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Planning Commission l~finutes Apri110, 2012 Page 4 dogs are seldom outside, as they do not like hot or cold temperatures. He asked if it will be • a problem to have his son visit with his dogs, and if he would be allowed to take care of his neighbor's dogs when they have to be out of town. Commissioner Anderson asked if it would be Mr. Peterson's intention to continue to have five dogs, as the dogs continue to age and pass on. Mr. Peterson stated that it takes a long time to train dogs to be ready to go into nursing homes or children's ready programs. He stated he could not say at this time if he would get another dog when one of them passes. He stated that right now he is ok with having the five. Commissioner Bell asked where the dogs stay when his judging a show. Mr. Peterson stated that the dogs usually come with him in the camper, or his daughter watches them. Commissioner Koneitzko asked how often he has the dogs out walking. Mr. Peterson stated that he does not take them out much at all in the winter, but does do some training outside in the summer. He noted that the French bulldogs don't do well in the heat, so they are out very little. Commissioner Keller asked if he normally has all five dogs outside at the same time. Mr. Peterson stated that not usually, but that all the dogs are trained not to bark and are stopped immediately if they do. He stated that approximately 6 or 7 years ago, Officer Bob of the Elk River PD stopped by his house. He stated that there were no complaints, and did not have a problem with the number of dogs. He noted that he plans to put slats in the chain link fence at a cost of $600 to add privacy, even though it is not required. He stated that he did check with the city on the setback requirements for fences and that it is set back 8 inches into his property. • Diane Coates, 19228 Freeport Court NW -asked if Mr. Peterson planned on breeding the dogs. Mr. Peterson stated that he has bred one female; all of the puppies are spoken for and the female will be spayed afterward. Ms. Coates asked about the French bulldogs. Mr. Peterson stated he does not plan to breed puppies. Lois Bloom, 19276 Isetta Street, East Bethel -Stated that Mr. Peterson is a business friend and that he helped put a therapy tag on her dog. Ms. Bloom stated that when her dog became pregnant, she asked Mr. Peterson to whelp the litter, which was three puppies. Her dog and the three puppies stayed in Mr. Peterson's care until they were old enough to leave. She stated these were the additional dogs the neighbors must have seen in Mr. Peterson's yard and she felt bad that this caused a ruckus. She noted that her dog was much noisier than Mr. Peterson's dogs. She stated that Mr. Peterson is an excellent dog owner. Jennifer Barnes, owner of Dog Spot in Otsego, 5600 Queens St NE - Ms. Barnes stated that she trains Mr. Peterson's 4-year old Eva. She stated that Mr. Peterson's dogs are "not your average" dogs and receive "not your average" training. He stated that these dogs are out with the public, they come in a lay quietly and speak on command. She stated that the dogs do not bark incessantly and abide by commands. She stated that it takes at least 3 years to train these therapy dogs and the ones that aren't therapy dogs, are show dogs. She stated she has been at Mr. Peterson's home and stayed there with the dogs. She stated that his dogs' behavior is well above the average animal. There being no further public comment, Vice-Chair Westberg closed the public hearing. •