Plan Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Plan Commission hearing and meeting held on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 at city hall pursuant to notice duly given.

Mayor Nerenhausen opened the public hearing at 4:00 p.m. for consideration on the request from Paula Lucas, tenant at 416 Third Street, Apt. A., Oconto, WI for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a Kennel License pursuant to the Oconto Code of Ordinances Sec 7-1-3 (b). This property is zoned Residential 2 and is owned by Patrick J. Short.

Tim Trepanier, 508 Third St., registered to speak in opposition, but chose not to speak at this time.

Mark Willame, 511 Third St., registered to speak in opposition stated he took a straw poll count…counted 17 dogs already in the immediate area of this property; the other apt on this property has 2 dogs; as tenants they have no interest in the property; against granting of the request.

Ruth and Joe Bikowski, 427 Third St., registered to appear and speak as interest may appear; Ruth questioned how many dogs Lucas has?

Mayor stated Lucas has 6 dogs…they are small dogs;

Paula Lucas stated they have 6 Shih TZU mixes; asking for permission to keep the dogs; two are hers that are 10 and 12 yrs old; her son and his wife have 2 that are 5 yrs old; and her roommate has two that are 2 yrs old; Lucas stated she doesn’t want to board dogs; these dogs will not be replaced once…just want to keep them as they are family; they are inside dogs only going outside to go to the bathroom and run around within an approx 20’ x 15’ fenced area…that is 2 ½” high; dogs weigh from 12# to 5#;

Dick and Pat Rogal, 400 Knapp Ave., registered to speak in opposition of the request; Dick stated they live right next door; concerned about the noise factor, smell and exercising of that many dogs; neighbor in next house has two large dogs…Rogal stated he has an older Brittany…a lot of dogs in this area;

Lucas stated they don’t walk the dogs in the area…take them in her van out of the area; the waste from the dogs is put in a covered bucket and disposed of at a farm; they bark when someone comes in the yard…if her request is denied she asked for 60 days to move as the dogs are family; stated they had a fire at their last place and due to financial problems her son and his wife who are expecting and her roommate all live together; on weekends Lucas has two other sons who also live in this apartment; Lucas stated she injured her back at work and is on SSI…it will be very difficult to move but they will not get rid of the dogs…they are family;

Mike Werner, commissioner asked how many hours per day are the dogs left outside unattended?

Lucas stated they are never left unattended;
Ruth Bikowski questioned what about during the winter…how are the dogs…

Lucas stated the dogs are let outside within the fenced area to go to the bathroom;

Werner questioned when did Lucas move to this apartment?

Lucas stated they lived in Suring before moving to Oconto last September…they had a fire; people knew they had dogs; Bernie Faith police officer informed Lucas that they couldn’t have that many dogs…came in and applied for the kennel license;

Jim Lacourciere, commissioner asked if the dogs were current on vaccinations and licenses?

Lucas stated no…she thought the kennel license she received from Suring was o.k. for the City of Oconto;

Werner questioned Mark Willame on noise…with all these dogs?

Willame stated during the winter they are not as noisy, but still that many dogs…didn’t realize Lucas had six, that increases the number of dogs…on his count;

Pat Rogal…six dogs…

Mayor Nerenhausen, hearing nothing more closed the public hearing at 4:20 p.m.

1. Mayor Nerenhausen called to order the meeting of the Plan Commission at 4:20 p.m.
2. Roll call: Mayor Nerenhausen, Jim Lacourciere, Mike Werner, Bob Bake, Kale Proksch, Bob Mommaerts and John Matravers.
3. Moved by Lacourciere seconded by Bake to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes
4. No correspondence or public input
5. Moved by Matravers seconded by Proksch to approve of the minutes as presented from the 2/10/09 meeting and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes
6. Discussion/action on consideration on the request from Paula Lucas, tenant at 416 Third Street Apt A., Oconto, WI for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a Kennel License pursuant to the Oconto Code of Ordinances Sec 7-1-3 (b). This property is zoned Resident 2 and is owned by Patrick J. Short.

Proksch questioned if any other kennel licenses have been granted; Belongia stated a couple of years ago the Plan Commission denied another applicant;

Lacourciere stated empathy for the owners of the dogs, but agrees Willame, 26 dogs is a lot;

Mommaerts questioned is it fair to the applicant…because neighbors etc in this area have dogs as well…;

Matravers stated after listening asks himself would he want six dogs next to him…agrees they are a cute dog, but they must bark a lot;

Moved by Mommaerts seconded by Bake to deny the request for a Conditional Use Permit but grant the applicant, Paula Lucas 60 days to remove a minimum of four dogs from the home to make her compliant with the ordinance.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 7 ayes

7. Discussion on changing the name of Mill Street, West of the by pass to Copper Culture Way; Mommaerts stated the DOT has asked that the city change the name of the road so that the entire road is named the same.

Moved by Lacourciere seconded by Werner to recommend to Council to change the currently named section of Mill Street, West of the by-pass to Copper Culture Way.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 7 ayes

8. Next meeting, Wednesday, May 12th, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

9. No future agenda items at this time.

10. Moved by Werner seconded by Lacourciere to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.


Minutes submitted by
Linda M. Belongia,
Administrator