9/7/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Environmental Planning & Code Enforcement Chief Roland M. DeBlois reviewed the memorandum and explained the issues. He also reported on the workshop held with interested parties concerning the issues and summarized the resulting recommendations which would become a policy if approved by the Board. Heidi Lewis, 656 26' Avenue, gave an historical account of how she acquired her two pet pot-bellied pigs. She spoke of new hedges, findings of the Health Department after they examined her property as the result of a complaint, and compared her pigs to dogs and dolphins. She was anxious to have her pets back at her home. She had no problem with providing a 6 -foot perimeter fence within her existing fence. Michael Cooper lives at 666 26' Avenue, which is adjacent to Ms. Lewis' property. He was unhappy with the recommendations citing smell and flies and questioned why the matter was back before the Commission when that body had established the ordinance prohibiting potbellied pigs in a residential neighborhood. County Attorney Vitunac explained that the County Attorney's office represents both the Board and the Code Enforcement Board and in the event of a lawsuit, they would be suing each other. The compromise solution was effected by having all the people sit down and see if there was a way to establish reasonable regulations so the people could keep the potbellied pigs until they die or move away. No new pigs can come in. The purpose of this agenda item was to see if the five conditions will solve the problem. If there is still a problem with pollution, flies, and smell, the conditions would be violated and the Code Enforcement Board will take action against the property. The grandfather issue would no longer be argued; public health and decency would be the issues. On Mr. Cooper's request, Mr. DeBlois explained two specific conditions regarding fencing as they would apply to Ms. Lewis' property. Vice Chairman Adams was unsure that these conditions would be the solution. She was raised on a farm and had raised pigs and has had potbellied pigs. The pet issue puts it in a whole different perspective. She was concerned that pet goats and miniature horses might end up being part of the issue and looked to the County Attorney for assurances. County Attorney Vitunac recounted how this problem came about. It is thought that this is a unique event and the regulations will solve it and the issue will go away over time. SEPTEMBER 7, 1999