MINTO – The municipality is considering a graduated fee scale for new kennel licenses, based on the number of animals on the property.
Council’s review of the town’s kennel bylaw was instigated by councillor Mark MacKenzie, who introduced a motion on Feb. 5 calling for a moratorium on all dog kennel licenses or expansions to existing operations pending a review.
The motion to review the bylaw was approved, but amended to remove reference to a moratorium.
In a report at the Feb. 19 meeting, bylaw enforcement officer Cam Forbes explained kennels are a restricted use under a town zoning bylaw so anyone wishing to run a kennel on their property must apply for an amendment. When that happens properties within 120 metres are notified and given a chance to speak for or against the proposed kennel at a public meeting.
The town currently has 14 licensed kennels and one application in process. There is also one licensed kennel that has no dogs but renews the license annually to maintain status under the bylaw. There is one boarding kennel in the town and three properties whose owners renew their license annually “because they have more than three dogs and wish to keep them all,” Forbes reported.
The report also notes there has only been one new kennel application in the past 15 years.
The town currently charges $150 ($200 if paid after March 31) for a kennel license.
While Minto’s license fees are comparable to neighbouring municipalities, the report points out some municipalities have an escalating kennel fee schedule, with higher fees for kennels keeping more dogs.
“The larger the kennel, the more time it takes to do an inspection, therefore this seems to be a better system,” Forbes noted in the report.
The report indicates council could also consider capping the number of kennels within the town.
“Staff at this point in time do not recommend this option. Considering we have only had one kennel added in over 15 years, at this time the number of kennels do not seem to be an issue,” the report states.
The bylaw also provides for regular inspection of kennels by the bylaw enforcement officer for such items as immunization records and number of dogs. Inspections may also be conducted in response to complaints.
Councillor Geoff Gunson asked the fine for a kennel found in violation of any provision. Forbes explained a fine of $500 could be levied.
In response to a question from councillor Judy Dirksen, Forbes said violations discovered during inspections are rare.
“Basically they book an appointment so they know I’m coming,” said Forbes.
However, he added, “Kennels are generally clean and I don’t think these guys that have kennels in town are cleaning up a lot just to make it look pretty just for me. I think they all run a fairly decent operation.”
Forbes said the only complaint-based inspection he has done was the result of “a family dispute.”
MacKenzie said he agrees with the idea of a graduated fee scale.
“Like Cam said, it takes a lot more time to inspect 120 or 25 than it does 10,” said MacKenzie. “I don’t think we charge enough for kennels,” he added.
MacKenzie expressed concern about the kennel license that is being renewed despite no dogs being kept, noting the operation is “grandfathered” at a 120-dog limit, while the current bylaw sets a maximum of 25 dogs.
“My thought is if an operation ceases for that long they should have to start over again and apply for the 25,” said MacKenzie.
“That kennel is a legal non-conforming use until they cease to renew their licences, regardless of whether they stop (keeping dogs) there or not,” explained chief building official Terry Kuipers.
“So if they stop (renewing the license), after a year they would lose legal non-conforming status and would have to apply for rezoning and would be capped at 25 at that point.”
In response to a question from Mayor George Bridge, Kuipers said the legal non-conforming status would transfer if the property was sold. He pointed out the property contains a “purpose-built” kennel building.
“So they maybe want to keep that option open to them, which is fair,” said Bridge.
The mayor said he sees no need for a cap on the total number of kennels in town.
“If we do get a rush on these we can certainly cap it at any time we decide to cap it and we’ve only had one in 15 years,” Bridge stated.
Council directed staff to prepare a report on updating the bylaw, including consideration of a graduated fee scale.
Bridge cautioned the fee for dog owners obtaining kennel licenses in order to get around the town’s three-dogs-per-household limit should not be too onerous.
“If people are just doing it to have four dogs – they’re at least being honest citizens. You wouldn’t’ want to penalize them too much,” he said.
