Minutes - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Kuzma, Johns, Riley, Shryock, and Williams. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember LeTourneau. 7.01B: Consider Request for a Non -Traditional Animal License to Maintain a Pot -Bellied Pig on the Property Located at 15830 Andrie St NW; Case of Tom & Edie Harer City Planner Anderson reviewed the staff report and recommendation to adopt Resolution #16- 12-240 and # 16-12-241 approving the Findings of Fact favorable to the applicant and granting a Non -Traditional Animal License to maintain one pot-bellied pig at 15830 Andrie St NW. He stated that staff recommends the alternative method for animal waste, removing the waste from the property and noting that the applicant has an agreement with a local business owner that will accept the waste for composting and reuse on their site. He identified properties that received notice of this request and identified properties that have submitted written comments in proximity to the subject property. He noted that both property owners with abutting property have written letters in support of the request and the animal does not add a risk to the safety and wellbeing of the community. He noted that perhaps the City Code be revisited to determine if this specific section could be updated. City Attorney Langel stated that as indicated the City has to consider the license application independent of any HOA covenants as those are private between the property owners. Mayor Strommen noted that the Council has read the written letters received and advised that the Council cannot address comments regarding the HOA covenants. She welcomed brief comments that do not relate to the issue of the HOA covenants. Mark Berglund, Attorney for Northfork Homeowners Association, stated that the HOA cannot influence or tell the Council what to do but believed that there were some things that should be considered. He stated that this request is by one individual but impacts more than just one individual. He stated that following this decision there will be further action by the HOA. He stated that as this moves forward, and if the license if granted, the request has been made after the action has been taken. He stated that the same thing is happening within the HOA, noting that the resident is asking the Council for permission to have something they are not permitted to have under the more restrictive HOA covenant. He stated that his concern is that by requesting a variance from the City Council, already knowing that this is a violation of the HOA community that they live in, perpetuates discourse within that development as they are ignoring the rules of the community. He stated that the impact is on the entire association of people and not just the applicant. Tom and Edie Harer, 15830 Andrie Street, stated that Peter is a gentle and loving pet and is smaller than many dogs in the neighborhood. He is quiet and is not a nuisance to the neighbors, generating less noise and waste than larger dogs in the community. He stated that the neighbors did not even know of the pet until they invited them to meet the pet. He read portions of letters of support from abutting property owners. He stated that Peter lives primarily outside in a fenced in area but comes in the home from time to time, noting that there is an accessory structure painted to match the home in which the pet resides. He stated that their veterinarian has City Council / December 13, 2016 Page 8 of 15