Minutes - Planning Commission - 07/07/1998 - Public Hearing @ 7:42

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conditional use permit. She indicated understanding that people should be able to use their property as they wish, however, said her family was unable to use their backyard and deck as the dog noise is excessive. She indicated the Heules call their dogs off the fence-line, however, the dogs continue to return. She indicated she was gardening in 1997 when one of the Heules' dogs jumped the barb-wired fence and took an aggressive stance in her backyard. She stated the dogs pose a safety concern. Ms. Gihl stated she has a small child and fears for the child's safety when she plays in their own backyard. She stated the proposed second fence is overdue, however, said the dogs respond aggressively not only when they see, but also when they hear people. She said her family would like to have a dog of their own, but with the present situation having their own dog would not be an option. She questioned the need for the large number of animals and stated granting of the conditional use permit would be taking a bad situation and making it worse. Ms. Heule stated disappointment that Ms. Gihl had not addressed her directly with her concerns. She stated her dogs are not outdoors unless she or her husband are home. She stated realizing that some neighbors may not wish to view the dogs and indicated that is why the additional privacy fence is being proposed. She stated not all of their dogs were debarked, however, indicated they would be willing to have them all debarked. Each dog is valued in excess of $10,000 and it is within the Heules' best interest to keep the dogs locked indoors when they are away from their residence. Ms. Heule stated they had lived in the neighborhood for seven years and until the public hearing, they had never been confronted by a neighbor regarding problems. The privacy fence would cut off view of the property. She stated willingness to discuss neighbor concerns. She was unaware of her dogs having an aggressive behavior and indicated the dogs provide therapy work at nursing homes. The Heules also have two small children in their home. Douglas Gihl, 16170 Olivine Street NW, stated shoveling the roof in the winter of 1996 and indicated the dogs barked continuously until he had completed his project. He stated the dogs have jumped the fence. He indicated the dogs had been an annoyance for a number of years. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Deemer, seconded by Commissioner Wivoda, to close the public hearing at 7:53 p.m. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bawden, Commissioners Deemer, Wivoda, Anderson, LaDue, and Terry. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Jensen. Respectfully submitted, Rayla St.0e Ewald Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. S~via~rrolik Zoning Administrator Public Hearing/Planning Commission/July 7, 1998 Page 2 of 2