Commission approves kennel conditional use permit for three dogs with leash and bark-collar conditions

The River Heights Planning Commission on March 24 approved a kennel conditional use permit for three dogs at 645 S 600 E, finding conditions that the commission said would address neighbor concerns about barking and nuisance.

Applicant Nikkol Christiansen told commissioners the three dogs belong to her children and that one dog would leave in June. "No," Christiansen said when asked if she planned to get another dog after the one left; she said she keeps two of the dogs inside for part of the day and that the yard is fenced. She also said two of the animals wear bark collars.

Neighbors Bob and Marsha Kraus described repeated barking when the dogs are outside. "When I spend time outside, if the dogs are out, they continuously bark," Bob Kraus said, and said he had called animal control in the past. Marsha Kraus said she could see the dogs barking from her bedroom window and urged use of bark collars when animals are outside.

Commissioner Noel Cooley reminded the applicant that dogs must be on a leash when off the property and recommended maintaining bark collars. Cooley also encouraged Christiansen to review Kennel Code 5-2-4. Commissioner Cooley moved to approve the kennel conditional use permit with four conditions: dogs on leash when off property; maintain bark collars while outside until effective; become familiar with Kennel Code 5-2-4; and the KCUP would terminate when she moves. Commissioner Troy Wakefield seconded the motion; it carried with Commissioners Cooley, Davidson, Keenan Ryan and Wakefield in favor; no one opposed.

During public remarks Bob Kraus said he believed the city code defines a nuisance as continuous barking for 10 minutes; commissioners said they could not locate that provision in the code and asked Kraus to forward the citation if he finds it. The commission directed enforcement of any future nuisance complaints to animal control.