Agenda - 12-03-2012 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

3 1 mandatory buffers, etc. He said that there are complexities with Class I and Class II facilities. 2 He thinks that it would be appropriate to provide a differentiation between rescue facilities and 3 kennels. He asked for direction from the Board. 4 Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to direct frontage on a state-maintained roadway 5 and said that the development regulations essentially prohibit the creation of new lots that have 6 frontage on existing state-maintained roads. He said that putting this kind of restriction into the 7 ordinance may make it difficult moving forward. This is one of his concerns. The problem has 8 been that there have been some kennels approved over the objection of neighbors. He does 9 not know what to do to make this problem better. 10 Commissioner Gordon said that the reason this came up as a concern is that this use 11 was seen as a commercial use in a residential area. She said that there should be standards 12 for Class I kennels at a minimum for 6-20 animals. She said that the neighbors are already 13 there and this would be bringing in something new and disturbing the peace in some way. Her 14 view is that there need to be higher standards. 15 Commissioner Hemminger asked about the penalty. Michael Harvey said that a 16 violation of the code is up to $500 a day. She thinks that if someone is breeding dogs, there 17 needs to be a permit. 18 Frank Clifton said that one of the problems will be those that hunt rabbits and raise 19 beagles. It is not uncommon for these people to have 15-20 dogs at one time, but they are not 20 selling them. 21 Commissioner Hemminger said that she would like to tighten up the Class II guidelines. 22 Commissioner Yuhasz said that he does not understand why Class II kennels are 23 allowed in a rural area if they are viewed as a commercial activity. 24 Chair Pelissier said that if there is a large operation, there should be something about 25 noise because that seems to be the biggest concern. 26 Michael Harvey said that one of the reasons that noise is not in this ordinance is 27 because there are noise regulations in the animal control ordinance. This is enforced by the 28 Sheriff's department. 29 Animal Services Director Bob Marotto said that they need to focus on non-compliance 30 with other ordinances with the result being revocation of the kennel permit. There are ways to 31 tighten up the ordinance. 32 Commissioner Yuhasz said that he does not want more things for the County 33 Commissioners to decide. 34 Chair Pelissier agreed. She does not want this to be a Class A Special Use Permit. 35 Bob Marotto said that there are a handful of kennels that are a chronic problem and 36 there has been litigation with two of them. There are currently 12 Class II permits, two pending 37 Class II permits, and two Class I permits. Of that group, probably two or three have been the 38 subject of continuing complaints and concerns. 39 Commissioner Yuhasz asked about the nature of those complaints. 40 Bob Marotto said that the complaints are usually numbers, housing, noise, whether or 41 not the animals are confined securely, living conditions, etc. The renewals of the permits 42 depend upon the inspection and the standards and any violation of the standards is grounds to 43 not renew the permit. 44 Chair Pelissier said that she is hearing that the majority of the County Commissioners 45 do not want to do Class A Special Use Permits for this and the staff should come back with 46 more parameters for rural buffer, lot size, etc. 47 Frank Clifton said that one of the things not included here is the regulation of puppy 48 mills. This is something that should be considered as a separate issue. 49 Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to hear the Planning Board's take on 50 this, both for Class I and Class II.