9.2. SR 07-17-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Leeseberg, Chris From: John Dietz <shortshotsl7@aol.com> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2017 4:29 PM To: Leeseberg, Chris Subject: Re: Follow Up Thanks Chris Sent from my Whone On Feb 27, 2017, at 12:31 PM, Leeseberg, Chris <CLeeseberg@ElkRiverMN.gov> wrote: Here it is again ... I hope Linda, Thank you for reaching out to us regarding the harboring and feeding of feral cats. To address the harboring of the cats, as well as other animals, the city has two definitions of kennels. Kennel, commercial, means any premises where more than three animals over six months of age are boarded, trained or bred for compensation or are offered for sale, except for animals being raised as agricultural livestock, an animal hospital, a veterinary clinic or a pet shop. Kennel, _private, means any premises where more than three dogs or three cats over the age of six months are harbored or kept, except for a commercial kennel. Any premises of ten acres or more that are used to harbor or keep up to ten cats over the age of six months shall be excluded from this definition as long as all of the cats have been spayed or neutered. The key number in both definitions is three. If they have more than three cats, they would be considered either a private or commercial kennel. Unfortunately, the types of cats are not specified. In our R1 zoning districts, which comprise the majority of residential property in Elk River, private and commercial kennels require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on parcels less than five buildable acres or lots located in cluster subdivisions. Commercial kennels are only allowed in the R -1a district, again with a CUP. The CUP process is one where a property owner applies for the CUP and the request is reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council. These meetings are public hearing meetings where neighboring property owners are provided the opportunity to speak regarding the request. I have copied Dave Hetrick, Code Enforcement Official, on this email. Please contact him to identify the specific properties so he can inspect them. If he finds they exceed the number of cats allowed, he will contact the property owner and make them aware of what they need to do. The city does not regulate the feeding of any animals, such as birds or deer, in a wild state. The feeding of feral cats, or any animal in a wild state, would be extremely difficult to regulate and police. Please let me know if you have any further questions.