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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 08 July 13, 2004 Page 7 1 nuisance without restricting a multiple pet owner. He added that he hopes the suggested 2 amendment works. 3 4 Councilmember Faust noted he likes the idea of permitting for the third dog. He pointed out to 5 Mr. Mornson that in one place the amendment states three dogs over the age of six months, and 6 in another it states three dogs over the age of three months. He continued suggesting that 7 Council look at being more specific in regard to the use of the term"abutting"under written 8 approval. He added that he likes the idea of the applicant obtaining written approval from their 9 neighbors due to the fact that it involves everyone within the neighborhood in the process. For 10 the sake of discussion, Councilmember Faust recommended 200 feet as the distance required 11 from the applicant's property to obtain written approval. 12 13 Councilmember Stille stated he was unsure of the correct figure that would work for the 14 community. He noted he still believes that two dogs should be the standard, adding he has no 15 problem with a third dog by permit. He continued, agreeing with Councilmember Faust,that 16 more structure needs to be added if the ordinance is amended. 17 18 Councilmember Stille suggested the fact that having more dogs leads to an increase in nuisance 19 is up for"debate." He noted that St. Anthony is a"unique' suburb, adding that recently the 20 Council approved a lot variance of fifty feet, which would be difficult in accommodating 21 multiple dogs. He concluded in stating that he believes allowing for a third dog by permit is a 22 "win-win" for the community. 23 24 Councilmember Thuesen stated that he does not support the second version amendment. He 25 noted that a responsible dog owner is not determined by the number of dogs they own. He 26 provided the Council with an example of an irresponsible dog owner,he saw recently, that let 27 their dog run free,therefore, not obeying the leash law. He suggested that if this owner had more 28 dogs, they would let them run free as well. 29 30 Councilmember Thuesen stated that he believes the Council and City Staff are confusing 31 enforcement with the number of dogs allowed. He noted requiring an applicant to be a certain 32 amount of feet from their neighbors and requiring them to lobby for their neighbors approval has 33 "subjectivity"written all over it. He added that he can guarantee that a responsible dog owner of 34 three will have a quieter backyard that an irresponsible dog owner of one. 35 36 There was discussion as to the age when puppies are vaccinated. An individual in the audience 37 stated the average age is eight weeks old. 38 39 Councilmember Stille added that the City has had issues with barking, therefore, moving forward 40 with allowing three dogs per household,with no structure,will increase the number of 41 complaints. He noted that he agrees with Councilmember Thuesen in that enforcement is being 42 mixed in, however, the City needs to provide some structure in amending the ordinance. 43 44 Councilmember Horst noted the language for this version was lifted from another community, 45 and that the Council needs to determine the "correct'' language to fit St. Anthony. 46