Despite the fact that a public hearing had already been held regarding a conditional use permit (CUP) for a sled dog kennel at 260 Camp 20 Road in Hovland, County Board Chair Jim Johnson allowed members of the public to speak up on the issue on September 13, 2011.
The Cook County Planning Commission had recommended on August 10 that the county board grant Dennis LaBoda a CUP with several conditions, but two community members asked the county board to disregard that recommendation.
LaBoda has a kennel nearby but requested to move his dogs to the 18.7- acre parcel in question. His nearest neighbor is Amy Alcala, who indicated the quality of life on her one-acre property would be destroyed by the proposed kennel, particularly because another dog kennel is located on the other side of her property.
Letters for and against
An August 3 letter to the Planning Commission from neighbor Roger Haertel states, “I would like to express my full support for granting a conditional use permit to Dennis LaBoda for a dog kennel on his property….Our neighborhood has a long tradition of having sled dog kennels. At present, we have the least number and size of kennels in many years.
“…The community of Cook County should and does support those of its residents that excel in a sport or other adventure endeavor. Dennis LaBoda and his dogs have been competing at an international level for many years…
“…Come on Cook County – Let’s support Dennis LaBoda and his team of fast sled dogs!”
In a letter to Planning & Zoning Administrator Bill Lane, Amy Alcala wrote, “I carried three jobs to buy this land. My son took off four years of his life to build me a home that I could live peaceful in. I love my property and have made rain gardens and pathways to enjoy the outdoors….I do not feel safe with the possibility [of] a kennel next to my own back yard. Since I have only one acre and sled dogs do get loose, my peace will be destroyed as well as my safety.”
Alcala expressed concern over the noise, saying that if she had kennels on either side of her property, the dogs from one kennel would be likely to incite the dogs from the other kennel to bark and howl.
Another document she submitted to the county board stated, “If this dog kennel is granted, I have not just lost my noise-free atmosphere [and] peace of mind which I have worked hard to finally enjoy, I have my own privacy gone…destroyed. …The sound of loud barking dogs day and night would only bring madness and damage to my mental health.”
A letter from Jason Gesch of Colvill expresses concern that the distance from the proposed kennel to Alcala’s home would be less than the 600 feet recommended by the Cook County Kennel Ordinance. He also cited MPCA noise standards, saying, “I hope you’ll see, as I do, that it’s not a matter of if this kennel will violate the MPCA noise standards, it’s really just a matter of when and how often.”
Gesch also took issue with the planning commission’s recommendation to allow up to 65 adult dogs and 20 puppies on the proposed site. The letter stated that Alcala had told him LaBoda was angry that she had bought the oneacre property he had wanted for himself and was just trying to run her out of the neighborhood.
A letter to the planning commission and the county board from mushers Odin Jorgenson and Frank Moe along with Dennis LaBoda states, “The dog mushing community and culture of this place is a unique and precious asset. It must be protected from voices of intolerance and forces of homogenization.” The letter goes on to say, “No dog musher wants to have a negative relationship with his or her neighbor.”
At the county board meeting, LaBoda said his request was made with “no disrespect or personal issues meant to anyone.”
County ordinance
The property in question is in a Forest/Agriculture Residential (FAR-2) District requiring a minimum lot size of 10 acres. A document outlining the planning commission’s review of the issue states, “The principal purpose of the Forest/Agriculture Residential (FAR-2) District is to provide for permanent or seasonal residential uses at a low density.” One of the uses allowed conditionally is kennels.
The county also has a Land Use Guide Plan which includes a goal of protecting non-compatible land uses from one another. The plan states, “Land use-related decisions shall recognize the need to duly consider the rights and responsibilities of the general public good with the corresponding rights and responsibilities of the individual.”
County board discussion
The board discussed with Alcala, Gesch, LaBoda, and Frank Moe numerous issues under consideration. Moe said that dense woods between the proposed kennel and Alcala’s residence would mitigate the noise.
Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson said numerous mitigating factors including weather, leaves on the trees, land forms, and fences can affect noise levels. His department has a stateof the-art decibel meter, he said, which can be used if complaints arise.
“I’ve listened to this argument for many years,” Commissioner Fritz Sobanja said.
Commissioner Jan Hall said Cook County dog mushers have been “persecuted.”
Commissioner Sue Hakes said she sympathized with quality of life issues for neighbors but supported the CUP as recommended by the planning commission. Cook County dog mushers support each other, self-police, and have a good record of taking care of their dogs, she said.
By a vote of four to one, the board passed a motion approving a kennel of up to 65 adult dogs and 20 puppies with numerous conditions, including a requirement that the kennel be at least 500 feet from the nearest existing residence. Voting nay was Commissioner Jim Johnson.
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