksgiving, five days earlier than last year. The corn maze would start on the last Friday in September, one day earlier than 2014.

The ice rink would operate two hours later on weekday evenings, until 10 p.m. However, several neighbors who spoke against the project at a community meeting complained that the rink already operated later than it was permitted.

Ron Macedo, who runs the business with his wife, Karen, said there was some misunderstanding over what was permitted last year.

“The full intent the whole time was always to be open till 10 o’clock,” he told about 60 people who gathered at the meeting, conducted by the Stanislaus County Planning Department. “The fact of the matter is, we’re trying to correct that, to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s.”

Some people who live nearby expressed concerns over the noise and the traffic generated by the temporary business. Most of those cited the ice rink, not the corn maze, as a problem.

“I hear all the screaming and yelling,” said Ken McBay, whose backyard is one house removed from R.A.M. Farms. “I hear the loudspeaker announcing when to go on the ice. ... I hear traffic and see lights. ... My house is not a pleasant place to be in the winter.”

Matt Rickard said he doesn’t have a problem with the project, but was frustrated that the permit was not enforced last year.

“Before considering expanding days and hours, I believe there should be a minimum of two years of demonstrated compliance,” Rickard said.

Other neighbors, however, spoke in favor of allowing the new permit.

“I don’t hear one person saying how pleasant it is to know that those kids are there having a good time when they could be heaven knows where,” said Marge Porter, who lives on East Canal Drive. She pointed out that several of her neighbors also were there in support of the ice rink. “For criminy’s sake, just enjoy it. It’s our kids and grandkids having fun.”

Hundreds of people signed the petition at www.ramfarms.com, many of them adding comments about how much they enjoyed R.A.M. Farms in its first two years.

“Turlock needs things like this for our families and kids,” wrote Annisa Anderson.

“Love the place!!!” said Gloria Ortega. “Close to home and so family friendly.”

And from Carlos Iniguez: “This ice rink saved me from dying of boredom in Turlock.”

Macedo said the site drew more than 50,000 visitors last winter and spring, including more than 30,000 skaters. He fits it into his work as a custom farmer and a board member for the Turlock Irrigation District.

The county has jurisdiction because the site, at East Canal Drive and Daubenberger Road, is just outside the city limit. Because of the proximity, it is seeking input from the Turlock Planning Commission.

The proposal, which can be approved at the county staff level, would not change the size of the business. It includes 9,600 square feet of ice that can hold as many as 220 skaters in two-hour sessions from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Martin Luther King Day. The site also will have a pumpkin patch, outdoor movies, birthday parties and other activities.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Fans, foes of Turlock ice rink and corn maze face off."