Agenda - Council - 01/26/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # *~, a ~ REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PRIVATE DOG KENNEL TO MAINTAIN FOUR OR MORE DOGS AT 15916 ST FRANCIS BLVD NW; CASE OF MICHAEL BUCKMAN By: Jessica Hendricks, Management Intern Background: On November 2, 2009, the City received an application from Michael Buckman for a private kennel conditional use permit to maintain a maximum of six dogs on the property at 15916 St. Francis Blvd NW. City Code allows for a maximum of three dogs per parcel; four or more dogs requires a Conditional Use Permit. Notification: In accordance with State Statute, staff attempted to notify all property owners within 350 feet of the subject property of the request via standard US Mail. Observations: The subject property is approximately 3.25 acres and is zoned R-1 Rural Developing. The Applicant has requested a Conditional Use Permit to allow for six (6) dogs on the Subject Properly. The applicant is the owner of four (4) dogs, and will be joined at the property by David Swinton, who plans to attend school in Minnesota. Mr. Swinton is the owner of two (2) dogs. The four dogs currently residing at the Applicant's address consist of two Alaskan Huskies, one German Shepherd, and one Doberman/German Shepherd mix, all are licensed with the City. The two dogs that Mr. Swinton owns are both German Shepherds, and will need to be licensed with the City, upon Mr. Swinton's arrival in Minnesota. The Applicant has submitted copies of dog licenses, included as an exhibit to the findings of fact. The Applicant's dogs spend a majority of their time inside the house, and are not left outside unattended at any time. The dogs are not used for breeding or show purposes. The Applicant is professionally trained in Animal Control, and is employed as an Animal Control Officer by the City of Minneapolis. As an Animal Control Officer, the Applicant has provided guidance on how to minimize the impacts of multiple dogs upon the appearance of a property and on the neighboring properties. The Applicant also has a history of working with a variety of animals. He was formerly employed as the resident caretaker for the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake. The Subject Property is a mix of forested and open landscaped areas. The property has a fenced area to the north of the home consisting of a chain link fence 100 feet by 100 feet square. There is also a privacy fence along the east border of the yard, screening the property from St Francis Blvd. The Applicant also has plans to extend the current chain link fence to three (3) times its original size. The property will be fenced in sections, limiting the dogs' access within the yard. The applicant has currently received approval for extending the fence, but has not yet started its installation. In the previous several applications for a private dog kennel, the City has required some sort of containment system, whether it be permanent fencing, invisible fencing, leash, etc. Staff recommends including this provision in this application as well.