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appropriate to increase the number of dogs from two to three. Staff has been working <br />with the Planning Commission on this item and they directed staff to draft an ordinance <br />to consider increasing the number of dogs. Staff surveyed surronnding communities as to <br />how many dogs are allowed on a parcel without a special permit and she presented the <br />results of that survey. At the public heating, some citizens and commissioners raised <br />concerns that perhaps the number of dogs allowed on urban parcels should remain at two. <br />The Planning Commission recommended that City Council adopt an ordinance to amend <br />the regulations for keeping dogs to allow a maximum of two adult dogs without a special <br />permit on lots up to 25,000 square feet in size; and to allow a maximum of three adult <br />dogs without a special permit on lots exceeding 25,000 square feet. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Anderson to <br />introduce the ordinance to amend Chapter 5 and Chapter 9 of the Ramsey City Code to <br />define private and commercial dog kennels and establish a permitted dog rate of two for <br />parcels up to 25,000 square feet in size and three for parcels exceeding 25,000 square <br />feet. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Hendriksen noted that Ramsey would be in the <br />minority of the cities surveyed if we allowed three dogs. We have only had four requests <br />for these special permits anyway. He stated he would not be in favor of changing this <br />and added that he has received phone calls from residents asking him to vote against this <br />change. Councilmember Zimmerman stated he too will vote against this change as he <br />has received phone calls asking him to do the same. Councilmember Hendriksen asked <br />why suggest this change for four permits. Ms. Frolik stated that the City had a number of <br />conditional use permit requests for private dog kennels last year and City Council <br />suggested maybe it's time to re-look at the requirements with regard to the urban versus <br />rural area. Councilmember Hendriksen stated he received calls saying it's not the amount <br />of dogs - it's an issue of maintaining them. That's why he is not in favor of increasing <br />the number of dogs automatically. The City would lose the control plus we would be <br />"out of step" with the adjoining cities. Mayor Gamec stated he has no problem with the <br />Planning Commission's recommendation; they discussed this issue at length. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen wondered what comments were heard at the public hearing. <br />Community Development Director Sherman stated that the comments were the same as <br />was heard here - it is more of a maintenance issue than number of dogs. She pointed out <br />that it's a $400 fee for residents to apply for the permit and that was part of the discussion <br />also. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated she has not received a call about running dogs, <br />however, people have called about barking dogs. Councilmember Henddksen stated he <br />is not opposed to dogs. He feels a lot of processes we did for the citizens became <br />processes that cost the citizens. Maybe we should review these processes at a reduced <br />fee. If we permit three dogs, maybe we should not charge for the permit. <br /> <br />Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen and <br />Anderson. Voting No: Councilmember Hendriksen and Zimmerman. <br /> <br />City Council/April 13, 1999 <br /> Page 9 of 14 <br /> <br /> <br />